Choosing the Perfect Running Shoes for Your Feet

Choosing The Perfect Running Shoes for Your Feet

Choosing your running shoes is the single most important decision you make as a runner.

Read this section for must-know information about running shoes.

I will explain how to pick the running shoe that is right for you.

Injuries caused by your shoes

People have different foot types. Your shoes don't match with your foot type ? Then you are likely to get an injury sooner or later !

Common injuries caused by the wrong running shoes are:

Plantar Fasciitis

Achilles Inflammation

Tibialis Posterior Syndrome

Knee Pains

Stress Fractures

Black toenails

Etc., etc.

Not a pretty list ! Therefore I hope that you follow my advice outlined in this section. So that you know what to look for in a running shoe.

Check your foot type

Before you are off to your favourite running store, first take a moment to test yourself and establish your foot type.
Which type of print does your foot leave (put wet feet on a brown paper bag) :

Type 1. Normal arch
This is the most common type; you are a normal pronator. Running shoe shopping for your feet should not be hard. Look for a good stability shoe which offers moderate pronation.

Type 2. Flat foot
When a flat foot shows, you are overpronating. Your arch collapses inward. Your foot moves too much and this can cause injuries. Therefore you are best of with motion-control shoes.

Type 3. High arch
When there is almost no arch to be seen you are underpronating. Your arch does not collapse enough, thereby causing the shock of your foot landing on the ground to travel upwards to your legs. This can cause injuries.
You need running shoes with softer midsoles. Don�t go for stability or motion-controlled shoes. They try to reduce pronation which is what you want to stimulate.

Stability, motion control and cushioning

So, depending on your foot type you will need shoes which offer stability, motion control or cushioning :

If you have a normal arch, you're likely a normal pronator, meaning you'll do best in a normal shoe. A little extra stability is always good, so look for a stability shoe that offers moderate pronation control.

Runners with flat feet normally overpronate, so they do well in a motion-control shoe that controls pronation.

High-arched runners typically underpronate, so they do best in a neutral-cushioned shoe that encourages a more natural foot motion.

Great running shoes are very essential for a work out, and great dress shoes are very essential for fashion! Sole struck has great walking shoes by rocket dog and also fantastic wedding shoes if your running late for that special occasion!!

Uncertain ?

If you don�t know your foot type or if you are uncertain about it, always visit a specialty running store where they have a podobaroscope, a glass surface with a mirror underneath, or where they do footscans which will be able to tell you right away what type of foot you have and what type of running shoe you need.

Expert running store

For the purchase of your shoes always visit a specialty running store where they have the equipment and the personnel to help you. You will recognize a good store by some of the following characteristics :

They will ask you to bring your old pair of shoes to the store. Only by looking at your running shoes (especially the wear and tear and where exactly this is happening) an expert will already be able to tell quite a lot about your degree of pronation. By the way, always bring your running socks as well and, if you use them, your orthotics. So visit the store with the footwear you always wear when running !

They will ask detailed questions about your training and running history (time you have been running, mileage per week, longest runs, what are you training for at the moment, which kind of surface do you run on, have you had foot problems, injuries in the past).

There is footscan equipment or a treadmill with video equipment. While you are running on the treadmill trying out different types of shoes, the camera is registering what your feet do. The salesman will be able to tell if your feet are stable and straight.

You are allowed to do a test run; if not on the treadmill, then at least in front of the store. You can�t test your running shoes properly if you are not allowed to run on them before buying them.

They will tell you how long the shoes will last for. Good running shoes go normally for 600 to 900 miles. But there are exceptions. A good running store knows which shoes go longer and which don't.

Getting your shoes via the Internet

If you are really certain about your foottype or if you exactly know which shoes to get, then the Internet might be a good place for you to find a great deal.
The authority on the net is RoadRunnerSports. Have a look at their selection of Running Shoes.

Shoes are the most important part of your running apparel. Bad shoes inevitably lead to injuries.

Good shoes (along with common sense so you don't overtrain) will prevent injuries.

You can always find bargains. But never go for lower quality running shoes. Get the best shoes for YOUR feet and you'll be a happy runner !

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