Shopping around for running shoes is not something you want to take
lightly.
The difference between choosing a good pair for your feet and a not so
good pair is not always obvious in the shoe store.
But when you run on the wrong running shoes you run the risk of some
pretty serious running injuries.
So, make sure you carefully read this page and other pages in this
section to work out what you need to know about running shoes.
I will help you find the best running shoes for you.
Foot Type and Running Shoes --
Does it Matter?
You may have heard about foot types before.
Difficult terms like over- and underpronating.
Stuff you do not really want to know about.
It is very important that
you know about this though.
So, I will try to give you a clear and
simple explanation:
Different foot types are defined based on how much of your foot touches
the ground when you take steps.
A well-known special foot type is flat
feet.
If you were to put your wet flat feet on a paper bag you would
see pretty much the whole bottom of the foot.
The other extreme is people with what we call a high arch.
When they step on the paper bag you would only see toes and heels.
Each foot type requires a
different type of running shoes.
Pretty much every big brand has got running shoes for every type of
foot.
But when you go to your normal sports store it is not clear what
running shoe is good for which foot type.
In addition to that, you may
not really know your own foot type, making it very hard to make the
right decision about which pair of running shoes to buy.
So, what are the main foot types
and what type of shoes do you need for those foot types?
Foot Type #1: Normal Arch
When you have a normal arch like the majority of people, then count
yourself lucky. There will always
be plenty of running shoes to choose from if you have a normal arch.
What you need are stability running shoes.
Basically running shoes that help you land on your feet like you do
today.
Foot Type #3. High arch
When you have a high arch you almost leave no footprint on the paper
bag.
You then have the opposite situation of someone with flat feet,
your feet do not move enough, your arch should collapse inward a little
bit more.
The main problem this gives is that the shock of the landing is
absorbed via a very small area of your feet, which will make a bigger
impact on your feet and lower legs.
Do that thousands and thousands of
times per run and you can get injured as you can imagine.
So, you need running shoes which have softer midsoles,
which absorb the shock.
For some people, running shoes just don’t do it for them, either because they do not feel comfortable with their feet enclosed or get too sweaty every time they wear enclosed shoes.
In this case, running sandals are more appropriate.
Check out a selection of running sandals on this page.
Then take a few minutes to let us know about them.
It may help your fellow-readers make their mind up about their next pair of running shoes!
Please tell us:
Brand and Type of Shoes (incl Men/Women)
What you like about your shoes.
I'll repeat what I said in the beginning of this page.
It is not always obvious from the start whether you have the right running shoes or not.
But the wrong shoes can do a lot of damage.
So make sure you know your foot type and get respectable shoes from brands you know and trust.
Want more running gear
advice?
Simply subscribe to my
newsletter or to my site blog
and you are ensured of keeping up-to-date with all the Best
Running Gear!
You may have heard about foot types before.
Foot Type #2. Flat foot
