There is no longer a basic running shoe. Just about everything that you see, is designed for a specific type of foot, arch and stride.
A running shoe fit, therefore, by your local running shop, will put you in the right direction….a big factor in making running more comfortable and preventing injuries. A shoe doesn’t have to be expensive to be good. It should just match the way that you run. This is a good diagram to acquaint you with the basics.
…and you can check out the Shoe Dog Fit Wizard on Road Runner SportsÂ
Road Runner Sports Shoe Dog
Of you can always go visit Andy Pruitt at the Boulder Center for Sports Medicine and have it _really_ done right…reserve a few months in advance
http://bch.org/sportsmedicine/default-sports-medicine.aspx,
 
Diagram from The Injured Runner website: http://injuredrunner.com/running_shoe.htmÂ