Jumping online to purchase a pair of running sneakers may sound simple enough, but there exist some important questions to consider before you make your final decision. While ideas such as size, make, and color are important to all buyers, considering what you need, what you plan to do, and how you want to do it should dictate your final decision. With a little time and thought, you can find the perfect running shoe.

First, think about how long you have been running. Do you really need that specific training shoe worn by the world's elite athletes, or do you require something more refined to get you started? Be simple and prudent.

Next, ask yourself how much mileage you plan on doing in a given week. High mileage shoes will offer different types of support to accommodate for the heavy training whereas racing-style shoes will be streamlined to enhance your competitive time.

Then reflect on where you do most of your running. Do you plan on hitting the roads endlessly or training on grass and trails? Differences exist when buying road sneakers versus trail shoes, so choose wisely. Buying thicker trail shoes and running a marathon in them could be a serious mistake. Likewise, attempting to run rocky trails in thinner, road-specific sneakers will cause almost certain injury.

Finally, consider if you have any foot problems. Are you an over-pronater, an under-pronater? Do you suffer from flat feet? Do you have especially wide feet? Think about your experiences with other shoes and how your feet responded and why.

Knowing the answers to these questions will let you make an informed decision that will result in you getting the most for your money. In the end, you will own a pair of shoes that are right for you, which will let you enjoy your daily training more than you ever thought you could.