When choosing the size of a running shoe we look at many different factors, but by far the most important one is the height of your foot arch. It determines how much your foot lengthens during longer physical activity.
To measure the height of your arch, stand with your feet apart and shift your body weight forward so that your foot flattens completely. You can do the measurement yourself or ask someone to help you. Use your thumb, with the pad facing the floor, to measure the height of your arch. If your thumb laid flat does not fit under your arch or fills the space completely, you need less room at the front, about 0.5 cm. If you can fit your thumb under the arch sideways, with the pad perpendicular to the floor, you will need more room: from 1 cm to 1.5 cm. We measure the room from the longest toe, and for many people that is not the big toe!
The longer the distance you are planning, the more room it is usually better to leave, so for a 5 km run you need less room than for a half marathon. Also think about how much your feet swell while running, and if this is something you struggle with, take it into account when choosing the room. In a shoe of the right length you should be able to move all your toes without touching the front of the upper. If you feel that a shoe is "too loose", it is not always a question of length. Sometimes the shoe is simply too wide and does not suit your foot type. In that case the best option is to visit a running shop and get advice on the shoes that fit your feet best, not only in length but also in width, level of cushioning and the drop you need.
For the most accurate measurement, go to a place where feet are measured with a Brannock device, or come to Azyl Biegacza, where we will do this measurement for free while helping you choose your running shoes.
Azyl Biegacza is not responsible for an incorrectly performed self-measurement. These instructions are a suggestion intended to make choosing running shoes easier. If you feel you need extra support, call the shop on 883 001 553 or visit our shop at Gdyńska 4 in Poznań.