Sole-ful Advice
![Sole-ful Advice](https://lehighvalleymarketplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/hhl-soleful-advice-1110x600.jpg)
Origins of competitive running evolved out of religious festivals in Eastern Europe and Africa with the first recorded games tracing back to 776 BC. Since then, the cost of a good pair of athletic shoes has gone up! Whether you like to walk over your lunch break or you’re preparing for your next 26.2 mile competition, consider the following 9 quick tips before you purchase.
1 Make sure your foot has room in the toe box. A poorly fitted shoe will cause blisters and chronic problems long term.
2 Your toes should be able to wiggle, so allow one-half inch between the end of your longest toe and the end of the shoe.
3 Your foot size will increase over the course of a day, so get fitted on your way home from work or later in the afternoon after running errands on a Saturday.
4 Cotton socks cause blisters because they hold moisture. Consider using socks made with synthetic fibers.
5 A walker’s foot lands heel first, so look for a supportive heel that rounds inward. Shoes with thicker heels slow down forward motion and increase the occurrence of shin splints.
6 If you’re walking or running longer distances, buy a half size larger to compensate for foot swelling.
7 Breathability makes a difference with comfort. Shoes made with mesh, for example, allow to flow through the material providing a cooling effect that reduces moisture.
8 For most of us, our feet are different sizes. Have both of your feet measured standing up and always go with the size that fits your larger foot.
9 Don’t overlook style. The happier you are with how your shoes look, the more often you’ll use them.