How to Buy Running Shoes

          

           With summer just around the corner and spring all around us, now is the time to start working out. Before you go out for a brisk walk or a run, check your shoes! It’s helpful if you can remember when you bought them. If you've logged approximately 8 miles a week on them for 2 years, then they are more than just worn in. Your shoes should be replaced every 300-500miles. Even though your shoes may look great, wear and tear is not always cosmetically apparent. There are many layers inside the shoe that could be damaged. Investing in a new pair of shoes is not only exciting but also helps keep you healthy by reducing your chances for injury.

To find the right fitting shoe for you follow these tips and you’re sure to find the pair.

1. Don’t be Cheap- It might feel like spending more than $50 on a pair of shoes is ridiculous but when it comes to shoes it really is true that you get what you pay for. For example, even though you find a comfortable pair for a great price at a local retail store, they are more likely to cause discomfort or wear down before their time.
2.  Go to the Experts- The best thing you can do is go to a specialty running shop because the salesperson is experienced in fitting people to shoes best for them. They will also have a treadmill on which you will run, enabling them to analyze what shoes might be best for you.
3. Bring your Old Gear: This helps the salesperson further analyze your foot pattern. Along with that if you have inserts or certain socks you like to run in, it will help you to get a realistic fit of the shoes.
4. Get Measured- Check your size. Your feet change throughout your lifetime and different brands can have different fits. You’re feet also get bigger later in the day. It’s standard practice to get your running shoe a half size bigger than your street shoes. This can be determined by standing up and having a thumbnail’s space measured between the tips of the shoes an end of your longest toe. The extra rooms makes it easier for your foot to flex and toes to move forward with each stride. Make sure to try on both shoes, as some people can a foot larger than the other.
5. Don’t be a Trendsetter- Don’t shop by price or fashion. Try on as many different pairs as you can. When you find the pair your feet will tell you, they will be comfortable and supportive. No part of wearing the shoe should hurt or feel uncomfortable. Take a little jog around the store to test out how they feel in action.
6. Take your Time- Don’t be pressed for time when you’re out looking for new shoes. Make sure you have at least 1 ½ hours to give you plenty of time to try out many styles and include travel time. You want to make sure you get the right pair, as these shoes will be your buds for the next 300-500 miles!

If you’re looking to find shoes online, Runner’s World Running magazine has a useful tool that you can input some information about yourself and it will give you a list of shoes that would be best for you.  This is the link: http://www.runnersworld.com/shoe-finder/shoe-advisor. They also have a “shoes like mine” tool that will give you other options comparable to shoes you have owned.

Sources:

http://www.runnersworld.com/the-starting-line/how-buy-running-shoes