Finding the Right Running Shoe

(KPRC/NBC News) Finding the proper running shoes to match your foot’s arch and your natural running gait can greatly improve comfort and help avoid injury.

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Oladapo Alade says reading the bottom tread of your current pair can help.

“Like when you read the tread on a tire, if a tire is wearing unevenly, that means there something going on with the alignment,” Alade says. “It’s the same thing with the foot and looking at the shoe.”

“If you’re someone who’s wearing out the lateral side of the shoe, the outer border of the shoe, that means you tend to be a higher arch individual and you’re wearing on your foot this way,” Alade explains.

You want a shoe that’s flexible on the inside so stiff arches are not pushing your feet more to the outside, and instead to a neutral position.

Neutral is always the goal. This straightforward running gait helps avoid injuries in your feet, knees and back.