Selecting Running Shoes

One of the most popular fitness activities of all time is running or jogging. A great workout for the entire body and a great way to get a thorough cardiovascular workout, running has been a part of training for virtually every other sport known to man. It is also one of the most pleasurable, as it takes you outside and allows you to exercise in any environment you choose. Running can be done in a city, around your neighborhood, at the local athletic fields or out in the woods on a lovely trail. There is also the meditative nature of the sport, and the runners high associated with a euphoric state that comes after running for a period of time. Another great thing about running is that it requires a minimum of equipment, the most important of which is the running shoes. Choosing the right running shoes is a crucial step in making sure your experience is an enjoyable an d safe one when taking up jogging.

There are many different styles to choose from when selecting a running shoe, and the proper choice depends on a few factors. Try not to get too hung up on the colors or appearance of the shoe, but make sure you are choosing a proper kind for your feet and body type. It helps to determine whether your need support on the inside of the shoe or the outside, and how much arch support is required. The amount of rolling your foot does toward the inside, or lack of it is known as pronation. To determine whether you are an over or under pronator, check the men's shoes or women's shoes you wear most often at the moment and look at the soles. If the most wear is to be found on the outside, you may generally tend to underpronate, but if the wear is more towards the inside, you are perhaps an overpronator.

If support is required on the inside, then you want to find an athletic shoe that is straight lasted, which means the sole of the shoe is straighter along the arch and therefore offers more support in this area. Often you will see running shoes with built up supports under the arch, and this is specifically designed to give inside support. Also, shoes that are board lasted or combination lasted will offer more interior support. To check the last, take the removable sock liner out of the shoes and look at the inside of the bottom. If there is a stitch running from the heel to the toe, this is called a slip last. If there is a solid board under running from heel to toe, this is called board lasted. If there is a solid board under the heel, and a stitch running from the board up to the toe, this is called combination lasted.

If your require more support on the outside of the shoes, then choose a curve lasted shoe, which means there is a considerable curve to the shape of the sole of the shoe. This will encourage more roll toward the inside and alleviate underpronation. A slip lasted shoe will do this as well, and you will notice that most good running shoes with a curved last are also slip lasted.

As always, make sure the shoe is fit properly, with no slippage at the heel. Also make sure your toes are not crushed into the toe box at the front of the shoe, and the shoe does pinch at the sides or across the top. Good running shoes tend to be as light weight as possible while offering the maximum amount of support for your foot and gait type. Buying shoes online from a discount online shoe store is a great way to get the best shoes and a great price.