How To Choose A Running Shoe | What Are The Best Shoes For You?

A good pair of running shoes is one of the most important pieces of kit for any triathlete. Here is GTN's guide to buying the perfect pair of run shoes for you!

Choosing the right pair of running shoes can be as complex as buying more expensive kit such as a bike. Every runner is different and requirements vary significantly therefore don't just buy the nice looking pair or the one your mate likes. It is important to buy the correct kit for you... the wrong shoes could lead to injury after many miles in them.

The first thing to look for is whether you overpronate, supinate or you have a neutral gait. This leads to choosing different types of shoe with differing levels of support. The next thing to decide is the level of support and cushioning your feet require. This varies between individuals and the distance that you will run in them. Beyond this, considerations include the life expectancy of the shoe and whether you predominantly run on the track, road or trail. If you take all of these into account you should be able to find the perfect shoe for you!

We hope you found these tips useful! Let us know your thoughts in the comments below 👇

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What is your top tip to buying the correct pair of running shoes? Let us know in the comments below 👇

[esotericpig]

Big tip not mentioned: always buy 1 size up from your normal shoes for running. Your feet actually expand from the impact. Especially if you're having toenails go black or an unusual amount of blisters, your size is probably too small. This is also to help prevent bunions and dancer's foot.

[MattDion]

A Q&A session with a sports podiatrist would be a cool segment. Covering topics like insoles, common ailments and preventative/corrective measures, etc.

[andykirkland]

Love watching GTN... There's a 'but' here. There's many theories on what constitutes an appropriate shoe, many propagated by shoe manufacturers. Certainly, there's limited evidence to suggest that specific shoe technologies prevent injuries. The 'wrong' shoe may cause injury though. Key for me is a) comfort & fit, and b) 'feel'. If you're a bit quicker, then weight is certainly important too.

[ARKINHK]

My favourite trail shoes are Salomon S/LAB Sense 6. Excellent, Ultra light grippy shoe with a 4mm heel to toe drop - and they use the awesome Salomon quick release lacing system. I actually used a pair to climb Kilimangaro and they were fine. A little cold on summit day, but I had such an advantage versus others in my group who lugged around 1.5kg boots on each foot.

[johnsmith-yvrp]

this was really helpful - best vid I've found - cheers

[hadifaramarzi]

How to choose a running shoe: the money in your pocket tells you how

[theolynwarrender]

Excellent video! Very well explained. Thank you so much for this! 🙏🙏

[andrewmaxfield]

Working at a running shoe store, I thought this would be a fairly simple explanation of running shoes. Actually a very good basic introduction to different types of running shoes and how to begin narrowing down a shoe for you

[SotaMaehara]

My fav run shoes are from On Running, feels weird at first but when you get used to it, it's amazing and you'll hop on the On-Running train

[rroxleh]

Thank you very much!! this is gold for a beginner.

[fafi]

Excellent vid !
Had supination all my life and only found out a few years ago, prior to educating myself and since i can remeber id often go for the flashy shoes with the nice color coding on the soles, that were unfortunately made for pronation and thus aggravating my supination. As a result im in my mid 40s with very sensitive knee issues and other physical sensitivities! The right shoe and the right size will do wonders for you and the sooner in your years you follow these guidelines, the happier your elderly years will be!

[masonburkett]

I’ve tried several different types of running shoes, I do every time I go to get a new pair. Just to see what I like the best, and every time I’ve always went to the Nike Elite. The place I go to get shoes will watch you walk and run to see if you’re neutral, supinate or pronate. Then they fit you for the size you need, they’ll also let you walk around the store and run around in the parking lot to see what you like the best. The Nike Elite 8, which is the previous model, was more of a built up trainer. Now the Elite 9 is built more like a race flat, it’s still by far my favorite running shoe that I’ve tried

[johnonyango]

Great video. Thank you for this. Learn't something new about how I wear away my shoes

[fairlandsvalleyspartans]

Great overview, we have just shared with our running club members.

[cameronlesley]

First time wactch8ng GTn . A helpful episode

[stiffeylad]

I know that a 8-12mm heel to toe drop is most suitable for me. When I've dropped below that I've ended up with injury.
My big tip is to find out what drop is suitable for you.

[SpiderwebRob]

I was going to get some salomon speedcross 4 cs but i found the sizing to be a hair off for my feet. I ended up getting Adidas Kanadia TR7. It was tighter in the right places and looser in the right places. A bit less grip and a bit more expensive but it fit better so it was an easy choice. They are both amazing shoes that work well. As stated in the video, everyone has different feet so try a few.

[hjvelezg]

How about correctly sizing your running shoes. Its a big issue often left aside.

[lakshana]

I didn't know anything about pronation of the foot or how much cushioning one needs. Thank you ❤️