Are all the shoes really that different?

Yes! Each shoe within a brand is usually made for an entirely different runner. Chances are that only one shoe (maybe 2) from a given brand will match you and your needs. However, that means 1 or 2 shoes from nearly every brand should match you. Now you just have to decide which of those matches you like best! Our job is to find out which shoes match you-see our ‘Selecting Shoes’ page for more on this. Your foot strike (degree of pronation), weight, and arch height are the main factors in determining which shoes match up to you. Your job is to decide which of the shoes that match up to you are the most comfortable. Knowing that only 1 or 2 of the shoes a particular brand makes will work for you, you can see how easy it is to get the wrong shoe!—and getting the wrong shoe can shorten your life span, cause severe mental defects, and hurt your relationships with others. Well, maybe not quite that bad, but it can make your run miserable!

How do I break in my new shoes once I get them home?

We suggest wearing them around the house for about an hour or two at a time. Pay attention to the fit in the evening, as you should have about a thumb’s width between your toe and the end of the shoe (while standing) when your feet are at their biggest. Your feet will need to adjust to a new pair of shoes. Plan on taking them for a short jog on a treadmill or other clean surface to make sure they are going to work for you.

How long should my shoes last?

A pair of running shoes generally lasts between 300 and 500 miles depending on the shoe and how hard a person is on them. For the average runner (20 miles a week), one pair of shoes is plenty. If you are above average, read on! Because your shoes are made of a glorified sponge, after a run of 5 or more miles, they take somewhere around 48 hours to regenerate their cushioning properties. This means that people running over 30 miles a week should definitely rotate 2 pairs of shoes. Not only will this take pressure off your feet and legs and prevent injury, it will make your shoes last much longer! This is a trick that many good runners use. We recommend hitting the dirt or grass twice a week so having a pair of trail shoes to rotate with your road shoes is a great combo.