Stop Wasting Money on Running Shoes That Don’t Work. Use a Podiatrist’s 3-Point Checklist for Finding Your Perfect Pair
Running is a tough experience, made only more uncomfortable when sporting a pair of shoes unfit for the miles ahead. When you first get into running, figuring out how to pick the right pair of running shoes can feel overwhelming and difficult to understand. From Hoka and Nike to adidas and New Balance, there are countless brands offering different shoes for various foot shapes, running styles, and more. So how do you find the best running shoes for you without wasting money on a flop pair?
I recently attended a webinar on recovery during marathon training with Bobby Pourziaee, DPM , a board-certified podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon, who shared exactly what runners should look for when shopping for shoes. According to Pourziaee, the most important question to ask is: How does it fit? Picking the right running shoe is highly individual, but he pointed to three key things to pay attention to when making your choice.
3 Things to Pay Attention to When Choosing a Running Shoe
Heel
"You want to make sure that the heel of your foot doesn't slip around," Pourziaee said. "You want to have a nice snug fit on the heel. When the heel moves around too much, that's when you're prone to developing tendonitis and other issues, so make sure you have a nice firm fit on the heel."
Toe
Having enough room for your toes is important because if the toe box is too tight, it puts excessive pressure on your toes. Over time, this contributes to blisters, corns, and a whole host of other issues, including irritation around the nerves in your feet. Your toes should have enough room to move comfortably without feeling squeezed.
Arch
Your running shoes should also work with the shape of your arches. If you have higher arches, for example, you may benefit from well-cushioned, more neutral shoes to provide support in that area.
"Going on a longer run, you want the shoe to be slightly lighter, but make sure that you have enough material there to give you support in your arch," he explained.
Expert
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Bobby Pourziaee, DPM , a board-certified podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Sep 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the Fitness section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
