I have new sneakers. I know that’s not a big deal for most people. Indeed once it wouldn’t have been for me either. When I was a regular gym-goer and exerciser I used to get new sneakers (aka: sandshoes, runners, joggers) each year. I was – back then – a Nike addict so the brand was usually a no-brainer and often I had several pairs, cross-trainers for sport or gym classes; and running shoes for… well for walking.
Regular readers would know however that my exercise regime has been sporadic over the last decade (or two). When I’m on a fitness roll – as I was before my seachange – I attended gym classes 4-5 days a week. And sometimes walked as well.
Of course since then, I’ve basically done SFA.
I restarted some exercise classes 4-5 months ago and have written about the over-50s classes I attend locally. I enjoy them despite my usual apathy re leaving the house but injured my achilles tendon recently and had to have a month or two off. Weirdly that actually impacted me more than the heart trouble I had during 2020 and I think it’s because I overanalysed my situation. My very long and tortured exercise / disordered eating history means that I second-guess myself constantly.
Was my ankle / tendon really too sore to walk, or was I just being lazy?
However after Christmas I decided the injury is as it’ll ever get and when my mother asked what I wanted for my birthday I suggested money to put towards new sneakers.
My old sneakers were eight years old. I know this because I wrote a blog post when I got them. I’d only recently moved and wanted to pursuing ‘blogging for money’ and it was actually my first sponsored post. I was so excited. I got paid ($100 or so I think!) AND got new shoes. I did have to travel to nearby Bundaberg but it was worth it.
If you read that post you’ll see it was confirmed I was a supinator and tend to roll outwards on my feet and ankles. I decided to do more research before buying this time around and discovered the pronator / supinator thing is really no longer a huge deal. Most sites I read just suggested good cushioning.
What garnered more attention was the issue of plantar fasciitis. (Which I’ve had a number of times.) After much searching I discovered a few brands and models of shoe best for that, along with shin splints (another regular issue I have): Brooks Glycerine, followed by Asics Gel Nimbus / Cumulus.
Of course, options locally were limited and what I’d identified weren’t on sale, so I was forced online.
They eventually arrived on Friday and are ridiculously light. When the delivery guy handed over the parcel I joked that he was giving me an empty box.
Because I have tiled floors and my achilles still hurts I wore them in my house over the weekend and I must confess I’m not entirely sure I made the right decision. Not about the shoe specifically, but I think I really needed to try them on. My immediate sensation is that my right ankle rolls out more and the sole is shaped in a way that allows this to happen.
But… I wore them to class this morning and there were no incidents so only time will tell.
I realise this topic is ridiculously trite… but do you usually stick with a particular brand? Or mix it up? And is ‘trying them on’ a no-brainer and NOT doing so a rookie-mistake (for someone who isn’t really a rookie but trying to be thrifty!)?
January 11, 2021
Nice kicks (who dis?) Seriously though, we’ll need to give them a workout on the pier later this week.
January 11, 2021
Hi Deb hopefully your shoes will wear in. I stick to the brand that I know is perfect for me. I wear the soles out quickly but My shoes which are Oboz from Kathmandu last me much longer than anything else I’ve tried. Btw your post isn’t trite. #lifethisweek
January 11, 2021
I bet the post gets more engagement (than usual) Jennifer because it’s actually about something practical!!!
I’m the same with soles wearing out quickly and in the past this was always a big problem – the grip would be gone – but my lack of recent exercise means my last pair has lasted a loooooong time.
January 11, 2021
Ahhh kicks?! Didn’t think of that one. Though are they a brand rather than one of those potato scallop / cake interstate debate things?
It was funny today as I had to wear them out in the rain to get into class and I was like… “Oh no they’re going to get wet.” Then realised they would eventually so….
January 11, 2021
I buy one good pair of sneakers every (about) 18 months when the soles are worn down from all my walking. I don’t have a specific brand but always go for good heel cushioning to take the impact off my dodgy hip. Sneakers are SO expensive and getting the right pair is always tricky – especially when I only buy the ones on special (I can’t justify $200+ for a pair of shoes – even ones I wear every day). I hope yours wear in and settle into being a good fit.
January 11, 2021
I hadn’t bought any for a while so was surprised to see almost everything over $200. These were more than that but I didn’t get the latest model (got previous ones) and they were on sale in the new year so they came down in price. Still about $150 though. I was tempted by some cheaper ones but realise that sometimes you DO get what you pay for. (Though I wasn’t prepared to pay full price or more than $200!)
January 11, 2021
They look amazing. Hopefully they will wear in and feel more comfy. I always have to try things on. Too many sensory issues. Can be limiting cause you miss out on the online bargain.
January 11, 2021
We’ve got two large sports stores here, so that’s better than you might expect but because I can search what they have online finding something recommended for my gait; something on sale; and something in my size (10 or 11) was hard. I think what I’ve done in the past is tried on something in that brand and then ordered online.
January 11, 2021
They look really good! Give them a few more go’s before passing judgement I say. I’ve had plantar fasciitis several times too and it is AWFUL! You need arch support and cushioning – lots of cushioning. These look like they have that. If you need more arch support you can get an insert that will give you that. BTW – new joggers are definitely blog post worthy!
January 11, 2021
Yes I’ve often contemplated orthotics but it’s something I should have done when I was still working cos I think they’re expensive.
January 11, 2021
I hate buying new shoes but had to recently. Waiting for the podiatry clinic to open so I can get them to fit them to my feet so I don’t immediately destroy them.
January 11, 2021
That’s a good idea. I’ve never had orthotics fitted but know so many people who recommend it.
January 11, 2021
I love how light they are getting these days. I tend to mix them up over the years and don’t tend to stick with one brand over another, although I did go through an Under Armour phase a while back. Hope they help you out, there’s nothing worse than planter fasciitis #lifethisweek
January 11, 2021
I was seriously surprised when the delivery guy handed them over. My current ones weigh so much more and it’s funny as I remember in the late 1980s thinking the same thing about Nike Airs when they first came out. So light!
January 11, 2021
I actually don’t even own sneakers and can’t remember when I last did! So I beat you on the low exercise bar…
January 11, 2021
I know a lot of people have good quality walking shoes rather than sneakers – the ones that are in a moulded shape etc.. They seem to be quite expensive as well though.
January 11, 2021
That’s what I have with my custom orthodics in them. They are expensive but in truth, sneakers compress and overheat my feet, causing more foot pain. I’ve never had a great relationship with sneakers of any brand.
January 11, 2021
Yes, that’s a great idea. I know before I went to Italy (over 2yrs ago now) I contemplated getting some good walking shoes. I didn’t but I should have!
January 11, 2021
They have actually changed my life, along with the custom orthodics. I no longer get crippling pain daily and can do ‘normal’ things…but never jogging! Never that!
January 12, 2021
So sorry to read about your Achilles tendon. That is sometimes a tough injury to come back from. I always buy the same kind of trainers – Nike Air Pegasus – so I would be comfortable buying them without trying them on. I think if I were buying a new type of shoe, I might want to try them on first.
January 12, 2021
Yes, I was a Nike Air Pegasus fan as well. It wasn’t until I needed cross-trainers that I went with another brand at one point (in the late 90s early early 2000s I think). Weirdly I used to always buy men’s sneakers – not sure if it was because there was a better range.
And yes, the Achilles tendon injury has been annoying. I’ve had treatment but I still struggle to walk months later. I’ve not had a scan or anything and do feel a weird lump on the inside of the ankle area so might need to get it further checked at some point.
January 12, 2021
Glad to make your acquaintance after you stopped by my blog today. I am here to return the favor. Also struggling to get back to moving over here. Have been active most of my life until retirement. And even then ran 5Ks and worked out at the gym, took hikes and walks, swam and rode my bike. But winters have always seen me hibernate for the coldest months. Then this year, with the dreaded virus, we froze our gym membership and have had limited ability to be out hiking or even moving around.
You asked about brands of shoes. I have been wearing Under Armor for awhile now. Not exclusively but we have an outlet store and they have good deals on sale shoes. It is probably about time for me to get a new pair and retire one of my others. I keep one older pair for yardwork, one for walking and exercise and one pair pretty much strictly for running. Which I haven’t done in about 4 months.
Hope you discover that these shoes work well or that perhaps there is an insole you can add that will adapt them to being more comfortable and supportive.
January 12, 2021
Thanks for that. I expect I just need some time to get used to them. Having an outlet nearby is handy. I used to live in capital cities and had more options but I live in a smallish regional town so we don’t have many larger stores and specials are limited.
I also keep old pairs to wear on the beach or to keep at my mother’s but the ‘old’ pairs I have at the moment are very old. I think one pair is missing most of its sole. So thankfully now I’ll have a new old pair!
January 12, 2021
Ah shoes! I tend to roll my feet inwards and some years ago when I started trainign and exercising consistently, went to Athlete’s Foot and found an Asics Gel that was perfect. Since then, I only stick to Asics Nimbus or Kayano. I do buy mine online during sales and read the description first and so far, they have always been great. Rebel has pretty detailed descriptions {at least for Asics} to help and I know my size so it’s straightforward.
January 13, 2021
Ah yes, my issue is the opposite. I recall there being some stores that used to have blurbs on the shoe racks that commented on which shoes were best for which issues. But unless it’s an Athlete’s Foot the staff seem to rarely know much. And I’m obviously with you on the whole ‘finding a shoe / brand you like and sticking with it’. I’m not sure I’ve done that with this purchase, but time will tell I guess.
January 13, 2021
Love the title. I am a Brooks girl because of my feet. I use orthotics in one pair and in the other I can get away with none. My feet pronate. I know that if I do not wear the good gear (the ones that cost $250) my feet do not thank me. I have the same type: Addiction and one pair of Adrenaline.
I get them at Athletes Foot and would never be able to buy anything on-line because of my issues. I am fortunate that with my fibula being removed I can still walk very well.
I have not been able to wear anything not expensive: these sneakers and birkenstocks, with occasional pairs of sandals with straps that I can shift) for decades. And unless I wear something on my feet on our bare tiles, it’s not great for me. Hence the birks. Walking barefoot (loved it as a younger person) is apparently something that can bring on plantar fascitis which my husband had and then remedied by always wearing a sandal or supportive slipper .
Sigh. Not fun is it?
Thank you for linking up for Life This Week. Next week the optional prompt is Back To. 3/51 #LifeThisWeek 18 Jan. I hope to see you there. Denyse.
January 13, 2021
I suspect my Achilles issue is exacerbated by my hard tiles as (weirdly) I often feel it most when I’m at home. I have a very long house so a long corridor – which is great if I’ve got to get my steps up as I just go up and down – but not great on my feet. Perhaps also cos I’ve gained a bit of weight.
January 13, 2021
I recently started walking and suffer terribly from shin splints. I asked my yoga teacher what I could do about it and he said ‘it’s those terrible shoes you wear’. So with no research at all I purchased a new pair of shoes with great support and cushioning. I’m still getting the shin splints. I’ve never exercised in my life and I think my body is just rebelling. I’m off to the physio in the next few weeks to see what she can do for me.
January 14, 2021
I’ve had them from time to time, sometimes debilitatingly so – ie. can barely walk any distance. I did see a physio once also about my ‘gait’ and tried to change the way I paced for a while but suspect I didn’t remember to keep it up or didn’t do the exercises I was supposed to!
January 14, 2021
New sneakers are exciting. Imagine where they’ll take you 🙂 I use a couple of brands and buy when they go on sale. Saucony, Asics, or New Balance are my go to brands atm. #lifethisweek
January 14, 2021
Yes, my last ones were Asics and I think previously I’d worn Asics cross-trainers but Nike runners…