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Crossfit Equipment: Running shoes

Posted by Pascal Landshoeft

Jan 2, 2015 8:46:00 AM

Marathon Crossfit

 

Crossfit Equipment: 5 tips for Running shoes

I have been running two marathons now and clock around a thousand miles (1600km) a year running. I am an active crossfitter since the middle of 2014 and here are my 5 personal tips for getting shoes. I am no doctor or podiatrist, please always consult your doctor first, especially when you are already aware of any conditions.

 

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#1 Get them 1/2 a size smaller than regular shoes

 

As long as it does not cause you pain in the first fit and the shoes are snug get them half a size down from what you would normally wear in every day shoes. Worked for me for both of my pairs. Reasons are that when you are shopping you will most likely not wear the socks you will wear for running. Usually these socks are thinner then every day wear. Secondly the shoes will give in after the first 50 kilometers and if you buy them a bit smaller but won't suddenly shrink into form if they are too big. 

 

#2 Consider spending around 100€/$ for them

 

The most recommended brands for running shoes are basics, nike, and in some cases mizuno based on my research. All of these shoes are in the 100€/$ area. You might get a bargain in a sale from 60 - 80€ and I am personally not a reliable source for low budget shoes under 50€ as I never owned a pair. However the ones I own are Mizuno wave riders 15 and Nike Id lunar flyknits. Both of these pairs survived several rounds in the washing machine and the mizunos carried me through a tough mudder. There are differences which i will discuss in point 4 of the post.

 

Marathon Crossfit

 

#3 Get new ones every 200 - 300 miles

 

I clocked about a thousand miles on my mizunos with no problems and I am also over this exchange rate with my Nikes. Check the forums yourself and make a decision but the most commonly debated numbers were around this landmark. It hasn't killed me to use my shoes longer, but be aware that the cushioning will lose  effectiveness over time. Especially if you have special shoes or problematic feet / legs I would advise changing more frequently then risk injury.

 

#4 Compare stability with weight

 

This is the major difference between the mizunos and the nikes i own. When you buy your shoes consider if you are already stable on your feet for long distances. I have shortened hamstrings which I am working on and lost a lot of ankle mobility because i did not stretch after my runs for about 1.5 years (this is what bad advice and laziness can do to you). This was not the best combination for the nikes I own which are lighter than the mizunos, but provide less stability. As I am doing weightlifting in parallel i can handle heavier shoes and will go for more stability with my next purchase. Don't get me wrong, I ran personal records on the nikes on 5k, 10k, 10miles and half marathon, but I failed to up my marathon best. For the marathon in Dublin 2015 i think i am better off with a sturdier pair of shoes. Do not downplay the weight of the shoes for long distance running as these 100 - 200 grams extra have to be lifted quiet a few times over that distance.

 

#5 Get an expert opinion

 

Especially when buying your first shoes for running do your research online and then get expert advise for your purchase based on your goals. Do you want to sprint ? Long distance running ? Maybe you want to have multi purpose crossfit shoes which are suitable for running and weightlifting and save you 80 - 100 bucks as you do not have to own two different pairs of shoes. Whenever I made purchases for sport I found that low budget put me at risk and lead to frustration most of the times. It is your body we are talking about after all.

 

Further reading

 

Topics: Crossfit Equipment

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