Tips of Questions to Ask When Purchasing New Running Shoes

Running shoes are an important investment for any runner. They may not be the only thing that you purchase when getting new running gear, but they should definitely be one of your priorities. Your local running store is a great resource for you as you find the perfect running shoe for your lifestyle. 

Popping into your local running store can be extremely helpful, but if you’ve never done so it can feel intimidating to know what to look for and what to ask.

Here’s a list of questions you should think through and expect to answer when you are shopping for a new pair of running shoes: 

  1. What type of running do you plan to do (road, trail, track, etc.)?
  2. How often do you plan to wear the shoes (every day, every other day, once a week)?
  3. Do you have any history of foot injuries that we should be aware of before recommending a shoe type for you?
  4. What width of shoes do you usually wear and does the current model fit comfortably in that width when trying them on at the store?
  5. How much cushioning do you prefer in your shoes – a lot, some, or none at all (or somewhere in between)?
  6. Do you like your shoes to feel snug or more roomy throughout the entire foot bed area including the toes/ball/heel areas when trying them on for size and comfortability purposes (again, not too tight though as this can cause blisters)?
  7. Do you mind if we take a look at how your feet strike the ground while running and see if there are any abnormalities in terms of how they hit the ground from heel-to-toe that might suggest an orthotic insert would be beneficial for future runs (assuming no prior foot injuries exist)?
  8. What type of runner are you (overpronator, underpronator, neutral)?
  9. Are you looking for a specific feature in a shoe (cushioning, stability, lightness)?
  10. What size do you wear in other brands of shoes?