With running season right around the corner, we have a lot of patients coming in to the office with questions about what type of running shoe to buy. Nike? New Balance? Vibram Five Fingers? Saucony? Reebok Crossfit Nano? Minimalist? Neutral Foot? Stabilization? With so many options out there, we understand why this can be such a daunting task. Here is our list of the top three things to look for. Grasp the front of the shoe with one hand and the back of the shoe with the other hand. Bend the shoe and see where it folds at. A shoe should have a crease where the base of the big toe would be at. This is important because your foot pivots at this point and if your shoe is not bending at this point, it can lead to foot problems. You want to avoid a shoe that you can fold in half like a taco. The second tip is to take both shoes and match up the heels side to side. Compare each heel to each other. Do they look the same? Is the heel angled or straight across? Many people may not realize that left and right shoes are not always made in the same factory! It is important to have heels that match and that are straight across without any angle to them. The last tip when purchasing a new shoe is to feel inside of the shoe. Many manufacturers fabricate a wedge on the back inside of the shoe to compensate for people who have flat feet or are prone to over pronation. While this may sound like a good idea, it actually can lead to knee pain. Instead you want a support in the arch of your foot. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact our office. We would be more than happy to help you with the purchase of your new shoes and offer a full line of custom fit orthotics for all types of shoes. Happy Running Season!
Last Updated on October 11, 2025 by Chiropractor Dr. Jason Ingham DC, CCSP