what do you think are the best running shoes w/ air soles?

hi!

i have peripheral neuropathy in my legs + it's painful to bang down on the ground (like, when walking or running).  i've been mostly doing the elliptical or stairstepper for cardio to avoid that sensation, but just in daily life, i can't avoid walking.  i wear platform shoes to absorb some of the shock, but recently i grabbed my daughter's expensive sneakers to take out the trash + the difference was amazing (i wear tennis shoes to work out but they're the cheap $20 ones) even though they were a size and a half too small.  i think it's because they were the nikes with air in the soles.  normally if i'm going to do any sort of running i have to take an extra dose of oxycontin because of the pain, but now i'm thinking of buying a pair of these air shoes (my pain specialist agrees that it's a good idea + probably will make a difference - i want to hit him for not suggesting this years ago), and maybe even wearing them in my everyday life instead of platforms.

do any of you guys wear these air shoes?  if so, what have you found to be the best type for not feeling the sensation of your feet hitting the ground?   Thanks! -Erin

I picked up some Asics that are fabulous!  Going to run about $90 though.

Asics are fantastic! I just splurged and got a pair of the Kinsei ($150). I am an underpronater with a bad knee and I could never run if I did not have these shoes.

Good luck!

Thirding Asics as the best running shoe on the market. I have only worn Asics for a long time.

PS: Like designers, brand names like Asics release new versions of their shoes pretty regularly. If you go to online retailers you can typically find older models (but still brand new, not used!) for considerably cheaper than buying the most current version!!

i bought the nimnbus 9s and i adore them.....

I have the Saucony Grid runner. They're stability shoes, and as such provide more cushioning and support than other shoes, but are alsoa whole lot lighter than most I've tried. I love them; when I had to get new ones, I tried on about thirty different pairs and walked out of the store with a pair in a different colour. :P

Pretty much any good running shoe should provide good cushioning; talk to the sales people at the store. As long as you don't buy racing shoes, most running shoes are pretty good with support and cushioning, since running is such a high-impact sport.

I was looking for a nice pair of running shoes a week ago and did some internet research.  Many reviewers say "Asics" shoes are the best.  The nice models are expensive but I guess it's a good investment and probably last long.

Go to a running store and try many pairs of shoes.  I went to my local FleetFeet and after the salesman saw me run in my current running shoes, he had me try 4 pair of shoes out.  After running in each, I was sold on the Nike Structures.

I only recommended the store above because sometimes finding a true running shoe store might not be that easy if you don't know any runners in your area.  I don't recommend going to a general shoe store though because you might not be able to go outside and actually run in the shoe before you buy.

merika; do what I said and what dhwebb said. Find a specialty running store (NOT like Dick's or Sportmart). Find out what works for you then run home, get online and find last year's model or a model from two years ago at a place like eastbay.com and buy them for a fraction of the cost. I feel bad taking someone's time, but if you don't know what to buy and can't afford $100, what can you do? I got my $100 Asics for $45 on Eastbay.com

Yeah, I second what everyone said above, try on all kinds of shoes and go with the one that fits best.  I am a Saucony fan all the way, and I've tried on dozens of kinds.  I find Saucony to have the best support (I have flat feet as well as low cartilage in my knee).  These days I've been wearing the Saucony Grid just like squashmeister.

I would also like to urge you to throw out the cheap tennis shoes.  I used to wear those (not knowing the difference) and they are one reason why I have trouble with my knees.  I didn't realize that shock absorption would cause me problems later in life.  Sigh, live and learn, right?!

Saucony Pro Grid Triumph are like walking on marsmellows.  If they are too "mushy"  Nike Moto the brand new one of that line up, they are not as mushy but still quite soft.  The best bet is to go to a running store, find the ones you like and then go to a big box store and buy them there.  The only thing is that alot of running stores will let you try them out for a month as long as you run inside with them.  Get whatever pair that you feel is for you.  Do worry if they are a little more than what you want to spend just think of it as you want those ones you are running with them so therefore they should feel good you don't want to injure yourself.

Ok not to sound harsh, but lets be real.  If you are going to go to a running store and get a knowlegable sales person to help you out, the least you could do is buy your first pair from them.  Buy your 2nd and 3rd pairs online, but don't jerk their chain and waste their time just to take their sale to a big box to save a few dollars.  We need stores like this so we can get this type of expertise advice.

I'm sorry for the rant but this is a pet peave of mine.

thanks guys! i probably would've bought the hype + tried on a bunch of nikes, reeboks + adidas, since that's what my kids always wear, depending on what's 'hot' (i can't even keep up with this crap anymore), and not even looked at the asics or sauconys (the latter of which i've never even heard of!) - now i'm in the know!

the $20 shoes are destined for the trash.  i could always afford $100 shoes, in the technical sense (i've been in grad school for years and am a deal-hunter/money-saver/penny-pincher by nature, but can always dig up the $ for things we actually 'need'), but felt bad about spending it (seriously, i thought the price tags were about marketing + having to recoup the millions they paid to get some basketball player to endorse them, not about quality), didn't think there was a difference, would rather spend $ for frivolous things on my kids than myself, etc.  now that i know the shoes are for real, it's worth it + i can do it!

how long will running shoes last if i'm just using them for everyday walking (not much) + cardio 2x week (total less than 45 minutes - not running).

now, does anyone know a good sports bra?  it's embarrassing, but i've never actually worn one + just had the idea that maybe i should!

thanks again -erin

I would recommend the Nike Shox personally.  I get pain in my hip when I run to much, I've used the Nike Moto and if I train 3 times a week running it hurts, same with the New Balance shoes I have right now (I don't know why I bought them).

As for how long a shoe lasts well they always tell me at the store 6 months if you are training on a regular basis, but you can feel when they go listen to your body.

Unless Nike has drastically changed their shoes over the last few years, they are not a good choice for anyone who is not pretty light. New Balance and Asics are great shoes for everyone, especially us women who are over 125lbs (which is considered a heavy runner!! Jerks). Like has been said a thousand times, let a professional take a look at you and how you walk. If you have old shoes, bring them in so they can see how you wear down your shoes

dhwebb, you're 100% right of course. I also feel bad for people who just can't afford $100 shoes as well.