I believe that if you are looking for a new pair of shoes for running it is important that you go to a store that specializes in running shoes.  Most of these stores will have you get on a tread mill so that they can analyze your gait.  This will help match you to the proper shoe for your individual running style.

As for my own running style, I'm a forefoot striker and this makes it hard for me to find decent shoes.  Most runners land on their heels so almost all shoes are designed that style of running.  All the wonderful technology that goes into creating things like motion control is useless for me because of how I land (this also make orthotics a waste of money for me).  And since most runners don't strike on the forefoot, shoe companies have decided that this area of the shoe doesn't need to be reinforced so I sometimes burn through the front of the sole in less than month.

I generally can get a couple of thousand miles out of a pair of shoes. But I buy them pretty frequently anyway. If they stopped making running shoes tomorrow I probably have enough stocked up to last for a coupe of decades. But that's because I run in racing shoes for the most part and am not looking to the shoe to provide cushioning. I do that myself with proper foot placement. I have a pair of Asics racing shoes that are not available outside of Japan that I've had for about two and a half years and must be at around the two thousand mile mark. I have no plans to stop using them. About a year and a half ago I did feel like I was really slamming into the ground when I ran in them so I put a Spenco inside. That did the trick and I can use them now until they fall apart. I generally run between 80 and 120 miles a week in racers and probably couldn't do half of that in most trainers.

I have a medium frame and narrow feet with medium arches. I tend to have a normal pronation so I've found that a cushioning shoe works well for me. I went to a specialty shop and had them look at my feet and watch me walk to figure out what type of shoe I needed. I used an online shoe guide but misjudged my "wet foot" pattern to indicate I was a underpronater. Also, I looked for shoes that are more durable and can take longer mileages. I tend to replace mine after 400-500 miles. I've run in Asics Gels 1120's but currently run in Nike Air Pegasus which take the miles a little better.

Depending on your foot, running pattern, and body frame, you may be able to get away with lightweight racers or need something with extra cushioning or for stability or motion control.

Hope this helps,

Brian

Active Sara wrote:It's about that time for a new pair of running shoes, but I want to make sure I am purchasing a good quality shoe and a shoe that is right for my body and running style.

How do you choose a running shoe that is right for YOU?

What body/running style do you have and what shoe do you wear because of it?

Looking for any info!! Thanks.

This is a pretty good site for doing some shopping.

http://www.runnersworld.com/topic-ext/0,7121,s6-240-319-0-0,00.html

I also found that holabirdsports.com generally has the best prices.  I've used them twice and am a very satisfied customer.

http://www.runnersworld.com/topic-ext/0,7121,s6-240-319-0-0,00.html