5 Quick Tips on Choosing the Best Running Shoes

Choosing the best running shoes is the most important decision you will make as a runner. Your running shoes will determine whether or not you will have a good running experience. So before you rush to the store, make sure that you know what the right shoes for your foot type are.


Choosing the Best Running Shoes Tip #1: Identify Your Foot Type

People have different foot types. You must be extra cautious in selecting the best running shoes for your feet. Or else, you will end up getting injured. The common injuries caused by the wrong running shoes include plantar fasciitis, Achilles inflammation, posterior tibialis syndrome, knee pains, stress fractures, black toenails, and etc.

To determine your foot type, you can stamp your wet foot on a paper bag and check the footprint.

Choosing the Best Running Shoes Tip #2: The Right Kind of Shoes for Your Foot Type

There are running shoes available for different types of feet.

Normal arch. This means that you are a normal pronator. The ideal shoe for this foot type would be a good stability shoe. It offers moderate pronation control so that you can have extra stability.

Flat foot. This means that you are an overpronator. Your arch tends to collapse inward, causing too much movement. Having flat fleet also means that you will be more prone to injuries. A good pair of motion-control shoes can control pronation.

High arch. This means that you underpronate. Your arch does not collapse enough, causing the shock of your foot landing to put pressure on your legs. Having a high arch can also cause injuries. You would need a neutral-cushioned shoe to stimulate pronation.

Choosing the Best Running Shoes Tip #3: Go to a Specialty Store

Visit a specialty running store to purchase the best running shoes for your foot type. If you don't know your foot type yet, the store should have a podobaroscope that can determine your foot type and what type of running shoes you need.

Choosing the Best Running Shoes Tip #4: Go for a Test Run

Do a test run, either on the treadmill or in front of the store. This will give you an idea on whether or not you can run with the shoes comfortably.

Choosing the Best Running Shoes Tip #5: Check the Durability

Ask someone from the store about how long the shoes will last. Most quality running shoes can handle 600-900 miles. A good running store knows which shoes go longer and which don't.

When you are completely comfortable with all of this, then you can safely buy your shoes online. However for your first pair of running shoes it is probably a good idea to buy them in a specialty running store so you will buy the best running shoes for your feet.