Two different pairs of running shoes

daveboy01

After a recent glute strain, and a few visits to the physio, I also had an appointment with a podiatrist. The upshot is I now use 3mm heel raises. But... one other thing he suggested was that I try using 2 different pairs of running shoes. I currently use Brooks Trance - they've worked for a long time and I like them.
He suggested I try a "less engineered" shoe for my shorter mid week runs... he suggested Asics DS Gel... and stick with the Brooks for my longer runs... obviously there'd be less wear on each pair.
If this move will help prevent injury I'd go for it but obviously both shoes are quite expensive so I thought I'd see what you guys think first. Have any of you any experience with 2 different pairs?
I currently run about 25 miles per week but will be upping that to 30-40 miles per week over the summer

daveboy01

daveboy01 wrote: »

After a recent glute strain, and a few visits to the physio, I also had an appointment with a podiatrist. The upshot is I now use 3mm heel raises. But... one other thing he suggested was that I try using 2 different pairs of running shoes. I currently use Brooks Trance - they've worked for a long time and I like them.
He suggested I try a "less engineered" shoe for my shorter mid week runs... he suggested Asics DS Gel... and stick with the Brooks for my longer runs... obviously there'd be less wear on each pair.
If this move will help prevent injury I'd go for it but obviously both shoes are quite expensive so I thought I'd see what you guys think first. Have any of you any experience with 2 different pairs?
I currently run about 25 miles per week but will be upping that to 30-40 miles per week over the summer

should actually work out cheaper in the long term - if you rotate 2 pairs of shoes the cushioning gets more time to reform (and not worked as hard) so both pairs will last longer. rule of thumb is that 2 pairs rotated should last as long as 3 pairs used individually. I've definitely seen this effect in my own runners. Especially when running on tarmac and more so concrete. continuous days use on a hard surface can seriously kill the cushioning in a pair of runners.

digger2d2

I think most seasoned runners on here will use a couple of different shoes for training long/short runs and racing, some as many as 10 but we won't mention menoscemo
When the podiatrist suggests Asics DS Gel I'm assuming he means DS Trainers as opposed to DS Racers? Either way, if I were you I'd go to a specialist running shop and have a chat.

TFBubendorfer

daveboy01 wrote: »

If this move will help prevent injury I'd go for it but obviously both shoes are quite expensive so I thought I'd see what you guys think first. Have any of you any experience with 2 different pairs?

I always rotate 2 or 3 pairs, the basic rule is never to use the same pair of shoes again within 48 hours. I almost always use different makes of shoes for that.

I tend to get niggles quite quickly whenever I violate that rule (e.g when I only pack 1 pair on a trip), so I try to stick with it as much as I can.

The "expensive" argument is nonsense. Two pairs of shoes will last twice as long as one pair of shoes. In fact, they should last even longer, making this actually the cheaper option in the long run.

overpronator

Anyone that has used the Gel-DS trainer, how did you find the support levels? Obviously it wont be as much shoe as a Trance or even Adrenaline but is there a drastic difference?