What is my shoe?

A quick guide to finding your perfect shoe

Going into a running store looking for a new pair of shoes can be a bit like gazing at a menu that has a million options on offer. It can be pretty overwhelming if you don’t know what you are looking for.

The surprising answer to which shoe is the best shoe: “The best running shoe for you is the one that feels the most comfortable on your foot and fits your foot the best.”

There is a lot to be said about running shoes and which ones are best for you depends on what type of runner you are, what feet position you have, and of course what kind of support you need.

First of all, determine what type of foot arch you have. Do you have a normal arch, high arch, or low arch (flat-footed). Knowing your arch will limit the types of shoes you are looking for.

Low arch runners want to look for shoes with a lot of stability and ‘motion control’. Motion-control shoes are often recognizable by the different colors of foam used in the sole as per the image below.

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Normal and high arch runners can look for (often slightly cheaper) shoes with less motion control and a slightly less drop in their heel to toe. Shoes like the ones pictured below have less motion control but are lighter and therefore faster.

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Now that you know which type of shoe you are looking for, you can narrow down your choice to the brands that you like. Running brands like Brooks, Saucony, New Balance, Newton, Hoka, Altera, Mizuno, Asics, and of course Nike will all have a type of shoe that suits your arch.

Next thing is to determine which brand of running shoes feel best and are most comfortable. Don’t forget the golden rule: The best running shoe for you is the one that feels the most comfortable on your foot and fits your foot the best.

Happy shopping!

 

Getting started

Whether you are an emerging runner, an aspiring marathon runner or shooting for a personal best as an experienced marathoner, the Effortless Running training plans are customized to the athletes' individual needs. If you want to make sure your running adventure becomes a success, start with the right guidance. Find out which package or plan fits you best with our survey in the training plan section.

Happy training! 

Erik Böhm - Effortless Running - January 2022

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