Your choice of running shoes can make the difference between having a good or bad experience, running in comfort or discomfort, and, most importantly, whether you stay physically healthy or get injured. The biggest and most common mistake people tend to make is going for a perceived inexpensive shoe as opposed to one that they consider to be expensive.

Choosing a running shoe can be a very challenging task given all the wide variety of sports shoes that are available in shoe stores today, taking into account all the special features each sports shoe claims to have.

Going for a cheaper shoe makes economic sense however, in most occasions, cheap always ends up to be more costly. On the other hand, an expensive shoe doesn’t necessarily make it a good quality shoe. The bottom line is, your choice of shoe should not be guided by price but rather by quality.

Proximity : Available in Bata stores @Kshs. 2599

Below are simple steps that will guide you to choose an appropriate running shoe:

1.   Determine your foot type.

-   There are running shoes specially designed for athletes with normal feet, athletes with high arched feet, as well as athletes with flat feet. Make sure, with the help of the sales person, you pick out a shoe based on your foot type.

2.   Ensure the running shoe fits properly.

-   A proper fit is the most important step in finding the right running shoe. A shoe that fits will be comfy but not tight. A common mistake people make is buying shoes that are too small.

-   Use the following guidelines to ensure a proper running shoe fits: -

a.     Check for adequate room at the toe box by pressing your thumb into the shoe just above your longest toe. Your thumb should fit between the end of your toe and the top of the shoe.

b.     Check for adequate room at the widest part of your foot. The shoe shouldn’t be tight, but your foot shouldn’t slide around, either.

c.     The heel of your foot should fit comfortably against the back of the shoe without sliding up or down as you walk or run.

d.     The upper (part of shoe that wraps around and over the top of the foot) should fit comfortably and securely without irritating or pressing too tightly on any area of the foot.

Other tips for picking the right size include: -

e.      Shop in the late afternoon when your feet are at their largest. This is because your feet tend to expand while you are running hence this will enable you to pick out a shoe that will accommodate this change.

f.     Wear or buy the socks you will wear when you run. This will be important during fitting of the shoe because you will be able to pick an appropriate size.

g.     Make sure the salesperson measures both of your feet. Often, one foot is slightly larger than the other so, you should be fitted for the larger foot.

3.   Have in mind where you intend to use the shoes i.e. the terrain where you will do most of your running. Different running shoes are designed for different terrains. With the help of the sales person, you will be advised which shoe is appropriate for a morning/evening jog around your house, running up and down on a rough terrain, or running on an artificial turf. You should also inquire on an appropriate shoe for practice running as well as the one best for competitive running.

From the above information, you will quickly realize that getting your perfect running shoe involves more than merely looking at the price. The main guiding factors should be the shape and size of your foot and the setting you intend to do your running.

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