About
From Confused Beginner to Your Running Shoe Guide
Hi, I’m Reid Pace. If you’ve ever felt completely lost standing in the middle of a running shoe store, staring at a wall of colorful sneakers, you’ve come to the right place.
I’m not a professional athlete, a certified coach, or a sports scientist. I’m simply a passionate running enthusiast who believes that starting your running journey should be exciting, not overwhelming.
Why This Site Exists
A few years ago, I was exactly where you might be right now. I decided I wanted to start running to get fit. I walked into a local sports store and was immediately hit with a wall of confusing terms like ‘pronation’, ‘heel-to-toe drop’, and ‘energy return’.
I didn’t care about the science—I just wanted a comfortable shoe that wouldn’t hurt my knees!
Frustrated, I started doing my own deep-dive research. I didn’t just do it for myself, but for friends who kept asking me the same questions. I created spreadsheets, compared specs, and translated all that marketing jargon into plain English.
Those simple notes I kept to help my friends find their “perfect first pair” eventually grew into what you see today: BestRunPicks.com.
What You’ll Find Here
Simple Guides
Easy-to-understand explanations of the basics. From figuring out your foot type at home to decoding what those technical shoe terms actually mean for your feet.
Jargon Decoded
I translate marketing hype into plain English. Instead of confusing specs, I’ll tell you exactly what features like "drop" or "stack height" actually mean for your daily run.
Curated Choices
Who has time to read 500 reviews? I do. I spend hours analyzing user feedback and specs to curate lists of the safest, most reliable picks for beginners, so you don't have to.
An Important Note: What I’m Not
It’s important to be clear about my role. I do not provide medical advice.If you have a specific injury, persistent pain, or a health concern, your first stop should always be a doctor or a qualified physical therapist. My advice comes solely from the perspective of a dedicated researcher and fellow runner, aimed at helping you understand the products on the market so you can make an informed choice.
