It always isn’t easy to find the best pair of running shoes. The shoes you wear influences the quality of your workout. You need to be comfortable in your shoes to be able to enjoy your workout. Every runner meticulously chooses his shoes to be able to stay away from injuries like plantar fasciitis and shin splints. To be able to choose the best pair, one should first consider the shape. There are 3 kinds of shapes:

1.       Flat

2.       Neutral

3.       High Arches

Shoe companies these days are working towards accommodating runners of all strides.  Flat footed runners usually avoid high-level cushioning and go for shoes that give them a higher stability. Neutral runners can often run in many types of shoes but mostly go for shoes with moderate stability. Runners with high arches usually go for cushioning with mid-sole padding and flexibility.

The following are the things to keep in mind while buying a pair of running shoes:

1. Your heel should fit snug but not tight. Even when it is laced up (but not tied) you should be able to slide your heel in an out.

2. Always ensure that there’s a thumb’s gap between the tip of your tallest toe (which is not necessarily the big toe) and the shoe.

3. Shoes these days also come in varying widths for the same size. Check if you have narrow, normal or broad feet and choose accordingly. If your shoe is too narrow, you’ll feel like your little toe is being jammed. It is therefore important to buy a shoe that gives a little space for your feet to move.

4. Check the flex of your shoe by holding the heel and pressing the tip of the shoe into the floor. The shoe should be able to bend along with your foot. Always understand the pronation of your feet before buying a shoe.

5. Never buy shoes for looks and don’t compromise on professional brands.

6. Always make sure you shop for your shoes in the evening when your feet are at its maximum size.

7. Different brands have different size indexes. So a size 7 in one brand might be an 8 in another. Always go to the store, wear, walk, jump and then buy.

References:

https://www.rei.com/learn/expe rt-advice/running-shoes.html

http://www.runnersworld.com/ru nning-shoes/how-to-buy-the-rig ht-running-shoes