6 Factors to Consider When Buying Running Shoes

How to select running shoes that work for you

The Nomad Athlete
3 min readMay 13, 2023

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Photo by Malik Skydsgaard on Unsplash

Finding “the right” running shoes might be a struggle, as there are so many options to choose from. We all have differently shaped feet, different styles of running, etc., so the shoes your best friend loves might not be the best option for you.

Here are 6 things to think about when choosing your next running shoes.

1. Type

The type of running you plan to do can impact your shoe choice. For example, trail running shoes have more aggressive treads and better support for uneven terrain, while road running shoes are designed for smoother surfaces.

2. Foot type and gait

There are three main foot types — flat feet, neutral feet, and high arches — and each requires different levels of support and cushioning. You can do a gait analysis in most specialty running stores.

To be honest, even if this makes sense to me, I’m not completely buying it. Please note that this is just a personal thought. The thing is, a few years back I did a gait analysis and bought shoes based on the result. Guess what, my feet still hurt.

I think we “blame” our foot type (and shoes) for our feet and legs hurting when we start…

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The Nomad Athlete

Endurance athlete, digital nomad, nerd. Just a normal guy trying to figure out fitness, business, and life. https://thenomadathlete.gumroad.com/l/abetterlife