A Guide to Running Shoes

If someone is trying to get into running, one of the most important parts of the process is picking out the right shoe. Finding the right shoe not only allows for a “faster” run, but also for a more comfortable and safer run. Shoes do not just provide cushioning for your feet, they protect from certain factors like the type of ground you are running on and the environment as well. Now, to make the process a bit easier,let’s touch on different categories.  

Road Running:

This is the shoe used by runners you see on the street. This is because it is ideal for hard surfaces like pavement, treadmills, etc. Hard surfaces can often be hard on feet so this type of shoe is made to be highly shock absorbent, making it easier on the feet. It is also made to be lightweight, but unfortunately, it does tend to be less durable due to the conditions it is put under.

Trail Shoe:

This is the shoe that you may see cross country runners wearing. They are made to handle rougher terrains like mud, snow, and uphill trails. Trail shoes tend to have more traction built in, in order to slip less on uneven trails. To help with building traction, many have thick lugs (characteristic found on the sole of the shoe) which allow for a better grip while running. 

Track Spikes:

In the Olympics, you will often see runners wearing track spikes. These shoes are probably the most different from the other two. These are specifically made for running shorter distance races. It is made to be stiffer, and is overall a lightweight shoe. In order to grip the track better and allow for more traction, the shoe has small metal spikes under the ball of the foot. This is the shoe that runners will probably use the least.

Shoes can really make a difference on our daily runs. The right shoe can not only make you run better, but also feel better.