Walking in store and buying your shoes aren’t always as easy as you wish for. There are some many things to consider that sometimes it can be frustrated. Except if you have found so good running shoes or brand which you are stuck with it every time, you are the lucky one. For the others there no need any panic, especially if you are relatively new runner and heard all kinds of technical information about shoes and brand. You don’t have to know all that, but there are a few steps which help you to beginning.

Where to buy?
I would not recommend online stores or market/supermarket expect if you don’t really know what you want. I would suggesting use sport shops or running shop, there are often staff who are specialized to running shoes and can help you.

When to buy?
If you know you run always end of the day after work, don’t go buy shoes in the morning. As our feet will swell up a little during the day, so those shoes which felt comfortable in store might feel uncomfortable when you hit the road. Also if you have low budget, but want to invest in shoes, seek some sales. Stores often have sales end of the season when they sell many models lower price making space for new models.

Feet types?
Do you have neutral, pronation or supination feet? If you are not sure ask the seller, they can examine your feet. Whatever your feet type is go that section. Especially if you have pronation or supination find store where is good selection of that types of shoes, I would not recommending buy neutral shoes as they can cause different kinds of problems like runner’s knee. If you still decide to buy neutral shoes, buy customized insoles which you can add in the shoes. Many sports and running shop made these. They are easy and fast make.

Running terrain and usage?
Next thing is take a look what is the purpose. Where do you run; road, terrain or treadmill? How much do you run? How much do you want to shock impact, the more you want the more shoes will weight.

Shoes fitting?
Once you have shoes on, consider next things; flex, length, width, heel, instep, running feel.

• Flex: You can check this once you have the shoes on but also before that. Shoes supposed to bend once you flex them, as this ensure the shoes will roll on nicely along your feet once running. This prevent soreness and possible injuries. Though shoes will looseness slightly after using them a while.
• Length: Running shoes supposed to be slightly bigger than normal shoes, once you have shoes on, there need to be thumb’s width space point of the shoes and your longest toe. This gives space to feet move a little bit while running which prevent blisters and toes problem. There are also size variation between brands so try different sizes, Nike’s size 6 might not be same that Asics size 6.
• Width: make sure there are enough space also in sideways, this means toe box. Too narrow space will cause foot pain and blister as the toes are squeezed.
• Heel: heel supposed to fit, but not squeeze or be too tight. Heel will move a slightly while running so make sure back of the shoe will support heel, but not too tight as it will be uncomfortable for a longer run and may cause blisters.
• Instep: Make sure shoes fit nicely also around your instep, this means that shoe give support, but there are still to space enough. As the instep will get a lot of pressure when leg land on the ground, too tight instep section will cause uncomfortable pressure and irritation. Too much space is not good either as the shoe not will support feet movement enough.
• Running feel: Test by taking a few running step, if the store has treadmill even better. The best way to test if the shoes are good for you is to run.

Price?
Unfortunately, often the more you are ready to pay the better shoes you get. But you don’t still have use whole fortune pair of shoes, as good shoes are often around 100€, brand, model and all little things affect price.

Look, colour, brand?
If you haven’t found the good brand which works for you, I’m recommending try different types of brands. You don’t have to stick one brand, often people have changes brand every time they buy new shoes. Or they use couple different types of shoes in training season so the legs get variety. Main thing is that you don’t go to buy shoes by the look or the colour or because they are Nike and they are cool. Buy shoes which fit for you! Also remember that shoes will die after a while, this depends on how often and how much do you run and brand and model, but don’t run old shoes which are dead as they don’t service their purpose anymore.