What's the BEST Running Shoe for a BEGINNER Like Me

Finding the right running shoe is crucial for new runners like you, because it can make all the difference between a great run and a painful one. 

If you're new to running, you're probably wondering what makes a good running shoe, and how do you choose the right one. 

With so many options out there, it's overwhelming. I mean, I've walked into shoe stores and seen rows and rows of shoes that all look pretty much the same. You've got your Brooks, your Asics, your Nikes, your Adidas, Hoka’s and more, and the funny thing is, they all claim to be the best running shoe.

But how do you know which running shoe is right for you? And how do you know which shoe to buy for the type of running that you are doing?

Over the last 11 years of competitive running and Coaching clients of all levels and abilities, I've spent hours researching, trying on shoes, and reading reviews, and it's exhausting. You start to wonder if it's all worth it, or if you should just pick a shoe and hope for the best. But I've learned that there's a better way. By considering a few key features and knowing the method that I am about to show you, you can find a shoe that's perfect for your feet and your running style.

When you run in the right shoes, you will enjoy the running lifestyle and all of the physical and mental benefits that it brings, but if you get the wrong shoes, you will end up like so many people who end up hating running.. 

So here’s the main do it yourself way to find out what type of shoe you need to be running in. It’s called The Wet Foot Test.

All you need is a 

• piece of paper and some water. 

• Just wet your foot, 

• place it firmly on the paper 

• and there you go, your very own footprint.

So now you know what type of foot you have, what are the main things to then consider in a shoe you need to look at then?

For NEUTRAL feet look for neutral shoes that have a slight arch support and good cushioning and try to focus on comfort and fit rather than specific features. Try to avoid supportive or corrective shoes as they might disrupt natural running gait.

For FLAT feet look for shoes with features like an arch support, stability bar or motion control system. Try to avoid Flexible or Unsupportive shoes.

For HIGH ARCH feet, look for shoes with extra or maximal cushioning, flexible shoes that allow for natural movement but avoid any form of stiff, hard or stability shoes.

So now you know what type of foot you have, and a rough idea of what type of you require, how do you find the shoes in that category?

The key is to look at shoe suppliers that categorise their running shoes by whether they are Neutral or Stability shoes. 

When I discovered this method for myself years ago, it saved me so much wasted money in buying shoes that did me more harm than good. I mean at one time when I first started running, I bought a pair of running shoes because they on sale and within 3 – 4 weeks my shins were on fire, and I had no idea why.