Running Shoes

Buying the right running shoe takes time. Finding a shoe that works with your running style and foot usually means an in-store visit to a running specialty store for expert advice.

A good running shoe store will look at your foot type, normal running distance, past or current injuries, pronation, foot length, and instep height, along with other parameters, says Lori Shannon, owner of women's running shoe store See Jane Run. And while there are several things you can ignore when shopping for a running shoe, there are still many things that matter for keeping your runs safe and injury-free. Nothing beats a personal consultation for finding the perfect fit, but we asked Lori for guidance anyone can use when looking for a running shoe. Here are more of her tips to consider.

Pay attention to fit: Every shoe (and foot) is different, but there are a few specifics that you should look for before the cashier rings up your pair. "The overall feel and fit is often overlooked but is extremely important. Some companies will insist that you are in a certain category — [like] stability, motion control, or cushioning — but those shoes may not feel good to you," Lori says. "This is an art, not a science. If you don’t like how they feel, then they are wrong for you."

One way to help ensure a good fit? Pick the right time to visit a shoe store. "If you run in the morning, get fitted in the morning," Lori says. And try to go to the store after your normal daily run. "Your feet change size during the day and how long your run, [so] if you do long runs, you should try on shoes after a long run. This will give you a better fit and help you keep your toenails."

Read on for more tips on buying the right running shoe.

Check out FitSugar reader Sarah10563's sporty Nike LunarGlide 2 shoes! She posted this pic in the Get Fit For Summer community group as part of the fifth challenge in the Get Fit For Summer giveaway. By doing so, she's eligible to win a $100 New Balance gift card!

These are my favorite shoes! I just got back from a beach run and remembered this challenge so I snapped a picture! I used to be a Saucony girl for years after I got fitted, but I picked these up for their lightweight but durable make and flashy style. It's like running on air!

We know that bikini season is right around the corner, and to help you get fit for Summer we've created a series of weekly fitness and health challenges. To add a little incentive, throughout the rest of Spring we'll be awarding a weekly prize of a $100 New Balance gift card to participating readers. To be eligible to win, create a post in the Get Fit For Summer community group as each challenge comes up.

Check out FitSugar reader bcn1000's sporty Asics shoes! She posted this pic in the Get Fit For Summer community group as part of the fifth challenge in the Get Fit For Summer giveaway. By doing so, she's eligible to win a $100 New Balance gift card!

My lovely husband just bought these for my birthday. I knew I needed new shoes, but I didn't know how much until I went to JackRabbit to get fitted. For the record, they do an unbelievable job. I actually got to run a literal mile in my shoes before buying them, and watched the video of how they affected my stride. Cannot say enough nice things about them.

Either way, I'm running more, and faster and more comfortably thanks to these babies. And the pretty purple/green detailing doesn't hurt!

We know that bikini season is right around the corner, and to help you get fit for Summer we've created a series of weekly fitness and health challenges. To add a little incentive, throughout the rest of Spring we'll be awarding a weekly prize of a $100 New Balance gift card to participating readers. To be eligible to win, create a post in the Get Fit For Summer community group as each challenge comes up.

In a new interview with Teen Vogue, Nicole Richie admits to owning 200 pairs of sunglasses. While I figured she owned her fair share (she's rarely photographed without a pair of oversized shades), I had no idea her collection numbered in the hundreds. Other celebs with shopaholic tendencies include Sarah Jessica Parker, Victoria Beckham, and Jennifer Lopez. And while their shopping runs usually include stops to places like Manolo Blahnik or Barneys, life is different for a fit girl. Case in point: I own seven pairs of athletic shoes and have multiple drawers devoted to my workout capris and tanks. As any shopaholic will tell you, different shoes for different moods; in my case, hiking, climbing, and running — and of course I want things to match!

How about you; how many pairs of athletic shoes fill your closet?

New kicks make me happy. And I'm even more happy when I know I'm buying just the right pair for my feet type and running habits. I'm notorious for purchasing all of my shoes online, and after receiving a pair a few weeks ago in the mail — a high-end pair that received rave reviews online — I thought I'd be all set for another year.

After wearing the shoes around the house, something seemed a bit off. My heel was slipping — even though I knew I couldn't go bigger or smaller in size — and they just felt heavy and awkward. So when a friend recommended that I go to a specialty running shoe store, I shipped them back and off I went.

Continue reading about my experience at a specialty running shoe store.

You wouldn't buy a pair of running shoes that didn't fit quite right — whether slightly too snug or just a little too loose, ill-fitting shoes can cause painful blisters. Thing is, so can running in shoes that fit, but aren't tied properly. Tying your shoes in what Runners World refers to as a "granny knot" can actually change the fit of the shoe, leaving your feet open to blisters.

There's a great how-to video on the Runners World site, but essentially the way you wrap your shoelace in the last phase of shoe-tying is the most important. Crazy to think about, right? So, for example, I start tying by crossing the right lace over the left. I then make a loop with the right side first. So it follows that in the next step of shoe-tying, I need to make sure and wrap the lace around the front of the loop. Wrapping around the back would make the laces off-balance, causing them to twist and potentially loosen. Depending how you start your knot dictates which direction you'll need to wrap, so take a look at this helpful chart to determine your style.

I promise, you'll never think so much about tying your shoes ever again!