A Practical Checklist for Running Shoe Fit

A size label is a starting point. Check the fit of the actual shoe model before comparing colours or deciding that a familiar brand will fit exactly as before.

Check the whole foot

Try both shoes with the socks you plan to use. Pay attention to the heel, the space around the forefoot and the room ahead of the longest toe. Brooks advises leaving roughly a thumb’s width at the front and allowing the toes room to move. Its guide also discusses wider fitting options.

Compare an exact edition

Record the model, edition, size system and width together. This makes a comparison more useful than recording only a single shoe size. If an archived product page describes an earlier edition, confirm that information against the current manufacturer page before buying elsewhere.

Keep a fitting note

Write down what felt comfortable and what did not. That short note is useful when you compare a second pair or revisit a model later.

Source: Brooks: how running shoes should fit.

Explore the running footwear catalogue.