Is It Better To Have Loose Or Tight Shoes
This is a blog post on how tight running shoes should be. Running can be tough on the body and your feet, so its important to have the right support for your needs. If youre not sure of what size shoe you need or if you like tighter or looser shoes, this blog post will help answer those questions and more! Lets talk about why some people prefer tight running shoes and how they work.
Running shoes are important for your feets health. To prevent injury, it is helpful to know the right size of shoe to buy and how tight they should be on your foot. Do you need a tight or loose fit? Here are some things to consider before buying your next pair of running shoes.Looser: If you have a high arch or wide feet, then looser would probably work better for you as it will give more space in the shoe and allow more movement from your toes. Loose fitting also helps with breathability so that less moisture is created inside the shoe which can lead to fungal infections such as athletes foot.
How Often Do Runners Wear The Wrong Size Shoeand Why
About three-fourths of the people Grays lab tests are wearing the wrong size shoe, mostly too smallby anywhere from a half-size to two sizes. Bowersock, too, frequently sees new customers wearing ill-fitting kicks. Either theyve become accustomed to the improper size or theyve been uncomfortable for a while and never could really identify the source of the issue, she says.
Its not that runners are dim or masochisticjust that sizing is confusing. Shoes work more like running apparel than bras theres no standard guideline for what sizing numbers mean, Gray says. So a size 10 in a Brooks Adrenaline GTS could be very different from a size 10 Nike Pegasus. Whats worse, running shoe sizes arent even always consistent within brands, meaning one model fits differently than another even if they come in the same kind of box.
Sizes can shift, too, when a company releases a new version of shoe. Sometimes it doesn’t fit the same because the material changes or how they did the construction of the forefoot changesand every time they change the forefoot, you can change the length of the shoe, Vincent says.
In some cases, shoes in wider widthsmarked with letter from D onward for women, or E onward for menhave the same size midsole but merely add extra fabric. However, other companies add extra room to the footbed to accommodate feet that are thicker front to back, Vincent says.
Do You Need Special Shoes For Basketball
Absolutely! Basketball is incredibly rough on the feet because it requires intense sprinting and the ability to quickly change directions on the court.
Investing in a quality pair of basketball shoes will help protect your feet from injury. Youll also perform better in basketball shoes than you would in regular running shoes.
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Should Vans Be Tight Or Loose
Tie them up as normal unless youre breaking in a pair of our Slip-Ons of course but dont lace them up too tight! The idea is to stretch the shoe out slightly for a more comfortable and personal fit to you. Wear your Vans around the house when youre in an hour or two each evening is perfect.
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Visiting A Running Shoe Store
If you plan to visit your local running shoe store, there are some things to plan out ahead of time. If you wear any type of insert in your shoes bring them with you. The store employee will want to see them.
Also, you should wear comfortable clothing and the type of socks you would run in. Many running stores either have a treadmill or are adjacent to a running path. This enables a person to try the shoes out.
Many shoe specialists will actually make a video of you running and do a gait analysis to help you find the perfect shoe for your feet.
The key to buying new running shoes is to be sure you are paying attention. If they arent comfortable when you try them on they wont get more comfortable! Dont buy the cute or pretty shoes buy the ones that fit!
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Will My Running Shoes Loosen Over Time
Whilst running shoes wont necessarily loosen, they usually will fall victim to a lot of general wear and tear.
As you complete mile after mile, the overall material of running shoes can become worn down. Although you might only be worried about the appearance of your running shoes, its important to remember that, at this point, they will not give much support or allow you to give your best performance. According to Asics, running shoes should be changed anywhere between 450 to 550 miles.
Should Running Shoes Fit Tight
A properly fitting running shoe should feel snug in the heel and midfoot, with wiggle room around the toes. While standing, check for proper length and width by pressing your thumb down next to the ball of your foot and around the toes. A good fit should allow for half to a full thumbs width of space.
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Myths And Facts About Running Shoes
Lets look at some other common myths about running shoes. Better yet, lets look at the facts so we can learn the truth.
1. MYTH: Running shoes need to be broken in.
FACT: Running shoes should feel comfortable right away. If your shoes dont feel right as soon as you put them on, pick a different pair.
2. MYTH: Sneakers need to be replaced every six months.
FACT: Sneakers need to be replaced when they need to be replaced. Generally, shoes need to be replaced after three hundred miles. If only shoes had an odometer! If you dont want to be the man who walks a thousand miles to fall down at your door, you need to check the wear on your sneakers. Look at the spaces between the grooves on the sole. Do you see the cushioning foam poking through? If the tread is worn thin, its time for new shoes.
3. MYTH: Width is the same as volume.
FACT: People who believe this need to go back to junior high and pay attention in geometry class this time. Volume is the measurement of the space inside the shoes. It is a combination of width times length times depth. Width is the distance from one side of the shoe to another, generally measured across the ball of the foot where it is widest.
4. MYTH: Any store that sells shoes will do.
How Do I Know If My Running Shoes Are Too Big
When Should You Really Replace Your Running Shoes?
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If My Running Shoes Are Too Big Can I Make Them Smaller
If you have gone to the trouble of purchasing a larger pair of running shoes only to realise that theyre too big, you may feel uneasy about paying even more money for another pair.
Always bear in mind that if youre running shoes feel too big whilst you are not exercising, that does not necessarily mean that they will be oversized once youve started running and your feet naturally swell in size.
However, if your shoes are too big, the ideal thing to do might be to suck it up and buy another pair of running shoes. In the meantime, there are a few small changes you can make to your current pair to allow them to fit as best as possible. Examples include: I
- Investing in insoles
- Proactively using tape on your heels to avoid any potential blisters.
Get Fitted For Running Shoes At A Specialist Running Shoe Store
It may be tempting to snag your new pair of running shoes online, but if youre new to running or buying a new brand or model, its best to get fitted in a specialist store.
Make sure you take a pair of running socks along with you. The amount of cushioning will affect the fit so wear the socks you normally run in.
Most specialist running stores will use a Brannock Device to measure your feet. It measures length and width. Your foot size will change as you get older, , so its best to get measured regularly.
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How Much Room Should Be At The Front Of A Running Shoe
Wiggle Room – You should have about a thumb’s width of room between the end of your longest toe and the front of the shoe. Hold It – Look for a secure, comfortable fit through the midfoot. Imagine a hand gently holding your foot in place. The Heel Deal – There should be little or no slipping at the heel.
How To Find A Running Shoe That Fits
Conventional wisdom holds that your running shoes should be about a size bigger than your dress or casual size. Theres a grain of truth to thatincreased blood flow and swelling during and after exercise do make your feet expand, so your running shoes tend to be larger. However, because of sizing variations in all types of shoes, there are too many variables to know exactly how the numbers will align, says Kevin Vincent, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor at the University of Florida and director of the UF Running Medicine Clinic.
So, start with some hard data: If you havent had your feet measured since your parents dragged you for school shoes, go for a fitting. The length and width of your feet change because of factors like aging, injuries, and pregnancy.
The size you wore when youre 18 might not be the same size you wear when youre 42, just like youre probably not wearing the same size pants, Gray says. And thats okay. But we need to get those measurements to know how to change it. In fact, he recommends getting measured once a year.
Ideally, youd have this done at a local running-shoe store. People whove bought their shoes from a brick-and-mortar establishment seem less prone to poor fit than those who shop online, Gray says.
Ideally, a salesperson will bring you several different options. To assess size and fit as you try them on:
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Check The Pressure On The Sides Of Your Feet
The width of your shoe is equally as important as the length when it comes to a proper running shoe fit. People have a variety of foot shape and width,and often havewider or narrower feet than some of the standard shoe sizes. With both narrow and wide shoes available at ASICS online and in-store, you can find the perfect fit for your foot.
High Top Basketball Shoes Vs Low Top Basketball Shoes
Ahhh, now we get into the great debate of whether to go with high top or low top basketball shoes. During my playing days, I endured several ankle injuries so my coaches always pleaded with me to wear high tops. If youve ever rolled an ankle while on the court, you know how painful it can be!
The old-school thinking was that high top shoes provided more ankle support than low tops, making it less likely that youll suffer from a rolled ankle. However, after several recent studies, we have learned that high tops dont protect the ankle any better than low tops.
With this new knowledge, what type of basketball shoe should you buy?
Post Players
Big men who are power forwards or centers usually prefer a high top basketball shoe. The big boys down low on the block dont rely on speed as much as the guards do so they can get away with a heavier shoe. Post players typically like high tops since they tend to have to deal with more contact when going up for rebounds.
Guards
Most guards opt for a low top shoe since they need the lightest weight possible to play at top speed. Low tops enable guards to have a greater amount of traction and change directions quickly. Any player who relies on agility as part of their game should choose a low top.
Wing Players
For small forwards or wing players, it may be best to opt for a pair of mid-top basketball sneakers. The mid-tops will provide a decent level of stability but wont be as heavy as high tops.
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How Tight Should Running Shoes Be Tying Up Loose Ends
Competitive runners and hobbyists alike rely on their shoes. They are critically important training tools. They protect the feet and legs from wear and tear, and are the physical platform on which our bodys performance is built. We are all so used to wearing shoes for everything we do that we might not think about how we wear our shoes. Lace them up and go, right?
In running especially, the fit of your shoes can impact their performance. And if it impacts the shoes performance, it can impact your performance, too.
How to properly size and lace shoes is not always something we think about. Runners like to think about stride pattern, cushioning, and style. But how can shoes with the right fit help you with your fitness goals?
Check Your Fit In A Standing Position Then Walk And Run In The Shoes
Put on the shoes and tap each heel to the floor to ensure your foot is positioned properly inside the shoe. Then, stand up.
With a proper fit, you should have about a thumbnail’s width between your longest toes and the end of the shoes when you stand with all of your weight distributed evenly between both feet. You shouldnt feel any pinching or rubbing on your toes, heels or ankles. The shoes should feel comfortable.
- Toe fit: Check the length and width. If the shoe is too narrow, youll feel your pinky toe, or maybe a bunion rubbing against the side of the shoe. If the shoe length is too long, you may have bunched up fabric above the laces or slippage in the heel when you walk or run. The right pair of shoes will give you a bit of wiggle room in the toe box without feeling sloshy.
- Midfoot fit: The shoe should have a snug fit in the midfoot, but without any pressure on the top of your foot. If you do feel pressure, this may be mitigated by changing the way you lace your shoe. If changing the lacing doesnt help, try a different shoe.
- Heel fit: This is where you dont want extra room. A snug heel fit is important so that your heel doesnt slip around in the shoe. A shifting heel is annoying at best and causes blisters at worst. Lacing the extra eyelets closest to your ankle can often help snug up a loose heel. If the shoe continues to slip, try another one.
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Can Running Shoes That Are Too Big Cause Problems
Shoes for running that are too big or are not supportive enough cause the muscles at the bottom of the foot to tighten with every step. The muscles respond in this manner as they try to keep the shoe from sliding or slipping off. In severe cases, the bottom of the feet begin to tighten and the heels become inflamed.
How Should Running Shoes Fit Find The Best Running Shoes For Your Feet
A lot of the running niggles and problems that we hear about in the shop are down to the fit of the customers running shoes. Running shoes in general, from major high street brands in particular, started to take on a common shape and form and many people bought what they considered normal.
A Quick History Lesson
For example, it seemed normal for all shoes to have a pointy toe box and yet feet arent pointy and this shape squashes the toes into a small space and doesnt allow them to function. This shape didnt come about because it was the ideal shape for our feet, in fact in one point in history a pointed toe shoe would fit into a stirrup, which is better for riding horses. Plus if you had pointed shoes then you must have been well to do! The same is true to some extent with the heel on shoes. Neither of these two developments was added to footwear to improve the comfort of the shoes or to suit the anatomical shape of the foot.
Over time this pointed toe box and higher heel has become the norm across all shoes, including running, and anything that strays too far away from this was considered strange. If you have worn shoes of this shape since you started to walk, like most western kids, then your feet wont have developed much strength. This if why in the west we have a lot of foot related problems that dont exist in barefoot nations.
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Should My Running Shoes Be Big Or Small
When it comes to purchasing new running shoes, its usually a great idea to get your feet measured first. Many experts recommend picking a running shoe that is available half a size up from your standard shoe size.
There are lots of different ways you can do this, and there are plenty of websites, apps and guides out there that can help you find the ideal pair of running shoes.
However, whilst apps and quick how-to guides might give you enough information to figure out the size of shoe you want, its always good to get a second opinion from a professional. Experts in places such as running shops will help measure your feet by looking at the specific shape of your foot and will then be able to offer you suggestions.
