How to buy running shoes. With New Years resolutions around the corner many of us will be taking up running in the New Year. While you certainly don’t need to go to extremes with buying the best and most expensive gear there are some things you should be aware of:

Running is one of those easy, enjoyable activities that can be done pretty much anywhere. I love cranking up my music (yes I run to music) and just forgetting about the rest of the world for an hour or so. The best part is that running gear does not have to be complicated for runners like me but there are some factors to remember when searching for a good shoe. While finding the right shoe is critical for athletes to perform their best, this is also true for the rest of us, part-time or weekend warriors. If your running shoe is not the right size for instance, it could cause blisters, twisted ankles or even bigger problems. Shoes with the wrong kind of support, too little or too much, can cause muscle irregularities which could lead to major physical over use injuries.

TIPS ON HOW TO BUY RUNNING SHOES

Pay attention to distance. The general rule of thumb when looking to replace your shoes is to do so every 300-400 miles. Of course, this number depends on a few factors. You need to consider your weight and your running location. If you run outdoors on pavement, you’ll find yourself replacing your shoes more frequently than if you run on a treadmill. It is important to check your shoes often and to replace them as soon as they begin showing signs of wear. For me this is generally every six months or so.

Try the shoes on before you buy them. I can’t stress how important this is. While you can certainly shop for your favourite shoes online, make sure to spend some time at your local running store to find the shoe that fits you best. I admit to being mesmerized by all the pretty colours and wanting the shoes that look the “coolest”, but that really isn’t a good way to go.

The running shoes we wear now are not the shoes our parents wore. The shoes we wear now, are technical wonders in their own right with cutting edge fabrics and designs the industry has spent billions on perfecting.

Talk to your sales person. Your shoe fitter should be looking at several factors. Do you have a high arch or flat feet? Do you strike with your heel or do you place more weight on your toes? When you strike, are you a neutral runner or do you pronate or supinate. In other words, do you roll in or out when you walk? We all do it to some degree and it just depends on how prominent it is in our gate. As you can see, it is important to spend some time at the running store. Just make sure to wear comfortable clothing, as you never know if they might ask you to jump on a treadmill.

Will you be running outdoors or indoors? Take some time to decide if you will be running mostly on a treadmill or discovering the trails in your area. This will make a difference for which type of shoe you choose. While you may be able to get away with a less structured shoe for the treadmill, it might be wise to increase the support when hitting the pavement.

Buy more than one pair. It might seem like quite the investment, but it is not a bad idea to purchase two pairs of shoes at the same time. This way you give the shoes enough time to properly dry out between workouts. This will help them keep their shape for longer, thus allowing them to last.

The main rule to remember is to spend some time researching all of the different types of footwear that are available. Take your time trying each pair out and don’t commit unless you feel comfortable. Your feet will thank you!

What do you look for in a great running shoe?

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