GUIDE TO CHOOSING RUNNING SHOES - Tech Sidra Basheer

Running, which you can do in all seasons and all weather conditions, both puts your body in shape and opens the doors to a healthy life. When you start running, you can choose from dozens of products, from clothes to accessories, but the issue you need to be most careful about is choosing running shoes. Running shoes that are not chosen with proper research will start to disturb your feet with the first training sessions and will significantly reduce the efficiency you get from sports. When you know all the details of running shoes, from the features of their outer surfaces to the type of soles, you can easily choose the right running shoes. Instead of focusing on just one feature, you should find the ideal shoe for yourself by combining the most suitable features of each part of the shoe. The benefits of running shoes can be briefly summarized as minimizing the risk of injury, maximizing the efficiency of sports and providing comfort during sports.

"Since some ground types may have common characteristics, analyzing your area well and researching where you will run will help you get the best results."

If your floor choice will be profitable, it would be right to turn to soil-like models. Since snow can slide easily, just like soil and grass, the teeth on the sole are a must. In addition, you can also pay attention to wrist support because snowy ground is the most slippery of all ground types. Even though the grass is dry from time to time and slips less, the fact that the snowy ground is always wet keeps the slipperiness at maximum. If you are considering preferring concrete or asphalt floors, you should buy shoes with smoother soles and flat soles. In both ground types, you should choose shoes with hard floors and, if possible, dense material on the heel, which will absorb the hard impact of the ground and will not disrupt the comfort of your feet. Shoes with the thickest and hardest soles are most suitable for use on concrete. You can still choose a hard-soled shoe for asphalt, but choosing a slightly softer sole compared to concrete is also an alternative. On the last type of ground, sand, your feet and legs spend maximum power because the sand absorbs almost all the impact. Your lower body works better as you will put more effort into other types of ground. The most ideal shoes for sandy ground are models with light but hard soles. The structure of athletics tracks is similar to the shoes you would use on asphalt. You can choose soles with small treads for better grip and more comfortable running on wet tracks.

Choosing soles according to the shape of your foot and the three main parts of the shoe

There are three different insole features depending on the three characteristics of the feet. It is quite simple to find out which feature of this part, also known as the midsole, is more suitable. The mark that appears when you step on a dry surface with bare and wet feet helps you choose the sole feature. If almost all traces of the foot appear, it means that your foot is stepping inward. Instead of shoes with flat insoles, you should choose soles that are supported and shaped according to the foot. If your footprint is thinning in the middle part and has the classic footprint appearance you see in most images, you can choose flat profile insoles. This trace shows that your foot is on the ground correctly and bears the body weight completely evenly.

“Since most shoes have flat insoles, it is much easier to find shoes for this foot structure than others.”

If you have a scar where your toe and heel are separated from each other or connected by a very thin line, it means your foot is stepping outwards. These types of shoes need to be more supportive than normal and have additional cushions. Those who step their feet in and out should choose shoes that provide ankle protection and support, regardless of the type of ground. If your weight is much higher than normal and you have a serious weight loss goal when you start running, the sole of the shoe you will buy should provide maximum comfort and have shock absorbing properties. The simplest way to reduce the load on the feet and relax the legs and knees is to wear shoes that minimize impacts.

Midsole and upper section complement the sole selection

Now you know how to choose the midsole, also known as the insole, based on your footprint. However, knowing its basic features and knowing exactly what it does will allow you to be more conscious during your choice. Regardless of the structure of your foot sole, the midsole must have shock absorbing properties. Depending on the structure of your foot, you can also look for extra shock absorption feature, but most of the time, standard soft and shock absorbing midsoles will help you find the comfort you are looking for. The upper part of the shoe may seem less important than the others and for most people it is the cosmetic aspect of the job. The part that determines the color and appearance of the shoe is the upper part. However, its function is not just about the image. Ankle supports on the upper part protect your feet in case of danger. It is also as effective as outer and midsoles for your comfort. Whether the ankle protection is too stiff or flexible depends entirely on how comfortable you will be while running. After determining the midsole and outsole features, you can be more free in choosing the ankle protection.

“Although flexible ankle shoes are preferred most of the time, if you will be running on slippery surfaces that are difficult to control, rigid ankles will give better results.”

You have the chance not to choose wrist protection on flatter and non-slip surfaces, but if you plan to go on surfaces such as soil, grass, sand or concrete from time to time, be sure to pay attention to your wrists. Since your foot will be constantly moving while running, there should be a small space between your toe and the tip of the shoe. Running shoes where the toes are not free will disturb your toes in the first meters. When buying shoes, wearing both pairs, taking a few quick steps and jumping in place is enough to understand whether you have made the right choice. Hepsiburada's running shoe category helps you find the right running shoe by offering models suitable for all foot and ground structures.