Apart from the actual racing competitions, athletic companies out here are competing to see who produces the next best running shoes. That has left a lot of athletes frustrated because of the high prices placed on them.
Sometimes you wonder should you pay that much money for the latest hyped-up shoes or sit down, do your research and find the right runner shoes at an affordable price.
I advise you to go with the latter, there are more affordable and quality shoes out there.
That is why we are here today we are going to look at some tips to help you choose the right running shoes. Let’s have a look;
1. Brand
One often-overlooked factor in choosing a good running shoe is the brand. Many fitness brands are coming up with different models of runners’ shoes.
Some brands have dominated the athletics world, but it doesn’t really mean their shoes are better than the lesser-known brands.
There are some upcoming or small brands that genuinely manufacture quality athletic shoes.
To find out more on what brands are best for you, I recommend that you visit US-Reviews.com and see American fitness brands’ reviews.
See the general feedback from other customers and gauge whether or not you should buy from a particular brand.
From there, you would have gotten an idea of where to start your shoe hunt.
2. Cushioning
There are five levels of cushioning in running shoes; ranging from level 1( lightweight cushioning) to level 5 ( maximum cushioning)
As the level increases, the cushion density increases. The type of cushioning to go for will depend on your type of running.
Cushioning adds weight to the shoe and therefore maximum cushioning is not recommended for fast running.
Level one or lightweight cushioning is also not recommended for long-distance running this is because it has a thin layer of protection and might wear out easily.
3. Comfortability
Whatever shoes you choose to run with, you should ensure that you are comfortable in them.
The shoes should come in the proper size that fits you, the cushion level should be comfortable, and everything else should match your type of running.
4. Durability
Another key thing to look for when choosing the type of shoes to run in is their durability.
You don’t want to spend tons of money on a shoe you only use it for a few weeks and throw it away.
5. Shoe size
One very common mistake most athletes make is assuming their shoe size.
Just because you fit in a size 5 in this company, does not mean you’re going to wear a size 5 in another shoe brand.
Different companies have different shoe sizes.
Make sure you do a shoe fitting before making your order, Not unless you are absolutely sure of your shoe size.
6. Sole
The sole is the heart of good running shoes. It determines the durability and comfortability of a shoe.
The sole of a good running shoe should not be too firm or too soft for your legs. It should be preferably lightweight.
7. Drop from heel to toe
Sometimes referred to as an offset, a Heel-toe drop is a difference in the amount of material between the heel and the forefoot of a shoe.
The right heel to drop will depend on you as a runner.
It is advisable that athletes who land on their midfoot, should go with a preferably low heel-toe drop, and athletes who land on their heels should go with a high drop.
8. Weight
The weight of a shoe greatly determines how fast you can run. Heavier shoes will weigh you down fast slowing your speed. The lighter the shoe the faster you can run.
However, very light shoes are not recommended either. Lighter shoes mean less cushioning and sole.
Just like minimalist running shoes, very light shoes exposes an athlete to more hazards on the ground and you might end up getting injuries like rupturing your Achilles tendon.
Of course, the shoes are not the final determiner of how fast you will run. For fast-running athletes, I recommend lighter shoes, but at the same time, comfortability should not be overlooked.
9. Price
The price of the shoe is also another important factor when deciding what kind of shoes to go for.
Most cheap running shoes do not factor in the quality of good running shoes. On the other hand, the most expensive running shoes are highly likely to be of good quality.
If pricing is an issue for you, I recommend that you go with a medium-priced that checks off most of the factored listed in this article.