I've been asked a lot lately how I chose my running shoes and how often I buy new ones. To be honest I currently own three pairs of running shoes, but I mostly stick to my favorite pair.
Chosing a good pair of running shoes is not always easy. We greatly differ in foot types and shapes and not every high praised running shoes is going to be the right fit for you.
However, there are a few things that are good to know, that will make your choice a lot easier and will help to keep your feet happy and, most of all, healthy!
Supination, Overpronation and Neutral Foot Types
If we all had the same foot shapes everything would be a lot easier. Unfortunately we do not and the first step to determining which shoes are the best for us, is to check our foot type. Since we are putting a lot of pressure on our feet when running (especially down or uphill or long distances) it is essential that we are chosing footwear that can balance out any incorrection in our feet. If you are an overpronator your feet roll outwards when walking or running, when you are a supinator they roll inwards. Let a professional check it for you, just once, and it will tremendiously help you to purchase running shoes in the future.
Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis, Flat Feet and other Foot Problems
It gets more critical when you are having serious foot problems. Chosing the wrong footwear and/or running in old and worn out shoes can result in various problems of your feet, such as plantar fasciitis (an inflammation of the plantar fascia, that results in heel pain). To avoid these problems it is very important to buy new running shoes regularly as well as watch out for very well-cushioned shoes that provide your feet with very good shock absorption. Especially plantar fasciitis sufferers have to make sure not to put unnessecary stress on their feet as this can result in chronic plantar fasciitis or more pain. Find your running shoe for plantar fasciitis here.
Design is Secondary
I know we all like to grab the pair of shoes that we instantly fall in love with. But as much as I like a nicely designed running shoes (and, trust me, I fell for it in the past), I now always chose the shoe that is a better fit and provides more comfort. Design really doesn't (or shouldn't) matter when chosing running shoes as your running footwear directly impacts the health of your feet. If you develop foot problems such as plantar fasciitis, it will take a long time until you are fully recovered. For that reason, prevention is key. Don't fall for the fancy designs, make sure to buy the shoe that FEELS and not LOOKS good!
How often Should I Buy New Shoes?
Well there is no real rule for this and opinions on this topic vary. However, I run a lot and I make sure to buy a new pair AT LEAST every year, better every 6 months. When I run a lot in the forest etc. I like to buy a new pair more often. For more information check out this guide.
Chosing a good pair of running shoes is not always easy. We greatly differ in foot types and shapes and not every high praised running shoes is going to be the right fit for you.
However, there are a few things that are good to know, that will make your choice a lot easier and will help to keep your feet happy and, most of all, healthy!
Supination, Overpronation and Neutral Foot Types
If we all had the same foot shapes everything would be a lot easier. Unfortunately we do not and the first step to determining which shoes are the best for us, is to check our foot type. Since we are putting a lot of pressure on our feet when running (especially down or uphill or long distances) it is essential that we are chosing footwear that can balance out any incorrection in our feet. If you are an overpronator your feet roll outwards when walking or running, when you are a supinator they roll inwards. Let a professional check it for you, just once, and it will tremendiously help you to purchase running shoes in the future.
Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis, Flat Feet and other Foot Problems
It gets more critical when you are having serious foot problems. Chosing the wrong footwear and/or running in old and worn out shoes can result in various problems of your feet, such as plantar fasciitis (an inflammation of the plantar fascia, that results in heel pain). To avoid these problems it is very important to buy new running shoes regularly as well as watch out for very well-cushioned shoes that provide your feet with very good shock absorption. Especially plantar fasciitis sufferers have to make sure not to put unnessecary stress on their feet as this can result in chronic plantar fasciitis or more pain. Find your running shoe for plantar fasciitis here.
Design is Secondary
I know we all like to grab the pair of shoes that we instantly fall in love with. But as much as I like a nicely designed running shoes (and, trust me, I fell for it in the past), I now always chose the shoe that is a better fit and provides more comfort. Design really doesn't (or shouldn't) matter when chosing running shoes as your running footwear directly impacts the health of your feet. If you develop foot problems such as plantar fasciitis, it will take a long time until you are fully recovered. For that reason, prevention is key. Don't fall for the fancy designs, make sure to buy the shoe that FEELS and not LOOKS good!
How often Should I Buy New Shoes?
Well there is no real rule for this and opinions on this topic vary. However, I run a lot and I make sure to buy a new pair AT LEAST every year, better every 6 months. When I run a lot in the forest etc. I like to buy a new pair more often. For more information check out this guide.