Finding a suitable pair of running shoes among hundreds of thousands of shoes on the market is not easy. This article will help you choose a pair of running shoes that will suit your unique needs.
To choose a suitable running shoe needs a lot of factors such as your needs, material, color, style and price. Today, however, we’re going to skip the secondary factors and focus on the most important factor, choosing a shoe that’s designed to suit your running.
Criteria for choosing running shoes
Aside from running clothes, shoes are definitely the most important part. There are certain criteria for choosing running shoes such as:
- Your needs and running style
- Styles to suit your needs
- Design running shoes
- Color
- Price
Based on the running needs of many people, we can divide running shoes into 3 different shoe groups:
1. Road-running shoes
Asphalt running shoes are shoes designed specifically for running on asphalt. This terrain includes asphalt roads, sidewalks and some other common terrain. Shoe design is usually simple, light with good elastic soles and thin foot pads.
Asphalt running shoes are usually simple, light with good elastic soles
2. Trail running shoes
This is a type of shoe designed for running on difficult terrain such as hills, sandy roads, concave terrain … The design of the shoe will be slightly larger than normal running shoes, the material will be thicker, especially the sole of the shoe will be stiffer. In addition, the bottom of the shoe will often have a thicker and stronger sticker than regular running shoes.
The design of trail running shoes is somewhat larger than normal running shoes
3. Cross training shoes
This is a type of gym shoe specifically designed for bodybuilding. The shoe design will be as streamlined as an asphalt running shoe. The ankle part of the shoe will be thicker to cater for heavy exercises.
Cross training shoes designed for gym activities
Common types of running
To choose the right running shoes, you need to know your running style. Normally, there will be 3 most recognizable running styles: normal, inward and outward.
To choose the right running shoes, you need to determine your running style
1. Normal (neutral)
When running, the normal foot almost touches the road surface. You can choose shoes that offer better stability and balance.
2. Pronation
When running your feet tend to land on the edge while in contact with the plane. You should choose a motion control shoe with a stiffer heel and thicker cushioning to support the foot.
3. Type of flip (supination)
When running, your feet will tend to land with the outer edge of the foot. You can choose stability shoes and those with soft soles, not too hard to create a smoothness for the outer edge when landing.
A guide to choosing the right running shoes for you
1. Upper (the upper part of the shoe)
All of the upper part of the sole is called the upper. Most shoes today often use fabric and mesh to knit together. With different brands will have different materials. Most of the upper is usually sewn in one piece on the sole.
Clearly defining each area on the shoe will help you find the right choice
To choose the right upper, you should take a look at the shoes. Tested not to tear, the material is elastic, light and thick enough to protect the foot, the nose part is not broken. These are the initial appearance criteria to choose the standard upper.
2. Ankle collar (shoe collar)
This is the part that will protect your ankle. This area of the shoe will usually be made of a softer and softer silk than the upper. However, there will also be some shoes with thin collars.
You should try on the shoes to see if the neck part slips off the heel
To choose this part, you should first feel the neck with your hands, then you must wear it to see if the neck part slips off the heel, is tight and uncomfortable.
3. Heel counter (sole protection pad)
Modern sports shoes will often have this part to fix your heel. This part of the shoe will usually be stiffer than the other parts of the upper. This allows for heel protection and balance.
This area of the shoe will usually be stiffer than other parts of the upper
To test the heel counter, you should apply gentle pressure to the pad. If there is no distortion, you can safely use it.
4. Toebox (the part that wraps the instep)
This is the part that helps protect your instep and toes, which will usually have a certain amount of elasticity. To choose, you should wear shoes and make sure they cover the instep, allowing your feet to move freely.
This is the part that helps protect your instep and toes
5. Outsole (outsole)
This is the most grounding part of a shoe. Therefore, this area will often be made of mixed rubber or many other highly resilient and durable materials.
You should check this part carefully, check if the outsole has peeled glue and is suitable for your running needs.
6. Midsole (midsole)
This is the most important part of a running shoe. Midsole is usually made of materials such as foam particles, air cushions… This area is often combined with many different advanced technologies to bring the most comfortable feeling to runners.
Midsoles are usually made of materials such as foam beads, air cushions, etc.
You should choose shoes with good elastic midsole. My advice to you is to try to bring in or jump a few times to try. The base does not deform, does not chip, and is comfortable to wear are good criteria for selection.
7. Insole (insole)
This is the inner sole of the shoe. It is possible that this sole will be sewn together with the shoe insole. The insole will usually be made of more elastic and softer material to help your foot feel most comfortable.
Put it on and feel if your foot fits the insole. If it feels tight or uncomfortable, you should choose another pair of shoes.
8. Curvature of the toe
Running shoes will usually have a certain curvature according to your foot bones. The goal is to keep your feet comfortable and reduce pressure when running.
A good shoe is one that has a curvature that conforms to your foot and your movement. You can rest assured that most running shoe models have been calculated by manufacturers for the right curvature for runners.
How to choose the right shoe size
The easiest way to calculate shoe size is to draw your foot shape on paper and measure the size
- Step 1: Find the paper and bring your feet up to the surface of the paper
- Step 2: Wear socks or not, then stand with your feet fixed on the paper
- Step 3: Use a pen to draw the shape of your foot on the paper
- Step 4: Use the ruler to measure the length and width of the drawing to know the length and width of the foot.
How to measure shoe size simply and accurately
Men’s running shoes and women’s running shoes will often have a large gap in shoe size. You can go straight to the store to choose shoes. However, if you can’t go to the store to buy, you should refer to the size chart of the shoe company you are planning to buy to find the size.
Currently, many brands will have the same shoe size. However, there are also some brands that will have special shoes that you have to increase or decrease in size to be more comfortable.
The best way is to consult the users or ask the advice of the staff from that shoe company. With the above experiences, hopefully you will find a suitable pair of running shoes for you and start running right away.
Johnny Jacks was born in 1985 in Texas, USA. He is the founder of Good Health Plan and is passionate about helping people improve their health and physical well-being. With over a decade of experience working in the healthcare industry, he currently works at Goodheathplan.com – a blog that shares knowledge on beauty and health.