Comfortable running shoes are shoes that fit，but how should running shoes fit? Since you spend a lot of time in a pair of shoes, it's worth the effort of getting to know your personal running style in order to find a pair of running shoes that are perfect for you. Here are some ideas on how to find the ideal pair of shoes in this running shoes fit guide.
1. Intended use
Will you be road running, running on a purpose-built track or perhaps on a forest trail? All these surfaces require a different kind of shoe. Another basic distinction is between racing and training shoes.
2. Pronation type
Pronation is the term used for the way your foot rolls when you walk and run. Essentially, when buying any kind of sport shoe, you should know your pronation type first. Each shoe on the market is suitable for a type of pronation.
You can find out what your pronation type is by getting an expert gait analysis done for you – many specialist running retail stores will offer this service. Understand more about pronation in our easy-to-understand guide.
3. Length of the shoe
Keep an open mind with your shoe size and remember the following: your foot will need more room the more you run.
The further you run the more your foot will naturally expand. This means it's wise to have just a little extra room in your shoe.
4. Width of the shoe
The width of your shoe is equally as important as the length when it comes to a good fit. People are not always built in perfect proportion and often have wider or narrower feet than the 'norm'.
5. Weight
Weight refers to two things:
The runner’s weight - if you are a heavy or bigger built runner then you may need a shoe with a lot of support
The shoe’s weight – generally, since you are going to be wearing your shoes for many kilometres, the lighter they are the better
6. Socks
When you are buying shoes try them on in the evening (when your foot is slightly bigger) and try them on with running socks. There is a wide range available, with socks which are specifically designed for running and vastly improve the feeling of comfort and support inside the shoe.
It is even possible to buy socks which have been custom designed to match with a particular shoe design.
For more information, check out our wide selection of comfortable running shoes from ASICS.
