What are the best running shoes?
I am often asked some variation of this by people who are new to running, or want to make sure they are wearing the best shoes for their feet. This is a good question to consider, because there is a plethora of shoes available, for all different types of runners, people we weigh different amounts, people with different feet issues, and for different kinds of running – not to mention all the different brands.
Is there a best way to pick out the right running shoes for your feet? Yes – I think the best method is to people you know who have been running for some time, find out their thoughts and experience with different shoes, and then have them direct you to a good athletic footwear store (running oriented). A good running store should guide you through a selection practice based on a few key criteria.
They will consider your weight, your running type, the way your feet hit the ground, and they should do a visual review of how you run. Some stores will have cameras and treadmills that do a very detailed analysis of these factors and some others to come up with a specific recommendation. Keep in mind that not all stores carry all brands and so their recommendation may be biased toward the brands they carry.
Over the next few posts we’ll look at some of the factors to consider in choosing your running shoe, and how your shoe can affect various aspects of your running and other aspects of your physical health.
We’ll also talk specifically about a few of the brands available. There are many good brands available and we’ll specifically look at a few of them, though I will tell you right up front that my favorite brand is Mizuno, and I will tell you why. We’ll also look at what specific to look for in running shoe reviews.