How Important is the Right Running Shoe?

*Sponsored by Finish Line

Well, let me tell you...extremely important, if not THE most important thing you need to pay attention to. Wearing the wrong shoes can not only cause injuries, but also stop you from achieving your goals as they’re not meant to be used on certain surfaces and terrains. Diving into the topic even deeper, determining which running shoes fit YOUR running style and YOUR feet is even more unique than most of us think….so let’s figure out how to pick the best one for you!

Style of Running

What style of running do you do? Are you a long-distance runner or an explosive one? Do you run on roads, trails, or do you prefer running in the gym (or do crossfit type of workouts with loads of plyometrics)? Trail-running shoes are equipped with special tread for traction and sturdier fabric for stability & support as you’re more likely to encounter slippery, muddy, and uneven terrain. Road-running shoes, on the other hand, are lighter and more flexible, in order to minimize the impact of hitting the hard surface. Indoor-running shoes are designed especially for the gym and indoor surfaces, as they offer more arch support (for the dreaded treadmills ugh…) and cushion to soften the repetitive strides.

A lot of people prefer buying a shoe that can do well both, indoors & outdoors, and although that can be a challenge, sport companies are coming up with new shoes every single day and unless you’re a professional runner, getting a couple different pairs is not high on the importance list. Getting the right shoe for your foot is. I love getting mine from Finish Line as they have a huge variety of running shoes and I just love spending time in the store and trying stuff out :)

How do you run?

Grab your running shoes and check the soles. What kind of wearing-out pattern do you see? Are they more “spent” on the insides (overpronation), outsides (supination), or center & heel (pronation)? Depending on that, your feet need different shoe support, and wearing the wrong type can actually cause some pretty bad injuries and tendon & ligament strains. If you’re unsure of how to “read” your soles, visit your local store & have them test you out! Easy,peasy!

Fit & Feel

Ok let’s talk about commodity for a second...cause no shoes should be uncomfortable (unless you’re wearing Louboutins and then it’s acceptable...kind of :)) You don’t want them to be too tight, but you also don’t want your foot to freely float around - stability & security is key! You also don’t want calluses, so make sure you bend your foot in all directions, checking for anything that might bother you. For me, it’s usually the back part, right on my achilles tendon, but some also experience calluses on the outer edge of their little toes. If you’re wearing different insoles for some reason (medical, therapeutical), make sure to bring them with you as they can sometimes change the shoe size dramatically.

*Extra tip: Go and try out your shoes at the end of the day, when your feet & legs are a bit swollen after the whole day. When you run, your feet naturally swell up as well, so this is a good measure for not buying shoes that are half of a size too small.

I’ve never been a huge fan of running shoes as I’ve always had to compromise between quality & design. All the cute ones gave me calluses & no support, and the ones that fit & felt great had terrible colors & designs. I am SO glad that I can finally say I found THE shoes for me - Adidas Ultraboost 4.0 running shoes! I mean, just LOOK at them.

First and foremost, they are gorgeous. The color is my fav color, called Ash Pearl, but to me it’s more like rose gold meets dusty pink :) Second, the design is super sleek & elegant. Third, incredibly comfortable, stabile & supportive, while at the same time making me feel like I’m wearing slippers. Fourth, they have an upgraded Primeknit upper which conforms to each foot while delivering ventilation right where I need it. Fifth, they have the famous BOOST ultra-light cushion which reduces the foot-to-ground impact. Sixth, I mean….I can go on and on! They fit my style of running & they are just as good for the outdoors as they are for the indoors….and going to the grocery store...and grabbing coffee...and traveling...you get my point! :)

To sum it all up, finding the right running shoe for you is extremely important. Think of it like this, you wouldn’t want to climb the Everest in a leather jacket ;) Make sure to do your research, talk to a store clerk, figure out your style of running & make an investment in the best possible product which will keep you safe, supported, and ready to conquer your running goals. If you’re lucky...you might just end up with the Adidas beauties, just like me :)

*Now through the end of the year Finish Line will be offering Free Shipping on ALL full priced Adidas styles which include my favorite, the UltraBOOST. #Finishline #sponsored