HDO Footscan: How to choose the right running shoes

We've all done it. Each of us has, at some point, fallen victim to the aesthetics of a pair of running shoes. You walk into a sports store and spot a pair of running shoes that would be a perfect match for your favorite running outfit. No matter what the salesperson goes on to tell you about those shoes' features, you're sold on them. They just look really good. Famous last words…

Your running shoes are the only things protecting your body from the hard surface on which you're running, so they'd better be perfect for you. Just because a shoe is a “top-seller” does not mean that it will suit your individual needs. The wrong type of support or cushioning may transform your running stride to an unnatural one and contribute to injury.

Although it may seem as though all running shoes are all pretty much the same, there are discernible differences that you must know in order to make an informed decision about which shoes are right for you. There are three factors by which you can compare running shoes – weight, support and cushioning.

The weight factor is fairly straightforward. At first thought, it might make sense to think that the lighter the running shoes, the better. Racing shoes, after all, are made to feel as lightweight as possible. But even professional runners train in shoes that are relatively heavier than are their racing shoes. Lightweight racing shoes are meant to make you feel as though you're running barefoot – a feeling that will make you run faster for a short duration, but will also cause a lot of impact between your feet, knees and back and the ground. Very lightweight shoes should be reserved for races only.

Support and cushioningare often confused with each other. A shoe is supportive if it is built up along the inner arch area. Whether you need support or not is dependent on your running gait or foot stride. A lot of people are what the running industry call “pronators”. A pronator is a person whose foot rolls inwards after each stride. Pronation, when not taken care of, puts unwanted stress on the knees and back. It is important, then, that a pronator have a pair of “motion control” running shoes. These shoes' job is to force the wearer's stride into a neutral one, eliminating all the injurious effects of pronation. About 70 percent of people pronate to some extent, while the other thirty percent have a neutral gait. Neutral runners should avoid shoes with motion control features, as such shoes could force their gait into supination (which is the opposite of pronation).

Running shoes also differ in their types and degrees of cushioning . Heavier runners and those who typically train on hard surfaces like roads should look for a well-cushioned pair of running shoes to avoid the impact their bodies endure in their training. The cushioning of most running shoes is concentrated in the heel area, while some shoes also have forefoot cushioning. Forefoot cushioning is not necessary for all runners, and just adds extra weight to the shoes of people whose foot strike originates at the heel. People who strike first with the front or mid part of their feet, however, find shoes with forefoot cushioning to be much more comfortable.

When you're in the market for your next pair of running shoes, keep these three factors in mind, and make sure that you avoid choosing your shoes based on their looks. Chances are that your shoes will look a little dirty a few weeks after you buy them anyway.

For an in depth analysis of your own foot, and recommendations about what shoes are best for you, please try the HDO FootScan .