Running aficionados noted not so long ago that a good pair of running shoes was the sport's only real cost. They worked out that shoes cost about a penny a mile. Inflation has largely taken care of that claim, but good shoes are still the soundest investment a runner can make. Coupled with a sensible training schedule, they are essential in helping to prevent injury. But how do you choose from the range and prices offered by seven or eight manufacturers in any one store? Get help. You won't be alone. Veteran runners who think they have found the perfect shoe often return to a store six months later to find a manufacturer has totally changed its design. They too need expert help in finding what will work for them. A tip is to buy two pairs of shoes if you discover a model that is working well for you. That's if you can afford it, of course.

Tips to Buying Shoes
• Spend Time - Walk and run in the shoe. Don't buy shoes because they worked well for someone else. Test them out.
• Take Along Your Old Shoes - Our Running Room staff can "read" your wear pattern, and it is important to be fitted with the same sock you will run in.
• Tell Us... about your running history, goals, past injuries, the type of training you do, and what has or hasn't worked for you in the past.
• Running Room Foot Exam - Whether you have a rigid or flexible foot, a low or high arch, or are flat-footed makes a difference as to what will best suit you.
• Comfort - Pressure spots or loose-fitting shoes will be susceptible to blisters. If your foot slides excessively,you will also lose energy on the push off.
• A Snug Fit - Pull the laces so that you have a feeling of security without discomfort.
• Selecting The Right "Last" (Footbed Construction) - All shoes are constructed over a wood or composite called a "last." The three predominant shapes today are the "straight," "curved" and the "semi-curved." If you have a curved foot and wear a straight shoe, you will feel pressure on the inside of your big toe, and you will tend to roll off the outside of the shoe.
• The Selection Process - Select two or three models that work best for your foot function. Compare the fit of each and then stand, walk around, and run in each shoe to feel how it performs. You will find your new shoes choose you.
• Running In Cross Trainers or Aerobic Shoes? - Running shoes are designed for a forward motion and cushion the impact specific to running. Cross trainers and Aerobic shoes are designed for more lateral support and toe flexibility. If you use them as your running shoes, you'll risk injury.
• When To Buy A New Pair - Often, a shoe's upper is still in great shape, but the cushioning and motion control has been lost. A test? Mark the date that you bought your shoe, and drop by the Running Room after you have logged approximately 800km or 500 miles to compare your old shoes with a new pair. The key to keeping off the injury list is to replace your shoes once they begin to wear of break down.