Buying running shoes

The very basics of buying running shoes

There is no such thing as the best running shoe in the world, because everyone is different, everyone has different attributes and requirements as a runner. And unsurprisingly, there are too many individual variables to make the perfect shoe for everyone. Key factors affecting your choice of running shoe typically include: Different biomechanics (how you run), different weights, shape of foot, width of foot, the surfaces you run on, how often you run - we could go on for ever, but the end result is that no two runners are the same.

How do i determine what running shoes to buy?

To figure out what type of running shoes you should buy, you first need to know that kind of feet you have. A knowledgeable salesperson at a running specialty store can help you find the right running shoe for your foot type by completing a gait analysis, but you can also figure out what type of foot you have on your own. One way is to just look at your foot. A more accurate method is to examine your footprint by either running in the sand or on paper with wet feet.

There are three different types of feet:

Neutral Cushioning & Support Cushioning

Normal feet have a normal-sized arch and will leave a wet footprint that has a flare, but shows the forefoot and heel connected by a broad band. A normal foot lands on the outside of the heel and rolls inwards slightly to absorb shock. It's the foot of a runner who is biomechanically efficient and therefore doesn't need a motion control shoe.

Motion Control & Support Cushioning

This has a low arch and leaves a print which looks like the whole sole of the foot. It usually indicates an overpronated foot - one that strikes on the outside of the heel and rolls inwards (pronates) excessively. Over time, this can cause many different types of overuse injuries.

Neutral Cushioning

This leaves a print showing a very narrow band or no band at all between the forefoot and the heel. A curved, highly arched foot is generally supinated or underpronated. Because it doesn't pronate enough, it's not usually an effective shock absorber.

Pronation

For more info on the term pronation which is a very common term used in the running world click here to get a better understanding.

And finally....

The best advice we can give you is no matter how much you read up on buying running shoe's always seek professional advice at a specialist running shop where the staff will be able to provide you with a gait analysis or even better a video gait analysis which can can help to identify any biomechanical inefficiencies in your running style, that may cause injury problems if wearing shoes that do not suit the way you run.

In addition, any existing injury problems brought on through running can often be explained and understood through a gait analysis - common problems identified include:

• Fallen/Collapsed Arches
• Over-pronation/Supination
• Leg Length Discrepancies
• Knee Alignment
• Shoulder Alignment