Running Shoe Selection: How to Make an Educated Decision

I’m lucky to work closely with an excellent sports podiatrist, Ian Griffiths (@Sports_Pod). In addition to specialising in foot biomechanics, Ian appreciates the importance of running form and physical conditioning as parts of the complex puzzle that makes up a runner’s physical capabilities.

Ian was recently asked to give a presentation to a group of runners on how to choose running shoes. Always a tricky topic to address, given that it can be assumed that people are attending hoping for definitive information on how to select the right shoe for them in a concise and tidy way. If they leave without these ‘answers’ they may well have considered the talk to have been poor. That said, Ian sticks brilliantly to his underpinning values in promoting the evidence based truth with respect to what we currently know (and don’t know). He also takes the opportunity to dispel some of the myths and untruths that a runner may encounter whilst searching for footwear for themselves.

In his usual understated manner, Ian presents the following information as being more suited to the beginner runner. In truth this video contains a number of important message that ALL runners need to hear and understand. Well worth a watch for all of us…

Learn More from Ian Griffiths

Not long ago, we interviewed Ian for our Podcast. Here her goes into some depth about tissue stress and strain, and the mechanism of common running injuries… Listen here

One of our most popular guest blogger articles ever was written by Ian, challenging the use of the term ‘Overpronation’… Read the full article

Visit Ian’s website

Last updated on March 2nd, 2021.

5 Comments

  1. Great job at analyzing the current system and calling out the nonsense. I really wish that the typical consumer would listen to this as opposed to be subject to the marketing and salesmanship of most stores.

  2. I’m searching for some input. In training for a marathon, I injured my ankle and had to take 3 weeks off. The marathon is in 4 week and I was able to have a regular training week with an 11 mile training run last weekend. Should I/could I run this marathon? It’s the last Sunday in March…. If u think yes, I would love ideas for how to ramp up my milage?? This will be my 2nd Marathon. I also have 5 1/2’s under my belt and 2yrs of running…

  3. Really like your stuff James. Any posts on over supination? Not sure it’s causing a problem just aware in wear on shoes. Thanks.

  4. Interesting video. I must be doing something right then, as I’ve just ordered the fourth pair of shoes of the same type – because they’re comfortable!

  5. To sum it up.. go to a specialist running store with staff that run themselves and have many years experience in shoe fitting.

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