Shopping for the right shoes can be a daunting task, but there are five things that don’t matter in running shoes. Keep these in mind the next time you hit up your local running shop, and you will be sure to find the ones that feel great, and provide excellent performance for your needs!
The Brand
The straight truth is that there is no “best brand.” There is only the “best brand for you.” Some people can easily switch between makes and models with zero issues. Others find a certain name and style is markedly better than anything else. For example, Brooks work so well for me, especially after my injury, so that’s my go-to. Walking into a shoe store with a brand in mind with no idea how it fits can certainly lead to a shoe that may not work best for your unique biomechanics. Be open-minded about the brands, and give them all a fair chance before make a decision. You may be surprised.
The Size
One thing I never understood is people who get upset about having a larger shoe size. I’m here to tell you that (shoe) size is very much just a number, and that the size label is actually inside the shoe, so your secret is safe. Too-small shoes lead to blisters and black toenails, so please don’t worry about going larger and give yourself some room. Running shoes should fit slightly larger than your foot measures. My foot is a 9.5/10 US, but I regularly (and proudly) wear a 10.5 in my running shoes. Ideally, you should have a thumb’s width from your big toe to the end of the shoe. This allows for any swelling, and gives your toes space to spread and grip as you run.
What Your Friends Wear
Just because your friend swear by the Nike Pegasus doesn’t mean it’s going to work for you. Everyone has different feet, form, and preferences, and it’s important to recognize that when you are shopping for running shoes. While I always love recommendations from my friends, it’s a good idea to figure out the best shoe matches free of outside influence.
How They Make Your Feet Look
When I’m in the market for a pair of strappy stilettos, how they look on my feet is an important consideration in my selection. For running shoes, I am way more concerned with the feel and fit than the appearance. I want shoes that hug my arch, provide the right stability for my pronation, and securely hold my heel. Additionally, I want the most comfortable drop for me, enough room in the toe, and not too much cushion. If I can check those boxes, then I am good to go. The appearance on my foot has no bearing on their performance.
The color.
I know I’m going to catch heat for this, but the color REALLY doesn’t matter when it comes to a well-fitting shoe. Yes, I’m guilty of it, too, and will buy online when my local running store can’t provide the brightest, most fun color. But today, I needed new shoes, and the available color was gray with light aqua. I’m coming from vibrant pink, and I’ll be replacing them again in 500 miles, so it is what it is. Remember, certain styles only come in limited colors, so don’t discount a great-fitting shoe because of a cosmetic issue.
Do these five things matter to you when you’re buying new shoes?
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I’ve tried other Brands over the years and always come back to Brooks. But its good to be open-minded! I’ve had to buy shoes that I didn’t love the color of just because they were the only option. In regular shoes I wear a 7.5 but it running shoes I wear a 9!
I mean, things can change. When I first started running, Brooks didn’t work for me at all – I wore Mizunos and Adidas. Now, the Brooks and the Saucony work better for me. It’s always good to get a fitting every 18 months or so to make sure things haven’t changed.
I’ve not had really good looking long run shoes in awhile. What is up with that Asics?? At my first marathon back in 2007 the pics are funny because everyone’s shoes were white! Thanks for the linkup!
I haven’t looked at Asics in a while – they don’t fit me well so I just don’t think about them. It’s strange how some brands really have nice looking shoes and some not so much.
I agree. Though pretty colors do make me smile.
But ultimately feet with no pain makes me happy.
Price doesn’t matter as well. It does for other things. Not running shoes.
I was thinking about price, but there are ways to get around that, via sales and promos. Personally, I’ll pay a small fortune for shoes I like and that fit well, but not everyone can. There are also some shoes that are WAY overpriced for the bells and whistles they provide. Paying top dollar doesn’t always mean you’re getting the best.
Brooks is my go-to as well – every now and then I get tempted to try something else, but at the end of the day, they just work best for me. And, every once in a while I get lucky with a fun colorway 😉
Hilariously, I couldn’t wear Brooks when I first started. It was Mizuno all the way.
I also tend to stick with the same Brand once I find one that works well for me. Admittedly, color does matter to me and I try to rotate the color around my favorite style. Find the right shoe for you is key to happy feet!
I do love fun colors, but sometimes the shoe that works best for me doesn’t come in the color I love. At that point, I just suck it up – new colorways will be out next time.
I agree with so much of this! I shake my head every time someone gets in a group & asks for shoe recommendations.
I do love pretty colors but rarely get shoes with cool colors I like simply because the shoes I run in don’t often come in great colors — or that’s all that’s left in the sale shoes.
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I love pretty colors, but I’m not buying shoes because of them. If the right shoe comes in a great color, perfect! If not, there’s always next time.
I agree with you on EVERY SINGLE POINT!! I have had some ugly ass shoes that have fit perfectly and matched my running style. That’s just the way it is sometimes!
Exactly! We just have to embrace it!
I have locked in what brand I wear (only Altra), but the rest doesn’t matter. At one point, I had a pair of Altras that my kids called my Buzz Lightyear shoes. Yes, they were that ugly. But they were great to run in, so I just dealt with the appearance.
My first pair of shoes were pumpkin orange and red. Literally no one had a pair of shoes likes them. I didn’t care. They fit great and felt great.
I am a huge Brooks fan. I have tried other brands as well but for the past couple of years have returned to Brooks. I like pretty colors but also understand that I should pick shoes solely based on color.
I love great colors, but if I picked based on colors, my running would be ruined!
I feel like I’m always going on and on about this, but literally the only thing that matters to me in a shoe is finding a wide enough toe box- it’s a huge issue for me. I’ve walked into the running shoe store and said “Show me your shoe with the widest toe box- I don’t care what brand it is.” Right now I have two shoes that work for me (Hoka Clifton and New Balance 880) but am always on the lookout for new ones.
We all have the things that matter to us and our feet! I don’t care about the brand either, and I’ll try anything when I’m getting fitted, just to see if my foot’s preferences have changed.
Oh, the point about the color made me giggle because I have to admit that ONCE I bought a pair of running shoes just because of the color. Luckily for me, they turned out to be excellent for my feet and wore that same style– the Asics-Gel Noosa Tri- for many years. Unfortunately, it is also one of those situations were the updated version started getting worse, at least for me.
Oh, the Noosas were always SUCH a pretty shoe! I was always sad they didn’t work for me, because they were so bright and gorgeous!