FitSugar

Find the Perfect Pair of Running Shoes For Your Feet

Zelana Montminy — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:46:11 PST

If you're looking to add running to your fitness routine, buying some new sneakers could be the motivation you need to get out the door. Since the shelves of colorful shoes lining the walls of your local sportswear store can be overwhelming, we talked to a running-shoe specialist to get the lowdown on finding your sole mate.

A Year in Running Shoe Reviews

Leta Shy — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:59:34 PST

Over the year, we've logged a lot of miles in the latest running shoes, all in the name of helping you find the perfect pair. No matter your preference when it comes to pounding the pavement, we've got a shoe that may interest you. Flip through for all of our reviews of our favorite running shoes this year!

How to Buy the Right Running Shoe

Leta Shy — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 09:43:06 PST

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.

When to Ditch Your Old Sneaks and Where to Donate Them

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 03:47:28 PDT

You finally broke in your running kicks, and they fit as perfectly as a pair of socks. But wait, how long have you been wearing them? Is it already time to spring for a new pair? You're supposed to replace sneakers after 300 to 500 miles, but that's not too helpful if you're not keeping track of mileage and can't remember the date you bought your last pair.

Over time, running shoes lose their ability to absorb shocks, properly cushion your steps, and support your arches. If you continue to run in them, you'll increase the stress and impact on your legs and joints, which is a surefire way to develop shin splints, stress fractures, or other overuse injuries.

Keep reading to find out how to tell it's time to replace your running sneakers.

Forget White Running Shoes: Black Is Back!

Heather Dale — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 12:02:13 PDT

There's a new fitness trend in Hollywood. No, it's not black workout capri pants - albeit popular, that's not what I'm referring to. I'm talking about all the black athletic shoes that have been popping up! Celebs still have their preferred running shoe brand, but I feel like many are swapping their white pairs for chic black pairs. Here's a handful who have made the switch!

Source: INFDaily.com

Match the Celebrity to Their Running Shoe!

Heather Dale — Tue, 31 May 2011 04:30:38 PDT

Is it weird that I zero in on pictures of celebrities shoes when they're leaving the gym or out running? I don't know why I'm so obsessed - maybe because unlike their workout attire, it's usually easy to identify the brand of shoes they are wearing? I know I have my running shoe favorites, so I guess it's fun to see what certain celebrities like wearing. If you're an athletic shoe junkie like me, you're going to love this quiz. It's time to see if you can match the celebrity with their running shoes!

Question 1 of 8

Guess who loves her Mizunos?

Get Fit For Summer Challenge 5: A Reader Shows Us Her Sneakers

Fit Community — Thu, 12 May 2011 15:27:07 PDT

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.

Get Fit For Summer Challenge 5: A Reader Shows Us Her Sneakers

Fit Community — Wed, 11 May 2011 02:01:57 PDT

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!

Do You Wash Your Running Shoes?

Heather Dale — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:54:43 PDT

It's Spring cleaning time, which usually means going through my closet, getting rid of clothes, shoes, and organizing my things strategically to jump-start my Spring workout routine.

I've already come across a pair of running shoes that are in great condition, and have hardly been worn - problem is, I wore them hiking last year and they are covered in mud! They are in too good of shape to give away just yet, so what's a girl to do? It's time to clean 'em up.

If you have dirty running shoes like mine that need to be shined up, don't throw them in the washing machine! Washing machines can damage or shrink your shoes, and the grit and grime from your shoes may damage the machine as well. Instead, fill your sink with a few inches of lukewarm water and add in a tiny bit of laundry soap. Take out a old scrub brush and scrub the exterior and the soles of the shoes (changing the water when it becomes cloudy). Don't put your shoes directly under any running water (this will prolong the drying time), but keep rinsing the brush and scrubbing the affected areas. Once your shoes look clean, put them on a towel in the sunshine to dry - first facedown with the shoe tongue open to ensure proper drying, and then flip them over the next day so that the exterior will dry.

Source: Flickr User xcorex

Are You the Imelda Marcos of Running Shoes?

Michele Foley — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:48:24 PDT

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?