How To Select A New Pair Of Running Shoes

Running doesn’t require a ton of fancy equipment or expensive gear. But it is important to get the correct shoes for your training. At first glance running shoes don’t look very different, but there are hundreds of options in terms of support, weight, traction, cushion, style, color and more!

This is one area where you don’t want to just follow the latest fashion. You should identify the correct shoe for YOU. I suggest going to a running specific shoe store and getting properly fitted and assessed.

Before you just go out and buy a pair of shoes, make sure you have the information you need to pass on to your ‘shoe guide’—the expert help you’ll get at a running store—so they can hook you up with the running shoe of your dreams.

Buy Prepared! Show up to the store with this information

You should be able to give them information on the following so they can properly suggest the best shoe for you…

1. Mileage. What type of mileage are you planning on running over the next three months? How many miles a week?
2. Goals. Are you training for an event? If so, which distance?
3. Injuries. Do you have any injuries or weaknesses? Are you injury prone or coming back from an injury?
4. Foot type. They should check out your arches and size your feet.
5. Surface. What surface will you be running on—street, sidewalk, treadmill, trail?
6. Any other wants/needs? Is there a brand you prefer? Color? (I’m partial to certain brands and refuse to wear one brand in particular that always gives me blisters. If you have had an experience like that, let them know.)

It also helps to bring in your current running shoes so they can check wear patterns, size and type.

Question: What shoes are you running in these days?