Questioning high-end running shoes

Should I spend $80 for my next pair of running shoes or should I go crazy and get one of those fancy ultra-featured $150 shoes? According to a new research (via www.forbes.com) you should go straight to the moderately priced ones. The research findings were made public last October and, summarizing, pointed out that scientists found no differences in either comfort or shock absorption between those two different priced pairs of shoes. The study consisted in putting nine pairs of shoes -from three different brands- under high-tech method tests and also having 43 runners try them and give their assessment on comfort. Some shoes performed better than others on different areas of the foot, but no clear pattern emerged. Their conclusion was there were no significant differences between them that makes the high-end shoes a better option for the average runner. Though it is true that the research didn’t consider shoe longevity -where there could actually be some differences between them- it made crystal-clear what we all know and should be the runner’s first rule: get the shoes that fit. Period. Once you have tried 2 or 3 pairs that fit, go ahead and spend money on those fancy high prized or pick up a cheaper and -supposedly- less-featured option. That’s up to your personality and budget. But remember that a shoe for itself won’t make you a winner, but it can ruin a race.

Via The (Ultra)Marathon life