Running: we all know that it’s awesome. Duh! But without the right pair of sneaks for your feet, it can quickly become very “not awesome” and wreck havoc on your poor little leg muscles. Just kidding, we all know that no runner has “little leg” muscles.
Anyway, what I’m trying to say is, having a good pair of running sneakers, that are a good fit for the unique shape of your feet, and that work well with the way that you run, is important for injury prevention and maintaining good form throughout your entire body while you run.
There are a ton of different factors that can help determine which shoe will be a good fit for you and your running feet. Your foot’s arch, your gait, your foot strike, what type of surface you most frequently run on, etc.
Which is why the following is my number one tip for finding a new pair of running shoes that you’ll love:
Go to a sporting goods or running specialty store and consult one of the employees!!
It is this persons job to be an expert on running shoes. They know about feet, and sneakers, and are most likely even a runner themselves. So really, who else out there could help you better? I can’t think of many people. Maybe Forrest Gump? I don’t know.
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When you get to the store, say, “Hi, I’m looking for a new pair of running shoes, is there someone who can help me?” Hopefully, what will happen next is that you will be sent to the shoe section of the store and then greeted by a running shoe expert. OK, if you’re at a sporting goods store, probably not an “expert.” But definitely someone who at least knows sneakers.
If this person does their job correctly, he or she will ask you about your feet, what type of running you do, how often you do it, and maybe even have you jog around the store a bit to analyze your gait. If they do not do any of these things, leave and find a new store.
After they know a bit about you and how you run, they’ll recommend a few different pairs of sneakers for you to try on. Which leads me to my number two most important tip for choosing a new pair of running shoes:
Try them on!! Try on every pair that your new found shoe expert friend has recommended. And I don’t mean just sit there and gawk at how great they look on your cute little running feet. No. Run around the store, and then run around some more. Because really, how will you know if the sneakers work for you unless you know how they feel when you run? Answer: you won’t. So do not, I repeat, DO NOT leave the store without running in your potential new sneaks!
Oh, and one more thing. Most running sneakers are made to look cute, sleek, snazzy, all around awesome… You know, whatever your style is. But the ones that fit you best, might not be the pair you think looks “coolest.” I know it’s hard to choose function over fashion sometimes, but make your pick based on fit and shoot down that little voice in your head that’s going, “Oh but the blue ones are just so cute!!” Sure they are. But you know what’s not cute? Having to take 3 weeks off from running because of an injury that could’ve been prevented with the right pair of running shoes ;)
P.S. If you run frequently, it’s a good idea to update your kicks every 6-8 months or about every 300-500 miles.
What brand of running shoes do you like best? Why?
