What are the best running shoes for beginners to buy? When you start your running journey, this is a big question to ask.
You feel so motivated to get started and you have gone out a few times with the running shoes that you have but you know, that now is the time to buy yourself a new pair.
Where to go? What to buy?
The first thing to be aware of is the 3 types of running shoes to fit your foot, size, and running style. As a beginner, it could be a worthy investment for you, but make sure to identify first if the features are truly beneficial to your run.
the best running shoes for beginners – 3 types
The three categories of running shoes are:
- NEUTRAL
- STABILITY
- MOTION CONTROL
NEUTRAL – is the most common foot type. It is my foot type. When you run your foot lands on the heel of your foot and rolls forwards and the impact is spread evenly across the forefront of the foot.
Neutral shoes do not have or need to have any stabilizing features in them. They allow the feet to flex and move without providing any guidance.
The other two types of shoes provide assistance to the foot against over-pronation, which is when your foot rolls inwards as you move. When you overpronate then the outer edge of your heel hits the ground first, and then your feet roll inward onto the arch.
STABILITY – is a shoe with built-in stability to keep the foot stable. The shoe is good for the runner or athlete who overpronates. It gives helpful support to the arch of the foot, through to the midsole, and then onto the heel.
This added support provides the overpronating feet with a more natural and comfortable movement when they run. They are not as flexible as a shoe as the NEUTRAL will be.
MOTION CONTROL – this shoe provides support for flat feet, also for more pronounced overpronation, and for heavier weight. The support is significant in the arch, midsole, and heel cup.
The difference between stability shoes and motion control is the amount of pronation your foot is doing.
Stability shoes are fine for slight overpronation and you’ll need more support from the motion control shoe if you overpronate severely. The ‘stability’ running shoe is also a far lighter running shoe.
get advice
When I started running and was ready to buy my first pair of running shoes this was all the knowledge I had. I knew what stability, neutral, and motion control were.
I was not ready to go into a sports shop to have my feet checked out. I have neutral feet and so I looked up shoes for that type of foot and I bought ASICS Women’s Gel-Nimbus 23 Running Shoes.
After about a year or two of running, I did build up the courage to go with a friend to a sports shop. I ran on the treadmill and I was happy when they confirmed that I had bought the correct shoe.
So, if you are up to it or you do not feel comfortable making the decision for yourself – visit your local sports shop, they will be happy to help you.
new running shoes
I recently had to buy new shoes. It was a surprise to me that the previous shoes only lasted for one year. Previously I had managed to only buy a new pair of running shoes every two years.
When I went to the sports shop, I showed the salesman my shoe and asked him why my shoe hadn’t held up!? He said that I had just run too far on them!
Looking back on the tracking of the shoes I saw this to be true. I had not realized or calculated that I had upped my running by so much. He said to me to not run more than 500km on one pair of running shoes – good advice, I believe.
Take care to check the distance you are or have run on your shoes. It is so important so that you do not give yourself unnecessary problems.
I have also bought a new pair of shoes, let me introduce you – they are BROOKS Glycerin 19. They are also ‘stability’ running shoes.
best running shoes for beginners – cleaning tips
Here are some cleaning steps:
- Always remove the laces first.
- Then remove the insoles.
- With a cloth or a brush, wipe or brush away surface dirt.
- Pop them into your washing machine IF you have a very short washing cycle. I have a 15-minute cycle that I use.
- Take them out of the machine as soon as the cycle ends.
- Open the shoe up completely.
- Put them in a warm spot, out of direct sunlight.
- Let them air dry naturally.
- Put the insoles back in only when they are completely dry.
- Lace-up and you are ready to go.
I prefer using the washing machine because I have a very short cycle and I find it does a better job than I can by hand.
How often should you clean your shoes? This depends on how often you wear them and how dirty they are. I tend to do this about once a month and I go running 3 to 4 times a week. I clean my shoes more often in the rainy and muddy months than when it is dry outside.
when to buy new shoes?
If you run 3 to 4 times a week and you are clocking up about 15 – 25 kilometers per week, then your shoes will last about 2 years.
You can also use the app on your phone to monitor that. I use Garmin to keep track of my runs. Every time you track a run then you will see this on the app. I find that when I notice that my shoes are looking very tired and I check up on the app, they correlate rather well.
This only works if you monitor and if you only use your running shoes for your runs. This will give you a far more accurate view.
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