If you are making a change in your lifestyle, you will often hear that you do not need a lot to start running –determination and a pair of sneakers. However, if you are a seasoned runner, you know that not all shoes are made for running –some are simply better than others. But do you know just how important running shoes are? They are the key to your success, and here are some of the things you should keep in mind when you buy your next pair.
Know your feet
Knowing your anatomy is extremely important, and you should learn it well before you go shopping. First of all, you need to look at the type of feet you have; one of the most significant defining characteristics of a foot is the arch. Based on this, feet can be categorized into flat feet, high and neutral arches. If you have neutral arches, you will fit in well with most models of running shoes on the market, but flat feet and high arches will tend to roll sideways while you are running, which is why you need to look for shoes that have support to counteract this unwanted motion and prevent fatigue or injury.
Know when to replace them
Shoes are not meant to last forever, and this goes especially for running shoes, as they experience more stress than your everyday footwear. However, if you are wearing your shoes for too long, they may bring you more harm than good. Worn out shoes may not be able to provide you with the support you need while running, so make sure to often check your insoles and outsoles for signs of excessive wear –it may be time for a new pair. Experts say that, on average, running shoes should last for a couple of months, or even half a year, if you do not run for more than twenty miles every week, in which case, you could get away with two pairs per year.
You can trace your runs more precisely than ever
Nowadays, technology is advancing incredibly fast, and there are smart sneakers that do more than merely help you run without injuries. You can connect these shoes with your smartphone or another device, and log every foot you put down, your speed, run analytics and improve your performance, track the calories that you burned, and do it all in real-time. This kind of information can be incredibly helpful, as you can immediately see your performance and correct your weak spots, be it the number of steps, symmetry, or any other element of your training. It is clear that running shoes will not help you run faster, but they can be very helpful in becoming better and staying healthy in the long run.