How to Buy the Best Running Shoes for Women

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There are several important considerations and factors on how to buy the best running shoes for women. Different people have different needs when it comes to proper footwear.

Here are some of the most important criteria when choosing women’s running shoes:

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Support

Because women have wider hips, they often tend to overpronate while running. So, one crucial feature you should look for is the level of support a pair of shoes can give. When buying shoes, consider the cushion, motion control, stability, and arch support.

Keeping a woman’s natural biomechanics in mind can help prevent any unnecessary stress and injuries on the feet. Support is especially important in the best running shoes for metatarsalgia or other foot conditions like flat footedness, over- and underpronation.

Flexibility

The best women’s running shoes should be flexible. Generally, women have at least 15% lower body mass than men which means that they need better flexibility when running. This is achieved through deep grooves in the sole that allows for a natural gait and a smooth transition or toe-off motion during the stepping and running cycle.

Ask any seasoned runner and they will agree that a little less cushioning and a little more flexibility goes a long way in keeping the feet of female runners more comfortable.

Comfort

Speaking of comfortable, great running shoes should cater to all of the user’s specific needs to make their running experience as comfortable as possible. Women’s feet are shaped differently than men’s feet in terms of the toes, balls of the feet, and the arch. Generally, women’s feet are narrower and shorter.

Your running shoes should therefore follow the natural shape of your feet. If you have wider feet, you may want to go for a men’s size. Some manufacturers also have wide options for women.

Look for responsive soles, a proper fit, and any other extra feature or technology that will keep your feet happy while running.

Durability

Of course, you also want your running shoes to last long and withstand regular use. All runners deserve tough, durable, solid running shoes that won’t fall apart within weeks.

To determine the overall durability of a pair of running shoes, consider the upper, midsole, and outsole construction. The upper should be made of strong materials, preferably those that are also breathable. The midsole should provide proper cushioning and support to make every mile comfortable.

The outsole should be made with rubber or any material that can hold up well against weather elements, hard impacts, and the surface or terrains that you will be trudging on.

Protection

You never know what the trail can throw against you, so when it comes to running shoes, you also want a good level of safety and protection. First, look for thick outsoles that will absorb impact from the ground and possibly shield your feet from sharp objects, rocks, or other hazards that could be lying around.

Running shoes meant for rugged trails are often equipped with choice protective features that help prevent injuries.

Perfect Fit

Whether you are buying shoes for yourself or someone else, you want to make sure that it fits perfectly. I advice that you become picky and technical when it comes to fit and sizing since this can determine the overall comfort, support, and performance your shoes can provide. Even a small compromise on the fit can lead to multiple problems in the long run.

Consider having both your feet professionally measured so you can be sure of your exact size and you’ll have something to compare with size charts. Since your feet may change over time, do this every time you are buying new shoes. Never assume your shoe size.

Shoes do break in but your feet may also swell during the day. Especially for women with sodium retention issues, this can be a problem. In fact, many seasoned runners go half a size larger depending on the number of miles they run at a time.

If you do decide to go a little bigger than your normal size, make sure the design or style of the specific shoe model won’t cause you any problems in the future.

Conclusion

So that’s how to buy the best running shoes for women! Following this guide and the tips given here will hopefully ensure that you get the right shoes that offer the perfect fit, proper support, durability, flexibility, and utmost comfort to push you above and beyond your running limits!