The BEST shoe is one that fits your foot and meets your distinct fitness needs.

Decide what types of exercise you are going to be doing in the shoe- if you are going to be participating in a specific exercise 3-5 times a week buy a shoe made for that exercise

Keep in mind your running style, your biomechanical needs, and type of terrain you will be on most.

Be prepared to spend between $50-$120 for a quality pair of shoes- the amount of technology built into the shoe determines the price

Choose a sports store that has sales personnel that have up-to-date knowledge of exercise shoes

Buy a training shoe, not a racing shoe

Try on both shoes, fit to the largest foot.

Try on shoes after a workout or run. Your feet will be at their largest. The shoes should be immediately comfortable. There is NO BREAK-IN period. There should be a firm grip on the heel without any slippage as you walk or run

Wear the socks you will be exercising in to try on the shoes- try on both shoes and walk around in them-be sure they are properly fit to your shape of foot and are comfortable when you move in them- the toe should be roomy enough to wiggle your toes and there should be ½ inch from the end of the longest toe to the end of the shoe.

KNOW YOUR FOOT TYPE
FLAT LOW ARCH LANDS ON OUTSIDE OF THE HEEL ROLLS INWARD TOO MUCH BEST SHOE: MOTION CONTROL/STABILITY FIRM INSOLES STAY AWAY FROM CUSHIONED STRAIGHT LAST	NORMAL NORMAL ARCH LANDS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE HEEL ROLLS INWARD SLIGHTLY TO ABSORB SHOCK BEST SHOE: STABILITY/MODERATE CONTROL SEMICURVED LAST	HIGH-ARCHED HIGH ARCH FOOT DOES NOT ROLL ENOUGH DOES NOT ABSORB SHOCK WELL BEST SHOE: CUSHIONED FLEXIBLE TO ENCOURAGE MOTION STAY AWAY FROM STABILITY CURVE LAST

Inspect shoe for quality control. Look for these things:

• Check to see that the heel cup is perpendicular to the sole of the shoe
• Pull on the upper part of the shoe and see if it separates from the sole- IT SHOULD NOT
• Feel seams inside as to whether they are uniform and stitched well
• Loose threads or extra glue spots are signs of a poorly constructed shoe
• Replace your shoes every 500-700 miles to protect you from injury.
  • The shoe's ability to protect you decreases even if there is no significant visible sign of wear
• A removable insole sockliner for cleaning/replacement or to accommodate orthotics-
  • Remove insole to put in orthotics
• Front of shoe should be flexible
• Heel cup should be inflexible