Having good shoes can be the most important part of your running routine. However, if you’re unsure of what you might need, buying a pair of new shoes can be an overwhelming experience. There are different styles that emerge everyday and trying them on in the store does not always guarantee the best results on the trails. Before you even leave for the store, take a look at these Web sites to compare and contrast hundreds of choices.

Most To The Point
www.competitiverunner.com
While this Web site does not have as many opinions, it does offer solid recommendations for road shoes, trail shoes and racing flats. Along with a short description next to each shoe’s picture, the site lists the the shoe’s weight, type (for cushion, support and control), pronation scale and a suggested runner weight. There is also a straightforward recommendation scale that goes from -5 (don’t even think about buying this shoe) to +5 (run out now and buy this shoe).

Most Personal
www.epinions.com
While Epinions has reviews for many consumer products, runners can also find personal opinions from shoe owners. The shoes are put on the Web site by consumers and postings are underneath each style. The review comparisons are presented by gender, brand and type.

For The Experienced
www.runningtimes.com
If you’re looking for a quick comparison before you make your final purchase, check out this Web site’s chart with the most recent shoes on the market. It lists fast facts that differentiate the many styles and there is a “frequently asked questions” section for finding the best shoe if you’re looking for a change. The reviews by brand and pronation factor are brief, yet succinct, while the reviews for trail shoes are more thorough.