The 7 Most Common Running Shoe Buying Mistakes We See in Our Store (and How to Avoid Them)

Choosing running shoes seems like a simple decision. You walk into a store, try on several models, take a few steps, and take home the ones that convince you the most. However, after many years advising runners at Be Urban Running, we have found that a large part of the discomfort and problems that arise during training originate from a poor choice of footwear.

Every week we attend to runners who arrive with blisters, black toenails, pains they didn't have before, or simply with the feeling that their shoes aren't performing as they expected. And the curious thing is that, in most cases, the problem is not in the training or the runner. It's in one of the mistakes when buying running shoes that we will see below.

The good news is that almost all of them are easy to avoid.

1. Buying the shoe someone else uses

If we had to point out the most common mistake, it would probably be this one.

It's very common for someone to come into the store asking for the model used by a friend, a clubmate, or the influencer they follow on social media. And it's totally logical. If it works so well for them, it seems reasonable to think it will work for us too.

The problem is that no two runners are exactly alike.

Body weight, running technique, usual paces, experience, or even injury history influence much more than it seems. That's why a fantastic shoe for one person can become a poor choice for another.

We see it constantly. Runners who arrive convinced that they need a specific model and discover that there is a much more suitable option for their needs.

2. Thinking that more cushioning is always better

Over the last few years, we have seen running shoes increase in height, incorporate new foams, and offer increasingly softer sensations.

This has led many runners to automatically associate more cushioning with more comfort.

The reality is that it doesn't always work that way.

Some runners enjoy highly cushioned models a lot, while others feel more comfortable with slightly firmer and more stable shoes. An extremely soft foam can be pleasant during the first few kilometers, but it won't necessarily be the best option for all profiles.

What runners usually think	What actually happens
More cushioning = better shoe	Excessive cushioning can lead to shoes that are too soft and don't adapt to the environment.
More foam = more comfort	An excessive midsole can generate instability and excess weight.
More height = more protection	Sometimes it can reduce stability

 

The key is to find the right balance depending on your running style. The best shoe is not the one with the most cushioning. It's the one that best suits you.

3. Buying a carbon plate shoe to use every day

Carbon plate shoes have revolutionized modern running. They have helped break records and have changed the way many runners compete.

But they have also generated a mistaken idea: thinking that they are the best option for any workout.

More and more people are looking for a carbon shoe to do absolutely everything. From easy runs to walks or regenerative training. However, these models were designed to perform especially well when we run fast or seek maximum performance.

According to our expert Jesús Sepulcre:

“We see it almost every day. There are runners who come asking for the shoe of the latest world record, thinking that it will automatically help them run faster. But the reality is that most runners will enjoy their daily workouts much more with a good training shoe.”

Therefore, if you run regularly, it is usually best to combine a daily training shoe with a faster one for quality days or competitions.

In addition to improving sensations, this strategy helps extend the lifespan of both pairs.

4. Choosing a size that is too snug

This is another of the mistakes when buying running shoes that we still see very frequently.

Many people look for a shoe that fits completely snugly to the foot, as if they were buying a dress shoe. The problem is that when we run, the foot changes.

With the miles, the temperature increases, some inflammation appears, and the foot needs space to expand naturally. When the shoe is too snug, problems that are quite familiar to many runners usually appear.

An insufficient size can cause:

• Blisters
• Chafing
• Black toenails
• Particularly uncomfortable discomfort on downhills
  

That's why we always recommend looking at the measurement in centimeters that appears on the label and not just the European size.

Our advice: leave approximately between half a centimeter and one centimeter of space between your longest toe and the tip of the shoe.

5. Not really thinking about what you are going to use the shoe for

Sometimes we focus so much on the model that we forget to ask ourselves a fundamental question.

What do I need this shoe for?

Training for a marathon is not the same as going for a run twice a week. Nor is it the same to always train on asphalt as to combine dirt trails or look for a shoe for fast intervals.

Before choosing, it's a good idea to ask yourself some simple questions:

• How many kilometers do I run each week?
• What surface do I usually use?
• Am I looking for comfort, performance, or both?
• Am I preparing for a specific goal?
  

The answers usually bring us much closer to the right shoe.

One of the advantages of receiving specialized advice is precisely that: finding a model that fits the actual use you are going to give it.

6. Extending the lifespan of shoes too much

This is probably one of the most underrated mistakes. Many times a runner looks at the sole of their shoes, sees that it still has tread, and assumes that it is still in perfect condition. However, the most significant wear usually occurs in the midsole.

With miles, the foams gradually lose their absorption capacity, stability, and responsiveness. Although the shoe may visually appear to be fine, the sensations are no longer the same.

As a general reference, these are usually the most common figures:

Shoe type	Approximate lifespan
Daily training	600 - 800 km
Mixed	500 - 700 km
Competition	400 - 600 km

 

Obviously, these figures can vary depending on the runner's weight, the surface used, or the intensity of use. Don't wait until the shoe is completely destroyed to change it. Often the body detects wear before our eyes do.

7. Prioritizing aesthetics over functionality

Let's be honest. We all like a nice shoe. This happens to us and to most runners who visit our stores.

The problem arises when design becomes the main purchasing criterion.

Because a visually spectacular shoe may not be the best option for your weight, your technique, or your goals. And conversely, a shoe that initially doesn't attract your attention as much could turn out to be the best purchase you make in years.

After thousands of consultations, we have come to a rather simple conclusion. Most runners don't buy a bad shoe. They buy an excellent shoe for someone else. And therein lies the real problem.

Every runner has a different running style, specific goals, and particular needs. That's why the most popular shoe on the market may not be the best for you.

The key is not to find the shoe everyone uses. The key is to find the one that best suits your running style.

How to avoid all these mistakes

The answer is much simpler than it seems: seek specialized advice.

Not because someone is going to decide for you, but because a five-minute conversation can prevent months of discomfort, doubts, or wrong purchases.

At Be Urban Running, we help runners of all levels every day to find the model that best suits their real needs. And many times we discover that the ideal shoe was not the one they had in mind when they walked through the door.

Frequently asked questions about mistakes when buying running shoes

1. What is the most common mistake when buying running shoes? Buying the same model that another person uses without considering the runner's own characteristics.
2. Are the most expensive shoes always the best? No. The best shoe is the one that adapts to your needs, regardless of its price.
3. How do I know what size I need for running? It is best to look at the measurement in centimeters and leave a small margin in the front of the shoe.
4. How often should I change my shoes? As a general reference, between 600 and 800 kilometers for training shoes and between 400 and 600 kilometers for competition models.
5. Is it advisable to always use the same pair? If you run several days a week, alternating two pairs usually helps extend the lifespan of the footwear and offers different sensations throughout the week.

Do you have doubts about your ideal shoe?

If you don't know which model best suits you, you can visit us at any of our stores in Elche, Valencia, Murcia, Alcoy, Villena, Cartagena, Yecla or Torrevieja. Our team of specialists will help you find a shoe adapted to your running style, your experience and your goals.

Because choosing the right shoes not only improves performance. Many times it makes the difference between enjoying every training session or turning every outing into a struggle against discomfort.