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Other/Mixed Running in Converse All-Stars

Other strength modalities (e.g., Clubs), mixed strength modalities (e.g., combined kettlebell and barbell), other goals (flexibility)
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tbone42486

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I've killed my third pair of Merrell Trail Gloves, this pair lasting a mere 5 months. I'm not inclined to keep purchasing these shoes, or any other brand of similar construction, considering the materials just don't seem to hold up.

i wore Chuck Taylor's quite often when I was younger and I've used them for lifting and casual wear infrequently as an adult. The pair I currently have is about a half size small. Not an issue for the above activities, but would probably cause discomfort if I were to do my usual 2-4 mile bi weekly run in them.
So before I spend the money on a new pair, anyone have any inupt
 
I have ran in my Chuck Taylor's and honestly can't tell a difference between them and my Merrell minimalist shoes. As to how they would hold up, not sure.
 
I've run in Chuck Taylor's but not far. They're heavy, but they are great for medium distance, e.g., doing some half-mile repeats, at least for me.

-S-
 
TravisDirks said:
For Minimalist Shoes I love Tiger Claw's Feiyue's for everything (Running Kettlebells, walking, hiking) (Buy from the link. Tigerclaw makes good ones. If your not careful you'll end up with the French version which are more like regular shoes.)

Now this won't solve you're wearing out problem. I go through about a pair every 4 months. The difference is they are only $20.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000DLBMSK?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage
Click to expand...
I recently bought my first pair of these - I love them. They are the closest thing to the feeling of walking barefoot I've found in a shoe - even a Chuck Taylor is still a shoe. These are changing the way I walk, and I'm getting used to that by only wearing them every other day so far. They're definitely closer to a Vibram Five-Finger or a padded sock in feel than a Chuck Taylor.

-S-
 
@Steve Freides Glad to hear it! It's pretty crazy how hard it can be to put on normal clunky shoes after getting used to these. Luckily I live in the silicon valley area, so I can get away with these shoes in an absurdly broad array of situations :D. They're semi formal right :rolleyes:
 
Thanks for the info guys. I found an old post by Rob Lawrence about running in adidas Sambas. Bought a pair for around the same price as Chuck Taylors. Waiting for them to be broken in enough for running but so far I'm happy. Definitely more toe room in these than converse.
 
Indoor soccer shoes (that's what Sambas are), martial arts shoes - all good.

-S-
 
Absolutely love the trail glove; but they do wear. Over the last year, I was introduced to Xero Shoes. If you are interested in minimal footwear, they are about as close as it gets to going barefoot. I believe they are guaranteed for 4,000 miles. I use them for hiking, running, lounging, and training. I have put on quite a few miles and they show very little wear.

My initial pare was the DIY kit, to allow for a more intricate style of lacing ideal for long runs, but recently grabbed another set of the DIY soles and added the Amuri hardware kit. They are basically slip on sandals, with an adjustable heel strap, and I absolutely love them.

Here is the link for the DIY kits.
http://xeroshoes.com/shop/diy-kits/...t6ykNZYNIfmQO1WpjFT77NxH830inCQAQABoCoknw_wcB
 
TravisDirks said:
For Minimalist Shoes I love Tiger Claw's Feiyue's for everything (Running Kettlebells, walking, hiking) (Buy from the link. Tigerclaw makes good ones. If your not careful you'll end up with the French version which are more like regular shoes.)

Now this won't solve you're wearing out problem. I go through about a pair every 4 months. The difference is they are only $20.

Amazon.com : Tiger Claw Feiyue Martial Arts Shoes - White/Black : Sports & Outdoors
Click to expand...

@Steve Freides @Anna C

Bit of warning on my previous recommendation of Feiyues:

Make sure the shoes are actually wide enough for you. The very flexible forgiving rubber can feel fine when it's really squeezing you a bit. Feiyues are my favorite shoe ever. Unfortunately, I developed a Morton's Neuroma, which is a swelling in a nerve of the foot. Everywhere I looked it's said to be caused by shoes that squeeze the knuckles of your feet together(between which the nerve is meant to run). My Feiyues, felt perfect, but I had an old pair and an new pair waiting, so I cut the sides out of the old pair to be sure there was no pressure. My big toe and pinky toe practically spilled out!

If you want to avoid cutting your shoes up, use your hand to feel how thick the rubber walls that connect the upper to sole are, then turn the show over and place your foot on it, you should see enough sole to account for the thickness of the walls. My foot was more than covering the sole.

For now I'm stuck with Xero Sandals, you feel the ground more which is nice, but I'm just not a sandal guy. I sure miss my Feiyues :(
 
Hmm, interesting. I suffer greatly with women's professional shoes with my big, wide feet -- and I don't even try to do heels -- but men's athletic shoes work pretty well for me. I still love the Feiyues and wear them alternately with New Balance Minimus for kettlebell training. I'll check them out for what you describe, though. Hope your feet heal quickly!
 
Sometimes people need a larger size not because their foot is longer, but because the wider part of their foot is further forward than standard.
 
Hmm, yes. And European shoe sizes seem to work far better for me; perhaps this is a difference.
 
Thanks. I guess quick is relative, so far I'm a month and a half in. Nerves I'm told take a long time to heal. I'm still training with KB and getting stonger, but I've had to stop jumping and running, which I miss.

As the stoics would say, this is an opportunity to practice the virtue of patience, and to seek advantage in this apparent disadvantage. :) Workin on it.
 
Those Tiger Claws remind me of my Onitsuka Mexico 66's. They're a bit pricier but I get a few years out of a pair.
 
Anna, a lot of Euro shoes are built to lasts based on foot shapes, not just a length/width measurement. Italian shoes and boots fit me very well.
 
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