Today I’m sharing some tips on how to find the right pair of running shoes. With all of the New Year’s resolutions being made at this time of year, I’m sure that there are some people who are looking to get shoes. Hopefully this post will help!
If you’re jumping onto the fitness bandwagon in 2021, welcome aboard. It can be tough to get started when you’re new to working out and fitness. Getting started is the toughest part (at least it was for me). I’m hoping that the tips in this post will help. Just like going into the gym for the first time can be intimidating, so can knowing how to find the right pair of running shoes. If you’re looking for more fitness gear and advise for beginners, check out my at home workout equipment post and my fitness tips for beginners post. If you follow me on Instagram, share your favorite pair of running shoes with me over there.
Go to a running store
It might be tempting to order a pair of running shoes online or go to a big box store. However, I would highly recommend that you try out a local running store. The employees who work at a running store will be able to give you some really helpful advice on finding the right pair of running shoes for you. It can be overwhelming looking at a wall of shoes in front of you. They’ll be able to help you narrow down and options and tell you how they should feel when you have them on. They’re also more likely to know the in’s and out’s of the different brands. For instance, if you have wide feet like I do, they’ll be able to tell you which makes and models of shoes run a bit wider.
Ignore what the running shoes look like
While it might be tempting to choose a pair of running shoes based on what they look like. Instead, you should instead go by how they fit. If you end up with an uncomfortable pair of shoes you won’t care what they look like, especially when you’re dealing with blisters. There’s nothing worse than a run that isn’t fun because your feet hurt. And blisters have a way of making running or even walking pretty miserable.
Try on more shoes than you think you’ll need to
It’s not uncommon for me to try on 6 or 8 pairs of shoes when I’m buying a new pair of running shoes. It takes longer and takes more effort, but it’s worth it when you can confidently say that you found the best fit for your feet. That last pair that the sales associate pulled for you to try might be the ones that fit the best. Shoes that start out “just a bit too narrow or short” in the store will end up being pretty uncomfortable while running. It’s worth it to spend more time finding the shoes that fit you the best than be disappointed with them after a few weeks.
Get your feet measured
Running store employees will probably start off by measuring your feet, but if they don’t ask them to. It might sound kind of silly, but it’s worth it to get an accurate measurement even if you’ve “always been a size 9”. A few years ago when I got my feet measured I discovered I’m not actually an 11 like I had thought, but actually a 10.5 wide. It might not seem like a big difference, but they 10.5 wides fit so much better than the 11’s.
Share where and how you’ll be using your running shoes
If you have an idea of where you’ll be running and what distances, it’ll be helpful to share that with the sales associate who’s helping you. Will you be running outdoors on dirt trails? On pavement? At the gym on the treadmill? These are all very different and it’ll be helpful to pick a running shoes in mind with where you’ll be running. Also be sure to share what kind of distances you’ll be running. A 5K is different from a marathon. Having as much information as possible helps you find the right pair of running shoes.
Take socks with you
If you have socks that you like to wear on runs, be sure to take them with you to the running store. Trying shoes on with the socks you’ll be wearing on runs helps you find the perfect fit. I personally prefer thinner ankle socks. Thicker socks then to get bunched up in my shoes which can lead to blisters. And in terms of length, ankle socks are the most comfortable ones for me.
Shop later in the day
Finally, try to shop for your shoes towards the end of the day instead of first thing in the morning. Feet tend to swell a bit throughout the day, so you don’t want to try on shoes in the morning only to find out that they’re a bit too tight for your post-work run.
What’s one tip you have for how to find the right pair of running shoes? Share it in the comments below.