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Running shoes when not chosen correctly can result in many medical problems as well as putting an end to your running career. This is especially true when you buy online sports shoes for mens or for women. The type of shoe you choose for your running workout for fun or as a career choice should be based on the type of running shoes available in the market. The choice of girls sport shoes online will throw up so many varieties that one tends to be more confused than sure about the shoe.
Make sure that you check the following when buying shoes online:
- Shoe upper: They come in a variety of materials from leather to synthetic and have different purposes. The leather upper is durable and lighter material but is less breathable and takes a long time to dry when wet. Whereas nylon mesh or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) uppers are breathable as well being abrasion resistant. Waterproof uppers are good for the places where it rains a lot but be prepared to have a trade-off with breathability.
- Midsole: This part is the cushion between the upper and the outsole and is made up of:
- EVA or ethylene vinyl acetate which is a kind of foam most commonly used in running shoes for stability and cushioning. Many manufacturers add multiple layers and densities of EVA to create a flex pattern.
- Plates are thin flexible parts added to stiffen the forefoot of the sports shoe. They protect the bottom of the foot especially on rough off road surfaces.
- Shanks are used to protect the heel and arch and they boost the shoe’s firmness.
- TPU is used in some sports shoes for the midsoles to act as a stabilisation item.
- Outsole: This part is made of carbon rubber to withstand all wear and tear from the ground. Blown rubber is used at times especially for road running shoes to reduce the weight and provide more cushioning.
- Heel to toe drop: This lets one know the difference between the height of the heel and the height of the toe. This drop ratio affects how your foot will strike the ground when you land and is crucial to understand as per your individual gait style. A low or medium drop ratio will help your forefoot strike the ground first whereas a higher drop ratio will make the heels hit the ground first. Choose the shoe which suits your style of running as a wrongly chosen shoe will start making you uncomfortable very soon.
- Heel counter: This is the rigid portion around the heel area of the shoe that provides motion control and adds support and cushioning to the heel. A high density heel counter when used can help runners who have Achilles tendonitis.
- Torsion bar: This is the part of the shoe on the sides that controls excessive outward or inward motion of the feet inside your shoe. They should be made up of rigid material that do not scrap against your skin or make you uncomfortable.
Remember to try the shoe towards the end of the day as your feet swell a bit during the day and are at their largest size.
