When shopping for a new pair of shoes, if you’re a serious runner, you’ll need to find a store that sells specialized shoes for girls. Simply going to a general sporting goods store and buying a pair that looks good isn’t necessarily going to be the best option. Most dedicated running outlets will be staffed with highly trained staff, who will usually be brokers. They will be able to help you choose the perfect pair of running shoes for girls, which will make you feel comfortable running, but will also play a crucial role in minimizing injuries.
Because women tend to have wider hips than men, the upper legs meet the knee at a greater angle, called the Q angle or quadriceps angle. This makes the female runner more prone to joint injuries than her male counterpart. The slightly different anatomy also means that girls are more likely to need running shoes that correct problems caused by feet turning in or out during running action.
Most running supply stores will have a treadmill and a high-speed camera set up to help determine which way your feet rotate: if they collapse inward, you’re said to be overpronated; if they roll out, you are in pronation or supination. So don’t be surprised if the staff asks you to get on the treadmill, so they can do a so-called “gait analysis” of your action.
Once you know if you’re overpronating, supinating, or in a neutral gait, you’ll be happy to know that most major running shoe brands will provide something to suit your style. Take your time and try several pairs until you get the ones that fit the length and width perfectly, without slipping and causing blisters. If necessary, ask the staff if you can try them on the treadmill to see how they work when you’re running. Here are some of the top brands to look for, broken down into the three modes of running with examples of which model to try. However, listen to the staff and follow the advice; New models are made every year to improve the comfort of runners and correct small imperfections in previous versions.
asics models – GEL-Kayano (neutral); GEL-Evolution (overpronation); GEL-Nimbus (supination)
Saucony models – ProGrid Triumph (neutral); ProGrid Stabil (overpronation); Grid Throw (Supinated)
Mizuno models – Creation of waves (neutral); Wave Alchemy (overpronation); Wave Rider (Supinated)
stream models – Glycerin (neutral); Addiction (overpronation); Glycerin (supinated)
New balance models – WR441 (neutral); WR749 (overpronation); WR769 (supinated)
Nike Models – Zoom Vomero (neutral); Zoom Structure Triax+ (overpronation); Air Pegasus (supinated)
Many brands have versions of their running shoes that accommodate a variety of gaits, so often a particular model is fine for neutral runners as well as low-pronation runners. That is why it is always a good idea to go to a specialized store, where the staff can guide you towards the most suitable ones.
The brands and models I’ve included are just examples and give you a starting point in your search for the perfect running shoe for girls. There are many more models offered by each brand, so keep pestering the staff for a good selection to try for yourself until you’re satisfied you’ve found the right ones.
