What To Look For
Whether you are overweight or not, when looking for running shoes, have your feet professionally sized and make sure that any shoe you buy fits correctly. If you have low arches and tend to overpronate, which means to lean to the inside of your foot, then you'll want to look for motion control running shoes that will give you optimum support, particularly under your arch. If you suffer from knee and ankle pain, look for a running shoe that offers good ankle support, and has a comfortable, air-cushioned sole to offer maximum comfort. You can add to your shoe's comfort by purchasing insoles made of foam or gel.
Common Pitfalls
Don't purchase running shoes first thing in the morning. Wait until the middle of the day or the end of the day to purchase your shoes. Because you'll have already walked around much of the day, any swelling or enlarging your feet do during the day will be accommodated in your new running shoe. Go to a store where a person has been trained in how to fit shoes--your podiatrist may have a recommendation. Some running shoes have inadequate ankle support. Make sure your shoes have good ankle support, since overweight people typically put more strain on their joints.
Where To Buy
If you have found a good deal online at Amazon.com or FinishLine.com, then go to a store and try on your preferred shoes before buying them online. You can purchase running shoes online or at department stores, sporting goods stores and discount stores. Saucony, Brooks and Asics all offer comfortable, motion control options and have websites where you can purchase their shoes.
Cost
Running shoes can be found for as little as $20 in 2010, if you are purchasing a generic brand at a discount store, and can go up to as much as $160, if you are purchasing a brand name running shoe. Brooks Dyad 5, at $65, is a men's running shoe that offers a lot of support for a flat-footed runner, but is not a motion control shoe by definition. On the other hand the Saucony Men's ProGrid Stabil CS is $115, and is classified as a motion control shoe. The uppers and soles of both shoes are similar. The cost of these types of running shoes lies in the technology each company has developed to help a runner absorb shock and avoid injury.
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