Women's Running Shoes Buying Guide
If there's one thing women know, it's
athletic shoes. Comfort, reasonable prices, and let's face it, appearance often overshadow support. And while, there is nothing wrong with those reasons, they may not offer the support your
feet needs, possibly leading to injuries. Knowing the basics before purchasing a pair of shoes will not only keep your feet in good
health, a good pair of shoes will also last longer.
Know Your Feet
Unless you're a serious runner, understanding your foot usually isn't at the top of anyone's shoe list. Is your foot arched? Are you a supinator? If so, do you need motion-control shoes or cushioned? Runners, casual or not, need to examine their feet before slipping their prized possessions into the next pair of shoes.
What's Your Gait?
The gait or pronation of your feet is the way in which it moves, and when it comes to running, nothing is more important. To determine your gait, you'll need to look at the curvature of your Achilles tendon, commonly known as the Achilles' heel, which connects the heel bone to the leg's lower muscles.
* '''Overpronation:''' As you walk, the distribution of your foot's motion will roll across from the outside to the inside.
* '''Underpronation:''' The outside of your foot absorbs most of the shock because of an uneven walking motion.
* '''Neutral Pronation:''' The proper way for the foot to reduce stress occurs when movement starts at the outer heel and flows upward to the ball for even distribution across the forefront.
If the tendon sharply curves inward, severe overpronation is the problem. You'll need to invest in a pair of stability or
neutral cushioning shoes are your best bet. For those with a neutral gait, the lack of a curve allows the heel and foot to evenly absorb shock. Much like supinators, neutral cushioned shoes are needed.
Determine Your Foot Type
We've all looked at our feet and commented on the wide, flat, or curved soles. But sometimes what we see isn't always right, and thankfully there's a simple test for determining your foot's arch called the
Wet Test. This will aid in your quest for the perfect running shoe.
* '''Normal arch:''' If the curve of your foot and band between your heel and toe are even, you have a normal arch and need
stability running shoes.
* '''High arch: '''When the curve extends to more than half of your foot, it's an indicator you need cushioned support for your sharp arch.
* '''Low arch:''' Motion-control running shoes are needed if there's a slight curve on the inside of the foot. This type of arch usually lead to overuse injuries.
Shoes and Fit
Now that you're more in tune with your feet, choosing the right fit is the next step.
* '''
New Balance 769 for stability support.
* '''
Asics Nimbus provide the needed support for high arches.
Top Sellers
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