Top Speed Running FAQ

1371 Foothill Blvd.
La Verne, CA 91750
(909)593-7400

Hours:
Monday-Friday 10-7
Saturday 10-5
Sunday Closed

What brands do you carry?
What is the best running shoe?
How should my running shoe fit?
How long do running shoes last?
How can I prevent blisters?
How much do your shoes cost?

Have another question that's not answered here? Visit us or give us a call at (909)593-7400.

What brands do you carry?

Shoes: Asics, Brooks, New Balance, Adidas, Saucony, Reebok
Apparel: Asics, Brooks, New Balance, Adidas, Saucony, Reebok, Insport, Moving Comfort, BOA, Reebok
Socks: Balega, Feetures, Wrightsock, Asics, Brooks
Accessories: Timex, Garmin, Native Eyewear, Amphipod, Ultimate Direction, Nathan, Fuelbelt, Bodyglide, Two Toms (Blistershield), Superfeet, Sofsole, Sorbothane, Tandem, Asics, Brooks
Nutrition: Powerbar, GU, Ultima Replenisher, Cytomax, Clif, Luna, Gatorade Endurance, Jelly Belly Sport Beans

What is the best running shoe?

There is no simple answer to this question. There is no one best running shoe for everyone. However, there may be a best running shoe for YOU. Getting the best running shoe for you involves several things:

* First of all, you need to get the right type of running shoe to fit your gait.: There are three different categories of running shoes: cushioning/neutral, stability, and motion control. Which category of shoe is the best for you depends on your gait, the way your foot moves when it hits the ground. Each brand makes all three types of shoes.; A cushioning shoe is for someone who has a neutral gait -- his/her foot rolls straight down the front and center as they run or walk -- or someone who underpronates -- his/her foot does not collapse inward enough. Only about 15% of people fit in this category of shoe.
A stability shoe is for someone who mildly to moderately overpronates -- as his/her foot rolls forward, the arch and ankle collapse inward and he/she pushes off of the inside of the forefoot.
A motion control shoe is for someone who moderately to severely overpronates.
Arch height may or may not correlate with gait.; Figuring out your gait pattern is the single most critical factor in getting the right shoe for you.; The easiest way to figure out your gait is to have an expert watch you run (or walk). Come on in to Top Speed Running -- we can tell after watching you for 10-15 seconds on the treadmill.
* It has to be a good shoe.: Good running shoes have cushioning in the heel AND forefoot of the shoe. Good shoes have a solid midfoot. If you can take your shoe and bend it in half in the middle like a taco, it is not a good shoe. Midfoot flexibility can lead to foot and arch problems. Flexibility in the forefoot area is good. Generally, shoes that retail for under $80 or so are missing one or more of these characteristics.
* It has to fit your foot well.: The last characteristic of your best shoe is that it fits YOUR foot well. Not your friend's/spouse's/coach's/dog's/favorite elite runner's foot. YOUR foot. The only way to figure that out is to try it on.

No brand or shoe is the best universally, but there may be one shoe that is the right type for you and fits your foot the best. Come in to Top Speed Running and we'll help you find that shoe!

How should my running shoe fit?

Your running shoe should be comfortably snug around your midfoot and heel, with about a thumb's width of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. Generally, your running shoe size is half a size to a size and a half bigger than your dress shoe size. The reason you want this much space is twofold. First of all, when you run your feet will swell. Any shoe that is a little tight will soon become numbing. Secondly, when you run your foot will slide forward a little in your shoe. If your toes hit the end of your shoe repeatedly, the impact will cause you to bruise and eventually lose your toenails. Black toenails and toenail loss are not a necessary part of running! If they happen, your shoes are too small! This is especially important when you run longer distances, like in marathon training.

How long do running shoes last?

A good running shoe will last 300-500 miles. If you run 25 miles per week, that's 3-5 months. Any walking around you do in the shoes counts towards their life, too -- so if you want your shoes to last longer, save them for running. Alternating pairs of shoes can also extend their life (within that 300-500 mile window). This is because every time you wear your shoes, the midsole compresses. It takes 24-48 hours for the midsole to fully decompress. If it's not allowed to do so, the shoe will not cushion you as well and will wear out more quickly.

How can I prevent blisters?

Don't wear cotton socks! When you sweat, cotton gets wet and soggy and stays wet and soggy. This softens the skin on your feet and causes blisters. Synthetic socks, made out of materials like Coolmax and Drynamix, will wick the moisture away from your feet to keep them dry and blister free. Come in and see our large selection of running socks -- thick, thin, high-cut, low-cut, seamless toe, anatomically correct -- you name it!

How much do your shoes cost?

The regular price of our shoes starts at about $90. We keep our prices competitive -- they are always at or below the suggested retail price. You can also find some great deals on clearance shoes! It just depends on availability in your size.