Buying a pair of running shoes is the most important part of your training. It can lead to confusion, not always because of price and range, but also because of the lack of information that is available from general retailers. Although magazine product tests or information provided by the shoe manufacturer may answer some of your questions, the most important thing to look at is the cushioning, support and stability of the shoe. Can the shoe function in a way that suits your feet i.e. can it support you if you excessively roll in (pronation) or roll out (supination) as you run? If not fatigue, back ache or injury may be the end result!
Points to consider!
1. How many miles do you run and on what terrain?
To get a shoe that responds to both you and the terrain you run on, requires you to think about where you train for the majority of your time. As there are masses of varying tread types, cushioning and shoe stiffness available for every occasion, the questions are: do you need a neutral shoe or a shoe with more support on the inside or out? And do you need a road shoe or an off-road shoe?
running shoes
2. Your conversation with the salesperson.
Although you should be able to trust the sales person’s intimate knowledge of the current season’s products, they must discuss your running in detail and have knowledge of the physiology and biomechanics of running to be able to recommend the correct shoe for you. If not, you shouldn’t have confidence in the sales person, as they can’t customise the fit to your every need.
3. Can I have them in red?
The answer is more than likely NO. Each brand only makes their lasts (different types of shoe shape) in very limited colours. Any fitter worth their salt will tell you that it’s not the colour that makes the shoe great. Instead it is the construction and function of the shoe; where the cushioning or support is built in; it’s what materials are used and how they will help your feet move in the correct way that is important.
4. I’ve always run in my favourite brand
As we age our body’s footwear requirements change and although you may have worn the same type of shoes for the last twenty years they may not be supporting you the way your body and running technique require them to now. Each brand changes the structure, function, shape and look of their shoes most seasons. So every time your shoes wear out there may be a better or different solution for you. An assessment like this is able to establish in-depth functional data such as:
* Foot type, motion and timing - does your foot pronate (roll in) or supinate (roll out) as you run?
* Irregular pressures or movement that might cause pain or injury over time.
* Type of shoe best suited to your foot.
* What’s required inside the shoe (control or cushioning).
* Flexibility patterns (or what areas are tight and need stretching) Pelvic and back alignment.
5. Technology is your friend
A good footwear centre will have specialist sports science and fitting staff. Such staff can use information from you about your training to inform them when helping you to decide on the shoes to buy. In addition, video and pressure plate analysis and assessments of your posture and flexibility all add valuable information to help in the final decision.
An assessment like this is able to establish in-depth functional data such as: Foot type, motion and timing - does your foot pronate (roll in) or supinate (roll out) as you run? Irregular pressures or movement that might cause pain or injury over time Type of shoe best suited to your foot What’s required inside the shoe (control or cushioning) Flexibility patterns (or what areas are tight and need stretching) Pelvic and back alignment.
6. The finishing touch
If the shoe alone isn’t able to meet all your requirements, a fitting centre will be able to make and fit impact absorbing foot beds, which are moulded for your foot from their previous analysis. A trained person will give confirmatory as well as additional data on flexibility of the back, pelvis and legs. If there are any limitations it will significantly affect how the feet function during running, walking or standing.
Testing shoes
7. Technology for your toes
Socks can dramatically change the fit of your new trainers. The type and thickness of socks should again depend on where you and your shoes are going in training. You’re usual running socks should be involved in the fitting, not some thin cotton number you kick around the house in or something that the shop lends you.
8. The correct shoe can solve many problems
The key isn’t researching every shoe available, it’s understanding what your body needs help with and where you can go to find this help. Take a pair of your old running shoes to your local specialist running retailer. There they will be able to look at the wear pattern in the cushioning and give you specialized help. A mistake often made is to think you may supinate when the outside of the heel is worn down, but don’t worry, this is usually normal. What matters is exactly where the wear is.
9. Try not to sweat about the price
If it’s the case that the right shoes for your feet cost more than you expected, try not to worry! The investment now will certainly pay off over the future months. Running in the wrong shoes could lead to injury which will cost a whole lot more than a pair of trainers in terms of physio treatment!
10. Sick pay
The last thing left to do is figure out an excuse credible enough that it gets you some extra time off to enjoy your new best friends in some of the most beautiful parts of the world.