Question: I get confused every time I try to buy a pair of running shoes. Are there some good guidelines for choosing shoes?
Answer: In years past, I have discovered how to choose a pair of running shoes based on how the shoe was made, whether it was made for pronators and the type of material used to make the shoe. However, since there are so many good running shoes on the market, it is difficult for the average person to choose shoes - thus the confusion.
There was an interesting article on foot and shoe shape in the November 1997 "Running & Fit-News" by its shoe database coordinator, Lorie Allion. She said that one of the most basic attributes of a running shoe is the shape of the last - the three-dimensional model, or pattern - on which the sole is cut.
Apparently, there are straight, semi-curved and curved lasts, which have been developed based on surveys of many persons' feet. Allison said that some shoe companies try to appeal to specific people with specific foot shapes. Saucony, for example, cuts its last with a wider toe box and narrower heel than most shoes. Most companies use one or two basic lasts for all their shoes. Apparently, many of us buy shoes, at least partly, because the shape of the last fits our feet.
To determine the shape of your feet, stand on a sheet of paper and trace the outline of each foot. Draw a line across your heel which faces the way your heel faces. Now, draw a straight line bisecting your heel line that extends to your toes.
If the line to your toes runs through your first two toes, you have a fairly straight foot. The farther away from the big toe, and the more towards the little toe it runs, the more curved your foot is.
The shape of the last is one of the basic motion control features of a shoe. A curved last encourages the inward movement of pronation. Therefore, this is not a good choice if you overpronate. A straight last, on the other hand, gets in the way of inward motion, which stops excessive pronation. This means a straight-lasted shoe is a good selection for an over-pro-nator.
The shape of the last also determines if you have enough room for your longest toe to push forward naturally. If you have a straight foot and buy a curved shoe, you can push your toes uncomfortably into each other. Because of this, the article suggested that you may want to take your foot tracing with you when you buy shoes to see how well your foot shape matches with the shoe shape.
There are really many features which should be considered when buying running shoes, including the amount of padding, the overall weight and price. Because of the many factors involved, I look for a store where an experienced sales person can help me sort out some of these factors and suggest shoes that really fit my needs. However, because I have large feet, I am often forced to buy whatever shoe they have in my size, whether it fits my needs or not.