So you’ve revealed your New Year’s resolutions and you’ve decided to take up running. Investing in an expensive running shoe from a well-known brand won’t matter much if the shoe doesn’t fit you properly. If you want to maximise your performance and keep yourself free from injury, it’s vital to choose a pair that suits all your needs.
Before you go shopping, make sure to check out this checklist from PriceCheck:
Choose the right shoe for your sport
Different types of running require different types of running shoes, so it’s important to choose a running shoe to suit your needs. The range of running shoes available can be daunting, but you can narrow it down straight away by focusing on what exactly you’re going to be doing with them. Will you be road running, running on a treadmill or on a forest trail? All these surfaces require a different kind of shoe.
Understanding your running style:
Choose the right running shoe for your running style. Running experts have narrowed down running styles and running shoe types into three categories. Namely, Over Pronators, Neutral Pronators, and Supinators.
Your pronation type determines how much and where you need support and cushioning in your shoe. Buying the right shoe could prevent blisters, joint pain, and other injuries. To determine your pronation type, you can get an expert gait analysis at many specialist retail stores.
If you’re unsure of which shoe is the best for you, a neutral shoe is often the best choice for casual runners who run a light 5kms a couple of times a month.
Understanding sizing:
When it comes to shoe size it is important to consider both the length and width of the shoe.
While most people have a fixed idea about their shoe size, when choosing a running shoe, a good rule of thumb in terms of length is to have a little extra room in your shoe near the toe area. This will help to account for the fact that your foot will naturally expand the further you run and this requires more room in your shoe.
It’s also important to pay close attention to the width of the shoe when choosing a running shoe. If you have wider or narrower feet than ‘normal’, choose a design that will help prevent friction between your foot and the shoe and lessen your risk of blisters.
Weigh up your options:
When choosing a pair of running shoes don’t forget to take your weight and the weight of the shoes into account. Runners wear their shoes for long distances and a heavier shoe can start to take its toll on your last few kilometres when you’re tired.
Don’t forget your socks:
When you go shopping for running shoes, don’t forget to take your preferred style of running socks along for trying on shoes. This will enable you to make a proper evaluation of how well the new shoe will fit your feet when you’re on your run.
Once you’ve determined the type of shoe you need, we can help you choose the pair you want with the best running shoes for under R1000.00.
