MARQUETTE -- A good pair of shoes is important for maintaining healthy feet...especially if you're a runner. At Johnson's Superior Shoes in Marquette, they conduct a minor foot exam to make sure they understand your foot's needs. Many shoe shoppers make a beeline to their favorite brand, but brand name and appearance should be the last factors in your decision.
"You have function and you have fit, and those are the two things that have to go into choosing a shoe," said John Thomsen, partner at Johnson's Superior Shoes in Marquette.
Everyone's feet are different, so it's important that you find new shoes based on your needs. The arch of your foot is an important factor.
"If you have a high arch foot, which means your arch doesn't collapse, you really want to focus on getting a shoe that has more cushion instead of stability," said Dr. John Niemela, podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon at Baraga County Memorial Hospital.
If you have a flat foot, then look for shoes with arch support. Another option is custom orthotics, where podiatrists can create a mold of your foot to provide the best possible arch support. Otherwise you need to make sure that when your shoes get old, you find new ones.
"Replacing a shoe is subject to 'what's your barometer?' What tells you that you need new shoes?" Thomsen said.
For most people, foot pain is the sign it's time for new shoes. That will usually happen when the bottoms of the shoes get worn out. The more you wear them, the faster they get worn out.
"It's all based on mileage, so an average runner, if you run anywhere from 300 to 500 miles, you should change your shoes. So for the average runner, maybe six months or less," Dr. Niemela said.
If you keep running on old worn out shoes, you could find yourself with more problems than just needing a new pair of shoes.
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