The simple act of running can provide a multitude of health benefits. It can strengthen your heart, boost your energy levels, relieve stress, and bolster your confidence. It’s also one of the ways listed in our ‘How to Lose Stomach Fat’ article, which means it can be very good for your overall health and fitness. Let’s see bout the 3 important things to consider when buying running shoes.
Picking the right footwear should be the first step you take in your running journey. When you wear poorly fitted shoes, you’re not only limiting your performance, you’re also putting yourself at the risk of injury. In fact, Triathlon Magazine highlights some risks of improper or worn out shoes, which include plantar fasciitis, runner’s knee, shin splints, and IT band syndrome. All of the aforementioned possible injuries from wearing improper shoes can manifest into different levels of pain and discomfort. If you have plantar fasciitis, for example, walking can be a burden because of the shooting pains in your heel.
If you want a running shoe that can take you far, there are factors you should consider before making a purchase. Below, we’ve provided a few tips to help you with your selection process.
Know your terrain
The type of terrain you plan to run on will determine what kind of support your shoe needs to provide. Trail running shoes should have enough traction to grip soft trail soil. It should also give your feet protection from rocks, sticks, and roots. The highly-rated Salomon Speedcross 5 provides good traction on loose terrain while protecting your feet from debris.
On the other hand, road-running shoes need the ability to withstand impact on hard pavement. Because they don’t require the same protection as trail running shoes, they can afford to be more light and breathable. The classic Adidas Ultraboost sneakers are a popular choice for runners due to their stylishness, lightness, and durability.
Brands like French shoe company HOKA ONE ONE have also solved the problem of requiring too many shoes for one sport by marrying the features of both road and trail running shoes. Their recently unveiled Clifton 8 is designed for runners who like to mix up their runs from roads to non-technical trails. The shoe’s cushioning is robust enough to weather tracks and fire trails, while its lightness and comfort are perfect for long miles on paved roads.
Check the fit
Your size isn’t the only thing you have to have to consider when picking a shoe that fits perfectly. You will also have to take a look at the size and spread of your toes, your midfoot, and your heels. Your feet can expand as you run, so giving your toes extra room will prevent your toes from feeling too cramped in the toe box.
If you still find that your shoes feel loose, you might find your problems solved by a simple lace adjustment. This article from SELF Magazine provides a list of lacing hacks you can try to customize the fit of your shoe. If the front of your foot is disproportionately wide, for example, you can skip one to two eyelets when doing the criss-cross pattern of your shoelace to give it more space.
Consider your foot shape
The shape of your foot will usually determine its pronation. Foot pronation refers to the natural movement patterns your feet tend to follow when you walk or run. Pronation determines where your weight is distributed when you walk, therefore, it’s best to pick a shoe that can provide adequate shock absorption for those areas.
Feet with low arches tend to transfer weight to the inner edges of your feet. This puts pressure on your big and second toes. Shop for motion control shoes to help with stability, like any model from Brooks’ Beast line. Meanwhile, feet with normal arches will transfer weight evenly from the front of the feet. Semi-curved stability shoes can give your feet a good balance when it comes to supporting and cushioning. And if your feet have high arches, they transfer weight to the outer edge of your feet, putting pressure on your smaller toes. Shock transmits to the lower leg, increasing the risk of an ankle sprain. Neutral cushioning shoes, like New Balance’s Fresh Foam models, should reduce shocks from strong impacts.
When it comes to shoes, one size never fits all. Finding a shoe that fits both your physical needs and your sporting objectives will help you put your best foot forward in your running journey.
3 Important Things to Consider When Buying Running Shoes
