If you have never experienced a professional fitting for your running shoes, you most likely only consider how they look during your purchase. They may look good, but they could be far from your perfect fit. Walking or running in shoes that are not the correct fit may cause severe harm to your ankles, knees, toes, calves and tendons. If you experience foot strain and stretching does not alleviate the pain, you should consider getting a new pair of running shoes.
The athleisure industry is growing massively, and new stylish running shoes are released occasionally. Nowadays, scouting for a new pair is a fun experience. However, do not only consider the inches between your toes and your heel. Toe placement, sidewalls fitting and arch placement are equally essential to consider to get a perfectly fitting pair of running shoes.
If you always get foot pains, strains and burning toes during or after a run, you may be wearing the wrong shoes. So, how can you tell that your running shoes are not the right fit for you? Here are some red flags to note.
1. You Cannot Remove the Shoes Without Loosening the Laces
Running enhances blood flow to your heart and lungs while decreasing blood flow to your hands and feet, making them swell. You should get shoes with a broader fit if you cannot get off your shoes after a run without loosening or untying the laces. However, even when you go up a width, ensure that your heel sits comfortably without slipping.
2. Occasional Numbness or Strain on Your Foot’s Top
If you ever experience numbness or strain during or after a run, it means that your shoes are too tight or too loose. A tight shoe cuts off blood flow to your foot hence the numbness. A perfectly fitting shoe should not be baggy or create gaps on the upper material after lacing.
3. You Get Tendonitis When You Run
A tendon is a connective tissue between a muscle and a bone. When tendons become inflamed, you suffer from a condition known as tendonitis. The condition results from a wrong fitting shoe that makes your ankle roll to the inside with each step you take. Some sure signs of tendonitis include swelling, pain and tenderness.
4. Your Heel Slips as You Walk or Run Uphill
A wrong fit results in slippage and an uncomfortable feeling during heel movement, especially when walking or running uphill. When lacing up your running shoes, go until the final eyelet to ensure that the fit is snug but not tight or loose. If you have laced up correctly and your heel is still slipping, consider getting a new pair.
5. Severe Foot Pain During or After Your Run
How your foot hits the ground during a run determines how you feel afterwards. A perfect running shoe ensures that you properly position your foot as you run. Wearing the wrong shoe gives you severe foot aches, and you will not enjoy your run.
6. You Get Corns, Blisters and Calluses
Corns, blisters and calluses result from excessive pressure and friction on your feet when you wear narrow or short running shoes. Corns are the hardened skin areas on your toes. Corns, blisters and calluses are pretty uncomfortable, and you should change your running shoes as soon as you notice a tiny blister. A perfect fit allows you to pinch about a quarter-inch of upper material on the broadest part of your foot.
7. You May Get Plantar Fasciitis
Beneath the skin on your foot are connective tissues that join your heel to your toes and are known as plantar fascia. When these tissues become inflamed, it results in a condition known as plantar fasciitis. If running is your form of exercise and you experience sharp pains in your heel once you wake up, you may have plantar fasciitis. Consider getting a professional fitting to get the perfect amount of support from your running shoes.
Conclusion
Selecting the perfect running shoe is crucial, and it will save you from foot-related problems in the long run. A pair of running shoes that works for someone else may not work for you as we all have different types of feet. Brooks running shoes come in diverse varieties to cater to every person’s individual running shoe needs. Consider purchasing a pair that suits your foot type and arch for a smooth session during your run.
