Select the right running shoe

Introduction

Unless you are crippled, everyone can run and it is one of the cheapest form of sports to pursue a healthy lifestyle.  We choose a running shoe based on recommendation and somehow trusted the recommendation of the salesman.  Else, we reply on personal experiences from experienced runners or choose the most colourful or most expensive shoes or shoes with the most wanted feature.

Somehow, some shoes fit well but some do not.  The most expensive shoe may still not fit our feets and only you know best.  In the worst case, we are injured during running wearing the new shoes.  So what went wrong?

The Science Behind

Believe it or not, there are only a few shoes that we can choose among the brands.  If you defy the science behind, you are fighting against your own fate.  Your body, fitness, running form and feets decide which brand and model best suit you.  Let's discover the science behind...

Shoe Last vs foot shape

There are 3 types of foot:

Picture from rightshoesblog.com

The shoe last represents the anatomical information of the foot, at the same time giving the finished shoe a pleasing and fashionable appearance.  Failing to choose the right shoe last based on your foot shape, many blisters will be developed.

Many European manufacturers such as Salomon built shoes meant for Greece foot.  Asics, being an Asia manufacturer, focuses on Egyptian foot while New Balance, an American company, offers all shoes to fit all foot shapes with B, 2E and 4E options.

Now you know why the premium Asics shoes you bought don't fit you?  Because your foot is Greek style!  Asics and the salesman never tell you that because they are only interested in selling you shoes.

Knowing the brands who made the right shoe last decide if your feets are comfortable in your shoes.

Your Body Weight vs Cushion Support

The second important factor is about your weight.  If you are heavy, you need more support.  The cut-off point is normally at 75kg.  If you exceed 75kg, you need more support for more protection.  With more cushion, the time on ground is longer and you will run "longer".  Therefore, choosing the right cushion is important because you do not need so much cushion when you want speed.

The top 4 manufacturers (Asic, Saucony, New Balance and Brooks) and other companies designed high tech shoes for "slow" runners with many cushion support.  These shoes are meant for beginners who have not developed essential leg muscles for running.

Experienced runners will select fast shoes with better grip in the front while slow runners love thick heavy cushion at the back.

Uneven Foot Size and Arch

For many with varying degree of arch, cushion support at different shoes can help in correcting the natural defects.  However, stability and support from the shoes cannot solve the root of the problem.  Runners must train up their leg muscles and adopt the right running posture to tackle the root of the problem.

Your Capability vs Shoe Selection

Now, with the above considerations, you can select the right pair of shoes and start running.  If you focus on the right posture during running and train consistently, you will develop the right muscles and eventually outgrow your shoe.  Yes, this current shoe will only fit your current form.  When your running capability grow, you will need another pair of shoes to match your new capability.  That's why every pair of shoes have a lifetime, just like we humans.

Happy running with a right pair of shoes.