There are a million different types, brands and styles of shoes out there to choose from these days... and that's awesome! What a wonderful world for "shoe people!" But, honestly, this endless selection can actually make the decision on which shoes to buy a little overwhelming sometimes. It's also easy to get side tracked, perhaps going for "cute" over "comfort,
Air Max 92," or making impractical or impulsive buying decisions when it comes to our love of shoes. Fortunately, there are some pretty simple guidelines you can follow to help you stay focused and on-track when making shoe buying decisions. Here are 3 quick tips to help you choose the right shoe every time!
Just answer these simple questions...
Is this shoe purchase a need or a want?
All shoe purchases fall into one of two categories: the need category, and the want category. Granted, most of us can easily justify a really awesome pair of shoes, totally fabricating a reason we "need" them, but that doesn't really change the fact that we do need certain types of shoes for certain purposes. So, the first tip to help you choose the right shoe is to determine in advance of your shopping excursion what kind of shoe shopping you're doing. If you're out for a fun-filled "feel good" shoe shopping mission, then it's great to browse and admire all kinds of shoes. But if you're going shopping for a pair of shoes in the need category it's important that you stay focused on just the types of shoes that will comfortably and efficiently serve that purpose. Once you've found the "functional" shoes, then you can do a little shoe shopping just for fun!
What are these shoes for?
That might seem like a silly question, but it's actually a fairly important consideration when investing in a great pair of shoes. Are you likely to wear these shoes often? Do you already have an outfit to go with them? Are they comfortable? Are they easy enough to walk in (even if your major motivation is appearance)? Are they practical for the types of places you will be wearing them? Are they appropriate for the purpose for which you are buying them? Many times you may be shopping for a pair of shoes for a particular occasion and, while one pair is simply adorable, another slightly different pair may suffice just as well and give you greater versatility at the same time.
Are these shoes a good deal?
Shoes are so often an impulse buying decision that they are also a common source of buyer's remorse. How do you know you're getting a good deal? One way to be sure of this is by shopping for your shoes at Zappos.com. Here you can compare literally thousands of shoe styles and brands, side by side, making it quick, easy, and even fun to compare values and be absolutely sure you are getting the best deal on the perfect pair of shoes for any purpose or occasion.
Zappos.com takes the guesswork out of your shoe shopping experience, making it easy for you to choose the right shoes with confidence!
You have trained consistently for months, achieved your season's goals and now your sights are set on winter training and next season. By this point, your running shoes (a loyal training buddy throughout the summer) should be looking fairly well-worn. They are super comfortable, they fit beautifully, but they just don't provide the levels of cushioning and support they did fresh out of the box. It's time for a change!Choosing the best running shoes can be a tricky task though, even for the most experienced of athletes. Most likely, the manufacturers of your current shoes will have brought out a new version of your current model, possibly with vastly different characteristics. So, while it is not quite straight back to square one for the task of choosing a new pair, it is important to be discerning when choosing your winter pair.
In this article we will attempt to set out, in simple terms, the key factors to consider when choosing your new pair of shoes. If you choose the right pair, your shoes will help you to stay injury free over winter and lay the foundations for a successful season next year. However, if you make the wrong choice, you may suffer rubbing, black toenails or, worse still, long-term injury which will allay any hopes of a successful season next year.FACTOR 1: COMFORT
A running shoe should feel comfortable the moment you try it on.....the running shoe should feel 'right'. If the shoes feel uncomfortable, you should reject them. It doesn't matter whether the particular brand/shoe is endorsed by Chrissie Wellington, Paula Radcliffe or Alistair Brownlee, they will not 'wear-in' and feel better.