Buying a new pair of shoes – easy peasy, right? Sure – until you actually hit the store and come face to face with the actual extent of the shoes available to you! But no need to get variety panic – if you simply stick to your plan and use the resources that are available to you (such as the well-trained store assistants, or even a bit of internet research), finding the right pair should become a piece of cake. As for “the plan” – let’s talk about how we are going to create yours!
The More You Know, The More You Know
Although a little bit of internet research as mentioned above can go a long way in helping you understand what you’re looking for, it is also well worth it to try and get a better overall understanding of the shoe industry, and why the same pair of Nike shoes can be inappropriate or perfect.
The Difference Between Walking and Running Shoes
Time and again, shoppers fall into the trap of believing that all shoes are the same. Let’s clear one thing up – of course, you can wear one pair of shoes for multiple purposes, but that’s not to say that it’s advisable.
Shoe manufacturers go through extensive design processes per model of shoe to make sure that it includes all the protective and supportive aspects that will make it a good shoe in the long run, for the activity that it was designed for. Your shoes can incorporate all the design-savvy and latest technology, all the best materials, be of excellent quality, and be made by a leading manufacturer, but if it is worn incorrectly, chances are still high that you will experience discomfort or even injury as a result.
The bottom line is that running requires running shoes – lightweight, airy, breathable, and able to vent the heat from body heat generated by running. Lots of cushioning are key, along with adequate padding under the heel area, to aid in absorbing the impact to the joints.
When you are hunting for the perfect pair of walking shoes for sale, look for something that supports a natural range of motion – walking is, after all, one of the most natural things you are likely to do. Adequate arch support is crucial for stability, and the heel and toe should be comfortably set along the same plane, without one being higher than the other.
Be Smart to Sidestep Pronation
Ever heard of “overpronation” and “under pronation”? If you have flatter feet due to having lower arches, you might be prone to overpronation, which can open you up to injuries while running. High arches, which can be seen in the unusual wearing out of the outer edge of footwear could leave you prone to under pronation. While both of these conditions can lead to injury, they are luckily easily remedied by wearing shoes with the right soles. This is the cheapest and easiest way to overcome these structural challenges for runners.
