Running with the wrong shoes can lead to disastrous results especially when you run long distance or trail or in an uneven terrain. A poor choice in shoes can cause foot pain, runner’s knee, Achille’s tendinitis, back pain, and other physical conditions. There are several factors that you have to look into before you choose the right running shoes for you such as the terrain you are to run on, your running style and form, personal preferences, and even your stride.
You have to think about the surface that you’ll be running on.
This is the biggest factor that may influence the kind of shoes that you should buy. If you will be running on a track or any flat terrain, you won’t need a pair that has too much traction on it. Road or track running will require not so much traction and weight on your shoes.
You have to know what kind of running you’re going to do.
It’s crucial that you don’t end up buying a sports shoes that are not designed for running. You do have a lot of choices for athletic shoes such as training shoes or walking shoes. These shoes however are not good for track, indoor, sprint, distance running, or cross country.
You need to have a professional evaluation for your feet.
You can find a lot of running specialty stores around that can give you a professional evaluation through the use of a machine that can analyze your gait which means the way you walk or run with your foot type. This machine will also inform you if you need support which will help protect your feet from rolling inward. This is known as pronating. There are neutral footed runners, the overpronation, and the underpronation. The neutral runners are those whose feet come onto contact through the middle part of the feet. Overpronation runners on the other hand are those whose feet roll inwards a bit too far while underpronation are those runners whose feet do not roll in far enough. This can cause injury when not given the right support.
You need to consider your body weight.
The heavier your body is, the more impact it will have between your feet and the ground. This increase on the impact may require you to buy a pair of shoes that has additional support even though your gait is normal. This is an important factor that you need to tell your physician or the expert who is helping you decide on the pair to buy. This is especially if you are already experiencing pain on the foot, leg, or your back.
You have to consult your physician about any injuries and any physical condition.
You may have some physical impairments that affect your gait or perhaps an injury. It is therefore wise to consult with the doctor for the running shoes that can give the support for your particular running experience.
You also have to be mindful of your choice for socks.
You have to be aware that the thickness of your socks can spell a huge difference to how your shoes feel and fit snugly on your feet. This is especially true when your feet expand in the heat. That’s why when you are going out shoe fitting you better buy the socks you intend to wear during the actual runs. It may be good for you to consider a pair of technical socks especially suited for added arch support and with extra padding on the balls of the feet, the toes, and of course the heels.
The shoe size is also a crucial factor to consider when buying running shoes.
The shoe size is an important factor to consider when buying running shoes. This will ensure the full functionality of the pair. Your feet may expand as they come in contact with the ground because of the pressure brought about by body weight. When the shoes are too small, you may be stretching the seams. That’s why you have to buy a pair of running shoes which is bigger than your ordinary pair of shoes. There has to be a thumb’s width between the tip of your big toe and the seam of your shoe. Your feet are in need of enough space for them to roll without having to hit the shoe tip. You also have to consider that your feet may expand by 4 percent by the end of the day. For you to take this into consideration, it’s better to buy shoes in the afternoon or evening. Proper lacing of your running shoes also stops your shoes from sliding on your feet when they are too large. It also protects your feet from having blisters or from chafing on the seams.
Choosing the right model of your running shoes and checking of its age can make a lot of difference in your running. The following are some of the steps to take for you to have the right pair:
You need to inspect the tread.
You have to look at the outer soles of your shoes for you to have an accurate picture of your shoes’ condition. When the tread may be degraded or may have worn thin it’s better to consider replacing the shoes.
The midsole has to be tested too.
You have to push your finger into the plastic foam found in the midsole. Once this part gives in easily, the shoe no longer has its cushioning ability and it means a new pair of shoes should be reserved. Another sign that your running shoes are becoming old are the visible wrinkles on the midsole material.
You also have to determine the stability of the shoes.
You have to put your shoes on the table and check on the heels. When the shoes tilt to the inside or outside, that means that your feet are not rolling right when you run. This means that you need a shoe replacement.
Torsional rigidity should also be checked.
This can be done by twisting the forefoot and the heels of your shoes towards the opposite directions. If your shoes’ soles twist easily that means you need to replace them.