How Should Your Running Shoes Feel and Fit?

Running is a physical exercise that comes with a host of health benefits to the runner. Today, most people are running to strengthen their muscles, improve cardiovascular fitness, maintain a healthy weight, burn excess fat, and build strong bones.

However, running is not an easy exercise especially for those without the right type of running gear.

If you want to start running, you need to do some research on the right equipment that you can use to aid your running.

“Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it.” — Oprah Winfrey

One of the most important pieces of running equipment is your running shoes. They come in different types and with different features. The most popular types of running shoes include carbon fiber plates, maximalist and minimalist, and zero-drop shoes.



Depending on the type of runner you are, you should understand how your running shoe should feel and fit.

Choosing the Right Running Shoes

The first step to choosing the right running shoe that feels and fits you well is by checking your preferences. Different types of runners use different types of shoes to aid their running.

For instance, barefoot running is gaining a lot of popularity across the globe in the last few years. This is because of the many benefits such as good landing, working memory improvement, body coordination and balance coordination, and its ability to aid the runner’s recovery.

Barefoot runners should, therefore, ensure that they are choosing the best barefoot shoes for their running exercise.

What to Look For

The right fit of a running shoe should leave some space between the end of the shoe and your longest toe. You should be comfortable in your running shoes when standing.



When checking whether a shoe feels nice and fits you well, put on the shoes and stand, distributing your weight on both of your feet.

If you realize that there is any rubbing or pinching on your ankles, heels, or toes, then it means that this is not the right running shoe for you. Here are a few things that you need to keep a close eye on;

Heel Fit

The right running shoe should not leave any space near the heels. This is because if you pick a running shoe that leaves some space around your heel, you will have the heel slipping out of the shoe when running.

Apart from being uncomfortable, it is also dangerous to run with such a shoe because you can easily get painful blisters that might make it even harder to put on any other shoe. When getting a running shoe, make sure that the one you pick fits your heels.

Midfoot Fit

The right running shoe fits your midfoot well without any problems. However, make sure that the top side of your foot does not experience any pressure.



Sometimes, the pressure might be caused by the shoelaces. If changing how you have laced the shoe does not ease the pressure, then forget about that shoe.

Toe Fit

You need to check the width and length of the shoe. Most of the time, narrow running shoes cause some form of rubbing between your foot and the shoe sides. You can even feel your toe with such a shoe. This is not the right kind of running shoe for you.

If you pick a shoe whose length is long, the shoe might slip when walking, making it very difficult for you to run. You will also see some loose show material near and around the shoelaces. You do not need such a shoe, but a shoe that leaves a little breathing space but still feels comfortable.

Running is important and we should all embrace it to enjoy the health benefits that it provides. However, even if you want to start running without a program or coach , it is important to make sure that you have the right running shoes.

Conclusion

Just like there are different types of people and runners, we also have different types of shoes designed to fit the requirements of each one of them.

You might find a shoe that works so well for you and assume that it is the best running shoe ever, but such a shoe might not work for another person.

This means that when looking for a running shoe, you should do it yourself and avoid sending someone or copying what someone else is using. The right running shoe should not only feel comfortable but also fit you well.

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