With just a decent pair of socks and a good pair of running shoes, you should theoretically be able to enjoy your run, no matter how far or how fast (or slow!) you want to run.
But, what makes a pair of running shoes “good”?How should running shoes fit? Are running shoes supposed to be tight? How tight should running shoes be?
While runners and even different running shoe experts will hotly debate whether minimalist shoes are the way to go because they allow for a more “natural” stride or if maximal cushioning shoes are better for your knees, one thing all runners and running shoe experts would agree upon is that “good” running shoes fit well.
You can have the most expensive running shoes with the latest technology (hello carbon fiber plates!) that theoretically are perfect for your needs (e.g., motion control shoes for runners with overpronated feet, neutral shoes for runners with normal arches and gait), but if your running shoes don’t fit your feet well, they’re not going to feel good on your feet.
Moreover, running shoes that fit your feet properly can increase the risk of injuries and force you to stop your run earlier than anticipated, simply because your feet are so uncomfortable.
In this article, we will answer the question, “Are running shoes supposed to be tight?” and will discuss how your running shoes should fit.
In this guide, we will cover:
- Are Running Shoes Supposed To Be Tight?
- How Tight Should Running Shoes Be?
- Signs Your Running Shoes Are Too Tight
- Should All Running Shoes Fit the Same?
Let’s dive in!
Are Running Shoes Supposed To Be Tight?
One of the most common questions beginner runners ponder when they are trying to determine if a pair of running shoes fit well is, “Are running shoes supposed to be tight?”
For experienced runners, the natural inclination would be to give novice runners wondering if running shoes are supposed to be tight the knee-jerk response that running shoes shouldn’t be tight.
However, the full answer is a little more complicated than that.
First of all, what is “tight”?
Secondly, what part of the shoe feels tight? How should running shoes fit?
It can be said that runners need to look for the Goldilocks or happy medium regarding how tight their running shoes should be.
Your shoes need to be roomy enough that your toes are hitting the inside of the shoe and don’t feel cramped in the length.
The shoe also needs to be wide enough so that your foot doesn’t feel like it’s getting uncomfortably squeezed when you run.
On the other hand, running shoes that are too big are problematic as well because your feet will slide around while you run, which can compromise the support your foot is getting, increase the risk of tripping, and can also cause your toes to ram against the inside edge of your shoe when they move around.
How Tight Should Running Shoes Be?
Now that we’ve covered the consequences of wearing running shoes that are too tight and wearing running shoes that are too big, let’s cover how tight your running shoes should be and how they should fit.
Although we all have an intuitive idea of how a running shoe should feel if it fits, some runners aren’t actually sure how running shoes should fit.
Typically, you want your running shoes to feel fairly snug in the heel, and midfoot—as the shoe is lightly hugging or holding your foot—while the forefoot area should be roomier.
The toe box should have a decent amount of wiggle room for your toes to accommodate the natural foot splay (lengthening and widening of the foot) that occurs when you land and push off with your foot.
Let’s look at each of these regions more specifically.
How Tight Should the Heel Be?
The heel cup of a running shoe should cradle your heel and keep it in place while you run.
If the heel is too loose, your foot will be allowed to come up and out of the shoe as you run, increasing the risk of blisters. You’ll also lose some of the built-in pronation control of the shoe if the heel is too wide.
How Tight Should the Midfoot Be?
The midfoot portion of the running shoe should hold your foot in place like a light hug.
You want the arch of the running shoe to match up with your anatomical arch because there will be a certain amount of give and support in this area of the shoe, and you want that to coincide with your true arch.
How Tight Should the Tox Box Be?
The toe box should be fairly roomy in terms of length and width.
In terms of width, the ball of your foot should not feel like it’s being compressed or squeezed in the shoes. If you have a bunion or a history of metatarsalgia or Morton’s neuroma, you should look for a running shoe with an especially wide toe box.
Regarding proper running shoe length, most experts recommend having at least a thumbnail’s width between your longest toe and the end of the shoe.
This may be about 1/2 to 1 inch or (1.5-2.5 cm) of added length, depending on personal preference, how much your feet tend to swell, and the time of day you usually run.
Runners who tend to experience more significant foot swelling over the course of the day, as well as runners who do most of their training in the afternoon or evening when feet are at their largest, should consider buying running shoes a whole size bigger than their regular shoes.
Remember, when assessing the proper length of your running shoes, ensure you have at least a thumbnail’s width between your longest toe and the end of the shoe.
Many runners erroneously look at the length or shoe size relative to the tip of their big toe or first toe.
Unfortunately, this is not necessarily your longest toe. For many runners, the second toe, or “index finger toe,” is actually longer than the big toe.
Failing to use your longest toe as a reference to how big your running shoes need to be will result in shoes that are too short in length.
Signs Your Running Shoes Are Too Tight
You can usually tell if your running shoes are too tight, too small, too wide, or too big because they simply won’t feel comfortable, especially towards the end of the run, but there are a few additional signs that your running shoes are the wrong size or don’t fit properly.
Signs that your running shoes are the wrong size or shape for your foot include the following:
- Numbness or tingling in the toes: This is indicative that your running shoes are too short or too narrow. Essentially, the shoes don’t have enough volume for your feet. Numbness and tingling in the feet are particularly common when your running shoes are too tight because the shoe squeezes the ball of your foot, which compresses the nerves between your toes. This can lead to metatarsalgia or a Morton’s neuroma, so you should buy wider or bigger running shoes as soon as possible.
- Blisters on the tips of your toes: This is a sign your shoes are too small or too short in length. You should buy running shoes at least a half size bigger than your normal shoe size to accommodate swelling and foot splay.
- Black or bruised toenails: This usually indicates your shoes are too short, so you need to size up a full size or half size. Once in a while, you can get bruised toenails if your running shoes are too big because your foot is swimming around while you run and sliding forward, banging against the front of the shoe.
- Heel blisters: This will occur when the heel of the shoe is not tight enough to hold your foot snugly.
- Blisters on the ball of your foot: Your running shoes are too wide.
- Bunion pain: If you have a bunion, you will probably need to buy wide running shoes or at least a brand with a wide toe box. If your bunion is hurting, your shoes are too tight.
- Foot pain on the toes or top of the foot: Although this can be from various causes, running shoes that are too tight or laced too tightly can be a causative factor.
- Blisters on the tops of your toes: Your shoes are too small and narrow in the toe box, or the toe box doesn’t have enough volume from a height perspective.
Should All Running Shoes Fit the Same?
If you’re an avid runner who has a running shoe rotation with several pairs of shoes for different types of workouts and terrains, you might find that certain running shoes should be tighter than others.
For example, what about speed workouts? Should running shoes be tight for interval training? A relatively tight running shoe can be ideal for speed workouts or shorter runs.
However, for long runs, a roomier running shoe will ensure your foot has ample room to swell and expand over the course of the run.
And what about trail running? Should running shoes be tight for the trails?
Trail running shoes are also often best snug to help ensure you have control and traction of really technical trails, but if you’re running longer trail runs on easier trails, a running shoe with a wide toe box can be more comfortable, accommodating natural foot splay.
Finally, it’s worth noting that how you lace your shoes can affect how tight your running shoes feel. If your shoes feel too tight, loosen the laces or try an alternative lacing pattern.
For some extra help buying your running shoes, check out our guide on how to pick the perfect running shoes for you.
