I enjoy yoga as much as every lululemon-wearing, mat-carrying Marin mom or New Age embracing Manhattanite, and I enjoy rock climbing as much as the city-dwellers who pay big bucks for memberships to indoor climbing gyms, and who enjoy spouting lingo like v5, crimping, and top-roping, all while wearing the ironic outfit of skintight denim, foot-squishing climbing shoes and requisite badass gauged jewelry, because, obviously, the only uniform for rock climbing is no uniform at all. But, if ever there was a sport, or exercise, that has stood the test of time, and has little reliance on extra frills or necessary purchases – i.e. harness, yoga mat, pointe shoes and leotard – running is it. So many people run as a quick way to lose weight, to keep their heart healthy, or simply as a way of meditating after a long day sitting in an office. And the best part is, all you truly need is a good pair of running shoes.

It’s easy to underestimate the importance of buying a pair of sound running shoes. Many people don’t realize the technology that goes into the construction of a good running shoe, and think any shoe slapped on the feet will do the trick. But, after repeated shin splints and bouts of illiotibial syndrome, or worse, stress fractures, these people may start to wonder if there really is some merit to choosing a proper shoe. After all, humans are physiologically suited for barefoot running, and cloaking the foot in a cloistered contraption of various forms of plastic alters our natural footstrike, effectively changing our natural physiological movement, and thus creating the potential for injuries. So, what’s a runner to do?

Runner’s World Shoe Shop was created for Runner’s World by NearBy Now, Inc., for the iPhone so runners may be better educated about what shoes to buy for their specific running style. With all the different makes and models of running shoes, it’s no wonder people have a difficult time finding the shoe that’s right for them. Runner’s World takes the guessing out of trying on shoes, by providing information on different brands, types of shoes, and even provides a detailed video guide to different footstrikes and foot types. Everyone’s feet are shaped and sized differently, so what might feel comfortable for one person, might feel uncomfortable for the next. The first step in finding the right shoe is to determine your foot type.

According to the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, when you step, your foot first contacts the ground on the outside of your heel (supination) and then rolls to the inside of your foot (pronation). As your weight continues forward and your heel comes off the ground, the foot rolls to the outside again. Most people do not walk perfectly and tend to put more of their body weight on either the inside or the outside of their foot when they walk. If your foot leans too far to the outside when you walk, it is called over-supination or under-pronation. If your foot leans too far to the inside, it is called over-pronation. The Runner’s World Shoe Shop app gives you a video tutorial of each of these running types, including normal pronation, and details patterns that may be present in a certain running style. For example, the exercise app states that if you suffer from over-pronation, then you most likely have a low arch, have excessive wear patterns on the inside of your shoe’s sole, and have an inward-rolling ankle. The app also includes a “Wet-Test” to figure out whether you have a high, low, or normal arch, so you may understand your footstrike pattern better, and purchase shoes accordingly.

I, myself, am a normal pronator – as are most runners – and I swear by my new Adidas AdiSTAR Salvation, a shoe with a slightly larger toebox for better stability during toe-off. I can actually find this shoe through the Runner’s World Shoe Shop, with the app either finding it online, or finding a stocked supply of the shoe in a store nearby. A clear description and price of the shoe are given, should you wish to budget yourself accordingly, before bothering to set out on a quest to find your perfect shoe. The app shows both men’s and women’s shoes – 122 and 124 products, respectively – and the shoes are all divided into sections like motion control, stability, performance training, neutral-cushioned, and trail. I was an avid fan of Nike and New Balance for many years, but recently tested out a few Adidas, and my knees seem to do much better with them. However, for people strictly adhering to their favorite brand, Runner’s World Shoe Shop lets you search by brand, covering all the major labels like Puma, Nike, Adidas, and the major powerhouses like New Balance, Asics, Saucony, Brooks, and even some brands more known for their hiking or biking shoes than running shoes like Pearl Izumi, Salomon, Vasque, Merrell and Montrail. Finally, we all know how expensive running shoes can be. For good reason, too, because clothing aside, shoes are really all you need for running. If you’re a frequent runner – 75 + weekly mileage like me – be prepared to invest into the triple digits for a good pair of shoes. However, if you’d really like to budget, Runner’s World Shoes Shop lets you conveniently search by price, from $50-$100 or $100-$250.

Whether you’re a running champion or a weekend warrior, even just a jogger, Runner’s World Shoe Shop gives you the tools to set you in motion. Knowing what shoes to buy, and understanding your physiology are two of the most crucial components in preventing running injuries, and with this free app, you’ll find that shin splints and ankle rolls are not a necessary evil of running.