Which Running Shoes to Buy?
Did you know that the first shoes that Nike’s introduced were running shoes? Though humans have been running for thousands of years, running shoe technology has changed the way that we run. Today’s running shoes are built to make your running faster and comfier. But choosing the right pair of running shoes can be confusing. Here are some tips to help guide you in the process:
1. Verify that the shoes have (a good) sole.
The sole is one of the most important parts of a pair of running shoes. To put it another way, if the sole wears out quickly, then you won’t run far in them. Determine if you have a normal, flat, or high arch. This will help to choose sneakers with the right type of sole. Based on the type of arch your foot has, the shoe’s sole will wear a certain way.
2. Do your homework.
While the Internet has changed the way that we get information, it shouldn’t be the only source of information that you use when choosing a pair of running shoes. Ask veteran runners about the shoes they use, read articles in running magazines, and join blogs about running. While you’ll ultimately be the one who decides which pair or running shoes to buy, it’s best to have lots of expert input.
3. Shop around.
With online stores becoming more and more prevalent, there are more sources than ever to find the right pair of running shoes for your needs. The most obvious drawback of buying your shoes online is that there’s no virtual fitting available yet. But the benefit is that comparison shopping is much easier now. With some typing and mouse-clicking, you can quickly browse the Net, to find the best price for a particular pair of sneakers that you’re interested in. It’s that easy! In the past, you would have needed to drive around all day or make 101 phone calls to various sports shoe stores.
4. Don’t judge a running shoe by its exterior.
Today’s shoes are available in all types of flashy designs and colors. But remember that you (probably) won’t be wearing the shoes in a fashion show. So focus on the essence of the shoe: how it fits, and how well it will complement the running that you do. Don’t worry-the fashion police won’t give you a ticket if your shoes don’t match your running gear.
5. Consider the type of running you’ll be doing.
Everyone doesn’t need a pair of top-of-the-line running shoes. Think about the type of running that you’ll be doing, and how much of it you’ll be doing. If you run a marathon every weekend, then you probably don’t want to choose a pair of raggedy sneakers that will fall apart during the first mile. On the other hand, if you just jog through the park a few times a week, then you likely won’t need the Rolls Royce of running sneakers. Besides how often you run, also consider factors such as if you’ll be running indoors or outdoors, and the type of surface(s) that you’ll be running on.
Whether you’re a newbie or expert runner, these tips will help you to be off and running-in the right pair of new running shoes!
Graeme has been writing articles for nearly 3 years. His current passion is hydrotherapy. Take a look at his selection of used hot tubs and his complimentary range of hot tub heaters
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Best Running Shoes Selection Criteria
The best running shoes will give you super human strength. With the right running shoes you’ll never lack motivation to wake up in the morning to go running or finish that long run. Sound a little too much like fantasy? You might be surprised to find that the best running shoes for you would work a small miracle in the motivation and performance that you get from them. The big question is how on earth do you find the best pair of running shoes for YOU?
I can’t tell you how many articles I’ve read recently that talk about how to find the best running shoes. Don’t get me wrong, some of them do have a valid information that can help you decide, but in a lot of cases they just miss the point or focus on one aspect of running shoes.
One article that seems to have taken a slightly more scientific approach was published by Consumer Reports (CR). In the article they list out six categories used to evaluate the best running shoes. Here they are as a quick list and in the order that CR thought they had most priority.
* Fit
* Cushioning
* Stability
* Flexibility
* Breathability
* Weight
These are in fact very important, but how can you apply these six measurements for yourself and YOUR feet? Also, how do you know that the priority given to these six categories will be the same for you? Let’s take a look and see what we find.
Fit is important, not doubt about it. But fit is a tricky subject due to foot length, width, personal preference, etc. In an interview I did once with a professional runner, he indicated that when he got a new pair of running shoes he wanted his toes right up against the end of the shoe. He didn’t want any room at all. But, when he sells running shoes to other people, he always suggests that they leave just under a half inch of room for the toes. Which way is right?
In this first case, the answer will clearly be different for every person, and what you might do before you go looking for new running shoes, assess a few things. Do you have wide feet? Do you have high arches? Do you require other special accommodations? With these in mind, you can often find shoe manufacturers that accommodate a particular aspect of your running shoe needs and save yourself from having to try on a bunch of different shoes and finally settle for a pair that isn’t “as bad” as the others.
One example is that Reebok makes shoes for wider feet. Many of the specialty running stores don’t carry Reebok, and so they might try to sell you a shoe that’s not wide, and ends up feeling longer on your feet. Knowing before you go can make a huge difference and ensure that you get the running shoes with the best fit.
Next is cushioning, and you might be tempted to think right off the bat that you want all the cushioning that you can get. Well, you’re right, and wrong. It seems to be that the more expensive the shoe the more cushioning you get. This is great, but may not be as necessary for someone that is running very few miles per day or per week. If you’re a casual runner it might be that you get all the cushioning you need from a less expensive pair.
If, on the other hand, you run five or more miles per day and you repeat that several times throughout the week, you might want to consider a more expensive shoe. You will also want to cycle your shoes out more frequently. There is growing evidence that the quality of your running shoes can affect your health and motivation.
One example of how it can effect motivation has to do with how you feel after a run. If you finish a run and feel beat up and hammered, this might be an indication that you don’t have enough cushion in your running shoes. If you associate this negative feeling with running, it can be very difficult to get out running as often as you would like/need. If a more expensive pair of running shoes made you feel better after a run, and therefore made it easier to get out the door, would it be worth it?
The categories of stability and flexibility are much more personal. For example, the stability of a shoe will depend on your individual tendency to pronate or supinate and the strength of your ankles. This can be a really important decision since running in a shoe that doesn’t accommodate your biomechanics can possibly promote injury. I won’t give any advice other than to ask a professional.
Finally you end up with breathability and weight. Do these matter for you? Well, some questions that might help you decided include the following: Do your feet sweat a lot? Do you run long distances? What is the temperature when you’re running? What type of socks to you wear. As it turns out, I like a shoe that breaths a lot and weighs as little as possible, and I think that my preference is pretty common.
So will the best running shoes really transform you into a super hero? Probably not, but they can have a huge effect on your motivation and performance. Remember to do some research before you start shopping so that you don’t end up in a brand or type of shoe that will never be the best running shoe for you. Don’t hesitate to ask for advice, but do make sure that the person giving the advice is a runner and not some shoe clerk that’s never run in his life.
Daniel Watrous is a runner and fitness enthusiast. In the last eight years he has run over 2000 miles including two marathons. He now maintains several websites that support his fitness and exercise habit, including a site dedicated to Running Shoes. Learn more about running shoes here:
Best Running Shoes
Exercise Log
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What to Look For When Shopping For Running Shoes
These days running shoes can be purchased online or in person at a store that specializes in athletic shoes and equipment. A good running shoe salesman will be able to look at your old running shoes and determine your individual biometrics and recommend the right type of running shoe for you. There is no one best shoe for everybody. It is very much an individual choice based upon whether you are flat footed, have a high arch, run on the inside of your foot, or run on the outside of your foot.
When shopping for running shoes the first thing you must do is determine your foot type. This is very easy to do with a simple ‘wet test’. Simply wet your foot and step onto concrete or a paper towel so you can see the wet outline of your foot.
A footprint with a slight curve is made if your foot is normal or average. If you have normal feet then you should choose a running shoe that has good cushioning and offers moderate stability on the medial side of the shoe. These shoes are often classified as Stability shoes and Neutral-Cushioned shoes.
A wet footprint that shows nearly all of the bottom surface of the foot is called a flat footprint. If you have flat feet, you should shop for running shoes that provide maximum support to the inner-side of the foot or to both sides, as in the case of Motion Control shoes. Choose a stiffer midsole that provides moderate cushioning and good stability.
A wet footprint that just shows a sliver of the foot is called a high arched foot. If you have a footprint like this, you should shop for running shoes that have generous cushioning and flexibility. You should not need additional support to the inner (medial) side of the foot.
Running shoes are placed into three main categories, stability shoes, cushioned shoes, and motion control shoes, based upon their function. They are further categorized according to their use such as racing shoes, trail running shoes, and performance shoes.
Motion control running shoes prevent the inward rotation of the foot, which commonly occurs with flat-footed runners. This shoe helps prevent injury by being rigid due to the insertion of a medial (and sometimes lateral) post on the inner side of the shoe. These shoes tend to be stiff, bulky and heavy.
Cushioned running shoes are made to provide balanced shock absorption without additional stability devices. They can encourage the inward rotation motion that is lacking in a runner with high arches. These shoes are also very flexible. Neutral-Cushioned shoes can be a good choice for runners with neutral gaits who like a lighter more flexible shoe than Stability shoes provide.
Stability running shoes offer features found in both of the other types of shoes but to a lesser extent. They offer some cushioning and motion control and provide stability to those with a medium arch or normal foot.
When shopping for running shoes, measure both of your feet and go with the size of the largest foot. It may be necessary to buy a running shoe that is a half or full size larger than your street shoes. It is also a good idea to shop late in the day when your feet are tired and swollen. Be sure to wear the socks you usually wear when running.
Choose the type of running shoe that is best for the shape of your foot. The purpose of a running shoe is to provide the cushioning and stability that is right for you. You shouldn’t need to break in your running shoes, they should be ready to use right away. Test them thoroughly by wearing them in the store and running on a treadmill with them if the shoe store allows it.
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7 Secrets You Need to Know When Buying Running Shoes
Running shoes can be expensive and if you don’t buy the correct shoes, it can cause injuries. It is best to thoroughly research on what type of shoe that fits best for you.
Here are 5 things you need to know when buying running or jogging shoes:
1. Buy from a running specialist shoe store. The salespersons are usually experts with running equipment as most of them tend to run in their spare time.
2. Make sure you are clear on what you want and ask the salesperson for their opinion. If they don’t give you a reasonable response, then its best to find another shoe store.
3. Make sure the shoe has enough cushion in them while being flexible. A lot of the cheaper shoes has excellent cushion but are not flexible. Your shoes need to be flexible around the toe area so you can propel your body forward.
4. Measure each foot before putting the shoes on. Some people have feet that are not of the same size.
5. Walk and run around with the shoe on. You need to make sure that it feels good on your feet when trying it on.
6. The shoes shouldn’t pinch your toes or be too tight around the sole. Normally, shoes can be broken into but running shoes has to be a perfect fit the moment you place them on your feet.
7. Buy from well known designer brand and not from a cheap generic brand. Nike and Adidas are excellent and quality shoe brands.
Tito King is an Author living in Sydney, Australia. He is interested in reading and creating websites. His latest website is about polo shirts and finding the best polo shirts women on the web today.
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