When we go shopping for sneakers, we get carried away by the colour and the texture of the shoe, while we should actually be checking out if it keeps the foot safe. Here are a few things you should keep in mind while buying running shoes:

Match your foot shape to your shoe
If you have very low arches or flat feet, you need to find a straight shoe. If your arch is of medium height you will need a semi-curved shoe. If you have a high arch you will need a curved shoe. A shoe that is too curved will rub on your small toe causing blisters, calluses, or corns. A shoe that is too straight will affect the big toe in the same way.

Replace your shoes twice a year
Experts say that running shoes must be replaced every six months. “This is because exercise causes a lot of wear and tear in the shoe and they don’t remain as strong after six months of exercising,” says fitness expert Leena Mogre.

Measure both feet
Have both feet measured for running shoes to insure that your feet are the same size. If your feet do vary in size, one slightly larger than the other, try to allow enough room for the larger foot (about a thumb’s width) without allowing too much space in the smaller foot’s shoe.

Stand up when measuring your shoe size
Always have your foot measured for running shoes standing up, with your knees slightly bent. Your foot flattens out a little bit when it is under the load of your body weight and becomes slightly bigger. Your running shoe size is likely to be up to a size or two bigger than what you think your street shoe size is.

... contd.