Finding the perfect fit

Feet come in all different shapes and sizes and getting the right running shoe fit is crucial for comfortable running.

Here are my top tips for finding that perfect fit.

- Pick the right shoes for your running.

Trail running = Trail shoes. Road running = road shoes. If you do a bit of both then you just need more shoes! There are some trails where road shoes will work just fine, like hard packed trail or over summer when the trails are dry.

Trail shoes are designed to grip, with lugs on the bottom. They will also be hardier around the top and edges, to prevent injuries from roots and rocks.

- Your shoes should feel comfortable the first time you try them on. If they feel in any way uncomfortable then don’t buy them. Running will not make them feel any better!

- Give your toes some space. Your feet will swell when you run, so make sure there is plenty of room in your shoes for your toes. A thumb width of space between your toe and the end of your shoe is a good guide. You can also take the insert of the shoe out and place your foot on it, if your feet spill over the insert then the shoes are going to be snug once you start running.

- Try shoes on in the afternoon, when your feet are at their biggest. This will help you figure out if the shoes are going to fit when running.

- Take your running socks when shoe shopping, that way you can test how the shoes feel with the right gear. Do some laps around the shop, don’t be shy in testing them out!

- If you are really unsure about where to start, pop in to a specialty shoe shop. There are a lot of great stores that will fit your feet to the right shoes and offer a return/refund if the shoes don’t work out.

Happy Running!