Running Shoes Fit

Summary: Come on in as I teach the basics of choosing a running shoes fit

Choosing shoes is pretty mundane stuff. Go to the store, browse a bit, look at the tag, fit, check, buy. No one could get lost in the process. Mundane stuff, eh?

But if you are a contemplative buyer who actually does yoga for shoe choice enlightenment, then you’re in the right page. Likewise if you have Scrooge as your family name and have the habit of running to the nearest bank for a dime then you’re definitely in the right place.

That is because those running shoes fitting nicely last longer and saves money. They don’t look awkward and they provide you with the benefits a shoe can normally afford. On the health side, running shoes fitting nicely promote good form, corrects slight problem and prevents nasty accidents like slips and falls.

That’s why running shoes fitting nicely always get the job done. Below are some pointers that will help you in getting your best running shoes fit. I know this is pretty mundane stuff but hey, every once in a while you forget things once in a while, even brushing teeth.

Study your feet

Of course that includes your feet size. Not only that, also the width especially on the forefeet and the toes department. And how high is your arch. Do you know what your gait type is? If not, do the ‘Wet Footprint Test’ below.

Wet Footprint Test

1. Wet your feet slightly, not dripping wet.
2. Put 2 sheets of clear paper on the floor, preferably dark paper or those types that absorb paper. No, a tissue paper won’t do.
3. Walk on the paper as normally as you can. Normal means head high and back straight. As you walk, try not to watch your feet as this would create a slight distortion on your footprint.
4. Study your footprint.

There are three types of gait: the normal gait, the flat footed gait, and the high-arched gait. A normal gait should include a well defined heel and a well defined bridge connecting to the metatarsus. The flatfooted gait has an overly defined heel, a overly defined bridge (sometimes the whole instep is defined) and the metatarsus. The high-arched gait has a severely undefined bridge, sometimes the bridge is absent.

Pronation

Pronation occurs with the flatfooted and the high arched gait. Pronation is the roll in or rolls out, where the heel hits the ground then the foot rolls inward or outward as the toe descends. Normally, pronation occurs even in normal gait, but in cases with flatfooted and high arched feet, pronation occurs more frequently. This can contribute to a serious physical defect.

Selecting the Shoe

Some builds of the shoe may not be for you. One differential factor is the body mass and strength. Some shoes could be stiff but to a more bulky individual it should be a comfortable fit. Select a shoe and try running and walking and jumping with it. It may make you look like a loon or could earn you a few nasty stares from the salesperson but hey, you’re buying a shoe right?

The concept of specific sport shoe is an important one, not a so-so. If you intend to do trail running, go get a trail running shoe. If you’re running lanes, get a standard running shoe. If you’re doing barbeque, go get a Shox.

Price Average

Normally this won’t be a fitting segment to a running shoes fit article but since McDuck might indeed be reading, then by all means. A bargain could cost around $40 - $60 while an average shoe is about $70 - $100. Barbeque running shoes like the Shox could very well reach $150.