The Right Shoes are out there!

The Right Shoes are out there!

Although it often feels like a mountain that needs to be climbed to get where you want to be, finding the right kind of running shoes to help you get ahead in your running habit can be easier than it seems. If you’ve been on the lookout for a guide to help you find your way in this contentious area, keep reading for the best tips in the industry. A relationship with running shoes can be a long and glorious partnership if you do your homework upfront.

What Components make the Difference?

Oddly, the midsole cushioning is often where the running shoes’ power comes from. It may seem like an innocuous component, but this is the part of the shoe that will be responsible for supporting your foot through the stresses of long-distance running in particular. The midsole will also constantly adapt to the angles at which you run, the surface and the response your feet have to the terrain. The ideal midsole should be firm enough to offer adequate support while you run, and this, combined with a well-ventilated upper and soles with good grip, is essentially the recipe for a good pair of running shoes.

Many shoe manufacturers are now offering a “barefoot shoe” as part of their running portfolio. These shoes are a lot thinner, with a glove-like, minimalist sole. They offer a small amount of protection but do allow the foot to move within its natural range of motion. While these shoes have amassed a huge following in recent years, for purposes of the article, let’s assume shoes refer to traditional running shoes, like the kind you would find in Australian Asics stores. As a rule, these shoes should fit you well, straight out of the box, and if they are not well-fitted and comfortable, there is no guarantee that they will take on this quality later on. Assume that what you buy is what you get, and buy the right size straight off the bat.

Fit Comes First

Not only is a bad fit uncomfortable, it can also lead to aches, pains, and other unwanted (and unnecessary) injuries, and additionally, it can slow you down and prevent you from reaching your goals, which be demotivating. Your shoes are the frontline defense against injury, and skimping on the quality of your running shoes can be a great risk for injury. Fatigue is the enemy of athletic success, and can easily be prevented by wearing the right kind of shoes.

You can ask employees at any of the Asics stores in AU – shoes that fit poorly can cause serious injury, like joint issues, painful feet, blisters and more. To get the best fit, make sure to shop for your new shoes towards the end of the day, when the natural swelling of your feet will be at its peak level. When you try on shoes, make sure that you check the inside for any sharp edges or anything that might poke into your foot and hurt you before buying them. Running shoes are essentially plug and play – there should be no reason for them not to fit perfectly straight out of the box. If any components hurt you, rather move along to another pair of shoes that might be better for what you need.

Try the Shoes on

If you didn’t try on shoes before buying them, you might find yourself regretting the purchase later. Wear them around the shop, or consider finding out what the return policy is – take a bit of time to wear them around the house, and if they are not 100% right, make sure that you know whether you can return them or not.

If you are prone to sore feet, you might want to consider orthotic inserts in the place of the factory-issued insoles. The problem with orthotic inserts is that they may reduce the cushioning capability of a shoe, so use them with caution. By necessity, they are harder and heavier than the rest of the shoe. The gold standard is to find a pair of shoes that check all the boxes for what you need and expect of a pair of shoes that need to take you along for several miles.