Have you seen these?! Adidas unveiled their new “springblade” running shoes this week and I’m kind of dying to try* them. From my highly (non)scientific analysis, they seem to be based on the same principle behind the carbon fiber “blade” prosthetics used by Oscar Pistorious in the Olympics. And I remember a big hullabaloo at the time about how they made him “inhumanly” fast which is why I totally want to try these shoes. Even though Oscar Pistorious is a total d-bag and these are made out of plastic and… oh don’t rain on my parade. They’re kinda pretty in a weird, funky way, no? Sort of like a cross between track spikes, those Kangaroo bouncy shoes and those little plastic doohickeys we used in the 80’s to make hook rugs. LOVE. (Both the shoes and the rugs. I was seriously into hooking – of the rug variety – as a kid.)
Fitness has so many rules that it is practically its own religion. Don’t believe me? Try and talk a triathlete out of their long ride/run/swim on Sundays. You might as well be stealing from the offerings plate. But it’s hard not to break a rule sometimes and I’m a rebel rule breaker! (Lie. I’m a total rules follower. Always have been, always will be.) Yet some of the worst fitness offenses I commit are related to one of the biggest fitness commandments – How to properly purchase and wear athletic shoes. Forgive me readers, for I have sinned.
Rules For Buying Fitness Shoes (And How I Break All Of Them)
Rule 1: Always buy a shoe based on function, not looks.
Confession: I buy shoes because they’re pretty. There, I said it. Feel free to judge. I used to wear these really ugly shiny white athletic shoes because they got the highest ratings for the activities I did. And then I got tired of being all party on top and business on bottom (wow, that came out badly). Now I look for style first and hope they will be halfway related to what I need them for. True story: I was thisclose to buying a pair of golf shoes even though I’ve golfed exactly once in my whole life because they were just that cute.
Rule 2: Use them for their intended purpose and nothing else.
Confession: I used to have shox specifically for kickboxing, cross-trainers for boot camps, dance shoes for Zumba/Hip Hop and runners for, well, running, duh. But it cramped my style since a) unless I only want to wear silver, pink and black when I run then I have to mix it up and b) Jelly Bean loveLOVEloves to try on shoes which means that it’s a crapshoot if I can find two that match each other much less match the workout. So yeah, I end up with a lot of running shoes (I’m still pretty loyal to my Unicorn Vomit Asics! Because like Lisa Frank proved, everything goes with unicorn vom.) I run in them. I also kickbox, lift weights, hike outdoors and circuit train in them. And they were awesome in every single activity. No shin splints, no black toenails, no arch cramps, no bizarre hotfoot. I don’t get this lucky all the time though – I have some pretty shoes that ended up not being good for anything except weight lifting *cough*Puma*cough*.
Rule 3: Buy new shoes every 3 months or XXX miles
Confession: I finally find a pair of super cute shoes that are magnificent at everything I put them through? I’m gonna wear them until they fall in tatters off my feet. (Or until they come out with new colors – look, shiny!) Seriously though, I’ve “outworn” all my shoes – some to the point they were holey (holy?) and destroyed – and I’ve never had anything bad happen to me or my feet or knees. Maybe I’m tempting fate by saying this but I think you can wear your shoes a lot longer than the salespeople/magazines/manufacturers say you can.
Rule 4: You get what you pay for
Confession: I buy a lot of shoes on clearance. Off websites even. (Oh the shame! The horror!) Usually shoes go on clearance because of lame things like they are last year’s colors or whatever and they work awesome. (Of course sometimes they go on clearance because they suck.) But I’ve worn top-end scientifically engineered sneaks and 10$ Converse knockoffs and everything in between and for the most part, they’ve all been basically fine.
What’s your shoe buying philosophy? Anyone else have any fitness shoe confessions? The new Adidas springblades: super cool and can’t wait to try them or over-engineered mess??
(*Note: I have no relationship with Adidas and am not being compensated in any way for this post. I didn’t get free shoes although if Adidas would like to rectify that situation I will certainly not turn them down! Ahem.)
I wear shoes until the bottoms are worn away. I used to hike near our home a lot when we lived in L.A. and realized I needed new shoes when I kept sliding down the hill I’d been trying to walk up. I felt guilty about spending $60 on new ones, until my S-I-L pointed out that, given my track record, I’d probably keep them for 10 years. So I was basically paying $6/ year.
That was 11 years ago. And, yes, I still have them. 🙂
Unless you’re a regular marathoner/Extreme racer/professional athlete, I think you can keep your shoes for longer than 3 months. And for most of us, 1 or 2 decent pair of athletic shoes is plenty, even if we use them for multiple activities.
BZrW, I would totally try those Springblade shoes!
I think that the “rules” apply much more to people who either are very much dedicated to one activity (such as a committed runner) or those who have feet that don’t pronate. If you are cross training and take a neutral shoe you can get away with a lot more. Consider yourself lucky as I have to wear butt ugly motion control shoes or no running for me! 🙂
The first time you run through damp dirt, those gorgeous spring bottoms will be obliterated with two pounds of crud.
For about a hundred bucks, I own a rainbow assortment of cheap Converse knock-offs (Airwalks) that get me rave reviews at the gym, and they’re perfect for weight-room workouts. I also have a couple pairs of cheap running shoes for those rare occasions that I need something with a cushion.
I am a complete shoe freak. Seriously.
First of all, running shoes are getting so much cooler looking. I’m partial to the brooks brand and up until a few years ago they their design was done by a 3rd party. Once they brought that in house the awesomeness was amped up like you wouldn’t believe. They look awesome. Their previously dull shoes are now screaming with vibrancy. I love them.
I am a 100% believer in the mileage business. If you do all your running on a treadmill or for short runs you might not notice, but if you’re training for a marathon and running 50+ miles a week you notice a difference. A huge one. Of course some people’s natural stride needs less help than others so they can get away with it longer, and you may be one of those blessed people. But 17 miles into a 20 mile run I totally care how compressed the padding in my shoes is.
I only use running specific shoes for running, I don’t care about all the others. I go with whatever I want there.
Lastly, (I told you I was a shoe freak!) you can find amazing deals on shoes online or on clearance. Especially if you already know what shoes you like. But shoes do have a shelf life, so if you are someone who is susceptible to needing to change shoes once they get high mileage you won’t get as many miles out of a shoe that has been sitting on the shelf for two years. But if you’re getting a great deal, don’t let that stop you!
I don’t necessarily pay attention to what a shoe is designed for; I just look for something that feels good on my feet (not always easy – trying on in store doesn’t necessarily tell you how they will feel when you are actually working out). As for how often to replace, I can usually tell when my shoes have had it; that’s when I replace them.
I am a shoe fanatic, and if I could wear any shoe to work out in, I’d be like you. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy for me to find athletic shoes that work. I don’t think it used to be this hard, so maybe it’s an age thing. Something to look forward to. 😉
My main rule is I always have to try them on in person. I tried buying a pair of running shoes on line and it didn’t work. They were exactly the same as my previous pair but they were just off when I got them. They were hard to break in and even now they still bother me from time to time. Just goes to show that even if they’re the exact same brand, model, etc there can still be differences.
I love bright athletic shoes! I used to wear the appropriate shoe as needed. But they were always so boring! A year and a half ago, I bought some Nike design your own shoes, and I put as much color in them as possible. Since then I have found two pair of New Balance and two pair of Asics that are brightly colored. Some on line, some at discount stores. I rotate through the shoes depending on my mood. And even though they are all running shoes and I walk and go to boot camp, they all seem to keep my feet and legs happy.
Love this. I totally buy shoes on clearance too. My favorite type of running shoe was on clearance (last season’s shoe, so… the exact same shoe I already owned but in a different color) for 55% off and you bet your behind I bought a pair. Now I go back and forth between the two – the old, tattered pair is for muddy/rainy days. And vanity is no sin when it comes to running shoes! I refuse to buy shoes with thick chunky soles – partially because I hate how they feel and what they do to my running (I’m a McDougall disciple, sue me) and partially because I can’t stand how they make my feet look like giant packing peanuts. Sleek, man. I like my running shoes to basically be socks.
I didn’t know that you should buy new athletic shoes every 3 months, that seems too often, but I suppose if you are using them everyday it makes sense.
I am a huge fan of buying shoes that are engineered for the specific task at hand. For example, running shoes for running, walking shoes for walking, hiking shoes for hiking. They are all specifically designed for their jobs. Totally agree that you get what you pay for, so keeping that in mind is important.
Oh yeah, I pretty much break all of those too! Except I don’t buy athletic shoes online. My feet tend to be pretty sensitive (like can’t walk after 20 minutes in heels sensitive) so I go to a running store I trust and have them fit me. I’ve had great luck with that. Other than that though I have one pair of shoes at a time that I love, I wear them for everything, and I wear them until they fall off my feet. My last ones I realized I could see my socks through the tops and that probably meant they were done. Also, last time I bought shoes I had it narrowed down to 2 and definitely picked the brighter, prettier ones, lol.
I buy shoes that fit my foot and are cute, then when it’s time to work out I choose the shoe based on the activity (some are better for standing on a bosu than others! – Adidas Climacool!). I get a chuckle out of the guys at the gym who believe they must be in socks only for squats, some that come in work boots and put on slippers for weight only days, and those that wear those darn toe shoes… those give me the creeps.
I just buy shoes that feel nice when I put them on at the store and that are light. I really don’t think about what they were made for. I’ve never had issues with my shoes, and I tend to think that all the categorizations are a bunch of overly specific nitpickery created to make us spend tons of money on shoes. Maybe it’s important for people with bone structure/ligament/whatever else problems in their feet, but mine have never complained at anything.
I break every one of those rules. I’m suddenly feeling very badass. 😉
My roommates and I used to compete for “ugliest running shoes”. I won with these all silver Adidas with bright yellow laces. This was before the neon/bright show trend started. I was so hip.
haha I definitely break a lot of those rules although I have to say that certain super crazy shoes don’t appeal to me because all I can think about is hurting myself in them…Like those reebok flex ones or whatever. I just pictured myself catching on of those things on something and falling over.
And you most definitely need shoes to match your outfit regardless of whether or not they are good for running or lifting!
Oh, this made me laugh!! I’ve broken every rule (and then some!!).
Just last Friday I walked into a small shoe store that I love and asked if they had any new Mizunos (my favorite running shoe) because I had always gotten them there. I didn’t need new shoes just thought I would check since I happened to be at the mall. Well, 2 guys were working and they said no more Mizunos. What?! One of the guys asked what they were for and how much I ran. Then he told me to hold on while he went to the back to get a pair for me to try – while he was back I told the other guy that they needed to be pretty and have cool colors. Pretty sure both guys thought I was a nut job until I told them I was training for a 50 mile race and great looking shoes help. (and, I ended up buying them because they are awesome)
These shoes definitely break the rules of shoes in general, as I try to imagine myself using them I just cant help but picture them feeling like high heels and as a male I’m not to keen on those, maybe for women and someone like oscar these shoes do great but in my world they would make things a lot harder…but, one thing I do like about them is the protection they provide, from the raw gravel terrains, and the apparent boost it may give…those are two features I cant ignore.
since I am a triathlete with a non-traditional job (that makes me work on at least one weekend day 95% of the time), I get my long workout in when I can during the week. rules be damned!
as for workout shoes, I go into my trusty local running store and trust them with my feet – getting a gait analysis and all. I would love to just buy fun pretty colored shoes, but when one has relatively serious bunions, one can run into horribly painful feet that way. it’s bad enough that 99% of the people at our weekly runs have fun, bright shoes and mine are boring since we had to special-order a wider shoe … that only comes in a boring white. booo. still, if it helps my feet, i’ll go with it.
I wear ninja shoes. Because I am a ninja.
I buy based on price and how cute they are! I cannot afford $200 on perfect shoes that need to be replaced every 3 months. I also wear mine until they have holes and my socks are getting wet!
I recently needed to replace a pair of running shoes, so I spent extra money on the updated model, which came in a new and even more awesome color scheme. Unfortunately for me the manufacturer made slight changes to the shoe itself, and the new shoe ended up causing foot pain when I ran. So I went back online and bought two pairs of the old model in not-quite-as-cool color schemes, but for a huge discount…which I probably should have done in the first place. But I am so easily tempted by pretty shoes. 🙂
My feet are so bad that I have to buy for function – I have no choice on that.. they have to be wide AND handle my bunions – have to handle my no fat pads in balls of my feet & more so…. I do admit I don’t replace enough to to money & I do wear old shoes after to just walk around in! 🙂
Can’t get comment luv to work for me so: Setting Goals for #IAmEnough; #WhatsBeautiful http://truth2beingfit.com/2013/06/25/setting-goals-for-iamenough-whatsbeautiful.aspx 🙂
I used to buy step-specific sneakers to teach step class. They used to work really well, but the last few years, I found that I kept returning them after trying them once because they hurt my feet. Now I wear running shoes for everything, and they feel sooo much better. Go figure.
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Hi Charlotte, I agree with Naomi. It looks like those things can get ruined pretty quickly. They look like nothing more than a marketing gimmick. I know this post is kind of old, but have you tried them yet? I’m interested to see if my hypothesis is correct.
wow amazing post and tips.i am often try to find different styles for different season specially for the footwear & sandals as i read your post it really helped me.Your tips will help me not to choose tha sandals just looking their vibrant color but also their function and use.
Thank you for such a nice information.