"I run every day. It's like medicine." - Jennifer Carpenter

You have decided to improve your health and physique through regular running, but you're concerned that over time, you might lose motivation and the initial enthusiasm will fade away? Or are you struggling with your current poor fitness condition? Don't worry, hang in there. What seems like a challenging workout today will become your warm-up one day. In any case, before you step onto the starting line, ensure you have quality running shoes that motivate you to put them on again and again. :-)

Wondering how good running shoes should look? Read these 4 basic tips to know how to choose running shoes:

1. Size: When buying running shoes, get footwear approximately 1 size larger than your foot size. Feet, especially toes, swell slightly during running due to impacts on landing and cushioning when running downhill. The extra centimeter comes in handy to prevent toes from hitting the shoe's tip, avoiding nail discoloration. To choose your running shoes correctly, focus on determining the Mondopoint value.

How to measure Mondopoint?
- Place a sheet of paper on the floor against a wall or another vertical surface.
- Stand barefoot on the paper, ensuring the heel touches the wall/edge.
- Mark where your foot ends with a pen or pencil.
- Measure the distance from the edge of the paper to the mark. The result is your Mondopoint. :-)

2. Terrain Preference: What type of terrain do you prefer? Urban streets, mountain trails, or do you have a nearby track? Road shoes have more cushioning, a thicker midsole, usually a wider toe box, and a harder, more durable sole. Trail shoes are somewhat narrower with less cushioning to achieve better control and connection with the terrain. The sole is made of softer rubber with a more pronounced tread pattern for better grip on muddy and slippery surfaces.

Of course, it's not impossible to run in road shoes on mountains, but if faced with mud or rocks, it can be uncomfortable and unsafe. Similarly, running in trail shoes on the road for an extended period is uncomfortable and wears out the tread quickly. If your running routes are a mix, there are also compromise "all-terrain" shoes. If you rarely mind weather whims and run in the mud or on roads with small stones, avoid shoes with air bubbles in the soles. They collect small stones and mud, making it challenging to remove. If you often run on athletic tracks, road shoes are more suitable. If you plan to run on clay or antuka, choose dark shades and not overly breathable uppers because the memory of each run will stay on your socks.

3. Foot Strike: Neutral, pronation, or supination? The biomechanics of movement and running styles differ for each person. Your feet perform countless actions during running, supporting, correcting, balancing, and absorbing impacts for the benefit of your entire musculoskeletal system. Before choosing suitable running shoes, know your foot type to prevent discomfort during prolonged use of footwear that might fit when tried on but doesn't meet your needs and body biomechanics.

In terms of foot strike and foot biomechanics, we categorize the impact into 3 types. In neutral foot strike, the vertical axis between the heel, ankle, and knee remains almost unchanged and straight after impact. In pronation, the ankle tilts inward, and in supination, it tilts outward. You can find out your impact and foot strike through various tests available online or consult with your orthopedic specialist.

4. Design: While we can become runners, we are born as fashion maniacs. :-) We cannot deny this identity, so when selecting running shoes, we also consider the aesthetic aspect. The design of running shoes can harmonize with the rest of your running outfit in terms of color or break the monotony of a single-colored attire. Some seemingly design elements have practical justifications, so it's essential to look at running shoes comprehensively.

At Factcool, you'll find a wide range of women's and men's running shoes from sought-after brands such as Under Armour, Adidas, Nike, Asics, Puma, and many others, which you can order from the comfort of your home. If the shoes don't fit, simply return them unworn within 60 days. We wish you a lot of energy and perseverance to achieve your running goals! :-)