How to choose the correct shoes...

[mrmonster]

As a long-time collector of shoes. I've found that many injuries resulting from participation in sports, especially those involving running, occur when using inappropriate footwear. Here are some helpful tips when looking to purchase new footwear. The newbalance.com site has the best explanation of what to look for, so I'll use some of thier info.

Things to take inot account are your foot size, arch type, and pronation. There are three types of pronation: under-pronation, neutral gait, and over-pronation(supination). Pronation refers to how your foot makes contact with the ground. There are many different inserts and solutions that can compensate for these conditions.

Picture from runnersworld.

The best time to shop for shoes is late afternoon or evening, as your foot swells throughout the day.

New Balance recommends bringing an old pair of shoes in so the salesperson can see the treadwear.

There are many different techonologies used in shoes that can be of benefit to some, but not all. Nike has Shox, Max Air and Zoom Air. Adidas now has small computers in the shoes. New Balance has the greatest selection of sizes and widths to accomodate shoebuyers with not so common feet.

If anyone has anything to add please do. There is so much more to take into consideration. We could kinda create a shoe buying guide.

[g_samsa]

Also, if you expect to get good running shoe advise, always, always go to a running store, not a general sporting goods store. The fine folks at footlocker (and i'm being political by saying "fine") don't have a clue as to how to give specific advice to individual customers. Also, the foot lockers of the world don't usually carry the best running shoes. Nike and Adidas almost always give foot locker (finish line and any other like that) a selection of stylish-looking shoes but not necessarly the best shoes. At a running store you will find all the good shoes with good sales-people who are trained to give you good advice.

You might pay an extra 5-10 bucks for your shoes, but it's worth it.

Excellent thread starter, mrmonster. Reps to you.

[homeydogg]

If you have a pair of shoes that you have been running in and have not experienced any problems - buy another pair.

If you find the second pair to be satisfactory, buy two or three more pairs.

If the manufacturer stops making them, start looking for another pair by the same manufacturer.

I have been through a couple dozen pairs of New Balance 476 All-Terrain running shoes. They happen to fit my foot and my middle-aged stride (waddle). I can get them at Kohl's for $40 on sale.

They look like crap, but then again, so do I.

[mrmonster]

It's good to study up on the technologies used in shoes you are considering. As well as the various inserts that can customize a shoe's fit to your foot.

I play basketball predominantly and there are so many consideration when purchasing a shoe. A manufacturer like NIKE will make a high-end b-ball shoe for $150 and make a similar looking shoe for $75. The $75 shoe will not include the carbon-fiber stability plates or have air pockets that run full length. Be careful when trying to save a buck or two. You could be opening yourself up to injuries down the road.

And stay way from the really low-end shoes as these sometimes have cushioning that is comparable to cardboard. Bad news...

[sunupoernomo]

there's a great service here in pac nw at the seattle running company. they shoot video of your stride on a treadmill and analyze it. the dude did a good job, i was impressed. also another slick way to check out what shoe you need is making a wet footprint on like concrete. i don't remember how you analyze it but a creative google search will probably yield results in a minute. wait... i just looked it up it's the "wet test", do it in your kitchen on a paper bag. huh, well i don't wanna post it. ask me if you don't wanna look it up.

[babi_lee]

i like the nike shox

[Gman1524]

I have quadruple E feet. Finding, and buying footwear is a chore. It's hard to find shoes when your feet are shaped more like a pair of flippers.

[stephenlavin]

i have rigid arches in my feet so i need orthotics and to be honest i dont really wear them ....New Balance to me are the best runners i have ever worn and i try to get them when i'm shopping but usually i'm given a pair at the start of the year so i just wear them. But memonster is right . Gettin right footwear is vital ... But since i play field sports runners are only used for a small bit of pre season so i'd be more about right boots

[mrmonster]

Originally Posted by Gman1524

I have quadruple E feet. Finding, and buying footwear is a chore. It's hard to find shoes when your feet are shaped more like a pair of flippers.

You must stock up when you find a shoe that both accomodates the size of your foot and is comfortable. To make matters more difficult, I shoe that fits is not always a well-fitting shoe. So the choices must be narrow for you. No pun intended.