The most important piece of equipment any runner needs is a good and trusty pair of shoes. Choosing the right pair of shoes is essential to maximizing your running experience and preventing any untoward injuries resulting from the wrong choice of foot gear.

Good shoes will give good traction to help your feet grip the ground firmly. They allow for good balance to help you concentrate on plowing forward and not wobbling and slipping. And since we are mentioning slipping, good traction is essential to avoid slips and tumbles – the cause of many a sprain and injury. When choosing a shoe, check its traction and ask if the shoe holds well even on wet surfaces. You may test it for a few minutes to get a feel for its grip before purchasing it.

Your shoes will also have to be durable. Running shoes are some of the most punished shoes around. So it isn’t a surprise to see that running shoes are designed with durability in mind. You take about two steps per second when you run – that’s one step per foot. When you run for about 15 minutes, each shoe will have taken about 900 cycles of punishment. It’s even more if you run a lot harder and a lot longer. Your shoe will have to absorb that much punishment. So it is imperative that your shoe be durable and made of strong material. When choosing a shoe, check its materials. Look for any design flaws that allow for easy breaking or wearing out of any parts.

Choose shoes that are comfortable. As said earlier, the shoes will take a constant pounding every time you run. However, it is not only your shoes that will take a pounding. Your feet will take a share in punishment too. When choosing shoes, make sure that they are very comfortable. The shoes you choose do not have to be very foamy. This type of shoe carries a greater risk because the structure comprises balance. Go for designs that absorb a lot of shock. They should be soft but firm. Try running with them while choosing. If you feel a slight jar in any part of your feet, especially on the balls and the heel, you may want to look further. Sometimes, bad shoes will cause a jarring sensation in your skull when you are running, avoid these as well.