Choosing a Shoe: The Very Basics

July 6th, 2007 at 06:35am Under Shoes

When it comes to the major brands of running or walking shoes there is little difference in quality. There is fierce competition in the market and the big brands all have to meet the standard in terms of quality and reliability.

Different brands suit different people much like an individual shoe will, for example Nike Dunks may suit someone with a broader foot while an jordan shoes is often better for a narrow footed person.

Shoes aren’t just designed for different foot shapes; they are designed for different running patterns, too. Do you do long runs four or more times a week? Short runs a couple of times a week? You may want different shoes for event training than you use for the event itself.

The time of day you shop is a factor, too. Feet swell as you use them, and that’s especially important to remember when buying running shoes. Try them on at the end of the day so you have a better idea of how they’ll feel after a run. Even then, remember to leave about a finger-width of space between the end of your longest toe and the end of the shoe - your feet can swell even more on a run, and you don’t want bruised toes and black toenails.

Another detail to consider is the potential for medical problems. The foot takes a heavy load, and runners can develop many problems that can be made worse by the wrong shoes. Bruises under the toenails, blisters, plantar fasciitis (microtears in foot tissues that cause pain on the bottom of the foot), Achilles tendinitis (which causes pain at the back of the heel), and pains in the ankles or anywhere up to the back - all indicate a problem in need of attention, whether it’s just buying a new pair of shoes or getting medical advice and treatment. Don’t just “run through the pain.”

The bottom line: Fit is queen. Learn about your feet and try on many different shoes. Even if the first pair feels like a wonderful hug, try others for comparison. Don’t expect to wear the same size running shoe and dress shoe. Manufacturers may size shoes very differently, and you need more room in a running shoe, too. And don’t expect an ill-fitting or uncomfortable shoe to “break in.” Your running shoes should be comfortable from the starting line, Jordan Kicks.

Now find those shoes and hit the ground running!

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