Running is a great way to exercise and boost your stamina. Running frequently releases endorphins in the body which then helps with elevating mood, improving focus & memory, and is good for metabolism too. While there are several benefits of running, to get the best of each, you should consider investing in a good pair of running shoes.
A good pair of running shoes helps with reducing fatigue, improves comfort and speed while also providing protection against different terrains. Hence, this guide aims to help you with getting the best running shoes for men’s marathon as well as for your general running regiment.
Best Running Shoes for Men’s Marathon
We’ll be discussing several factors that you should consider before buying running shoes for men so that you can happily fulfill the purpose of purchasing them instead of rather regretting an impulsive decision.
- The Purpose
- Shorter Runs
- Long Distance
- Competitive & Racing
- The Terrain
- Hard & Uneven
- Rough
- Softer
- Factors to Consider When Buying Running Shoes
- Length
- Width
- Heel
- Arch
- In-Step
- Drop
- Maximum Cushioning
- Medium Cushioning
- Low Cushioning
- Sole
- Shape
- Semi-Curved
- Straight
- Curved
The Purpose
Let’s start by first getting an idea of the type of running you’ll be performing the most. The best running shoes for men’s marathon aren’t necessarily the same ones that you should wear if you’d simply run shorter distances or laps.
Shorter Runs
If you run for more than a better half of a month but not necessarily every day, then any shoes that have a standard to extra cushioning should serve you well. If you run for 4-12km or nearly for the length of half a marathon then you’ll also be okay with any of the top best running shoes for men’s marathon.
Long Distance
Shoes have a limited life so it’s advisable to switch between two pairs of shoes if you’ll be running for longer lengths such as 12km or more. Not only is the cushioning of the best running shoes for men’s marathon important to protect yourself from injuries but their fit and other aspects also matter equally in the long run which will be discussed further in a bit.
Competitive & Racing
If you desire to run faster then shoes that are light in weight will benefit you greater than using the simple generic running shoes that are easily obtainable. Performance running shoes have a shorter life span but are excellent for running short distances quickly so you should look for those if you want better agility.
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The Terrain
While you’ve pondered over the distance of your running sessions, you might have also thought about a particular terrain. Different types of terrain affect the shoes differently so it is also crucial to be certain of the terrain you’ll be treading in your longer or shorter laps.
Hard & Uneven
A harder surface can cause more wear on the shoe as well as your feet so you’ll necessarily require better cushioning as well as a better sole to effectively run better on surfaces like pavement, roads, etc.
Rough
If trekking is your hobby then you’re no stranger to rougher terrain that could include muddy, wet, or uneven surfaces. There is also vegetation and rocks from which you should protect yourself and thus to meet these needs, there are special running shoes that can help with both protection and traction to help you put your best foot forward repeatedly.
Softer
The commonly chosen softer surface for running is either a treadmill or garden soil. For these types of surfaces, you’ll be better off with shoes that have light cushioning to prevent your feet from experiencing fatigue early while also keeping you quick on your toes and heels.
How to Identify the Best Running Shoes for Men’s Marathon?
There are no particularly best shoes that will uniformly allow everyone to run their best at all times in all conditions. However, you can still find the best running shoes for men’s marathon that will specifically help you run better. The following are the determining factors that will provide you with a better picture of the kind of shoes you should wear for running.
Length
A shoe with a tight fit doesn’t necessarily equate to being the best running shoes for men’s marathon. You should instead pick the shoes that have properly enough room between the tip of your longest toe and the tip of the shoe. This room could be of an inch or little more so that you can avoid breaking your toenails and prevent yourself from getting blisters.
Width
Again, shoes that are too narrow aren’t exactly the best fit for your feet even if they are the popular best running shoes for men’s marathon. See that your feet aren’t being squished inside the shoes from the sides but then again, they shouldn’t be too spacious either which causes a loose fit that might lead to falls or injuries. Pick the shoes that are comfortable enough in a way that your feet appropriately occupy the space without being squeezed or being loose.
Heel
The best running shoes for men’s marathon and for simple running are the ones that securely fit your heels and your ankles. Shoes that brush against those parts while running will cause ugly and painful blisters if they’re more than slightly loose. You might think you could remedy it with bandages or socks but eventually, they will wear you out like dragging weight. Get the shoes that allow switching from foot to foot effortlessly without rubbing off badly on your skin.
Arch
Arc is a hollow seeming space between the underside of your toes and heels. There are three types of arches namely high, medium, and low. The former provides a better running ability and the latter most will provide better stability yet, having either of them is completely okay. The best running shoes for men’s marathon with the correct type of arch will help you evade pain in the hip and other areas of your body.
In-Step
The best running shoes for men’s marathon have adequate in-step to provide the runner with the required comfort for running better. In-step is the vertical space between the base of your arch and the tip of your feet. Having a shoe that fits too snugly or tightly could make your feet numb in a matter of minutes if not earlier.
If the normally tied laces or the upper portion of the shoe are too tight against the top of your feet then you might have to buy somewhat more comfortable running shoes irrevocably.
Drop
The best running shoes for men’s marathon also depend on the drop of the shoes which is the distance between the length where your foot first touches the ground between your toes and the heels. Greater cushioning or shoes with a typical drop have 10mm and more distance to allow the heels to be planted first whereas a zero or lower drop will equally plant your toes and heels on the ground.
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Maximum Cushioning
The heels absorb most shock in this type of cushioning to provide more relaxedness to your knees, back, and hip while running. On the one hand, they’re incredibly durable but on the other hand, you make less contact with the ground. They’re usually heavy and ideal for occasional runners.
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Medium Cushioning
It is light yet durable and is ideal for runners who run marathons. They’re comparatively cheaper but also provide good stability along with better contact with the ground.
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Low Cushioning
These aren’t made for running longer distances and are relatively less durable but they provide excellent feedback if you want to run quickly on even and flat surfaces.
Sole
Soles of the shoes are mostly made with rubber along with a blend of other materials that help the running shoes provide you a better grip. Standard shoes use carbon rubber and are semicircular in shape while shoes with straighter soles have more groovy patterns to allow better traction.
A lighter sole wouldn’t be too durable for longer runs and marathons and in the same way, a heavier sole will be abysmal for long runs.
Shape
After running for a certain period, your feet are bound to swell a little due to increased blood flow. For this reason, having the correct shape of running shoes is important. As you might’ve noticed by now, the best running shoes for men’s marathon aren’t limited to a particular shape or type. There are three common shapes for most types of running shoes.
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Semi-Curved
Most running shoes are made in this shape to offer both adequate speed and support to the runner with neutral pronation where their foot utilizes outside of the heels and the middle of the toes for running.
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Straight
These running shoes are built to provide more support and stability to certain types of runners who have a specific (harmless) foot condition called overpronation where your foot leans inwards and applies most pressure towards the insides of the heels and at the foremost side of the toes while running.
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Curved
These shoes are ideal for running on tracks and fields as they provide better traction for running fast efficiently without causing great fatigue on your feet.
Additional Tips to Find Best Running Shoes for Men’s Marathon
Remember these tips to further help you make a better decision while you are in the market of buying running shoes.
- Test Run the shoes before you buy to verify the feel and fit of the shoes on your feet.
- Buy only from the Branded Retail Shops to avoid being cheated when buying the best running shoes for men’s marathon and other purposes.
- Carefully inspect the soles as to whether it’s sturdy and groovy enough to provide better stability on various types of surfaces.
- Always wear socks before you wear any type of running shoes and the padding of the socks will also make a great deal of difference no matter which shoe you choose to buy.
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