Finding your Sole Mate – running shoes that fit & feel great

Looking for your sole mate?  Whether or not you’re new to running or just need to replace your old kicks there are a few things to keep in mind when buying a new pair of running shoes. 

 

While running shoes are designed for different foot shapes, body types and biomechanics, everyone’s most basic needs should be the same – get the right fit and feel, and don’t settle for anything that causes you discomfort.  It’s hard enough staying motivated to run, add a lousy pair of trainers and getting out the door for a run gets exponentially more difficult. 

 

Fit

The most important basic need is fit.  The impact forces of running will cause your feet to swell and elongate during your run so make sure to allow for enough room across the width of your foot and in the toe-box.  The rule of thumb is that the space between the end of your long toe and the end of the shoe should be close to the width of your thumb.  The vast majority of runners buy shoes that are too small, which will lead to bruised toe-nails, calluses, blisters and general discomfort. 

 

Most technical running shoes are made in multiple widths – make sure you find one that accommodates your foot.  Don’t feel embarrassed about trying out a wide width – a great percentage of American runners have wide feet.  If you have a bunion or corn – size accordingly, you don’t want to aggravate either by wearing a narrow shoe.

 

Keep in mind – just because you wear the same size in all your dress, casual and work shoes it does NOT mean that you’ll wear the same size in running shoes.  Most running shoes fit a half size smaller than all other shoes and sometimes you’ll find yourself wearing a shoe a width wider than all your other shoes.  This is hard for some women to accept because of the negative association with big feet, but I say – if the shoe fits, wear it!

 

Feel

Once you have your size dialed in make sure to find a shoe that feels great right out of the box.  No more should you expect to have to ‘wear-in’ your new trainers – they’re not combat boots so don’t needlessly endure blisters and hot-spots from pinching and binding or any other new shoe malady.  A comfortable pair of new running shoes should inspire you to get out and run. 

 

Get out and run

You’ve found a pair of shoes that fit well and feel great right out of the box, but will they continue to be comfortable 10, 20, 50 or 100 miles later?  They should and if they don’t – return or exchange them.  Running shoes are not cheap and you don’t want to risk injury or ongoing discomfort due to fear of returning shoes that have a few miles, a couple of puddles and some good ole fashioned sweat on them.  95% of the time your new shoes will feel great and perform well for 300-500 miles, but occasionally you’ll find a shoe that just doesn’t work.  It’s not uncommon to exchange a worn shoe for a new pair because the sizing didn’t work out, the shoes don’t feel as comfortable as they did when you bought them, you’ve developed a hot spot, etc. 

 

If you’ve only put in a handful of runs in your new sneakers and they’re not holding up to your expectations – SEND THEM BACK.  When you’re returning or exchanging a pair of lemons make sure you’re clear about why they didn’t agree with you – this information will make it back to the manufacturer and hopefully they’ll consider your feedback when designing the next update to the model you purchased.

 

Once you have shoes that fit, feel great and offer up the support you need – get out and run!