The best running shoes do not necessarily have to be expensive. What is important in any case is competent advice, plenty of time and consideration for the individual running style. Whether experienced runner or rank beginner, with these individual buying tips, every running type will find the perfect running shoes for running.
Lightweight or good cushioning?
While we run an average of just 700 meters in a day, our ancestors brought it to 20 kilometers after all. And that’s without any protective footwear at all. Today, however, that is hardly possible, because neither do we have a centimeter-thick callus under our feet, nor are our tendons and joints strong enough to withstand such loads. Because while we are jogging, two to three times our body weight is acting on our joints. Heavy, corpulent people in particular should therefore look for running shoes with good cushioning. Trained runners, on the other hand, may dare to try the new lightweight shoes, because they save energy and allow natural movements. How to find the right running shoes for you, we tell you with individual tips on buying running shoes.
Important when buying running shoes: professional advice.
Which running shoes are right for a runner depends on many different criteria. Beginners need different shoes than marathon runners, women different than men, corpulent people different than petite. Leg and foot malpositions, the individual running style and the width of the feet should also be criteria in the selection. So before you reach for the next pair of sneakers from the discount store, it’s better to go to a sports store for professional advice on the subject of running shoes. An experienced salesperson will usually analyze your running style and posture on a treadmill, ask you questions about your complaints, running goals and running habits. In addition, he usually measures the foot. It is important that the running shoes offer a good fit and sufficient freedom of movement for the feet. Therefore, there should be a space as wide as your thumb between the big toe and the toe of the shoe. It’s best to go shoe shopping in the afternoon or evening, because feet get wider and thicker during the day. If you buy the shoes in the morning, they may be too tight in the evening. For the consultation and the purchase you should take enough time. On Saturday afternoons, stores are often crowded and salespeople may not take enough time to give you in-depth advice. Often, small stores that specialize in running are more recommendable than large department stores. It can be helpful to bring your old running shoes to the purchase, because an experienced consultant can draw important conclusions from them.
Cost of running shoes
Running is generally an inexpensive sport. You do not need expensive equipment or exclusive equipment, just a pair of shoes and enjoy the fresh air. Therefore, you should not save on footwear. About 100 euros cost good running shoes, although even here there is some room for maneuver. Take advantage of sales in sports stores or buy reduced running shoes from the previous year’s collection. However, the shoes should not be older than one year, because even if it is not moved, the cushioning in the rubber sole ages and becomes cracked in the long run. At the latest after a year or 800 to 1200 kilometers run, even the best running shoes give out. Then it is high time for new shoes for running, because with brittle material also increases the risk of injury.
Running shoes for women
Running used to be a male domain. Running shoes, although produced unisex, tended to target the needs of male runners. It was only in recent years that research began to address the specifics of women’s feet. According to a study by the University of Tübingen, women’s feet are smaller and flatter than men’s feet, they have longer toes and are more flexible. In addition, ladies tend to have knock-knees more often and bend their knees and hips more than male runners. As a result, they develop better cushioning of their own, according to the study, allowing them to use lighter shoes with thinner soles. Women’s bodies are generally more flexible, they have more stretchy ligaments and a movable kneecap. Therefore, good running shoes should offer plenty of stability and adaptable uppers. Special running shoes for women are now available in any competent specialty store.
Running shoes for foot malposition
Hollow or flat feet roll differently when running than normal feet.In the case of high arch, the longitudinal arch of the foot is too strongly developed, as a result of which the foot is usually rigid when rolling and the arch of the foot is so stiff that it only provides insufficient cushioning. Runners with this foot malposition should therefore pay attention to good cushioning in order to relieve the joints and feet. In bent and flat feet, on the other hand, the arch of the foot is flat and the heel leans inward. This malposition can be particularly problematic when rolling, because the crooked position of the foot can lead to knee and hip problems. The remedy is a so-called pronation support, which stabilizes the feet on the inside and counteracts buckling. However, in the case of downright flat feet, the support provided by conventional shoes is not enough. In this case, orthopedic insoles are recommended. The leg position also has an influence on the running and rolling behavior. Similar to hollow-footed people, people with bow legs often bend outwards. X-legged people, on the other hand, tend to bend inward more and should therefore look for stable shoes with pronation support, just as they do with bow and flat feet. In general, it is important to correct foot malpositions while running and thus to protect bones and joints. However, too much support from running shoes makes the muscles slacken and can possibly worsen the deformity. Therefore, run barefoot as often as possible and get several different pairs of running shoes. Through different models, the muscles and joints are always challenged anew and incorrect stresses can not solidify so easily.
Running shoes with cushioning
If you have already completed the one marathon or half marathon, you certainly know that running shoes can feel like concrete blocks on your feet after two hours of running. That’s why more and more experienced runners are turning to the new “lightweight” models, which skimp on stability and cushioning but allow for more flexibility and more natural movements. These competition shoes are less suitable for heavy, tall people, because the lack of cushioning hits their joints and the increased strain on the muscles steals more time than the lighter weight of the shoes can save. However, light, fast runners are well advised to use lightweight shoes, especially in competitions, even if these running shoes wear out faster than conventional ones.
Running shoes according to speed and weight
Overweight and large runners should pay particular attention to good cushioning and stability when buying their running shoes. For every runner, two to three times their body weight acts on their joints when they run. This is of course much more for heavier people than for lightweights. If this ballast is not absorbed by running shoes, the overload on the bones and joints can lead to pain and injury. Be sure to have your rolling behavior analyzed while running before buying. Many stable running shoes also have a pronation support, which people with normal rolling behavior do not need. The running speed should also be taken into account. The faster you run, the greater the load on shoes and feet. Slow runners should therefore be able to cope with less stable running shoes. Beginning runners without weight problems should consider what surface they will prefer to run on before buying shoes. If you live in the city, your new running shoes are more likely to be on asphalt or gravel surfaces. If you live in the country, you may prefer forest and meadow floors. Depending on your preferred surface, the cushioning, sole and material of your running shoes should also be.
