How to Choose Running Shoes

Choosing the best running shoes depends on your foot construction and foot stride. Both your foot arch and pronation are important components in choosing the correct running shoes. A good fitting running shoe will help you run in comfort and reduce your risk of suffering an injury. There are many types of running shoes and this article will help you choose one.

• Choosing the correct running shoes can mean the difference between running in comfort and running in pain. It can also mean the difference between suffering an injury or coming back from your run unscathed. When heading down to the local sporting good store or shopping online for a new pair of running stores, you'll be presented with what seems like an endless choice of running shoes. How do you know which pair to choose?

• According to TheRunningAdvisor.com, the most common mistakes people make when buying a new pair of running shoes is purchasing the cheapest pair. In today's economy, going for the most inexpensive pair of running shoes is an easy decision. However, that's not always the right move.

• The first thing you should do is look at your arch shape, which you can find by placing your wet foot on a piece of paper. Your imprint will show a full foot if you are flat-footed. If you have a very high arch, you'll see a extremely narrow curve at the arch section. Those with a normal arch will be somewhere in the middle.

• The next thing you need to find out is your pronation, which is essentially how your foot hits the floor. If your foot normally rolls inward, you have a normal pronation. If your foot rolls excessively inward or excessively outward, then you are an overpronator or supinator, respectively. Now, you are probably wondering how to determine what type of foot mechanics you have. That is easy to figure out. Just take a look at a pair of old worn out shoes in your closet to see where they have worn.

• Most good running shoes will be labeled as being made for cushioning, stability or motion control to aid you in choosing the right shoe for your foot and foot stride. Additionally, running shoes may be labeled as straight, curved or semi-curved to correspond with what kind of pronation you have. Your friendly shoe salesman should also be able to help you as well.

• According to REI, people with a normal foot roll and low arch should choose a semi-curved shoe with stability. Those with an excessive inward roll and have a low arch to flat foot should choose a straight shoe with good motion control. REI further recommends that people who have an excessive outward roll with a medium to high arch, should choose a curved shoe that has cushioning due to poor shock absorption in their stride.