How to Choose Running Shoes?

 There are several options for running shoes for different individuals. But how do you select the best one for you?

Before selecting the right type of shoes, one must know what the type of one’s foot is. You can consult a shoe specialist or your doctor. You can also figure out the type of your feet on your own. The first way is to examine your foot. Other methods are placing wet feet on paper or running over sand to get an image of your footprint.

There are three main types of feet:

·         Flat feet: While examining g your foot, if you don’t find any arch, you must conclude that you have flat feet. From toes to your heel, the bottom of your foot is completely flat. You can also do a footprint set and your print will appear like a flat shaped image. There will not be any inward curve stretching from your heel to your big toe.

The problem with flat feet is that you are likely to be an over-pronator, implying that your feet will roll inward, while running.

Shoes to suit you? You will require running shoes which maintain your stability. Search for the terms -‘stability’ and ‘motion control’ on the cover of shoes your trying to choose. Apart from such shoes, a few flat footed persons may require to wear orthotics (personalized inserts for shoes for correcting foot issues).To find orthotics, search for medical footwear online.

·         High arched feet: It is quite easy to identify if you have arched feet- you can observe a pronounced arch on your feet. When you do the footprint test, your print will assume a curve and show a skinny shape of the middle part of your foot.

The problem with this type of foot is that you will under-pronate or supinate. This implies that your feet will roll outwards when you run. Runners with high arched feet must regularly re-measure their feet as with the impact of running, arches will begin to fall making their feet appear longer.

To choose running shoes, look for flexible ones having a soft midsole that will absorb shock. While searching for shoes, look for the terms-‘cushioned’ or ‘flexible’ incorporated into their descriptions.

·        Normal or neutral feet: If you have scrutinized your footprint or your foot and it doesn’t appear to be high arched or flat faced, it is likely you have normal or neutral feet. Your foot will have a slight curve, less than three fourth of an inch.

There is no significant problem as long as you pick up a shoe that is not suited to your running style. This is the most common type of foot and is least prone to injury if you wear the right kind of running shoes.

To choose a running shoe for feet of this type, there are many options: one is meant for normal feet or one for slightly arched or slightly flat feet. Avoid picking running shoes, which have lots of motion control or stability.

This is, in sum, the guide to choosing running shoes.