Picking the right pair of running shoes is important if you want to run well. But with so many types of running shoes out there in the market, to cater to all types of runners ranging from minimalist and barefoot, to POSE and CHI running, how do you know what is the right shoes for you?

Here are some tips on choosing running shoes, from an Australian Sports Podiatrist, Christian McErvale, who works with the FootStrong Podiatry clinic, in New South Wales.

The podiatrist urges runners that while it may be tempting to choose a pair of shoes because they look nice or they are the latest trend or fashion, you should never go down this path, as the shoes may not be conducive to your foot type or your running gait.

Instead, Christian generally subscribes to the 3 Fs when it comes to picking your perfect pair of running shoes and these are:

Fit

The shoe should extend no less than half a thumbnail width from your longest toe and the width should be wide enough so that your toes feel free and uninterrupted when you wriggle them inside the shoe.

Also your feet should not bulge through the upper of the shoe, according to Christian. If your feet are spilling over the side or front of the sock liner of the shoe, then this means that it is too small.

Function

If you are going to use the shoes for running, Christian strongly urges you to look for a running specific shoe, and not a general training shoe or sports shoe. This is because running shoes are designed to support the feet in the running motion whereas other sports shoes may not be.

Christian also pointed out that road running and trail running shoes are not the same, as trail running shoes have additional grip and are made of more durable materials to withstand mud and water as compared to road runners. So choose a shoe that fits in with the activity that you are doing.

Feel

Though a pair of running shoes may claim to use advanced technology, this is not important if you do not feel comfortable when you are wearing it for a run. So try on the shoes before you buy them and make sure that it feels comfortable on your feet.

Most sports shoe retailers allow you to run on the store treadmill with the shoes, and a few may also offer shoe trials for selected models, so that runners can try on the shoes on an outdoor run before committing to buying them. Make sure that you do so if this is available, as it is a good gauge to determining whether the shoes are good for you or not.

This has been brought to you by Move Nourish Believe from Lorna Jane Singapore.