2015 Late Summer/Early Fall Road Running Shoe Buyer’s Guide

There is something really special about being fit and cruising along at a decent pace on a late-summer run if you’re wearing a shoe that’s meant for you. It’s a warm day where your muscles feel fluid and the rhythm that develops feels almost like a floating sensation. It’s a pace you can maintain mile after mile because you aren’t thinking about your feet, feet that are neither hurting from overly barren shoes nor sinking into energy-sapping sloppiness.

Our late summer/early fall shoe review is all about cruising, in some cases with guidance and control and in others with flexibility and pep.

3 Key Tips To Finding Your Next Shoe

So which shoe is right for you? Don’t just buy any random shoe or a model that happens to come in your favorite color. Find a pair that’s specifically meant for you!

Visit a local running specialty shop. An experienced shoe-fitter can help find out what you need and give you options to try on based on your foot shape, running gait and the type of training you do.

Focus on fit. The primary criteria you should be concerned with are fit, comfort and cushioning (relative to the type of running you do and your personal preference). But fit is most important.

Don’t be swayed by color or appearance. As you try on three or four shoes, your foot and brain will likely tell you which one feels the best. Close your eyes and think about how the shoes feel on your feet. Does they feel natural and move with your foot? Or do they control your foot? Are they snug or are they loose to the point of slipping? Are they flexible or stiff, soft or firm?

(All photos by Scott Draper)

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