Buying New Running Shoes?

Shoes aren’t just designed for different foot shapes; they are designed for different running patterns; so a running gait analysis  is a great place to start when finding the best fit from your running shoes. When you buy, think feel and fit, not fashion.

Ask yourself these questions… Do you run for long periods – four or more times a week?  Do you run short lengths a couple times a week?

When buying running shoes, keep these tips in mind:

The time of day you shop is a factor.  Feet swell as you use them and that’s especially important to remember when buying running shoes.  Try them on at the end of the day so you have a better idea of how they’ll feel after a run.  Make sure you have a half to a full thumb’s nail length from your big toe to the end of the shoe.

Take a short run around the store to test the fit, function and comfort before you buy.

Remember to take your orthotics with you and make sure you try them out in the shoes before you purchase them. (orthotics need to be replaced every about every 18 months)

Running in old worn-out shoes is one of the most common causes of running injuries. Your shoes lose cushioning, stability and shock absorption over time. A “good” rule of thumb is to replace your running shoes every 500km.

At Diversified Health our practitioners use a gait scan to help assess your foot concerns.  As you move across a pressure plate, thousands of tiny sensors capture the distribution of pressure of your foot and the computer displays 2D and 3D visual representations of the pressure under your foot.  These findings help the practitioners to evaluate your foot function.

Please contact the clinic if you have questions about what type of running shoes would be beneficial for your fitness level and remember that a running gait analysis can help get the best fit from your running shoes.