Buying new running shoes is a minefield. So PowerKnapp and I will be reviewing the 'best' trainers around, so you can buy your next pair of shoes with confidence.
(Plus I get to try out some awesome new shoes whilst I do!)
Whether you are just starting out on your running adventure, or you've been doing it for decades, you'll know running shoes are an essential to the running kit. Whether the shoes need to be minimalist, supportive or all about speed, there's a shoe for everyone - except for the hardcore barefooters perhaps!
There are now easily over 30 brands that have specialist running shoes on the market, and each will be selling their own line of trainers - all with different stats in an attempt to dominate the market by appealing to the latest running trends, and clawing at the increasingly competitive arena of running shoes. Together, there is an excess of 500 different, decent-tier, running-specific running shoe options to choose from.
With the ever improving material technology and innovation, driven by our evolving understanding of running biomechanics, the market is a minefield when attempting to find your perfect shoe. To make matters worse, it can be very hard to know where to go to get informative, unbiased advice to help you decide.
Shopping online is often (but not necessarily always) cheaper and offers a huge range of options, but it can lack detailed information, experience and critique. Going into your local shop is great as they will likely have decent knowledge on the products, but a physical store does tend to have a limited range of options and, depending on the store, they might just regurgitate marketing BS (although, online shopping is also very guilty of this) and pushing a sale maybe more of a prioirity than recommending the best shoes available to you.
Lots of people ask, "what's the best shoe?" It's a good question! But, alas, it's never a straight forward one. It all comes down to what you want out of the shoes and the budget you're willing to spend. Plus everyone has different foot shapes, including asymtrical sizes which only complicates the issue further (which is why going to a store to try them is useful).
There is no one "best" shoe, but there will be your match made in shoe heaven out there somewhere, and PowerKnapp will endeavor to help make the running shoe search easier!
I personally love a good running shoe - I'm currently the proud owner of about 13 as it stands! I've worked in two running specialist shops and picked up a vast wealth of knowledge on the variety of brands and shoes on the market, including the ideas and concepts behind the technology those brands advertise. I want to put this knowledge to good use. Hence, I'm starting a new blog series, talking about the latest running shoes.
I will go over the stats and major components of each shoe. We'll talk durability, offset, stack heights, stability, surfaces and cushioning. And, for those who are hunting for their next shoe, I will also provide a list of shoes that are similar to keep an open mind - or maybe so you can easily transition from your current shoe to try something new! But, be warned, the blog is no replacement for getting in person advise, in a store or from the likes of a physcial therapist etc.
When it comes to actually buying the shoes, my advise is to always try out a physical store first - and to go with an open mind. You get to support a local store and may even discover your new go-to running shoe! Even if you don't find the right shoe there and then, it's a good experience to help you decide your next move - whether you need to find another store and get a second opinion, or you just need more options to choose from. And that's when online can be handy!
***DO NOT JUST GO TO A SHOP WITH NO INTENTION OF BUYING ANYTHING, ASK FOR HELP AND THEN GO ONLINE TO BUY THE SHOES. THAT'S JUST BEING SH*TTY ***
Sorry. Rant over. Where were we...
If there are shoes that you'd like me to review/try out and dig up some key details for, send us a message at info@powerknapp.co.uk or any of our social media channels and we'll see what we can do!
I've very excited for this! Watch this space for our first batch of shoes we've already tried at the local Runners Need - Port Solent store!
Stay tuned!
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