When looking for a pair waterproof running shoes you will find that most are in the form of trail shoes. These shoes tend to have more of a aggressive look and feel compared to regular running shoes and are a little more durable. So lets take a closer look at these shoes and go over some of their components.

At fist glance you can tell the difference between waterproof running shoes made for the trails and normal runners. These shoes look very aggressive and ready to crush rocks, kick up dirt, and trek through water. When looking at waterproof trail running shoes I tend to think of a off road truck or monster truck where normal runners are your plain everyday SUV’s or sedans.

Waterproof running shoes meant for the trails are made with aggressive tread patterns that help to grip the terrain better than regular running shoes. The soles of these shoes are also thicker than non-trail shoes. This part of the shoe is also referred to as the outsole. The thicker sole makes the shoe not as flexible as a tradition runner. So if you have never worn trail shoes before this is something you may have to get use to. But like anything else you will adapt to it over time.

The midsole is the part of the shoe that focuses on the comfortability of the shoe. This part is layered just above the outsole of the shoe, and spans the entire length. Stability, flexibility, and durability all play a major role in the construction of this part of the shoe.

The insole rest right above the midsole and below your foot. This is another component that helps to create the comfort of a shoe. The insole aids in helping to control foot motion and stability. In most cases these insoles can be removed and replaced. Other terms for insoles are called footbeds or innersoles.

The upper front part of this shoe consist of the toe shoe area. This is the section of the shoe where your toes and ball of your foot are placed. The outside section of this shoe is covered with a thick piece of material to help protect the toe area. This is to help prevent objects from piercing through and damaging your toes while on the trails.

The main upper body of the shoe is made of a durable breathable mesh. And when talking about waterproof running shoes designed for the trails, this is the part that is treated so that it can prevent water from entering the shoe. And, at the same time it is also designed to allow your foot to breath. This waterproof durable mesh is usually made of Gore-Tex® a waterproof/breathable fabric. The use of Gore-Tex® or other waterproofing materials is what separates a waterproof running shoe made for the trails from a regular trail running shoe and traditional runners.

The heel counter is the back part of the shoe that helps to support your heel. This component of the shoe is especially good for those who land on their heel when walking or running (which is most of us). The heel counter is built inside of the heel cup and is usually made with a hard plastic.

So to recap a lot of waterproof running shoes take the form of trail shoes. And the main components of trail shoes are the Outsole, Insole, MideSole, Toe Box, Upperbody, and Heel Counter. Every manufacturer has its own name for each part of the shoe but the basics are all the same.

Buying shoes online can be downright tricky. In fact, many online shoppers have an array of disappointing accounts and experiences. Buying shoes for babies and toddlers online, gave me the most trouble. In several instances, I got the fit totally wrong. When the fit was right, I was not happy with the design quality and shoe material therein. Negative online shoe experiences are not uncommon. I have found that the best way to buy the perfect shoes online is to do some due diligence. With proper homework, you can avoid common pitfalls and buy the right pair. To get you started, I have compiled 20 must-know guides and tips. These pointers for buying shoes online highlight the most important considerations – before you cart your favorite pair.

1. Brand-memory rarely disappoints

Consider the best shoes in your collection right now and analyze them a bit. You will discover that there is a brand or brands that really deliver every time. From high quality material to impressive style and design, you most likely have a shoe brand that fits the bill. To this end, use brand-memory to determine your next online buy. There are so many new shoe brands entering the market; however, you have to be careful before trusting them. The best shoe brand is one that gives you the right variety, quality, style and price. Therefore, if you have been disappointed by a shoe brand before, there is no need to take chances. Go for brands that you can fully trust.

2. Beware of the cheap-shoe syndrome

A huge chunk of online shoe shoppers suffer from the cheap-shoe syndrome. This chronic condition manifests whenever you see a pair of shoes on offer at a greatly discounted price. Just because it is cheap, many will buy and this is not the best way to purchase. Cheap shoes have to meet all your needs first. They must be of good quality, appealing in design and style and fitted perfectly to your size. Many times, we buy cheap shoes over the Internet and never get to wear them after that. If you are not planning to buy shoes, avoid looking at the offers. If you are in need of buying, consider all the important elements first before looking at the cost. They say that cheap is expensive and most of us learn this lesson the hard way.

3. Do some background reading on new shoe brands

As alluded to above, new shoe brands have to prove themselves to you first. If you really want to buy a new shoe brand, you have to get more information about the company behind the product. Look at their attributes and how professionally they are operating. Go a step further and contact them through social media pages or on phone. New brands should be quick to answer queries from prospects. Get all the information you need about product materials, quality, authorized retailers; among others. Also, look at customer reviews to see what people have to say. If you find very limited or negative information, you may want to avoid the brand.

4. Update your shoe size before buying online

Did you know that your shoe size is not static? Your feet may not grow longer but they can grow wider or thinner depending on your overall body weight changes. In this respect, measure your feet to update your size. If you have a Brannock, measuring your size is a piece of cake. You can also use a ruler and a flat surface to get the most accurate reading. Use the flat surface to place your foot and then use the ruler to measure from the tip of your longest toe, to the end of your heel. Some people assume that their longest toe is the big toe; and this is not always the case. Measure your width as well to get the right results. You can have a narrow, standard, wide or an extra wide fit. Your online retailer will provide the grid in which you can compare and determine the perfect fit.

5. Determine the purpose of the shoes you want to buy

Shoes serve a myriad of purposes. In light of this, you may be looking for causal shoes, official shoes, sports shoes, flats, heels; among others. If you are looking for causal shoes, you may consider boots, flats, sneakers and more. In other words, you have to narrow down your search so that you can uncover the best shoe type for your needs. Some shoppers make up their minds as they savour the attractive shoe galleries online. Impulse buying comes about this way. Therefore, put your money to the best use possible by knowing what you want first.

6. Choose your online retailer wisely

Many shoe brands will not sell directly to the customers. In this regard, online retailers will take up the task of distributing various shoe brands. Choosing the right online retailer is critical. To begin with, they must have in stock a variety of shoes that will interest you. The user-experience at the online store must also be satisfactory. This literally means that their webpages and online interfaces must be clear and easy to navigate. I personally like neat and attractive layouts where online retailers are concerned. This way, you can scan through shoe galleries with ease.

7. Product information is everything

Online retailers and shoe brands that invest in providing comprehensive product information build more trust with customers. When buying shoes online, you need all the product-specific information you can get. This ranges from key shoe features, materials used, style, actual color, size guides, reviews and many more. The weight of the product is important together with what to expect in the box once the shoe arrives. Through this information, you are able to demystify in-depth regarding the type of shoe design and style; among many others. Some online sellers will go a step further to give you recommendations for wearing and so on.

8. Never buy online shoes before checking out user reviews

Reviews on the shoe you zero-in on are a-must read. Whether you read a single review or several, getting a feel of what others think will greatly inform you further. Thankfully, online retailers have incorporated a review section for each product. Therefore, you can just read some of the available feedback on the same page. If you are not convinced, do your own online search and uncover what others are saying about the same product. This way, you get independent feedback on the product.

9. Compare prices at various online retailers

Chances are that you will find the same brand of shoes on various eCommerce platforms. You should never pay more for a pair of shoe than is necessary. Some people assume that all retailers will sell the product at the same price. Do your homework and you will discover a better deal on the same product. This comparison plays a major role in keeping these online sellers competitive with pricing.

10. Take your time with shoe galleries

The best thing about shopping online is that you can take all your time looking at the images of various shoes. These images are meant to give you the best idea of how the shoes looks like in reality. Never buy shoes that do not have enough pictures to convince you. You should view the shoes from every angle. In many instances, your computer screen can disguise or misrepresent colors. Solve this by reading the actual shoe color from the specifications provided.

11. Look at the related products options

Online retailers will give you other options of shoes; similar to the one you are interested in. Here, you can discover even better styles and designs. Some shoes will be cheaper versions. Therefore, take time to look at the related products tab that will be visible while you view a particular shoe. You can also search manually for related products. I have found that many online retailers have a humongous amount of shoe stock that needs to be uncovered.

12. Only choose a fairly-priced shoe

If you are counting your pennies, buying shoes online is an opportunity to save money. In this respect, choose a price tag that you can afford. Some people spend way too much than necessary. For example, you can forgo certain features to save money. Also, you can look for a discounted pair instead. Using coupons is also a great way to shop. If you are not totally happy with the price, chances are that you are looking for a cheaper shoe. Do not go out of your budget and taking time before buying can help.

13. Compare shipping charges

Some online sellers will have exorbitant shipping charges. In this case, cheap or discounted shoes may turn out to be very expensive. Compare these charges at various online shops. For those who offer free shipping, make sure there are no hidden costs. Chances are that you are paying for the shipping with the actual product price. Find a common ground where shipping charges are concerned before ordering.

14. Never ignore the shipping time or duration

Some people will buy shoes online with great urgency. You may be looking to wear the shoes at a wedding or party that is coming up. Before you buy, look at the shipping duration and make an informed decision. We all love short shipping times. Sometimes, unforeseen situations extend this shipping time. Therefore, be open minded and avoid buying shoes with urgency.

15. Know the return policies

If the shoe you order does not fit properly, can you return it? If it is damaged or is the wrong order, what are your options? These among other concerns constitute return policies. Some retailers are better than others. Once you receive an order that does not please you, know all your options regarding returns. You must be very prompt to meet the deadlines. Some digital sellers may not refund your money but they can allow you to choose another pair of shoes.

16. Doorstep deliveries or pick up points?

Once you make an order, your online retailer may have the option for doorstep delivery or pick up point delivery. Consider the financial implications first. Having the product delivered right to your door could be more costly. Then again, going to pick up the shoe at a pick up station may have implications as well. For retailers that have these options, choose what works for you best. I personally prefer doorstep delivery in Kenya because the hustle of picking up the product removes from the convenience of online shopping.

17. Be extra careful when buying children’s shoes online

My biggest lesson on this is that when in doubt, always buy a bigger size. The good thing is that children grow up fast and a larger size can be used later. However, the best thing is to follow the size guideline above to take accurate measurements. Take into account the shoe brand and where it originates. For example, shoes made in China are relatively smaller than similar African shoe sizes. Therefore, buy one or two sizes bigger to make up for the difference.

18. Not sure about shoe size? Avoid buying shoes online as gift items

The biggest anticlimax is surprising your husband with a new cool pair of shoes. When the reality hits that the shoes can barely fit, you become devastated. Shoe fitting can be very intricate, especially when you are buying them for someone else. However, if you have done due diligence and are sure about the fit, style and quality, go right ahead and buy them as gifts.

19. Take advantage of shoe discounts and offers

You can save money during clearance sales, special offers and other deals. Just make sure you are not buying on impulse. Buying shoes after holidays could save you money as well. For school children, buying before the back-to-school season starts could give you better prices.

20. If you have limited resources, buy shoes you need not the shoes you want

The female shoe obsession has created a multi-million dollar shoe industry globally. This may be good news to sellers; but it is bad news for those who always spend more money than they have to buying shoes. New, adorable and sexy shoes are no doubt therapeutic. However, everything in moderation.

There are 9 basic types of running shoes, and it’s useful to own pairs from at least a few different categories.

First, you want two different styles to give your feet a little variety. Even if you are going out for just a random training run, it does not hurt to use different kinds of shoes. The shoes may belong to the same category of shoes, or they may belong to different categories. But, you should try to rotate at least two different makes or models.

Second, you will want to use different shoes for different occasions. A Sunday run might call for trainers, but a 1 mile race on the track probably calls for some sort of racing shoe such as spikes or flats while trail shoes will help keep you on your feet when running among rocks and roots. Having a few different styles lets you choose a shoe appropriate for the race or workout that is on order for the day.

Here are the 9 basic styles of running shoes:

• Trainers: Heavier shoes with plenty of cushioning. These are all-around every day use running shoes. Most of these shoes are designed to correct the running gait of people who pronate or supinate too much.
• Lightweight Trainers: These are trainers that might not offer as much padding, but they weigh a few ounces less than regular trainers and for some people make a good alternative for every day running. They tend to be more neutral and don’t cater specifically to pronaters or supinaters.
• Trail Shoes: Some trail shoes are little more than a way to give your feet an aggressive tread and don’t provide much support, and others tend to support your ankles a little better than the average trainer. Most trail shoes have a more aggressive tread on them than the average road shoe. These shoes are ideal for running through puddles and navigating around roots and rocks.
• Cross Trainers: These shoes tend to be heavier than trainers, and usually provide much more support for your ankles. These shoes are ideal if you want one pair of shoes for running in and playing basketball or tennis in.
• Racing Flats: Lightweight shoes that weigh sometimes half as much as the average trainer, these shoes are ideal for road races and can be used on the track. If you prefer more of a minimal approach, they can be used in place of trainers.
• Spikes: Spikes are similar to racing flats but with metal teeth in the soles that can grip a track surface or grass and earth on a cross country course. These shoes are lightweight like racing flats, but usually have threaded holes in the bottom that you can screw in a variety of different spikes and plugs. These shoes are perfect for a fast track race, and for maintaining your footing during a cross country race. They are especially useful in cross country races when it is raining. They can be uncomfortable to wear if you have to run on roads or other hard surfaces, and doing so will dull your spikes very quickly. The spikes should be removed and cleaned after every race.
• Waffles: Similar to spikes and racing flats, these lightweight shoes have a little bit more tread on them and might have rubber spikes in the same patterns as spikes. These shoes are best suited for cross country racing, especially if you will need to cross or run along any roads. If a course is flooded or very wet, you may prefer the traction that spikes offer, however.
• Minimalist Shoes: These are any type of shoe that is designed for running but is meant to mimic barefoot running as closely as possible while providing a small measure of protection for your feet. Vibram Five Fingers are a brand that have articulated toes and are worn similar to gloves except on your feet. Huaraches are another type of minimalist shoe that resembles a sandal. They consist of a thin sole attached to your foot and ankle by a thong.
• Walking Shoes: These shoes can be of any variety. They might be sneakers, they might be boots, they might be dress shoes, or sandals; these can be any shoe that is not meant for running. It is becoming surprisingly popular among the barefoot crowd to find flat shoes that offer as little support as possible and convert them into running shoes.

Personally, I do most of my training in trail shoes or using as lightweight a shoe as I can among racing flats, minimalist shoes, or even running barefoot.

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