We must acknowledge that the most effective way to determine the best sports-specific shoe for you isn’t through searching online. You can do it by going to the right store for you, like a running gear shop if you’re in search of running shoes–and being fit by the experts that are employed there. “Your foot is like your fingerprint. It’s distinctive to you. Every shoe is going to be different in shape and will feel different,” Geoff Burns, Ph.D. Researcher with the Michigan Performance Research Laboratory at the University of Michigan and a professional ultrarunner informs us. “Going to a place where you meet with someone who is able to see thousands of runners a month speak to you honestly about these issues” and then try several different alternatives is essential for him. If you’re looking to go to the store IRL or are hoping to purchase online, doing some research on the things you should look out for as well as the questions to ask could be beneficial. This is one of the reasons we developed this guide for buying sneakers.
Sneaker Evaluation Criteria
(Overall guidelines for walking, running, cycling or cross-training shoes)
Fit
Our experts suggested that although it’s crucial to assess the quality of a pair of footwear by first wearing them and walking around in the same socks you normally wear, you should also ensure that you are able to complete the activity the shoes are designed for. “Sometimes the shoe may appear perfect when standing or walking, but it will reveal any deficiencies or issues with fit after a couple of minutes or running” Reese says. A properly-fitting shoe will feel comfortable around your heel, with no any slippage. Walking or running shoes will have enough room for your toes to move and you’ll likely need to increase your size from the normal dimensions for shoes that are designed to run due to the fact that “your feet move more quickly while you’re running than when you walk,” Burns says. If you’re cycling, they must fit comfortably but with sufficient space for your feet.
A shoe that is specifically designed for sports for should offer around a half-inch of space from your biggest toe to the top of the shoe According to the experts at our disposal (make sure that you fit in line with the size of your largest foot, if one is larger in comparison to the next, says Dorworth). There shouldn’t be any pressure points while doing your sport. When we were evaluating footwear we took these into consideration.
For your next pair, make sure you visit Sneaker Outlet
The shape of the Shoe
Experts from our team agreed on the design of the shoe must be a reflection of the foot’s shape for the most comfortable shape. Burns describes it as mapping to your foot. Reese states that all shoes should feel like the “extension that extends your feet.” We looked at the form of the shoe and the way it aligned to our foot’s shape as well as making sure to mention when we wrote our evaluations. We examined whether the shoes have a wide or narrow arched support, a toe box and anything else we thought was pertinent to how it maps to the foot shape.
The feel of the Shoe
Are the shoes comfortable or more rigid (responsive)? Do you feel the arch feels comfortable or intrusive? Do you feel as though you’re fighting with the shoe to establish a comfortable pace? Our experts suggest that all of these aspects are essential when looking at shoes for comfort as well as to help prevent injuries. “Your biomechanics and anatomy can cause you to be more susceptible to injuries, but having the correct shoes will make you less susceptible to injuries,” Dorworth says. “Buying the right pair of shoes for you is worth every cent.”
The way your body feels during and after your activity
Experts from our team say that a important way to determine if the shoe you choose is suitable the right fit for you would be to keep track about how your feet feel when you’ve tried them on. Have you experienced hot spots, blisters or swollen toes after your run? Did you suffer from other discomforts, such as knee pain, shin splints, or shin splin? We take everything into consideration when evaluating shoes.
Company Return Policy
Our experts suggest that you take into consideration the flexibility of the brand’s (or the retailer’s) refund policy will be while you’re looking for a pair of shoes. This is particularly true when you’re shopping online and are less experienced in your field and don’t have much of knowledge about the various kinds of footwear offered, says Burns. “It’s difficult to determine which one will work best for you if you don’t have a framework to reference” Burns says. “Even one shoe could provide some idea of what to do next.” If you test an item and don’t like it, you’ll be armed with more information about the feel and fit of the shoe (and the jargon associated when you shop for shoes) which will inform the next purchase. However, you’ll want to be capable of returning it.
The Life of the Shoe
This is a difficult criterion to evaluate over a brief timeframe, which is why we did not test it for evaluating shoes during testing for the Sneaker Awards testing. However, Burns mentions his knowledge of the predicted lifespan of a pair of shoes can be useful in deciding whether or not you should purchase a brand. After all, sneakers are costly. Additionally, as shoes get worn out, they could cause you to be more susceptible to injuries, according to our experts. “If you’re dealing with an injury, consider the age of the shoe,” Burns says. “Shoes have a limited lifespan and tend to wear out pretty fast.” In the event that you’re purchasing footwear in a shop and you’re not sure, inquire from the staff member about the lifespan of the pair you’re looking at or browse reviews online from experienced athletes to determine how long you’ll have to wear your shoes.