Gloss How-To: Choose Running Shoes
A good pair of running shoes can be the difference between a comfortable run and a painful run. In fact, ill-fitted or worn out shoes can increase your risk of injury. If you’re a novice runner or if it’s time to replace your worn out shoes, here’s how to choose running shoes:
- Don’t let cost guide you. If you’re looking to save a buck and shopping only on the clearance rack, you’re not likely to end up with a well fitted shoe. Certainly take a look at the clearance rack because you might luck out — but don’t limit yourself. Similarly, don’t fall for the expensive-is-always-better trap. Sometimes expensive is just expensive. Choose a shoe that’s right for your habits, size and needs.
- Consider where you run. If the bulk of your running is on trails or uneven surfaces, look into trail running shoes. They have increased traction and offer more stability. If you run mainly on roads, sidewalks, tracks or other relatively even surfaces a road running shoe will serve you well.
- Look at how your shoes wear. The way your old shoes have worn down will tell you if you’re a good candidate for motion control or specially cushioned shoes. If your old shoes have worn down at the ball of the foot and the heel, you probably have neutral pronation and don’t require a special shoe. If the wear is on the inner edge of the sole, you probably overpronate and should consider motion control shoes. If the wear is on the outer edge of the sole, you probably supinate and should look for shoes with extra cushioning and flexibility.
- Shop late in the day. Your feet tend to swell throughout the day, so shop for shoes in the late afternoon or evening. Be sure to wear socks like you would wear when running. And don’t just try one shoe on — put them both on and walk (or even jog) around in them for a bit.
- Check the fit. We all remember our moms checking to see if there was a thumb’s worth of space in the toe area of our shoes. But, while a little wiggle room in the toe box is important, there’s more to a proper fit. Also make sure the fabrication of the shoe fits your running needs (e.g. if you’re a distance runner, consider a lighter nylon upper, if you run in your neighborhood a standard combo of synthetic leather and waterproof/breathable fabric will suit you well). An external heel counter (extra support at the heel) offers better support. Also make sure the Achilles notch (the groove the prevents the shoe from irritating your Achilles tendon) is positioned properly for you and the heel collar won’t uncomfortably rub against the back of your ankle.
When I was a kid, my dad used to tease me that I could go skiing without wearing skis. I’ve just always been blessed (or cursed) with big feet. So when the opportunity came for me to try out Kuru walking shoes, I was skeptical. I’ve sworn by the same brand of walking shoes for years and just didn’t think it was possible for a pair of shoes ordered over the internet to fit my hard-to-fit feet.
My 13-year-old son is a runner and he has a habit of coming all the way into the living room before kicking off his shoes post-run. There are a lot of scents that I like to have in my living room — vanilla candle or furniture polish for example — but 13-year-old sweaty feet are not on my list of desired fragrances.
When it comes to walking and running shoes, you can’t wait to replace them until the laces are raveled and the sole is flapping when you walk. Worn out shoes can lead to foot or leg pain and can actually lead to injury.
First it was Sketchers Shape Ups and Reebok EasyTone and now even luxury designers like Prada are jumping on the toning shoes bandwagon. Truth is – unless you want to add a few inches to your height sans stilettos, save your money.
I don’t know about you, but I love splurging on designer items once in a while and sample sales are my BFF. However, when I found out Armani was collaborating with Reebok to make workout gear I didn’t find myself foaming at the mouth like I do when I stare in the window of Christian Louboutin. There’s something about sweat and expensive clothing that doesn’t sound appealing to me.
I would have never thought of running barefoot, not even on the beach, but a new trend has surfaced amongst serious runners – that of running barefoot. They claim that running sneakers hinder their performance and even cause injury. I would think the protection and support they offer would help prevent us from injury, but some would rather have a deeper connection with the environment.
Retro is totally in. As a child of the 70′s and 80′s myself, sometimes retro makes me feel a bit old but I have to admit that I’m excited about this shoe.