So you just started running or walking and want to find the best fit for you. Here is a quick guide to help lead you in the right direction on making your feet happy and keeping them and you running for life!
Disclaimer: This is information is general and you should take it, learn from it, and begin to experiment on your own what shoe feels good on your feet while running or walking! Your local run store can be an option to help narrow down your shoe fit or friendly physical therapist that is a runner as well ; )
OK Here we go!
Take a look at your normal or loved running shoe or normal everyday shoe. Pick up one shoe and flip it over and look at the bottom!
So what does the bottom of your shoe look like? Looking at the wear patterns will give you an idea of how you walk based on how your shoe wears down. What does this mean?
- Medial wear: alot of wear on the inside of your shoe could be that you are an overpronator. This means your foots natural roll is a bit to much inward which can lead to running injuries. So generally you should looking for a motion control shoe (more about that in a little bit)
- Neutral wear: will probably show even wear and a more energy efficient pattern (remember every individual is different). So a stability shoe which is the most common shoes you will see in stores (has a little support along the inside of foot and mid-foot cushioning)
- Lateral wear: if you wear pattern is on the outside or lateral edge, you are a supinator (not as common, but can lead to bone stress and joint injuries). So generally you would look for a cushioning shoe
Top Brands of Shoes
Brooks
New Balance
Saucony
Asics
Hoka One
Resources for Motion Control Shoes (Brands & Types)
Resources for Stability Shoes (Brands & Types)
Resources for Cushion Shoes (Brands & Types)
In conclusion, shoes are an investment in your health and the right fit can help decrease nagging pains and injuries. Also don’t get caught up in the newest released shoes, try a pair that came out last year! Try the shoes out, actually run or walk in them and you should be able to return them (of course check store return policy and don’t go for a trail run in them lol). Also some women fit a men’s shoe better than a women’s fit. When I started into endurance running, I actually felt good in a men’s motion control shoe (because I have feet and arches as flat as a board lol). But note that your fit could change over time due to changes in weight which affect your stride or incorporating strengthening to improve running form and injury risk. While writing this, I reviewed some of my daily shoes and sure enough I had a more neutral to lateral wear pattern, which is difference from 5-6yrs ago. I’m in the hunt for my next pair of shoes for upcoming fall training season soon!