I'm thinking of going out and buying some shoes for running and playing basketball in what with the bottoms falling off my old one's. What I'm wondering is if anyone has any recomendations for a decent pair? Ideally I don't want to spend much on them (£30.00 or less to be honest) but if anyone has any recomendations I'd love to hear them or even any steer clear of advice would be appreciated.

I can honestly say that if you plan on running to stay fit you will get problems if you dont buy good running shoes, this means try them out at the store and make sure you get the right kind for your feet. And always try new running shoes on a treadmill.

Well thats just a small hint.

Running shoes are not court shoes, nor are court shoes running shoes. Runners are designed for linear movement and typically optimized for heel to toe impact. Court shoes generally have 'flatter' soles to provide better stability in lateral movements of basketball, et al, and often are designed for toe to heel impact from jumping.

It's not uncommon to 'roll' a running shoe and twist an ankle in an intensive, side to side, jumping, spinning, free for all. Similarly, flat court shoes are really uncomfortable to run in for long distances.

If you just want one pair, you might look at cross trainers. They're optimized for neither function, but might be suitable for either. If you've gone this long in a pair that's falling apart, nearly anything will be an improvement, and some the best marathoners in the world are Kenyans who spend most of their lives running barefoot. YMMV

Chuck Taylors are the best shoes for EVERYTHING.

Seriously though, if you want good running shoes get something from NewBalance. They're cheaper than Nike and Adidas, and mine have been nothing but awesome.

Chuck Taylors are the best shoes for EVERYTHING.

They kind of suck for archery and walking. I used to get a lot of blood blisters when I walked in Chucks.

I'm wearing a pair of New Balance 620's. I got em on sale for a hundred bucks.

Pros: They haven't fallen apart yet. I can't make a pair last more than a year usually.
Cons: No Traction. I can damn-near slide on dry concrete with these things.

I'm wearing a pair of New Balance 620's. I got em on sale for a hundred bucks.

Pros: They haven't fallen apart yet. I can't make a pair last more than a year usually.
Cons: No Traction. I can damn-near slide on dry concrete with these things.

Isn't that one to many pros?

New Balance are sweet. Plus, they come in very narrow and very wide sizes so they generally fit quite well.

er....that is to say, i can't usually make any running shoe last more than a year.
I've tried them all many times. (nike, adidas, reebok, etc.) These NB's have lasted the longest.

As far as brands go, I won't wear any kind of athletic shoe other than New Balance. They've got every kind of shoe for every kind of foot, they're not overpriced, and they'll last just as long as the more expensive kinds. I've had New Balances for everything from trail running to crosstraining to basketball and they've never let me down. If you're looking for a dedicated running shoe, look around at high end shoe stores for one that has a footprint machine. They'll tell you EXACTLY what model of shoe you need.

No! Run barefoot on concrete! It's so much safer!

I have rolled my ankle a few times since a motorcycle accident really fucked me up back 12 years ago or so.

After that I went after the widest shoe I could. And that were affordable. Asics were my brand for about 10 years. But last year they failed me. Quality had been going downhill and price uphill for years. But I stuck with them. When I finally rolled my ankle (not bad) a couple times I switched to Nike.

Turns out Nike has different widths. It appears many brands to. Color me shocked because I am ignorant of such things.

Now I buy Nike running shoes and crosstrainers. I spend about $50 a pair because I have to buy them on sale or I feel like some Malaysian child slave labor just wasnt exploited enough.

Any good/bad experiences of Asics? I had a pair of New Balance crosstrainers, and they were absolutely shite for running. I now have a pair of Asics (though I haven't run in them yet because of injury).

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/evans77/2295db09.jpg

Go to a running store and have them fit you for running shoes.

I didn't, and ended up w/stress fracture and broke my foot sparring....

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/evans77/2295db09.jpg

Go to a running store and have them fit you for running shoes.

I didn't, and ended up w/stress fracture and broke my foot sparring....

I will second this. Don't **** around with your feet.

No! Run barefoot on concrete! It's so much safer!

FTW. I was bored reading runners world at the dentist and apparently the "New Hotness" in running is running barefoot. Works little muscles that normally don't get worked.. injury prevention.. blahblah. Only other thing I remember is that there's a new Nike show that will mimic this type of movement. irony. That's all I remember because I switched over to reading boaters world. Cabin cruiser shootout!

FWIW I do my weekly jogging in heavy boots with good ankle support.