Need help finding new running shoes.
 

I'm not really what you can call a runner, but I go the distance every day on an elliptical machine. But I'm having trouble with my feet, 35-40 minutes into my workout I'm numb from the knees down. The shoes I wear are new, I bought them the end of November and they are L.A. Gear cross trainers. Other than when I use the elliptical or the treadmill they are very very comfortable.

Any suggestions on what kind of shoes are good? I haven't a clue.

Almeeker: I like New Balance running shoes, but I think everyone should go to a runners' speciality store to have their feet measured by a real expert at least once. Yes, you pay more, but the employees at the finer stores are trained to check out your gait and wear on shoes to determine the best option for you. Fleet Feet is the name of the store in my area.

I've also heard some people complain about numbness and tingling while using the elliptical. The stride length varies on different models and some people have wider gaits. Have you tried a different machine like the arch trainer? The fact that you said it happens on the treadmill, too, makes me question whether stride length is the problem but thought I'd throw it out there as a possible cause.

I'll check out the NB's, do you know if they come in wide widths? My main problem with shoes is that I have very short, very wide feet, I measure a 6.5 DDD. I wonder if it is the width in these shoes, I bought them off the sales rack, and I think they are 7.5 mediums, which is maybe a B or C width.

New Balance does have widths.

My husband's shoe size is 8.5 EEEE (U.S.) (or however they designate four degrees of "wide". He wears New Balance shoes, because they are the only ones that come close to being wide enough. Still, their widest width is not quite wide enough, so every pair of shoes he gets ends up with holes in the sides after a month or two. It's very frustrating for him to go into a shoe store that says, "We carry widths!" or "We have the largest selection of sizes!" and still not be able to find something that fits his feet. I imagine you must experience the same frustration.

(I have the same problem trying to find bras, but I'm sure that's TMI :D.)

not to sound silly but are you sure you dont have them laced too tight? often numbness is caused by the blood supply being restricted. I am a marathon runner and i swear by Mizuno running shoes. i went to my local running/walking store and had them check out my feet and recommend shoes for me and i have bought them now for 2 years and had no troubles with any injuries.

I'm pretty sure it's not a lacing issue, since I've tried it with them almost unlaced just to see. I'll check out the Mizuno, do you know if they come in wide widths?

Funny that, I have trouble finding bras too! I normally don't have that much trouble finding shoes, I think mostly because I have small feet. If they don't carry a 6.5 wide, they have a 7-8 med, which although too long, usually fits the width well enough that I can wear them. I typically can't do strappy high heels or sling backs. You should try shopping for your husband on-line. I've found some really nice shoes and was able to order them in my width.

Need shoes at all??
 

I'm not a runner either, my first thought is "your knees down aren't suppose to go numb--it sounds like a nerve issue"..especially if you run heel-toe (and thus are smashing your knees because your slamming your feet on the ground)..but I'm not a specialist so I'm not positive. With finding new running shoes I would suggest going barefoot or using Vibram 5-fingers but to do this you have to RE-LEARN HOW TO RUN. May sound silly but I'm serious, The Running Barefoot is an amazing site to learn more about this. I use to despise running but I love my Vibrams and use them for absolutely everything, now that it's getting warmer outside I'm going to be hitting the streets and tracks, barefoot, with my husband :rolleyes: