Posh trainers 'a waste of money'

Cheap and moderately priced running shoes are just as good - and sometimes better - than expensive trainers, say researchers.

A study - published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine - found that, in terms of cushioning impact and overall comfort, spending loads of money on athletic footwear does little to the reduce the knee pain, shin splints and muscle tears associated with jogging.

In fact, they say, the advertising of advanced safety features and protective devices like built-in air bubbles and shock absorbers is deceptive because runners subconsciously subject themselves to greater impact forces, thereby increasing the risk of injury.

The study, conducted by Dundee University researchers, compared nine pairs of trainers, bought from three different manufacturers. The cheapest pairs were priced at £40 to £45, with the moderate range costing £60 to £65. The three most expensive pairs cost £70 to £75.

Plantar pressure - the force produced by the impact of the sole hitting the ground - was recorded in eight different areas of the sole, using a special device (Pedar) attached to the shoes.

The runners - who were not told how much any of the shoes cost - were also asked to rate the comfort of the shoes from "least" to "most comfortable imaginable."

"We found that neither pressure nor comfort are related to the cost of the trainers," said Dr Rami Abboud, who led the study. "Our advice is to buy trainers that fit you best - and don't look at the price tag."

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