What shoes should I buy?

This is one of the first questions that anyone always asks me when it comes to starting running or even for people who already run.

So I thought it would be useful to do a run down of what different running specs to look for when purchasing a shoe. I’m personally going to take Saucony’s shoes to go through their different types of shoes as I think they are a really cool company that is doing some cool things at the moment and the look of the shoes they are bringing out are cool. Pretty much all of the big brands have the same sort of shoes, maybe with slight differences.

One thing I want to push home though is, I would highly recommend going to a shop and trying on different shoes to see what works and feels the best to you. Everyone’s feet are different and there is not one shoe that is a fit for all. 

Stack height

This refers to how much cushioning there is below your feet, so how far you are away from the ground

Higher stack height:

• Ideal for long distance runners who need more impact absorption to reduce fatigue
• It also provides a comfortable feel so ideal for recovery runs 

Lower stack height:

• Means you have more stability and control over your feet which may be the focus of speed or trail runners
• Helps with a more natural running form

So if you prefer comfort and impact protection, I’d go for a higher stack height, but if you’re looking for more stability and speed, I’d look at a lower stack height

Drop

This is the drop of the shoe from your heel to your forefoot, for example, if it’s a 7mm drop, your heel will be 7mm higher than your forefoot. 

High drop (8-12mm)

• This takes away the pressure on your calves and achilles and puts more emphasis on your knees or hips
• This does encourage a more heel to midfoot strike, which may feel more natural for any beginners or if you are a heel striker. 

Low drop (0-4mm)

• This produces a more forefoot and midfoot strike which can put more activation on your calves and achilles
• This does push towards a more natural gait cycle as it follows a more natural foot strike

Things to consider with this is that if you’re more of a heel striker, it would be worth looking at a higher drop shoe and if you have issues with either your achilles or knees it will be best to take into the drop when choosing the shoes.

Weight

Quite simply this comes down to speed as the lighter the shoe, the faster it will be and heavier ones will have more cushioning

Light (Below 250g)

• These are getter for any speedwork, threshold or races that you do as you’re carrying less weight on your feet
• Also help with a more natural and effortless turnover 

Heavy (Above 280g)

• They tend to have more cushioning so are great for longer runs, recovery and comfort
• Normally preferred by long distance runners who need that extra impact protection

Stability v neutral

Stability shoes

• These are good for runners overpronation as they provide support to stop your foot from rolling inwards

Neutral shoes

• These are for those runners who don’t overpronate so providing a more natural feel

Final thoughts to consider when deciding what shoe to get

What type of runs are you going to be using them for?

• Easy runs – focus on comfort and cushioning
• Speed work – look for light and responsive shoes
• Racing – you want something that will help propel you forward
• Long runs – Durability and comfort

What does Saucony offer