The weather is perfect for nice, long outdoor runs on the beach or right through your neighborhood. The leaves are changing colors, the air is crisp, and you've got miles and miles to go. That's why picking up a new pair of kicks is one of the most sound investments you can make for this autumn climate (and economic climate, for that matter).

To help the shoe shopping experience that much easier, Maximum Fitness offers these five tips in their current issue, on newsstands now.

• Do You Need New Shoes? This is obviously the most important step of all. If the soles of your shoes are showing significant signs of wear, the forefoot is shifted medially and laterally or you're always suffering injury, then it may be time to ditch those kicks for a new pair.

• When purchasing new sneakers, bring socks that you'd likely be wearing when out for your daily run.
• The front of the shoe should have at least one finger's width -- about 3/8 inch -- from your longest toe. This will help ensure that you buy the correct size.
• Your shoe should flex where your toes bend at the widest part of the shoe.
• Do a final check of potential candidates for defects. A vetting process, if you will. Do they meet the above-stated criteria? Are they comfortable? Do you like the way they look? Are they level when on a flat surface? Narrow your choices down to one and then go for it.

Now armed (or footed, I suppose) with the right pair of running shoes, get out there and enjoy this beautiful Fall weather. See you on the road.