Getting it Right – Athletic Shoes that Function

 

Serious runners know that their shoe is the most important piece of gear. With so many running shoes on the market it can be confusing to know exactly what to look for when researching shoes. It sure would be nice to buy a shoe that will last a few hundred miles of running, and doesn’t cost a fortune. Your jogging shoe doesn’t need to break the bank. Good running shoes fit well.

Name the thing that costs you most as a runner, and you’ll say it’s your shoes – like a kid with a Razor Kiddie Kick Scooter. Your pinkies will be protected and your stride will probably improve with good shoes. Millions of dollars go into running shoes and the better jogging shoe manufacturers make significant investment back into R&D of jogging shoes.

Ask 10 runners and get 10 answers, but I believe the best are…… Nike, Pumas and Adidas. This is from my own running with these shoes and I’m happy as I was with my Razor A2 scooter. Most of the Asics and Brooks you buy will have nice ankle support and it will be very cushioned. Pumas I’ve found to be different with no cushion. Yes Pumas are light and feel so good to wear. I highly recommend Asics and Brooks. But it all depends on what kind of shoe fits you best and is most comfortable.  Truthfully, I have yet to find a better shoe than Brooks or Asics. For starters, try the best shoes, then work down to what works best on your foot.

No matter what type of jogging you do, it is very important to choose running shoes that are correct for you. For those just starting out, it is crucial. Many people get a bad start in jogging simply by using a simple tennis shoe. It will probably take a while to find the best running shoes yet in the end you’ll have a comfortable fit and less risk for injury.

To get a good start into running, you must get a good shoe, as you now know, but stores now have ways to figure out what sort of runner you are. Make sure you get your arches checked at the store to get the best fit. This measurement will determine what shoe type you will wear like a tyke on a Razor Kiddie Kick. The shoe for you is based entirely on the arch measurement and other factors.

It doesn’t pay to start buying good looking shoe, you have to have something that really supports your arch and feet. Jogging shoes come in three types – semicurved, straight, and curved. Dunk your bare foot in water, then stand on a surface where you can see the imprint of your foot. With this imprint, you’ll see if you have one of the three most common foot types—normal, flat, or high arched.

Crazy as it seems, many people are thinking that running without any shoes at all is good for the feet. Take off those heavy clunkers and join the hundreds who are opting for the minimalist shoes that weigh just ounces a pair .

And who said that shoes prevent injuries anyway?  Do they really?  They really haven’t done anything since they were invented. And studies exist showing running shoes might even increase the incidence of ankle sprains and other running injuries. Finally, cheap shoes do cause less injuries statistically, but not enough study has gone into why this is.