Ka’Deem Wynn | Writer

We all remember when we got our first pair of running shoes. We remember them before the rain, the dirt and the mud. We remember them before the week-long lingering stench, and before the soles began to wear out, making the shoes flimsy.

For some of the more avid runners, it wasn’t before long until they had to buy another pair of shoes, and before long, they were going through a pair or two pairs of running shoes. With that, more money was spent getting replacements━and we all know that running shoes aren’t the cheapest piece of footwear.

As time and technology progressed, new types of shoes have been created to fit the needs of those wearing them. Major running companies have created revolutionary new shoes and spikes to better assist runners since the running boom of the 1970s. However, as these companies continue to gain success, some of their products have been more for fashion, and many take it as a good pair of running shoes just because it’s under the running category and it’s made by a particular company.

Unfortunately, this does not make them “real” running shoes, and it wouldn’t be wise to jump for a pair of these kind of shoes. You can’t run if your feet hurt, so when it comes to taking care of your feet, you want to make sure that you choose wisely.

Choosing Shoes

If some aren’t technically made for “real running,” how do you choose a good pair of running shoes? Do you go with the shoes that offers what you need and fits you, or do you go with the trendy shoes, the ones you see everyone else wearing? It can be a hard decision sometimes, but at the end of the day you need to think about what will be better for you.

If you want to help prevent injuries, trendy shoes aren’t the best way to go.

Depending on who you are, and what you’re running, different shoes will be needed for different people.

Whether you’re a sprinter, a mid-distance or long-distance runner, you will need a good and supportive pair of running shoes. Of course, distance runners may have two or three pairs of shoes to alternate with their runs, while a sprinter only uses one, but that doesn’t mean you get something simply because you need something to

warm up in, or they look nice. Though they are popular (as I have a pair myself that I used last track season), shoes like Nike Free Runs aren’t the best shoe that you would want to get.

Now just because Free Runs aren’t good doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t wear Free Runs or any shoes made by Nike. I have a pair of Nike Dual Fusion shoes that I use for my long runs, and they’re great. The manufacturing companies make several different types of shoes in different categories. Some runners say that they can’t wear a certain brand of shoes because they don’t work for them, when in fact, it might be that particular type, or model of shoe.

You want a pair of shoes that support you and your running style. If you put in a lot of miles, a thicker or sturdier━which probably means a heavier shoe━is probably a good choice for you. However, that doesn’t mean that lightweight shoes can’t be used for longer runs either, only that the more weighted shoes might offer the comfort level, as well as the stability level that you’re looking for.

You still want something that supports your foot, as well as your training style. If you had arches in your foot, look for shoes that support that arch as you run. If you like doing longer runs in lightweight shoes and shorter runs in heavier shoes, or vise versa, that is completely up to you. After that, all you have to do is decide on an actual shoe.

It’s okay to look good when you run. It’s assumable that everyone wants to look good for the cameras. However, it feels even better to look good and feel good as well. It may not seem like much, but picking the right pair of running shoes is just another one of the ways to improve.