Shopping for running shoes can be an overwhelming experience. With so many styles and brands of shoes available, it can be hard to decide which type of shoes will provide the best support for your feet. Following a few rules about buying running shoes can help make your shopping experience productive and less stressful.
Examine Your Feet
Everyone doesn't walk or run with their feet in perfect alignment. In some cases, the foot turns outward, or supinates, while in other cases, the foot turns inward, or pronates. You can determine which way your feet fall by looking at your heels in a mirror. Examining a pair of your current running shoes may also provide this information. If your foot turns inward, the inner part of the heel of the shoe will be more worn than the outer part, while the opposite will occur if your foot turns outward. If your feet and heels turn inward, buying motion control shoes may help keep your feet in a more neutral position and provide support for the middle section of your feet. Buying a well-cushioned shoe that provides shock absorption may be helpful if your feet turn outward. If your heels are in perfect, or neutral, alignment, any type of comfortable running shoe will be appropriate for you.
Measure Your Feet
Asking a salesperson to measure your feet before selecting a pair of shoes is always a good idea, no matter what type of shoes you are buying. The American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine reports that your foot size may gradually change as you age. You may also notice that manufacturers don't use uniform sizing. While you may be able to wear a size 7 in one brand of shoe, you may need to wear a size 8 in another brand. Measuring your feet and trying on several different sizes can help ensure that you buy a shoe that fits your foot.
Go For a Test Run
You may feel a little foolish jogging around the store, but taking a test run is the best way to determine the comfort of a pair of running shoes. If you don't feel comfortable doing laps around the store, try running on a treadmill if the store sells them. When you run, pay attention to the fit of the shoes. Look for plenty of room to move your toes, ample cushioning and a fit that is neither too loose nor too tight. As you run, your heels should not slip out of the shoes. Women may be more likely to have this problem because some manufacturers produce the same style of shoe for both men and women and don't take into account the fact that women have narrower heels. RunningShoes.org suggests experimenting with different lacing methods or adding a flat insole to create a narrower fit if this occurs.
Buy More Than One Pair
Buying two or three pairs of new running shoes is a good idea if you are a serious runner. Running compresses the shock-absorbing material in your shoes. If you wear the same pair of shoes every day, the cushioning material may not have enough time to return to its normal state before your next run. Alternating shoes will also extend the life of your shoes. Most running shoes last for between 350 miles and 500 miles of running, according to the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine.
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