Make Sure You Get The Right Running Shoes

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Now that summer is in full swing, you can spend your weekends outside. You can take a nice walk or a nice run. For this, though, you'll need the right pair of shoes.

From Consumer Reports magazine, here are some tips for buying the right pair of running shoes:

Know your gait.
If your feet require some corrective measures, you'll want to pick the shoe that is right for you. Runners whose feet pronate (roll inward) take a very different shoe from those who don't. For feet that pronate, a stabilizing or motion-control shoe may take care of the problem. For runners whose feet don't pronate enough, a cushioning shoe may be the best choice. One way to make this determination easier is to analyze any well-worn pair of running shoes you might have. A knowledgeable salesperson can use these old shoes to figure out your gait.

Get help from an expert.
If you go to a shoe store that specializes in running shoes, you'll probably pay more than if you go to a department store or a generic shoe store. But the experts on hand will likely provide advice that will be well worth the higher price.

Try the shoes out.
You never know exactly how the shoes feel unless you try them. Take a test jog around the store, or ask if you can run with them outside. An even better idea is to buy the shoes and go for a run on a tread mill. Ask if you can return them the next day if they don't feel right. You'll know for sure after that first brief run how they feel.

By Marshall Loeb