If you run, you are a runner. And if you’re a runner, especially one who’s hit the pavement more in the past year, chances are you need to upgrade your running shoes.
“The most important thing for us is that you pull, it’s great,” said Kate Reese, a manager at Brooklyn Running Company, a running shop in New York City. “But if you start knocking, a shoe can change.”
The good news? Even if you haven’t changed sneakers in years, you probably do not need the latest carbon fiber technology or the coolest new shoe. You just need guidance to suit you best.
Start with the bottom of your current shoes.
To get started, look at what you worked on. Have you ever run with an old couple of coaches? A pair of shoes you bought years ago, or shoes you bought a few months back on a whim? How many miles do you think you have run in the last few months? And are you in pain
When a shoe starts to wear out, the support and cushioning becomes less effective. The bottom of your shoes will also give you guidance. If you notice that the tread is worn, or even “bare” in some places, it is a sign that you need a new pair of sneakers. The wear patterns also give directions on how to load your weight while running, and these markers can be helpful if you are looking for your next pair of shoes.
Then go to a local running store.
A special shoe store must be staffed by local runners who know the sport and have had their own pains.
Ideally, a staff member should look at your feet and see if you are walking or running to evaluate your walk. You want to have a conversation in which you have the opportunity to run in a handful of shoes (on a treadmill or outside) and to discuss goals and concerns, such as specific pain points or exercise plans.
You can tackle different shoes with different levels of arch support and cushioning. Make sure you have approximately a miniature width between your toes and the tip of the shoe, and note what feels most comfortable.
Finding expert advice has become easier during the pandemic, thanks to the fact that virtual appointments have been made for running shoes. Many running stores now have the option to make a video appointment and send you a variety of shoes. Expect the same service you will receive personally, including running tests and discussions regarding specific physical problems and running goals. Read the fine print before taking off your shoes for a test drive, as some retailers take the returns with little effort, while others may have more restrictive return policies.
No matter where you try your new shoes, you need to have a golden moment when you find the right fit, something that only you – and not the experts – can identify.
“It should feel very intuitive, very natural, like an extension of your foot,” she said. Reese said. ‘I encourage people to walk around or jog around or even climb on a treadmill. It should feel like it’s moving with you, it should be in line with where your foot wants to move. ”
Expect to spend about $ 130 on a good pair of running shoes, focusing on function and fitting fashion. The new smooth shoe you saw in a health magazine photo may not be the one that works for you. Me. Reese appeals to runners to think of their shoes as a tool purchased for a purpose, not as a fashion statement made in the park.
Know when it’s time to move on.
Shoes need to be replaced on average after every 350 kilometers of running, say running experts. But runners behave very differently based on their routine; routes can wear through shoes differently than a former linebacker of the university. You can safely assume that if you keep running, you will need to invest in new pairs of shoes fairly regularly.
Take note of what you like and dislike – consider the cushioning, stability and weight of the shoe. Then make sure you mentally notice how supportive your shoes feel as the miles and minutes light up.