CHOOSING THE RIGHT SHOE FOR YOU!
Choosing running or walking shoes is not something that should be done based on color or fashion. What is that you say, I thought all shoes are built with comfort in mind? While that may be true, not all running/walking shoes are designed to fit or control your foot the same. Even the right shoe may not prevent all injuries, but the wrong shoe can actually cause injuries. Wearing the wrong shoe or overly worn shoes can cause injuries such as shin splints, stress fractures, arch and knee pain
Running/walking shoes fall into 3 categories: cushioned, stability (which add support to the inside edge of the shoe), and motion control (adds even more support and is usually a broader based shoe) all of which are designed to control and comfort your feet based on your foot shape and biomechanics. The biomechanics that determine which of these shoes is best for you may include: over or under pronation (the degree to which your foot naturally flattens and rolls inward to absorb shock), heel strike vs. forefoot strike, flat feet vs. high arched and even by your weight.
Start by looking at your old shoes. If the bottom inside edge or big toe side of the shoes shows more wear than the outside edge and there is a slight lean inward of the heel you are a mild over-pronator and are best fit with a stability shoe. If the wear is severe to the inside edge and the heel leans dramatically inward you need a motion control shoe. If the wear is in the center and straight up the middle of the shoe, you are a neutral runner and need a cushioned shoe. Finally, if the wear seems to be concentrated on the outside edge al the way up to the front of the shoe than you are an under pronator and want to avoid stability shoes and definitely stick with flexible cushioned shoes. Your mileage per week also plays into which shoes you use as higher mileage may dictate a more stable shoe even if you wear cushioned shoes since your muscles may fatigue and your normally good biomechanics break down and you may slightly overpronate. These are just guides and you should seek help from a running specialty store like Elite Runners & Walkers as they can take a look not only at he wear patterns but understand what type of shoe you are currently have and how it may be affecting your wear patterns.
Some final notes, always take your old pair with you to have them analyzed, have your foot measured every time, and try on the shoes. A reputable running specialty shop will allow you to run/walk on a treadmill or take them outside for a quick test on nice days. Once you have found a shoe that works, stick with it until the manufacturer makes a change that causes it to fit poorly.
