You wear specific shoes for different purposes. Choosing the appropriate ones can make a difference in your performance. It is worth to wear a pair of kicks that will help you enjoy the things that you are doing, whether an exercise or sport. Wearing inappropriate shoes could end you up suffering from foot injuries. That’s how important shoe selection is before purchasing.
Here are useful and helpful tips to consider when buying a new athletic footwear. Better be guided by these tips to get the worth out of your pennies.
- Use shoes for specific purpose. Avoid multitasking. Walking shoes are stiffer while running shoes are flexible with extra cushioning to handle greater impact. Get separate for each type. This will prevent wear and tear of the shoe.
- Determine your foot type. Your feet vary from shapes; thus, knowing your foot’s particular type is the key to selecting the right pair of athletic shoes. Let a podiatrist examine you to identify your foot type. The wear patterns show where you are putting pressure when you walk.
- Top outer edge worn (supinator or underpronator). Your feet tend to have high arches and roll outward.
Wear: cushioning sneakers for shock absorption
Look for: Soft midsoles since this foot type does not provide enough shock absorption on its own. Check the shape of the sole. A cushioned shoe cuts in at the arch, which resembles to a kidney bean.
- Evenly worn. Your feet have an average gait with equal weight distribution across the foot.
Wear: stability or moderate-stability sneakers to provide a balance of cushioning and support
Look for: Cushioning with good dose of stability. It should be lightweight that bends to the ball of the foot. This foot type can fit in to any sneakers feel best at the store.
- Top inner edge worn (pronator). Your feet roll inward. Flat arches or low arches are common.
Wear: Motion-control or high-stability sneakers to keep your feet better aligned with your legs
Look for: shoes with contrasting color near the arch. This is an indicator of the presence of dense material which gives reinforcement to keep the arches from collapsing.
- Check the size of your foot frequently. As we age, our foot size changes, so measure your foot twice a year. Sizes of the shoes vary, depending on the brands, so go by what fits, not by what size the shoe is.
- Buy your shoes toward the end of the day. Feet swell over the course of the day; they also expand while you walk or run so fit them when your feet are at their largest size before you buy them.
- Feel its comfort before purchasing the pair. When buying a running or walking shoes, they should feel comfortable right away. So fit them first, walk or run around the store using that shoes you have chosen to ensure its comfort and performance.
- Use the rule of thumb. There should be 3/8 or ½ inch between the front of your big toe and the end of the shoe. The heel should fit relatively tight. Ensure that you will not slip out when you walk. The upper part of the shoe should be snug and secure and not too tight anywhere. When fitting in to an athletic kicks, you should be able to wiggle freely all the toes when the shoe is on.
- Get what you pay for. Good quality running and walking shoes are expensive because they are worth the price. It does not matter what brand it is, the important thing here is that you pay for the quality, comfort and performance that the shoes can give you.
- Know when to replace them. The average pair of running shoes should be replaced after about 350-400 miles of use. To know if you are saying goodbye to your reliable shoes, see how your shoes look and feel. When you notice that the back of your sole is worn out or you feel discomfort wearing them, this is the best time to replace them and shop for a new pair.
