If you’ve ever been to a sneaker specialty store, chances are you’ve been put through some fancy, sciencey machines to determine which kind of shoe works best for you. But why is that exactly need, why go through all that trouble just for a pair of sneakers? Is it important whether you pronate or not, how much cushioning you’ve got?

Even if you have gone through this process, chances are you still suffer from pain and discomfort. Your pronation does matter, but cushioning is where the key to a great run lies. The type of cushioning you need and where you feel the most pressure points are determined by the type of runner you are. Or, whether or not you’re even going to use them for running! If the primary purpose you’re buying running shoes is for walking, going to the gym, or fashion, maybe you should skip them. Yes, we are all about fashion, and if you want to buy these sneakers to look great you should!

But don’t try to run in them, since they are probably not catering to your needs. If you’ve just begun running, do not even glance at the pairs meant for experienced runners. Minimal cushioning or supreme stability does sound great, but you’re feet and muscles are not adjusted to this and you will end up suffering. The brand of the shoes should also not be overlooked, and Puma does create great shoes for running, so you can trust your comfort to them.

Also, consider your health, previous injuries, and budget! Running sneakers can be quite pricey, and the more specific inventions they have, the pricier they will be. Neutral shoes are best for most of our population, with an average amount of padding. Unless you have health issues, you will probably do well with sneakers that don’t fix gait issues, like over-pronation.

Cell cushioning is just one way your comfort can be improved. This type of cushioning was first introduced in the 90s and is one of the most resilient types of cushioning out there. These pads are called cells because they are hexagonally shaped, resembling cells, and for no other reason. These cells are just what runners needed though because their feet benefited the most from a pattern of this type. This padding is stable, and that stability comes from the TPU that was puffed in that pattern. It’s also light, and it provides great bounce-back, so you’d be getting a super cozy shoe with many added benefits.

One more way Puma running shoes have increased comfort is by adding an Ortholite sock liner. These sock liners have managed to sneak their way into plenty of brands known worldwide since they offer a lot of great benefits. First things first, they are removable, so if they are a nuisance, or if they’ve gotten dirty and need some cleaning, you can simply slide them out and replace or clean them!

Their unique structure keeps its shape for a long time while keeping the compression rate at 95%, which means you will have the same level of padding and the same optimal fit for time and time to come. This liner is light and has many small open-cell which allow air to escape and circulate in and out of your shoes. Say goodbye to bacteria, sweat, and bad odors, every runner's worst enemy!

The amount of cushioning you need is something you will figure out by trial - you cannot figure that out without running at least a few miles! Just make sure you’ve chosen a proper shoe, one that both feels great and looks great!

Yes, running shoes are great, but why should you wear them for running? Can’t you just wear a pair that was made for walking, or for skating, or everything else in between? There are quite a bunch of reasons why you should wear running shoes since they were specifically made to enhance your workout. Technically, no one is forbidding you from using anything else for running, but you will injure yourself, without a doubt!

Sneakers made for different sports tend to have different shapes, and different innovations integrated into their construction. All of this makes one pair ideal for the sport they were meant to be used with, and it’s the same with running shoes. Different types of movements put different kinds of pressure on your feet, knees, and muscles, so it’s important you take care of them properly. For example, compared to running shoes, cycling footwear has a rigid bottom that is really not made for walking or running, but they provide a whole new set of benefits when used for their purpose. It’s the same with running shoes - their properties make sure your run is effective.

Runners also do not like to wear their running shoes when they walk, or vice versa, for the very same reasons mentioned above. When you walk, a whole different set of actions happen, and they do not fit with the running sneaker. You sort of sway back and forth, changing the center of your gravity to the leg that takes over. Said in simple terms, you slowly roll on your toes. On the other hand, running has a consistent center of gravity, one central to your torso. This drains your energy and increases the level of impact when you hit the ground. Running makes your feet pronate, or in other words, your feet hit the ground on the outside of your heel and then start to roll towards the inner part of your feet. So, if you want to maximize the potential of your next run, buy shoes specifically made for this purpose. After all, they were made just to make your life easier, and they do a great job, so why should you skip out on them?

The life duration of your running sneaker depends on a lot of things. There is no accepted general rule of thumb on how long your shoes will last, not in miles or months. Sometimes, your new pair might surprise you and last much longer than you expected it to, but the other time they might give in and fall apart after only a few seasons.

There are a few sets of rules when it comes to running footwear durability. For starters, it is believed that a runner will need a new pair of shoes every 300-500 miles he or she runs. You might want to keep track of this, since a pair that has expired can impact your exercise, due to their changed shape and support. Once you reach that threshold, try to replace your pair - both you and your feet will benefit!

You should also consider other factors besides mileage. How do the sneakers feel when you put them on, is there any difference from when you first broke them in? Maybe you started to feel knee or back pain after running over 200 miles or so, and maybe you attributed it to your bad joints or a different health issue, but have you stopped to think that maybe it’s the shoe fault? If the pain lasts for a few days and doesn’t worsen, then it was a temporary problem not related to the shoe, but if you’ve got pain all the time, your shoe has reached the end of its life and should be replaced.

You can also gauge the amount of time a running shoe has left by the time you spent wearing them. Generally speaking, a sneaker loses its form after about six months of usage and should be discarded after that. There are exceptions to this rule as well, you might replace them more often, or not as often, all depending on what kind of runner you are and on your weight as well. Time and mileage are important, but other factors should be considered too since they can affect the durability of a shoe as well. Your best bet is to maintain a log where you keep all important information about every run you do and then replace your Puma running sneakers according to that and the way you feel!

The midsole of a shoe is the part sandwiched between the insole, which touches your feet, and the outsole, which touches the ground. For a lot of runners, the midsole is one of the key elements to a good run. The midsole has a very important job to do - it needs to cushion your feet, while also controlling movements that are excessive. Puma uses a variety of different midsoles, and we will mention some of them.

EVA is used in some sneakers, and it is the very first material that was used in these types of shoes. PU and TPU are also used, and they share many qualities with EVA midsoles. Ethyl vinyl acetate, or EVA, is a foam-like material that has optimal padding, a low weight, and a lot of airflows, but all on its own, it wears down quickly. When compressed and molded, its life is increased and you get a more durable shoe. PU, on the other hand, lasts much longer but is not as cozy and light as EVA is.

Today, most of the midsoles are made out of gel, foam, or anything else. Imeva midsoles can be seen in some Puma models, and are a foam variety that is consisted out of many different parts. These parts can work together to improve your comfort, but if not done the right way, gaps and ridges can be overlooked, affecting your overall comfort. Ignite cushioning is also one way Puma solved this, and it works great. This padding creates a durable midsole, while the stability and shock absorption are improved.

In order to select the best kind of midsole for your gait, we need to know its type. Depending on whether you pronate or supinate, a different variety of midsole will work better for you. Midsoles for supination have a denser foam on the edges, while midsoles for pronation have a denser foam in the inner part of the midsole. A neutral shoe has neither, and usually works the best for plenty of runners. Choose the right type of midsole for you to ensure a great run.

Plenty of runners tend to look for sneakers that are lightweight. They don’t strain your feet, and you perform better since there is no extra weight present to drag you down. But surprisingly enough, this is not always the case. Lighter shoes mean better athletic performance, and for each gram added more energy is spent. So, it’s only logical to believe that you need shoes that are light in order to perform well.

But, when does a shoe become too light? There are models out there that are too light, whether you believe it or not. And it’s not in a way you might think - if a model is lighter, it means that the amount of support provided by that certain model gets worse and worse. The amount of weight a shoe needs to have will vary depending on your weight, your running style, your gait, and the type of terrain you enjoy running on. If you need plenty of support, sacrifice weight and go for a model that might have a few extra grams. If you don’t need that much support, you can experiment with lighter varieties and see what happens. All in all, if you want to run faster and longer, go light, but if you want normal or extra support, choose a pair that is slightly heavier!