What You Need to Know Before Buying Running Shoes

Want to get out of the house and shake off winter, enjoy some sunshine and get healthy? Sounds great, but it isn't as easy as lacing up just any pair of tennis shoes and heading for the door. Before you grab a pair of socks you may want to consider just what you are getting yourself into, quite literally. It’s important to consider your feet when you are going to enjoy any outdoor adventure. Not every pair of running shoes are created equal.

North Florida Foot and Ankle Center would like to share with you a few important tips to consider before buying a good pair of running shoes.
Shop at the end of the day when your feet are slightly swollen. This will ensure that you are getting the best fit for your feet.
Try on running shoes with the socks you will wear when walking. If you use orthotic inserts, don’t forget to bring them along with planning to buy new shoes. It’s important to know how they fit in the shoes you are considering.
Have your feet measured standing up and fit your shoes to the larger of your two feet. Did you know your feet aren't the exact same? Well, they aren’t. There is going to be one that may slightly be larger than the other and you want to consider that when trying on shoes.
Be sure there is enough room in the toe box for your toes to wiggle and about a half-inch between your toes and the end of the shoe. Your running shoes should be about a half size larger than your everyday dress shoes.
Take time when shopping to try on different brands and walk around the store in each pair. Be sure to walk on a hard surface, not just on carpeting. Let your foot be the guide to the fit, not the shoe size or style. Most running stores may also have a treadmill or small inside track if you wanted to lightly jog to see how the running shoes fit for your needs.
Look for lightweight, breathable materials for greater comfort. It just makes sense.
Run your hand all over and inside the shoes to feel for any seams or catches that might irritate your foot. This is important because it could cause uncomfortable rubbing, which leads to blisters.
Choose shoes that lace for better foot stability and control.
Make sure your heel fits snugly and does not tend toward slipping out of the shoe.
Consider buying two pairs and rotating your wear to give each pair time to breathe between runs and extend the life of each pair.
Replace running or jogging shoes twice a year or about every 400 miles.

Knowledge is power and now you know! So get ready to lace up and head for the door! Good luck.