Experts Chime In On Shoes

DEWITT (Tuesday, March 21, 2006) - After last week's column on choosing running shoes, several people responded with their thoughts, opinions and additional facts. Today's column will amend and enhance previous information.

This column can't meet everyone's needs, but it can provide guidance and basic information when buying running shoes.

Ed Griffin, owner of the Fleet Feet store in DeWitt, wrote in to discuss many of the points raised in last week's column.

Last week's column mentioned pronation, how much natural rolling your foot does when your feet hit the ground. Though online sources claim the majority of runners are neutral pronators, Ed says the number is much lower. His information from the industry shows that 60 percent of all runners display some degree of over pronation.

"Arch type does not indicate the need for a shoe, one way or the other," he said. "We see people every day that have flat feet that are neutral, and those with high arches that are moderate to heavy over pronators. Arch elongation is the key - how much the arch stretches with down force. The magazines and Internet sites all say arch type is the key to determining what type of shoe you need because they have no other way of doing it. We see people every day that have gotten the wrong shoe or worse yet, got injured due to this mistake."

Ed noted that the number of miles a runner gets from running shoes is more on the lower end of last week's column's stated range of 400 to 600 miles. He says mileage is "dependent on so many factors it will make your head swim."

He says the key factors are whether your function is correct (pronators will wear out shoes more quickly), your weight (heavier runners will get less mileage), and the running surface (roads and pavement wear out shoes more quickly than running trails, tracks and treadmills). If your shoes aren't fitted properly, the life of the shoe is cut. Also, the way you strike the ground plays a role in the length of time a shoe is good. Those who are heavy strikers will obviously get less mileage than those who tread more lightly.

Whether to buy and use insoles is a hot topic. There are more and more products on the market to add to your running shoes.

"If a new insole is put in the shoe about half through two-thirds of the life of the shoe, it will freshen up, and sometimes stretch the life of the shoe," Ed said. "If orthotics are used (generally dispensed by podiatrists), this does not apply. It is true of middle to light runners wearing neutral type footwear."

By having a treadmill in the store, runners can test the shoes. In addition, staff videotapes the runner in the shoes to ensure proper fit. The degree of pronation is analyzed, and they determine whether the shoe appears to meet the wearer's needs.

Ed wanted readers to know Fleet Feet has a "very flexible return policy, and take each situation case by case. If someone is unhappy, we will take back a shoe, even if it has been worn outside. We are aware of those who abuse this from the store's tracking of individual sales."

Dick's Sporting Goods will take back shoes within 90 days with a receipt, even if the shoes are worn. The Sports Authority will take back shoes within 30 days with the receipt and the box, whether worn or not. Most stores will take back shoes when there is a manufacturer's defect such as a torn seam or break in the leather. Be familiar with your store's policy before purchase.

View all Fleet Feet Sports Press Releases

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