There’s never been a better time to get hooked on running, and there's an arsenal of running shoes to choose from. But if you blindly pick up a pair, you could end up disappointed or even injured down the road. I once grabbed a pair of shoes, simply because they were really lightweight and looked cute.
But I couldn’t figure out why my feet kept aching after I wore them, especially after long runs. Turns out, they were racing shoes and clearly not designed for the regular high mileage I was putting them through. Despite whatever marketing is being thrown at you, it’s a stretch to say that the right running shoe will help you run faster or keep you from getting injured, ever.
But choosing the best shoe for your needs can go a long way toward helping you feel comfortable on runs. For example, runners who overpronate—which is where your foot rolls in too much when you run or walk—may benefit from extra stability features, while other people without this issue may do best in a neutral shoe. There’s also this to consider, per Nicole Graf, DPM, founder of Lexington Podiatry and associate professor at the University of Kentucky: “A shoe won’t fix bad training habits, but definitely the incorrect shoe will absolutely show up in my office as heel pain, shin splints, or even a black toenail.” Ultimately, “the proper running shoe makes all the difference for comfort and injury prevention,” says Richard H.
Graves, DPM, a podiatrist at Sol Foot & Ankle Centers in Long Beach, California. That sounds like a lot of pressure to choose the right shoe and, in some ways, it’s valid. To help you navigate through all the options out there, we consulted with three podiatrists for advice on how to wade through the world of running footwear to find the type of shoe that suits your needs.
Because we’re also seasoned runners, we’re suggesting some of our favorites based on months—and sometimes years—of use. If you don’t like your shoes, you won’t run in them. That’s why shoes are the most important piece of equipment you’ll invest in as a runner.
Consider these factors: To be fair, there’s a lot of chatter out there that can make you think every shoe is the perfect one for you. But many brands do a good job specifying what category each running shoe falls into. Keep an eye out for these terms to find your new shoes.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
