Almost every sports store offers us a wide range of sneakers. They vary in manufacturer, cost, color, and functionality. But few people know how to choose sneakers. Therefore, the buyer often finds himself completely at a loss, not knowing what to buy. After all, if you thoughtlessly buy what you liked first, you can be very disappointed soon after the purchase.
To purchase truly high-quality sports shoes, you need to properly prepare for such a purchase by studying the basic criteria for making the right choice. Let's finally find out how to choose the right sneakers.
Features of choice
Sneakers are not walking shoes that can be chosen based only on the “like/dislike” parameter. Sneakers must firmly fix the ankle, withstand heavy loads, and the foot must be comfortable in them.
To choose really comfortable sneakers, it is better to do this in the evening. Not because after work there is more free time and you can leisurely explore the entire assortment, but because in the evening the leg naturally swells (from the day's load). It is better to choose sneakers that will be a little loose in the morning than those that will be tight and uncomfortable in the evening.
Visual inspection
You should start choosing sneakers by searching for a store. It is better if it is a specialized sports store, since the likelihood of purchasing high-quality shoes there and receiving competent advice is much higher. If you have chosen a store and even liked a pair of shoes, a visual assessment of the model you like is required. It is necessary to critically evaluate the quality of the product:
- Is there lacing?
- Are the lines even?
- Is the glue applied carefully?
- Is there a strong synthetic smell?
- Are the size and country of manufacture indicated?
- Is there a sticker with information about the material from which the outer, inner and sole are made?
If the answers to all these questions are yes, the model can be studied further. But if the answer to even one of the questions is “no,” you should think carefully: the shoes may be “handicraft” production. In this case, the quality of the product is questionable.
More detailed study
If the first inspection of the shoes was successful, you can go deeper. And in the literal sense: check if there is an instep support. It is highly desirable in sneakers because it protects the ankle from premature fatigue. The exception is sneakers for group anaerobic training in the gym.
It is very important that the insole is removable - this will allow you to maintain shoe hygiene. If your athletic shoes have an unpleasant odor, they should no longer be used, even if they are otherwise in excellent condition.
The soft edge of the sneaker around the ankle will help avoid chafing and other uncomfortable sensations.
Now you can study the material more carefully. Sneakers for outdoor activities, walking shoes and sports sneakers can be made of leather. And this will only be a plus for them. But sports shoes can also be made of synthetics. True, it will not be artificial leather, as a cheap replacement for natural materials - it will be high-tech synthetic sports materials, which are sometimes more expensive than leather. These materials “breathe”, providing air exchange inside the shoe. These are the materials that make the most comfortable sneakers. If you can’t check the quality of the material by eye, you can press your index finger on the toe area for 5 seconds. If the hole levels out almost immediately, the material deserves attention.
When choosing sneakers, you should pay attention to the sole. Deep lugging is the hallmark of a sneaker designed for outdoor activities. If the relief is not deep, but thick, these are sneakers for the gym. If there is practically no relief, this is a sign of ordinary walking shoes.
Which sneakers are better depends only on what purpose they are needed for. But it is important to remember that when buying sneakers for the street, you should give preference to models with reflectors - additional safety measures will not be superfluous.
Seller verification
If the shoes still raise any doubts, it is worth checking them practically. And it’s better to do this in the presence of a sales consultant - he will immediately (and often without realizing it) help you understand whether these are high-quality shoes.
Namely, the shoes need to be bent. In high-quality sports sneakers, the design is such that the sole does not bend along. This is a mandatory measure to prevent foot injuries. 
If, when trying to bend the shoes, fear or doubt appears on the seller’s face, then one of two things is happening: either he is afraid of everything, or the shoes are of poor quality, and as a result of such manipulations the sole will crack.
If the sneakers pass the longitudinal bend test, it’s time to bend them crosswise. The seller’s reaction can also say a lot here. In addition, you should pay attention to the place of the fold: it should not be in the center, but offset towards the fingers. In this case, the leg will be comfortable both when walking and when performing various exercises. And it is quite possible that these shoes will become the most comfortable sneakers.
How to distinguish women's sneakers from men's
Women's sports sneakers differ from men's not only in a more diverse color palette, but also in some other characteristics, such as:
- Narrower block.
- Softer cushioning.
- The heel has extra height to reduce the likelihood of Achilles tendon injury.
- The letter “W” in the model designation may indicate that the model is female (respectively, “M” is male).
Fitting
If the shoes have passed all the tests and seem comfortable, all that remains is to try them on. Why it is better to do this closer to the evening has already been said earlier. What else you need to know about fitting:
The seller will tell you how to choose the right size of sneakers, because only he knows whether the size chart meets generally accepted standards. And then - only by trial and personal feelings. If your feet are in comfortable sneakers that don't rub, don't press, and aren't too loose, this is the right size.
These are all basic rules for choosing good running shoes. Guided by them, it will not be difficult to choose sports shoes that will delight you with comfort and durability.
When buying shoes, especially sports shoes, it is important to decide on the size. How to choose the right sneaker size, how to measure your foot and what are the units of measurement?
With the spread of social networks, online shopping sites and the ability to pay for almost everything via the Internet, shopping for shoes, as well as for other items of clothing, has become less common. There is an increasing desire to buy online, but shoes are not as easy to choose without trying them on, like, for example, a T-shirt or accessories. Here you need to take into account many factors, one of the important ones is the size chart of each brand. All manufacturers may indicate sizes differently; even within the same company, sneaker lines will differ in terms of indicators. We will help you understand the features of sizing charts and tell you how best to choose sneakers.
How to choose your running shoe size
The key feature of sports sneakers is their shape, modifications and additional technologies for comfortable running, jumping or other activities. This is why sports shoes have their own separate size chart for almost all brands. For example, running shoes from Asics should be selected in centimeters, since this is the only correct designation that will exactly match the size of your feet. Please note that foot measurements should be taken after the load on the legs, as the length and width will be slightly larger. Thanks to this small point, the sneakers will not rub or squeeze during direct use. In addition to the size itself, it is worth considering that there are also differences in women's, men's and children's lines. Even if a girl sees attractive small men's sneakers, she shouldn't buy them. The width of the foot, the structure of the instep and changes in shape to suit the individual characteristics of the male leg will cause discomfort, and a person will no longer be able to fully devote himself to sports, feeling discomfort.
When buying running shoes, it is still recommended to come to the store and feel all the details of the shoe’s structure for yourself. In addition, it is important to understand how suitable the shock absorption, toe and heel structure are for you. If you decide to make a purchase online, we advise you to take your time, carefully measure your foot by standing on a piece of paper and tracing your foot with a pencil. Place a ruler from the farthest point of the big toe in the figure to the farthest point of the heel, round to an even value, for example, if the size is 25.7 cm, round it to 26 cm. In any case, it is recommended to always add about 5 mm to your size. When choosing sports shoes, be sure to take into account not only the blood flow to the foot, but also the thickness of the sock; this can lead to the fact that you will need to take shoes 1 or even 1.5 cm more than the original result. Compare the centimeters indicated on the box with your measurements, you should not rely on the European system, and we will tell you why.
Choose the size of sneakers based on the insole
Most often, this is how shoes are selected, but there is a certain feature that needs to be taken into account. Manufacturers reserve the right to change the size chart depending on the shoe model. For example, the same size of sports and casual sneakers may differ. Often European sizes (EUR) do not coincide with real ones. This happens because the unit of length of the European measure is calculated by the so-called shtich, which should be equal to 6.7 mm. This is a very long tradition, which not all companies currently observe, so you can find sneakers that have the same size in the EUR system, but differ in the British, American and Japanese systems. It is very convenient that the Japanese shoe measurement (JP) is indicated in centimeters; thanks to such knowledge, you can compare the length of the leg with this parameter indicated. After all, there are times when there are no adapted tables on store websites. Therefore, for Russian buyers, the only correct and understandable measurement is in centimeters.
Remember that when choosing, be sure to focus on the tables of exactly the series of sneakers and exactly the manufacturer that you have chosen. Never use your Nike running shoe size to purchase New Balance casual shoes. The sizes will definitely not match.
How to find out your sneaker size
We have already briefly described the simplest and most accurate method above. If you have known your size in the American or British measurement system for a long time, searching for shoes will become an easier task for you, but it is best to know the size in centimeters so that whenever possible you can check it in a specific table models. At the same time, always pay attention to such details as indicating the men's, women's, and children's line. There are also Unisex lines, in which the width of the foot is less important, so you can find sneakers for both genders. When choosing sports shoes, you should be more picky about all the parameters; you generally won’t find running shoes in the Unisex category.
By measuring your foot on the sheet and comparing it with the table of the line you like, you can easily buy shoes without trying them on in the store. But our advice is to still try to do this, because the time has not yet come when you can virtually try on shoes and immediately refuse delivery if the size does not fit. Until this is not possible, don't be lazy about spending time measuring, comparing, and reading specs when buying sneakers without trying them on. It is thanks to attentiveness that you can always have one or more perfectly fitting sneakers at home, which you didn’t have to take a step to purchase.
If during the long Ural winter you don’t like your sneakers or become too small, feel free to go buy new ones. Egor Medvedev, a former sales consultant in the sports shoes department at the Ray Multibrand store, told the site how to choose the right sneakers to be comfortable and stylish.
Which model to choose
All running shoes are divided into universal ones, for speed running, long running, rough terrain and for marathon.
- If you are choosing sneakers for everyday wear, then the best option is casual or running universal models.
- Very often, buyers are looking (since Soviet times) for leather running sneakers so that they do not wear out for a long time. Nowadays running shoes don't come in leather. They should be light - in a mesh.
- Almost everyone likes sneakers to be “soft,” that is, with cushioning. It is better not to wear very soft sneakers, especially for overweight people.
- If you have overpronated feet, then choose stiffer models. The rigidity does not allow the sneaker to bend too much, and the foot will be in the correct position.
- Sometimes girls with small feet buy children's sneakers because they are cheaper. This can be done, but it is worth remembering that modern technologies are not used in children's models.
- Pay attention to how the sneakers are made: glued or stitched. The glue may come off due to temperature changes. The best option is when the sneakers are glued and stitched at the same time or soldered.
Which brand to choose
- Don't buy the most expensive sneakers. Even well-known brands have standard inexpensive models for 3-4 thousand. For example, ASICS has this “Patriot” model.
- If you ask a consultant what the midsole is made of, they will often answer with the buzzword - polymers. Polymers are, roughly speaking, rubber. In essence, it is a dummy without technology. It is best when the midsole is made of gel (ASICS), gas (Nike), springs (Adidas), air and honeycomb (Puma).
- All brands have sneakers for every occasion. But besides this, each brand specializes in a specific sport. For running models, you should look for the brands ASICS, MIZUNO and Puma; football models are represented by the brands Nike and Adidas; Reebok are famous for their crossfit models.
How to choose your size
- If you are buying running or walking shoes, take half a size larger than yours. Under heavy loads (for example, running on rough terrain), the foot moves very much, so you can take sneakers 1 cm larger (one cm is approximately equal to one size in men's sizing and about half a size in women's sizing). The main thing is that the sneakers fit the ankle.
- It is worth considering that ASICS sneakers do not always match in size, as a rule, they are one size smaller, so buy these sneakers only after trying them on.
- It is most convenient to focus on the Japanese size range. There the size is in centimeters - there is a better chance that you will not be mistaken. You can measure your foot in advance at home or in a store - any shoe store should have a centimeter.
How to try on correctly
- You should not try on several models of sneakers at the same time: one on your left foot, another on your right. You still won't feel the difference. It is better to try on one pair on both feet, and then the other pair.
- Be sure to walk around, jump in sneakers, if the store has treadmills, run. While you're in the store, you can do whatever you want in your sneakers.