How to Choose Cushioned Running Shoes

When you run your feet and legs are subjected to a lot of stress. Properly fitted and cushioned running shoes provide support and act as shock absorbers. This helps to prevent stress injuries, so it is important to choose cushioned running shoes that are right for you. There are many excellent brands and styles available that provide cushioned support. The different running shoes are each designed a bit differently and a shoe that is ideal for one person will be completely wrong for another. This guide explains how to choose cushioned running shoes that are right for you.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Your current pair of running shoes
• Socks of the type you wear for running

1. Purchase a new pair of running shoes after every 350 to 550 miles of running. Shoes with this much use won’t show a lot of wear but the shock absorbing capability is greatly reduced. They will no longer give you the cushioning and support you need to prevent injuries.

2. Go to a sport specialty store tat caters to runners. The staff in these stores will be knowledgeable about how to fit running shoes. Specialty stores carry a wider selection of running shoes than other shoe stores. You may even save money when a less expensive model these stores carry meets your needs.

3. Take your current pair of running shoes with you and have the person helping you look at them. The normal stride of a runner produces a distinctive wear pattern. The outside of the heel should strike the ground first and will show the most wear. Check your shoes for uneven wear or excessive wear in the wrong places. This can be a warning sign that you need to change the type of shoe you have been wearing.

4. Find out about new styles and changes in how your current shoes are made. Manufacturers are always coming out with new styles of cushioned running shoes and making changes to the ones they already sell. One of the advantages of patronizing a specialty store is that they can provide you with up-to-date information about what’s on the market.

5. Test out new running shoes before you make your decision. You want to try on several different pairs of shoes. When you find a pair that fit comfortably, test them by running a block or so from the store and back. Keep the shoes on for about 10 minutes and then see how they feel. There is really no way to know how a running shoe will feel until you actually run in it. Experienced runners routinely take shoes for test runs and a good store will not only allow this, they will recommend you try the shoes out before buying them.

6. Break your new running shoes in before wearing them on a long run or in a race. The first run or two should be no more than 3 to 5 miles. Wearing a new par in a marathon or other long run is asking for blisters and chafing.

Tips & Warnings

• When you find a style of cushioned running shoe that works well for you, consider buying several pairs. Manufactures make changes with little or no advance notice. Having several pairs on hand enables you to stick with works for you instead of making constant changes.
• Don’t be overly loyal to one brand. There are many excellent brands of running shoes. Choose cushioned running shoes that suit you.
• You need not throw away an old par of running shoes right away. You can wear them to be comfortable as you follow your everyday routines.

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