With Brian Michasiw of Brainsport

“With over three decades of shoe fitting, here are the 3 most important things I can share about running shoes:

1) Break In Period.  Today’s running shoes are built to be comfortable as soon as you put them on. If you’re trying on shoes that feel heavy, stiff, clunky or not just right they likely are the wrong shoes for you. The right pair of shoes will feel comfortable as soon as you put them on: light weight, cushioned, and balanced. If you’re not finding a pair that feels great, don’t settle. There is an incredibly diverse amount of running shoes on the market, so keep trying until you find a pair you love.

2) Level. Your feet should feel balanced and level. If you feel your arches “tipping in” or “pushed out”, then the support is wrong for you. Running shoes have varying levels of arch support. Too much support will restrict your foot and give the feeling your tipped out. Too little support may feel like your foot is caving in and give the tipped in feeling. The proper pair will feel balanced and level.

3) Size. Running shoes should have ample  toe room, but secure from the ball of the foot to the heel. Your feet will splay out over time and it’s not uncommon to go up in size. Running shoes won’t break in, so they need to feel like they fit the second you put them on”

For a professional shoe fitting stop by Brainsport. Bring in your current shoes so we can see the wear pattern, the socks you plan on wearing in them. If you wear orthotics, it’s critical you bring them with you. My staff would be delighted to fit you.

-Brian Michasiw