Welcome to the new article. This article describes the basics of choosing shoes for running. We will see how to choose the right running shoes from a general standpoint. This article is intended to give information for casual runners like me (I am not an athlete). For those who demand more detailed, technical information, this article might not be too helpful.
This article isn’t about the details of shoe characteristics or properties such as whether the shoes are made of specific materials or how soft or bouncy they are. It is about the aspects of what you, as a runner are involved in the running activities that you want or intend to do.
This article presents what aspects are to be considered when a person is looking for running shoes. It does not describes the details of each aspect, which may be discussed in another article later.
Why Not Just Run with Any Shoes
Some sport shoes are designed and made for general activities. Some are made for rather specific activities. For example, there are shoes for golf, badminton, basketball, and of course, running.
What are specific about running shoes? Physical activities are done for health and fun, or maybe to gain some progress in sports. Thereby, the equipment used must support these objectives. When it comes to running, the related matters must help toward what we want to achieve in the run. It could be fun, getting fit, improving health, or to make progress in running.
Running moves the body, lifting all the weight in the air for a split second, moves forward, and then lands with some impact. It’s the feet that withstand the impact. The feet need some absorption for the impact. Not only to cushioning the impact, shoes designed for must also help to stabilize the run and help the runner to maintain proper form and technique.
What to Consider while Looking for Shoes
We’ll divide the aspects into 3 parts: the runner, running environment, and demanded features
The runner himself might consider these factors:
- Special health requirement. This includes how much the body allows impact, which may include joints or feet. Also if the runner is under or overpronation.
- Demanded features or comfort. What comfort is expected? Cool, breathable shoe upper? Thick, soft, cushion? Sole or side support? Protection from the elements? Breathable upper?
- Ease of use. Easy to put on and off? Easy to clean? Quick drying?
Running environment.
- What kind of run will you endure? Short? Long distance? Hunting pace? Slow or recovery?
- Run course. What type of environment or surface will you run on? Smooth asphalt? Concrete blocks? Off road? Downhill? Wet ground? Straight or many turns?
Do We Really Need More Than One Pair?
For true enthusiast (running everyday /almost everyday), having more than one pair is recommended. Not only for recovery (which means the other pair is quite a different cushion, usually softer), but also for spare if the main pair cannot be used (for instance: getting wet)
Is Comfort That Important?
For a casual runner, especially those who don’t run long distance such as half or full marathon, I’d suggest to put comfort as a priority. While getting the right type of shoe structure and specifications for your run is important, being comfortable with the run is significant. We don’t want to feel that the run is an activity that hurts us, do we?
Can We Buy Online?
In a word, yes! But watch for these 2 things: originality and uncertainty.
Originality. There are a lot of fake, illegitimate, counterfeit shoes out there. Almost any famous brands have counterfeit products. And there are many levels of fake shoes. They vary from the outright visible, poor, crude fake shoes to the near original, invisible to untrained eye products. To buy online, make sure to buy only from reputable sellers.
Uncertainty. This relates to whether the shoes really fit your expectation for use, comfort, support, etc. Make sure you really know what to expect. Read reviews on reputable websites, yet still be careful. Reviews are subjective. What a person think as “soft and bouncy” could be “hard” for another person.
Of course, the best is buying shoes at the store, or buy it online after you have had an experience at a store (you can buy them at the store online shop where you tried them).
You’ve Got the Basics
Thus you’ve got the basics in how to choose the right running shoes for your run. Remember, the shoes must support us physically and mentally to run. Do not choose shoes based on looks. What looks comfortable may not fit the expectation.
I’ve been wondering about this. I have an issue with my right knee due to an old rugby injury. My current shoes are comfortable and thick-soled, but I don’t feel that it provide appropriate shock absorption when jogging, even at a casual pace. What do you suggest I look out for in terms of the sole? Also, how often should running shoes be replaced?
Hi Deon. Nice to meet you.
I don’t know sport related injury in details. Your problem seems to be specifically related to sport medicine. I’d suggest to visit a doctor for a consult while showing the shoes you mentioned. The sole issue might not be the only solution to the problem.
Shoes may be replaced for different reasons. Generally, they should be replaced when they have lost their wanted/ required properties. This could be loss of sole absorption, worn out outsole rubber tread, tear on upper, loss of support due to underpronation /over pronation pressure. What is critical is if the shoes begin to interfere with health issues.
My feet are underpronation, which will wear the outer sides of the sole more than the inner sides. Thus I’d replace my shoes when the outer outsole wears out.
In my opinion, we’d better replace the shoes when we feel like “these does not help much with the run experience I expect anymore”.
We might also want different shoes if we intend to change running course terrain. Again, a consultation with a medical expert will certainly result in better advice.
Again, I am neither an athlete nor a medical doctor. The advise is based on my experience as a casual (regular) runner and my exploration on running shoe information.
Thank you for the comment for my website.