New Footwear!

[Switchback]

Ladies and gentlemen; I am looking for the pair of highest recommended running shoes and boots. Let me specify, give a little in-depth backstory here.

About four months ago, I picked up a pair of Vibram Five Finger running shoes. The toe shoes that move your footstrike from heel to toe. I ratcheted up from 1/2 mile in those shoes every day (then switching over to other shoes to keep my cardio up) to being comfortable running up to eight miles in the Five Fingers without feeling any calf fatigue (FYI by running on your toes you absorb shock through your calf muscles; try walking on your toes all day, hater). About two weeks ago, after a little under an hour on the road, my left foot started to hurt up by the distal end of my metacarpals. Bummer. I took two days off and ran again, but the pain worsened. Shockingly enough, I kept running until yesterday, when I noticed some bruising on the top of my foot, and a change in my gait. I had swelling and severe pain, so I went to the "in house" sports therapist at my school. I am scheduled to go in for an X-ray, and am suspecting to see a stress fracture, quite common if you're stupid and make a quick change without listening to your body's warning signs.



Bottom line:

I want your top picks for running shoes that promote a toe strike, and combat boots that are nice and lightweight.

If you only have one to weigh in on, that's fine too.



Additional criteria:

Durable

Reasonable price

NO Camo pattern boots

Shoes have to have some padding


TL;DR: What boots and flat running shoes do you recommend?

[Toonvater]

i don't have so much experiance with boots and other shoes but for boots go for nike sfb, the most confratble boots I've ever used. same with running boots ill go for nike Pegasus line, and go for the regular one not the blue mesh ones. again my knoladge with boots aren't that great but i think other people will probably agree with me. my sfb's were chewed and ruined after three days from my dog(bummer), but I've been using the nike pegasus running shoes for six months now and though i don't run as much as you they are the most confratble running shoes that are durable.
just my .02 cents

[Pacman]

X2, my sfb's are one of the most comfortable boots I've ever worn and I've tried a lot. The only complaint I have is the soles wear quick on hard surfaces. They are very lite and because of the free form sole they remind me of my five fingers but with more protection.

[Icepick]

How did I know you were going to be the one that posted this?

(On my phone, so I couldn't see the OP's name under the thread title.)

[Switchback]

Nike SFB's, huh? They look pretty legit. Good price too.

What about low tops, you guys dabble in that field? Under Armor Valsetz?

I'll keep the SFB's in mind, though.

As for the pegasus shoes, I have to take a pass. Going from Vibrams to something that thick with a big heel pad is crazy. My entire stride changed, so I need something almost closer to running flats.

[Switchback]

How did I know you were going to be the one that posted this?

(On my phone, so I couldn't see the OP's name under the thread title.)

Yeah, I really like those boots/running shoes too.

My foot hurts, phony pony.
Sympathy and footwear choices.
NOW!

<3

[Mcluvin]

I also reccomend the nike SFB's. They are light and VERY comfortable. I don't have a clue as for how long they should last. I bought mine last year and then I grew 2 shoe sizes in 3 months so I didn't get much use, but the boots were great while they lasted.

[Switchback]

I also reccomend the nike SFB's. They are light and VERY comfortable. I don't have a clue as for how long they should last. I bought mine last year and then I grew 2 shoe sizes in 3 months so I didn't get much use, but the boots were great while they lasted.

Still got them?

I'm seeing a lot of support for the Nike SFB's.

I'm still really looking at the UA Valsetz... Something about the low-top appeals to me.

[Snowman]

Belleville anything. Their new 950 Combat Hiker is great, comfortable, and durable. I just picked up a pair of 950V cold/wet weather boots, and I love them. I used to run 795Vs, only downside is that they aren't insulated for crap, so my feet often froze during the winter games, but they were perfect in Cali and Louisiana.

So yeah, Belleville.

[Payback]

I own the UA speed freaks, I know you dont want camo, but they are really light and put you on your toes from the way the sole is designed. Asgi has them for the best price I've seen, got mine from cabelas tho.

[Riddick]

Hey switchback, I know you come to the shop often. Just to let you know that we are an offical Nike dealer now and carry the SFB's.

We have a large order coming in the next couple of weeks.

BTW they have low tops. I finally have mine.

http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/?l=shop, ... 0611081618

[Switchback]

What's your opinion on the low tops durability?
Are they less expensive then the Valsetz? I think the UA looks better than the SFB low-top, got any of those?

[Riddick]

Don't know. I'm getting them next week.

I will have to see about us becoming under armour dealer. Im sure it's in the works somewhere.

[Bulldog]

How do the FSBs do in our wet muck? From the pictures I have found, the tread looks minimal at best.

[Jester316]

I used a pair of surplus Bellvue 390DES boots for a year. They were light weight, excellent traction. They finally tore open on some sheet metal.