If you were in search for the perfect shoe – or need advice about how to navigate all of the choices for footwear – you might have come to the right university.

At the ISU Department of Health and Human Performance, the biomechanics lab works on, among other things, testing the quality and durability of shoes. The lab is hired by groups such as Runner’s World magazine, Consumer Reports, the Army, shoe consulting companies and various brands of shoemakers.

“It’s not like we advertise that we do this work, but places just contact us and tell us what they want us to find out about their shoes,” said Tim Derrick, associate professor of health and human performance.

The individuals who work in the biomechanics lab test shoes in many ways. They have a $20,000 machine that simulates the impact of running on the shoe. A weight is raised and lowered on to the sole of the shoe repeatedly, mocking a running step.

They look for how much breakdown occurs and how the sole reacts to the repetition and weight.

Brent Edwards, graduate student in health and human performance, enjoys the perks that come along with testing for shoe companies.

“It’s really interesting to test new shoes that are not on the market. We get an early look at new designs and developments in footwear,” Edwards said.

Another test they perform involves motion control reflectors. While someone is wearing the shoe, they place motion sensors on the shoe and the lower leg. This transmits information to the computer about location in three dimensions.

“We can see how feet move in the shoes and how the body reacts,” Derrick said.

Numerous individuals try out the shoes, because people change how they run with different shoes, and different people run in different ways.

Various surfaces such as gymnastics mats and playground surfaces are used to see if the shoes meet impact specifications before they are sold on the market.

The number of tests performed on each kind of shoe depends on how much money the company is willing to pay. Derrick said one of the hardest parts about working in the lab is the time constraints.

“Sometimes people call you and want these tests run within two days. This has become more like a hobby than a research position,” Derrick said.

He has found that the best shoe may not be the one with the least impact, which is why multiple tests are performed on the shoes. Cushioning and control are two important factors to look at when purchasing a shoe.

Derrick said that most people, while running, roll their foot from the outside in. To compensate for this, many shoes have softer soles toward the outside than toward the middle.

If you find that your foot tends to hit the ground on the outside first, extra cushioning in that region may be one thing to look for in your next pair of shoes.

Derrick said that finding the right shoe can make or break your exercise routine.

“Stress fractures can be prevented by making sure that the shoe has enough cushioning for you,” he said.

Derrick said that shoes should be replaced after every 500 miles of use to keep them working at their best. He noted, however, that some shoe companies are developing new technologies that may increase the length of time that shoes perform well.

Shoe choice can be difficult when the data these tests find are not printed on the box in the shoe store.

Angela Savits, freshman in family finance, housing and policy, has fairly easy requirements to determine her shoe selection.

“I feel how comfortable they are and look at their appearance,” Savits said.

Edwards said he usually purchases shoes that are “middle of the road.” He said he has found that the two main factors when purchasing a shoe – injury prevention and sports performance – are inversely related. He likes to find shoes that provide moderate benefits in both areas.

There is no shoe that works for everyone, since each person has a different stride and purpose for his or her shoes. For some, fit is most important. For others, support is significant.

Try on a variety of shoes and notice what you like and dislike about each pair.

Often in the shoe business, Derrick said, you get what you pay for.