Comfort cannot be emphasized enough when you are considering buying running shoes. It goes far beyond how the shoes feel on your foot; because you will spend a lot of time in your running shoes, often over great distances, it is crucial that your shoes support you, are comfortable to wear, and more than anything, prevent injury. The first and most important step in avoiding injury is wearing shoes that are right for the activity you expect them to deal with.
What makes running shoes, running shoes?
Multipurpose trainers are not running shoes, and it is not advisable to wear them in the role of significant running shoes for any length of time. The first factor that will determine what shoes you intend to wear, is what kind of surface you are planning to run on. Although it seems like an minor thing, your feet will thank you when you don’t attempt to do a trail run in road running shoes. Knowing what your preferences are, will guide you towards making the best decision with your shoes. If you ask the staff at any of the Asics shoe stores in AU, they will also be able to help you match the right pair of shoes to your activities of choice. There are heaps of shoes to pick from – it’s just a matter of matching the right ones to your life.
What do you know about pronation?
Your own anatomy is the main decider in figuring out what kind of shoes you need to buy. If you know your pronation type, you are equipped to cater for it. Pronation simply refers to how you foot rolls when it is in motion while you run. Knowing your pronation type can also help you to correct any anatomical malfunction that might be affecting your running, simply by identifying and knowing what you’re working with.
Why do they fuss about the length of the shoe?
You have to be aware and sure of your shoe size and keep in mind that the more you run the more room you need. It is natural for your foot to expand as you run consistently; this is why it is important to get shoe that has some space to give room to the natural expansion of your foot. About the width of a thumb in front of the toes is adequate space for expansion, which, like it or not, is a natural function of running. Asics stores in Australia have all trained their staff in basic tips and tricks, and if you are confused about anything, it’s worthwhile popping in for a word of advice. The idea is to prevent your foot from being squashed, resulting in chafing and bruising.
Then there’s also the width
As they say, it works both ways, and this is the case even with running shoes. While allowing enough room lengthwise is important, you also have to cater for what happens over the width of your shoes. If they are too narrow, the shoes will end up pinching, while a too wide shoe can allow the foot to slip and slide around, increasing the chances of an injury occurring.
So what then is the kind of fit you should be looking for in your running shoes? The side-to-side motion should be just enough to allow your foot some movement in the shoe, but it should never cross the edge of the insole.
Conversely, if you feel any pinch or pressure on your little toes, it’s a good sign that you should go up a size.
What about weight?
All round, weight matters, whether we are talking about the weight of the shoes, or of the runner wearing them.
Heavier runners would benefit from choosing a pair of shoes with more support and a more padded sole, to mitigate the relative impact to the body, as running is a jarring activity, and the impact is increased on a heavier frame. The weight if the shoe also matters, as you don’t want to be lugging heavy shoes over several kilometers at speed. The fatigue would be too great, and unnecessary. The lighter your shoes, the greater your agility, and the better your potential time!
