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Just as your car regularly need an oil change, athletes both young and old also need to regularly replace their running shoes to ensure peak performance. But all running shoes aren’t created equal. Your foot type, shape, length and width all help determine which running shoes will be comfortable, reduce stress on the feet and body, and help prevent injury down the road.
Regular runners should plan to replace their shoes every six months, or every 700 to 900 km run.
Although many factors such as weight, cushioning, price and even colour can influence your selection of a running shoe, we know that finding the right shoe for you starts with us getting to know your feet. Keep in mind that the running shoe serves as a structural and functional extension of the foot.
The right shoe can improve your running. The wrong shoe can amplify biomechanical and functional flaws thereby increasing your risk of injury.
When fitting shoes, Smiths Sports Shoes use a detailed step-by-step process using the Silicon Coach Dynamic Shoe Fitting System that will provide you with helpful information in choosing the correct shoe. We first discuss your particular needs by asking you questions about your running, training goals, predominant running surface, mileage and history of injury. If you bring in your old shoes, we will examine the wear pattern and use that information in the selection process.
We will determine your foot type by assessing the structure of the foot including shape, width, volume and arch height. We then analyse the gait cycle that is unique to each runner by observing the biomechanics of the foot in motion. Our staff will select a variety of styles and brands of shoes for you to try by matching your foot characteristics and biomechanical needs to the proper category of shoes.
All our technical shoes have a stability rating. This rating is dependant on the shoes ability to control the foot motion if required.
Finally, we let you test the shoes on an in-house treadmill where we can analyse your running gait in various shoes using our computerised video analysis system. We can give you frame by frame analysis which is useful in helping you to understand which shoes would work best to keep you running happy and injury free.
See UNDERSTANDING YOUR FEET & FOOT & SHOE GUIDE
Trying on Shoes
When you look at shoes, check the shape of the shoe and its last, the form around which the shoe is built. For shape, look at the bottom of the shoe to check if the shoe is curved, semicurved or straight. The right shape should correspond to the imprint of your foot. For last, check inside the shoe, under the insole. Shoes stitched down the middle likely are slip lasted, which means they are lighter weight and more flexible. Those stitched around the border are usually board lasted, which are heavier and more stable. Some shoes use a combination of slip and board lasting, which provide balance in weight and flexibility.
Follow the following guidelines to help pick the right type of shoe:
- If you have low arches and your feet tend to overpronate, select a straight, board lasted shoe, with a firm heel. A medial post, a stiff material on the inner side of the shoe, also helps control motion. These are called motion-control shoes.
- If you have high arches and your feet tend to underpronate, select a curved, slip lasted shoe that will provide needed support and cushioning. These are cushioned shoes.
- If you have normal arches and normal pronation, choose a semi-curved shoe with a combination of slip and board lasting for stability. A Medial post may be an option to help prevent a tendency to overpronation. These are stability shoes.
- Have your feet measured since your shoe size can change over time, and remember that athletic shoe sizes can vary.
- Shoes should fit comfortably in the heel to reduce slippage, but toes should have plenty of room to move. Leave about a thumb width from the tip of your longest toe to the front of the shoe.
- It’s also a good idea to wear the socks you plan to run in.
- Take your time in trying out different types of shoes, and don’t be embarrassed to take them for a quick test jog in the store.
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Barefoot Video Gait Analysis
Analysising barefoot running gait
Videoing Shoe Selections
Analysing shoe performance
Barefoot and Shoe comparisons
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