What To Look For
Whether you are overweight or just big-boned, big guys face their own set of challenges when buying running shoes. Your extra weight means that a shoe created for a 150-pound distance runner may not be appropriate for your body size, which may place extra stress on your bones and muscles. Therefore, you want to search for a running shoe with extra cushioning. Interestingly, big guys often overpronate as well, meaning that your feet roll inwards as you run. Check the bottoms of your shoes to see if there is more wear on the inner edge of your shoe than elsewhere. If so, search for a motion control running shoe with a little extra padding.
Common Pitfalls
Pay no attention to the advertisements for running shoes you see in running and men's magazines. These are made to sell shoes, and have nothing to do with the kind of shoe that will be right for you. Flashy racing flats, for example, may look cool, but they offer little to no support and will lead to injury if you try to train in them, especially if you are heavier than the average runner. The best advice for a big guy looking to buy a pair of running shoes is to try on numerous pairs and go with what feels best and what fits the requirements for your body type.
Where To Buy
You can find running shoes at specialty running stores, athletics/sports stores, online at running websites, and on websites selling shoes. As a bigger guy, you might have better luck with an online store, especially if retailers don't usually carry your shoe size. However, be prepared to send your shoes back several times before you find the perfect fit. Alternately, you can go to a running store to be fitted for a pair of shoes and have them special-order the size you need, and ordering any new pairs you need from a website. This way, you support local business, find the size you need immediately and still save money in the long run.
Cost
Running shoes tend to cost between $75 and $150, with the average price around $100. However, if you need a hard-to-find size or width, your store may have to special order these shoes, and you may therefore end up paying for shoes on the higher end of this price spectrum.
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