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There can be no simpler joy than putting on a pair of running shoes and running. But choosing the right shoes is not quite as easy. All sorts of things – your biomechanics, your weight, the surfaces you run on, and obviously, the shape of your feet – mean that one person’s ideal shoe can be terrible for another person.
The first thing to do before you start to make a short–list of shoes is decide which broad shoe category you fall into (more about the categories we use below). A podiatrist, good sports therapist or specialist retailers can best assess your running style, but you can make a start by determining your foot type. It’s a simple step, but for about 80 per cent of the population, a wet footprint test will suggest which biomechanical category you fall into.
We divide our shoes into three main categories (cushioned, stability and motion control); and two minor ones (performance and off–road). The first three are everyday options and are categorised essentially by your biomechanical needs; the second group are more specialised and you’d often only consider them as second shoes.
How To Choose A Shoe | Interactive Shoe Finder | Autumn Shoe Guide 2009
Shoes categories
Cushioned shoes
113 products Recommended for runners who need maximum midsole cushioning and minimum medial (arch) support. Also best for lighter runners or those who are biomechanically efficient (minimum pronation), and for midfoot or forefoot strikers with high or normal arches.
Motion control shoes
33 products Recommended for moderate to severe overpronators who need maximum rearfoot control and extra support on the medial (arch) side of their shoes. These runners tend to be flat–footed or strike hard on their heels. Also best–suited to bigger runners who need plenty of support and durability.
Off–road shoes
75 products As the name suggests, these are designed for running off the beaten track. Also called trail shoes, they might be designed as a road shoe with a harder–wearing upper and extra grip on the outsole, or they could be a shoe designed specifically for off–road use. The latter are usually simple, technology–light but with tons of traction.
Performance shoes
50 products Recommended either for racing or, if you’re biomechanically efficient, for training. They have varying degrees of support and cushioning but they’re generally lighter (most weigh around 250–300g) and fit like a glove.
Stability shoes
122 products Recommended for runners who generally have good biomechanics and are mild to moderate overpronators. These runners tend to have normal to low arches and benefit from shoes with a combination of good support and midsole cushioning. They are also recommended for beginners or those who need extra support because they’re increasing their mileage.
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