The shoes you wear play a vital role when running or participating in other sporting activities. Though the market parades different running shoes, there are still more possibilities of picking the wrong ones.
Unfortunately, wearing the wrong shoes poses lots of problems which could be both immediate and on a long-term basis. Some of the symptoms of wearing the wrong running shoes include possible injuries, reduced performance, lack of balance or comfort, and others.
This article helps you to understand the symptoms associated with wearing the wrong running shoes. Also, you will learn the importance of wearing proper athletic shoes and how to choose them. Read on!
Symptoms Of Wearing The Wrong Running Shoe
Using the wrong shoes running triggers many issues. Besides retardation in the physical performance of the users, there are different health problems associated with wrong running shoes. Furthermore, the surface on which you run could make a particular shoe inappropriate for the running purpose. For instance, the performance of a shoe while running on concrete is different from running on grass. Hence, you will need to consider your running surface for you to get a suitable running shoe. There are affordable running shoes for concrete that will offer you the best performance, especially when your athletic activities are on concrete surfaces.
Here are 8 symptoms of wearing the wrong running shoes.
1. Tendonitis
This is a situation of swelling, pains, and tenderness on the feet, ankles, or Achilles tendon. Tendonitis occurs when there is no proper support for the foot while running or walking. Continuous and prolonged use of a running shoe that lacks adequate support for the ankle and feet will cause an inward rolling of the ankle while walking.
Such rolling exerts pressure on the tendons around the foot, causing them to lose their support, becoming flat and swollen. The best solution to Tendonitis is to get the right running shoes that will provide the necessary comfort and support to your feet.
2. Plantar Fasciitis
There is a connective tissue between the heels and toes known as Plantar Fascia. An athlete will develop Plantar Fasciitis once there is an inflammation of this connective tissue. This usually happens with wrong running shoes that fail to protect the foot and provide support to your heels and toes.
Plantar Fasciitis comes with a stabling pain on the heels, especially within the early hours of the morning. However, the pains may tend to subside after a few hours. Using good supportive running shoes stands as one of the preventive measures for this condition.
3. Bruising or Loss of Toenails
A running to provide some space for your toes such that they won’t be robbing on the shoes as you run. However, when you’re using tightly fitted shoes, there will be constant friction between your toes and the inner part of your shoes. This will result in bruising of your toes or loss of toenails.
With such a condition, it’s an indication that you are using the wrong running shoes. Hence, you will need to go for a new shoe that should at least half an increase in size with what you currently have.
4. Blisters and Corns
Blisters and corns are also indications of using the wrong running shoe. With prolonged friction and pressure on the feet, by wearing a tight running shoe, the feet will get blisters and corns. Also, shoes that have no good interior supportive materials can lead to frequent friction between the shoe and your feet. Once you notice a blister on your feet, you should immediately handle the situation by either replacing the inner supportive materials or buying a new running shoe.
5. Aching Arches
When you experience pains in the muscles below your foot or arches with your running shoes, it shows you are using the wrong shoe. This could happen with both wide shoes and tight-fit shoes. The muscle will keep contracting as your feet try to prevent the shoes from slipping off in the case of a wide-fit shoe.
Conversely, with a tight-fitting shoe, the feet muscles suffer much compression or pressure. This results in aching arches which you could prevent by using the right running shoes.
6. Complete unlacing of your shoes before removing
When you run, which is part of exercising, the blood flow to your feet and hands will reduce. This usually gives a slight swell on the parts of the body. However, if you will completely unlace your shoes before removing them, it indicates using tight and wrong shoes.
7. Stress Fractures
Stress fractures are common among sporting athletes who usually make bounce with their feet on the ground. Some of the susceptible athletes to this condition include runners, basketball players, lawn tennis players, high jumpers, etc. The fractures appear like tiny cracks within the feet and leg bones that look like hairs. Stress fractures are caused by repetitive bouncing force.
Though stress fracture has several factors that could increase its risks, using a good supportive shoe serves as a controlling measure.
8. Shoes Become Old
Using Old and worn-out running shoes could affect your athletic output or your health. Therefore, you should opt for a replacement if you have used it for over 500 miles. Also, uneven wearing out of your running shoes is an indication for a replacement.
What Happens If You Wear The Wrong Running Shoes?
Wearing the wrong running shoes reduces your sporting performance and poses some health issues to you as well.
Where the shoes are too tight, you will be having constant pressure and injuries on your feet due to the friction between your feet and the shoes. Other repercussions include,
- Bunions: Using too tight running could stress the toes with the big toe moving inwards, which is Bunions. In most cases, Bunions may be associated with throbbing pain and inflammation.
- Hammertoe: Though Hammertoe could be hereditary, it could also occur with prolonged usage of tight running shoes. This is a condition in which the muscles around the toes become shorter with a rising of the bones. The raised joint will stiffen with lots of pain to the victim with time.
- Hot Foot: Hot Foot occurs as a burning feeling within the toe region mainly caused by tight running shoes without maximum cushioning.
Why Is It Important To Wear Proper Shoes While Running?
Wearing proper shoes while running is important as it provides maximum protection against injuries. Also, you will get enhanced performance while using the right running shoes.
Here are some of the importance of wearing proper running shoes
- Protection From Injuries: With the right running, you will protect your feet from some injuries such as blisters and corns.
- Enhanced Sporting Performance: Using proper running shoes provides your feet with the maximum support, flexibility, and stability that you need. Hence, you will get enhanced performance in your athletic activities.
- Prevention of Some Health Risks: Proper running shoes can reduce or prevent some health-related risks to feet such as Tendonitis, Plantar Fasciitis, etc.
How To Choose Ideal Running Shoes?
It is very crucial that you understand what to bear in mind when choosing the ideal running shoes. Below are how you can choose the ideal running shoes for your feet.
- Try out a running shoe when your feet are fully expanded – The best time to try out a running shoe to pick the perfect size is when your feet are fully expanded. So, you should test running shoes in the afternoon, evening, or immediately after an exercise session. Never stick to a running shoe without trying it out.
- Create an allowance for your toes: When choosing a running shoe, you should create an allowance for the free movement of your toes. This will help to avoid blisters or the cutting of your toenails. So, there should be at least an inch the tip of your shoe and your big toe.
- Go for durability: The best and long-lasting running shoes are not necessarily the most good-looking ones. When you desire running shoes that will give you the best performance through long mileages, you shouldn’t focus on appearance. Always go for durability.
- Avoid using new shoes for races: Before using your new shoes to participate in a race, ensure to use them first for at least a 100-mile run. This will help your feet to adjust to the shoes. Also, the shoes will expand adequately to provide the needed comfort to your feet.
What To Consider When Choosing Running Shoes
Here are some factors to consider when choosing running shoes.
- Support: You should look for a running that offers good support to your feet. This will help you to protect your feet against any health issues such as plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, and others.
- Flexibility: A highly flexible running shoe will promote the free movement of your feet without any stress. To create the needed stability of the feet with any running shoe, you should follow the general thumb rule. According to the rule, a stiffer foot requires a more flexible shoe and vice versa.
- Lightweight: To enable runners to cover long distances easily, running shoes should be lightweight.
- Comfort with enhanced cushioning: A good running shoe provides maximum comfort and responsiveness through its enhanced cushioning.
Final Thoughts
There are many symptoms of wearing the wrong running shoe that you can’t afford to overlook. With prolonged usage of such shoes, you will expose yourself to many injuries and health risks like blisters, corns, Tendonitis, Plantar Fasciitis, etc. Also, you will get reduced performance with the wrong shoes.
To get the best from your running shoes, you should understand how and what to consider when choosing the right running shoes.
