Any runner knows that you can only go as far as your shoes can take you. Much like tires to a car, your shoes are the anchor that will keep you protected while on the run.
Wearing the right kind of footwear can provide you with the stability, cushioning, and range of motion you will need to go places. Sadly, many rookie runners make the awful mistake of placing more value on the shoe’s appearance rather than on its quality. Don’t make the same mistake by following this professional runner guide to running shoes.
Shoe Buying Guide
Stability
Runners need more stability in their footwear as they pound on miles and miles of concrete roads at a time. Without enough support from your foot apparel, you’ll easily end up with an injury that will ruin your chances of ever running again.
- To check whether a shoe is strong enough to support your weight, try bending from front to back. If it doesn’t yield, it means that the shoes are too stiff.
- Try twisting the shoe and checking for any wrinkling. Shoes that curl too easily can’t provide you with much support.
Foot Shape
Feet vary in shape and size, which is why finding the right fit is especially important for runners. Athletic shoes are generally designed with curved soles to make them more durable and adaptive to the demands of an athlete. When trying different types of athletic footwear, make sure to consider the following points:
- Go to a specialized running store that carries an array of shoes that are specifically designed for active individuals like you.
- The best time to try on a shoe is in the evening when you are almost done with your day. By this time, your foot has expanded to its maximum size, as more blood has flowed to it after hours of continuous walking.
- To make sure that your toes won’t be squeezed or pinched by tight fitting shoes, always give an allowance of about a thumb’s breadth between the inside front of the shoe and your longest toe.
- Choose a size that gives you enough wiggle room without constricting your foot.
- Wear the same type of socks you wear during a workout when fitting different athletic footwear. As socks vary in width and material, they can affect how your foot will rest inside your new shoes.
- As running shoes are specifically meant to complement your active lifestyle, they are engineered to accommodate your daily workouts immediately without the need to break them in.
- Be especially critical in ensuring both shoes match in height and width.
- After checking their measurements, give them an initial run on a hard floor and see how they perform.
- When torn between two choices, wear one on each foot and move around. By comparing how they feel on each foot, you can make a better and more credible decision.
Running is a great way to shed the pounds and strengthen the body, but as it makes you prone to injuries, it is always best to start with the right shoes to help you reach the finish line.
While the perfect running shoe won’t provide all heel pain solutions, they will limit your chances of suffering from the most common foot injuries associated with running and high intensity training.