How do road runners select their shoes? A systematic review

Abstract

Running shoes are often considered essential to participate in running. Runners may look for recommendations from friends, specialty running stores, and healthcare professionals when selecting shoes. Despite the existence of shoe prescription guidelines, these recommendations are often not evidence-based or designed with runners’ preferences in mind. This review aims to synthesize original research that identifies how road runners select running shoes. Following PROSPERO registration (CRD42021242523), the PubMed®, Scopus®, Web of Science®, and SPORTDiscus™ electronic databases were systematically searched in March 2021, and monitored until 1 February 2022. Original research that identified factors influencing running shoe selection in road runners published in English were included. Data were qualitatively synthesized. Seven studies representing 1947 road runners were included, and conducted either online, in laboratories, or via interview. Forty influencing factors were identified and thematically sub-grouped into five categories: subjective, shoe-specific characteristics, market features, peer evaluation, and runner characteristics. Comfort, cushioning, fit, and price were cited most frequently as influential factors in road runners’ footwear selection. Most of the studies reviewed were not specifically designed to address the research question of this review. Lack of consistent definitions and varying research methods are found across studies. There is limited research targeting the factors that influence running shoe selection. Comfort and cushioning appear to be the most important factors in shoe selection, although the relationship between both variables may confound their individual importance. Runners also consider fit, price, and several other factors when selecting shoes. Shoe choice remains relatively unexplored, with no running shoe selection study conducted in store.