3 Things You Need to Know When You’re Buying Running Shoes

It can be intimidating buying running gear. We know. So we put together this straightforward guide to make it a little easier to do. Check out the tips below.

Forget Fashion, Fit Is First
How your running shoes fit is the most important thing. Yes, more important than what the shoes look like. There are a lot of different things you need to be aware of:

Space at the front – feet have a tendency to swell when you run, so it’s good to make sure that when you try on the shoes there’s enough room for you to wiggle your toes

Heel – aim for a snug fit around the heel, so that you can fairly easily slide your foot out even when the laces are tied

Flex – when you run your foot bends and creases, make sure to check how flexible the shoe is before you try it on, can you bend the toe of the shoe well, or is it a bit stiff?

Width – well fitted, but not clinging – you need a shoe that allows your feet to at least move side-to-side a little

Arch – are you flat-footed or do you have a high arch? Flatter feet need more stability and support, whereas higher arches call for shoes that match their curve

Time of day – As weird as this may sound, your feet lengthen thoroughout the day, so it’s important to try on shoes at the end of the day when they’re at their largest

Where You Buy Is More Important Than You Think
You need to go to a specialist running store. Here’s why:

You’ll be able to try before you buy – this is is very important when you’re buying running shoes. You need to be able to see if the shoes fit (because you can’t go on size alone and different brands vary), and try walking and jogging lightly in them to make sure they feel good.

You’ll get professional advice. Don’t buy your shoes online. Don’t go to any old sports store. Go to a specialist running store and speak to someone there. They’ll be able to guide you towards shoes that suit your gait and help make sure your shoes fit as they should.

Think About Your Run Location
Are you running on pavement, indoors or on off-road terrain? This is vital when it comes to what the sole of your shoes should be like – off-road terrain will likely require more grip – so it’s good to make sure you know this and express this to the salesperson helping you buy shoes.

+ BONUS
Once you have all these down, you can think about color and brand, because it’s only human to want to look good while working out – just don’t get distracted by these things when you start out, as you can easily be led astray.

 

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