For women looking to start running, the right pair of running shoes can make all the difference between getting started and giving up within the first few weeks. Many of the running shoes you find in stores are designed with men in mind and don’t take women’s shoe sizes into account, which can make finding shoes that fit properly very difficult indeed. Here are some tips on how to buy the perfect running shoes for women, even if you have wide feet or an unusual foot shape.
1. Know Your Shoe Size
The first thing you need to do is find out your shoe size. Let’s start with women’s shoe sizes. It’s recommended a sizing system based on the width of the foot, with A for narrow, B for normal and C for wide. If you can fit two or three fingers between your toes, then you are probably a C or D width and should go for something from the D- fit size range. This is not an exact science by any means, so if you are unsure of your shoe size then try a few different running shoes from stores such as Asics or New Balance before investing in a larger size or visit https://vessi.com/ to know more about the sizes and shoe styles.
2. Correct Shoe Fit
The next thing you need to do is try on the running shoes you are interested in. Again, this is where a women’s specific running shoe can help you get a better fit by allowing your toes to move more freely and giving more room for your high arches. There are lots of men’s shoes that come with removable insoles, which can be replaced with an insole designed for women. Your toes should be able to move without rubbing against the front of the shoe, and your heel should not slip or rub against the back of the shoe while walking in them either.
3. Wider Feet
If you have wide feet and find most running shoes fit too snugly, then you should consider buying the next size up from your normal shoe size. The D-fit range will usually have running shoes that have a much wider toe box. You can also try replacement insoles that allow your toes to move further – some are made of a thin, soft material that won’t push your toes outwards, while others take the form of sticks that push your toes inwards.
4. Different Foot Types
Sometimes there is no perfect fit available in the women’s shoe section and you need to look at specialist running shoe stores such as New Balance or Asics. These stores tend to specialise in making running shoes for people with a wider foot or those with an unusual foot shape. While the most popular shapes are those with a high arch and arched feet, there are many other types of feet that have been designed to accommodate the needs of runners.
5. Cushioned Running Shoes
When you run, your foot naturally presses down on the ground and the weight is transmitted through your heel and into the ball of your foot. If this is not cushioned properly by your shoe, then you will cause damage to your foot if you run very far in it. Look for cushioning on the sole of the shoe that is thick enough to protect your foot while you are running. But also keep an eye out for the inside of the shoe and whether you can replace it; if yes, you can add new inserts that will help your whole body and not just your feet.
The most important aspect of buying running shoes is making sure that they fit you properly. While finding the right running shoe for women with wide feet or high arches can be difficult, there are lots of tips out there to help you get the best of your running experience.
