If you are getting ready to hit some different sporting goods
stores to find some running shoes, you may wind up feeling a bit
overwhelmed with the choices that you have. This is a very important
decision, though, so you'll need to take your time and wade through all
of your options. Being careful now can pay off for you substantially in
the long term.
You'll probably want to go to a few different
sporting goods stores to make sure you find the right brand and fit. The
type of fee you have will be a vital consideration when deciding on the
kind of shoe that you want. A staff member will be able to quickly
determine this by simply watching you walk without any shoes on. If you
want to check this yourself, wet the bottom of your feet and check the
imprint you leave on your front or back porch.
The three major
foot types are flat, normal or medium arch, and high arch. If you have
flat feet, the entire sole of your foot will be visible in the imprint.
If you have a normal arch, there will be a significant part of your sole
missing from the imprint. If you have a high arch, the imprint will
show a gap between the area below your toes and slightly above your
heel.
Shoes for Flat Feet
If the entirety of the bottom of
your foot hits the ground with each step you take, you'll want to
consider a motion control shoe. This type is usually made of foam and
has plastic support shanks under the foot to support your arches. They
are usually somewhat heavier due to this added support and they also
tend to have a wider base.
Medium/Normal and High Arches
In
this instance, there will be a bit of space between the middle of the
foot and the ground. This calls for a shoe that offers a bit more
stability depending on how much support you need. When a foot has a high
arch, the middle portion is so high that it never touches the ground.
You'll want a neutral type of shoe that has no arch supports, but rather
arch cushioning.
Try on two or three different shoes from three
different manufacturers when you're making the rounds in your local
sporting goods stores. Walk around for a bit and even try to do some
light jogging. You'll want to pay special attention to the fit of the
heel, toe room, and the width. Make sure that your heel doesn't slip up
and down while either walking or running. You don't want the shoe to
feel too loose or tight. Remember that if a shoe feels tight when you
put it on, it will only feel tighter as your foot expands while you're
running.
