In my opinion, one of the most confusing types of gear to purchase is running shoes. They have so many different styles and makes to choose from; it can be overwhelming! In this article, I will try to break down a few things that might help you with the process of choosing the best shoe for your needs.
First off, though, realize that everyone will have a different view on what makes a good shoe, and my views are just that: My views. This is why I will try not to tell you exactly which shoes are best but instead give you how to judge the shoes yourself. If you take away nothing else from this post, remember that!
Now onto the good stuff…
When choosing shoes, one of the easiest points to start with is what type of running you are doing.
Is it track work? Road work? Or maybe trails?
For example, if you are working on long-distance road runs, getting a shoe with little support won’t be much of an issue since your body is used to carrying your weight, and the road surface takes care of most of the shock. But if you were doing a shorter distance on trails, then having a shoe with more support will be better for your body.
Another thing you might consider when choosing running shoes is how much cushioning does it have? The more cushioning in your shoes, the less likely you are to feel the hard surface beneath your feet, and this makes it easier on joints like knees and ankles, which can become sore after a long run or one that’s bumpy.
In general, a good principle with any athletic equipment is: ” Don’t skimp out .”
This means don’t buy ridiculously cheap stuff because chances are, it won’t work out for you.
If your shoes are new, don’t get them too cheap because they might not last as long as more expensive ones.
Shoes with a lot of cushioning and a lot of support usually come with a hefty price tag. So what you’ll want to do is find the right balance between the amount of cushioning and the amount of support.
If you can, try going to a specialty shoe store where people who work there know about running shoes and try out some different kinds until you find one that fits well!
I would recommend this over buying something off the internet simply because trying it on is so much better than just guessing sizes or looking at pictures online. And when you’re buying something that’s going to be worn literally on one of the most important body parts, it’s a good idea to make sure it fits well.
Another thing I would recommend is don’t buy shoes for running in general. If you only run a couple of miles per week, get a distance walking shoe instead. This way, your feet won’t hurt from wearing shoes that aren’t suited for them!
In addition, if you start running at all, say you just bought some expensive running shoes and decide after one mile that you hate running and never want to do it again, what are you going to do with those shoes?
They might look cool on your shelf, but you’ll never use them. On the other hand, if you bought a simple shoe for walking, you can still wear it even though you aren’t working out!
As I said before, different types of shoes are suited for different needs. Running is just one type, and it doesn’t hurt to at least look into others.
Another thing that might be useful to some people is how much these running shoes weigh?
Shoes can vary almost as much as their price tag. Some running shoes are incredibly lightweight, while others are more heavy-duty with extra support added in.
So think about what may or may not work for you when it comes to weight. Remember that if you are running for a long time or doing other strenuous activities, shoes with good cushioning and support might not be as light as ones without those aspects.
Also, take into consideration how wide the shoe is. This is an important aspect to some people because their feet are wider than average, but for most, it doesn’t matter much.
If you aren’t sure about your size, check out local websites, where people post what they’re selling, or places like eBay, where you can find practically anything!
When buying something online, make sure there is free shipping, too, since trying to send things back costs money!