Hi

I have only been running a matter of months and initially got all my stuff from Sweatshop, there is a smallish shop on the first floor at the Bluewater Complex, Dartford, but a far bigger and better stocked store at Notcutts just off the M20 at Maidstone. Both of these places will put you on a treadmill, video your running style and hopefully ensure the shoes you pick are right for you. They also have a run club which could appear a bit too competative for a newby!.

If you are Dartford based also try the Nike store,again on the first floor in Bluewater, near to John Lewis, I have to say I have moved over to Nike shoes and have never looked back, initial advice from Sweatshop was good and I will never knock them.  At the Nike store you receive the same service and a little bit more i.e video you running, given advice on all aspects, you are never rushed, you are treated with respect and they take the time to go through the shoes and equipment with you, ensuring what you leave the store with is right for what you want to do and not the most expensive pair of ill fitting shoes on the shelf. They also have a run club on Tuesday evenings which is awesome, non competative (apart from yourself to get a good PB).

Good luck with your running.

Hi Clive. I just had a quick Google and there seems to be a Sweatshop in Dartford. They are specialists in running gear and shoes. I have got kit from their other branches. They allow you to try shoes on a treadmill, videoing your feet and legs, making sure your alignment is correct. It's definitely worth getting some proper advice and buying the best shoes you can, although they have lots of offers and last season's shoes too so don't just go for the most expensive!

If you run in the wrong shoes, you could develop problems over time so you've done the right thing by asking for advice. Good luck with your running..

Jules