high and low for the best

'Hi, I'm looking for running shoes for distance running, for overpronators and people like me with mild flat feet.' I had to repeat that umpteen times yesterday when I went all around in search for the best kind of running shoes for myself.

My running hobby started many months back but I was the least aware of the damage I was doing to myself all these while with the pair of mass-produced running shoes issued by NS. But that was only until recently, when I decided to make it a point to buy a pair which best suits my feet.

Then came the jargons which only until recently did I start to comprehend. 'Over-pronators', 'Neutral' and 'Under-pronators' are terms coined to mean the type of running pattern one adopts while running. I am an over-pronator, which means my each feet tends to roll inwards when I walk or run. For cases like mine, the solution is to have shoes which have an additional support on the inside of the shoes, to counter the tendencies of both feet to lean inwards.

I decided to make a trip to Queensway Shopping Centre, where I inevitably felt spoilt for choices with so much variety of running shoes. Fortunately, I was able to narrow down my options after trying countless pairs of shoes. After a good few hours of browsing, I proceeded to Novena Square, for two reasons. First, there is a New Balance outlet where I intended to use a 30% discount voucher I had. Second, and higher on my priorty list, was to visit the Running Lab outlet. For those of you who are like me, in search of good running shoes, that is the place I strongly recommend.

No, it's not because they have shoes that others don't or they sell shoes at the most affordable prices. In fact, it's the opposite. They sell same shoes, at the same price or more, as retail shops. That means the prices are entirely on the higher end. That put me off, and for a short moment, I decided to leave the shop. Then I paused and turned around, setting my eyes on this standing poster. It says, "Come by and talk to our friendly consultants to discuss your running concerns, regarding shoes, apparels, and any other issues", or roughly in that context.

It was the right decision to head back into the shop and talk to one of the shop assistants. Then I repeated the first paragraph above to the Malay lady who attended to me. The next thing she said caught me a little off-guard. She said, "okay I need you to roll up your jeans to knee-length, remove your socks and shoes and step on the threadmill." Subsequently, she visually analysed and patiently explained to me, the anatomy of my feet while standing stationery, walking and running, and accordingly grabbed the pairs which she deems are suitable for me. It was not only her knowledge and expertise that impressed me, but also her friendliness and service-orientedness. Obviously, I did not make a hasty investment by buying what she had recommended. Instead, I seeked her opinions on the shoes which I already had in mind, and her response only further justified and confirmed my choices.

So I'm down to these 3 pairs:

Asics GT 2120

Nike Structure Triax+ 10

Saucony ProGrid Trigon 5 Guide

As one of the shop owners at Queensway Shopping Centre retorted, most people comes, buys and leaves, but people like me who comes, contemplates, and contemplates even more, ends up buying the wrong shoes. I couldn't understand his logic, and I guess he couldn't understand mine either. Of course, from a money-maker's point of view, you wish your customers would just come, try, buy and leave; but from a customer's point of view, or at least from mine, I am making sure to the smallest detail, that I do not end up regretting my investment. That is the sole reason why I go high and low for the best.