Get The Right Size Running Shoe

Larissa was an excited youngster who wanted to start jogging in the newly constructed park near her apartment. She went to the local specialty running store and looked at the brightly colored and beautifully styled shoes on display there. She was about to pick out a very fancy looking, highly priced pair of shoes when the store assistant came to help her. She pointed out to Larissa that picking a pair of comfortable shoes was far more important and only shoes of the right size and shape would be the most comfortable.

If like Larissa, you thought that an expensive pair of shoes was a good pair of shoes, think again. Comfort, functionality and durability are far more important in the choice of running shoes. For your benefit, we provide you with some helpful hints in picking running shoes of the right size, for your feet.

• ·    To begin with, you need to know that sizes of running shoes are different from ordinary shoes and you can end up becoming very frustrated when you try the same size running shoes as your walking ones and find that they do not fit. Always try for shoes that are about half a size bigger.
• ·    It is believed that feet expand during a workout. If you pick shoes that are a perfect fit, chances are that they will expand during your workout and you will start feeling uncomfortable. Either pick out shoes that are a little bigger than your perfect fit or try running a few blocks before you go in for shopping.
• ·    Always wear the same pair of socks that you would wear at the time of running so that you can understand which pair fits you perfectly. While this may seem like a minor factor, only when you have an improper fit because of a difference in the socks, will you realize what an important role socks play.
• ·    Typically our feet come in three different shapes – flat feet, overarched or overpronated feet and normal feet. Nowadays shoe manufacturers are bringing out specially designed shoes that can cater to the needs of all kinds of feet types. You will find shoes with a flat sole to fit people with flat feet and curved shoes to suit those who have highly arched feet.
• ·    Technology also has played a role in determining different kinds of shoes. There are three kinds of fits – motion control, stability and finally, neutral. Obviously neutral shoes provide only the most basic kind of support that a runner needs. Motion control shoes provide the most support while at the same time aiding in performance while the stability shoes are somewhere in between.
• ·    Try shoes on both your feet. Most people have one foot of a different size than the other and it is best to try running with both on.

Only after studying the various types of shoes available and trying on a few pairs that seem comfortable, will you be able to decide which one is the best fit for you.