Running shoes are meant for the people who run or jog in routine manners. These shoes protect and provide cushioning effect to the feet of a person when he pounds on the path again and again.

Purpose of running shoes (1)

The name tells the purpose of running shoes. These are designed for heel-to-toe or forward movements. The higher heel drop design helps to absorb shocks and provides comfort to the runner when he runs long distances.

Best running shoe (2)

The selection of the best shoe depends upon the amount of running, biomechanics, and shape of the foot of the runner. A best running shoe must support the feet, provide the cushioning effect from shocks, and protect feet from the heating effects from the road friction. A person must survey the market and different brands until he finds the best fit and functionality. He must consider the following steps to avoid any hardship of finding the best fit for him.

  • Design of shoe; while buying a running shoe it must be considered that its design is built for running purposes. It must absorb the shock that is 2.5 times the weight created when the person strikes his foot on the ground. If a buyer is planning to run three times a week then he needs to check whether the selected shoe can provide a cushioning effect to his feet or not.
  • A shoe with the right fit; a buyer must check the shoe by wearing it and make sure that it best fits him. The loose-fitted shoe will make him inconvenient to run properly. On the other hand, a shoe that is tightly fitted can cause foot injury to the runner. For selecting the right fit shoe, the following tips must be taken into consideration:
    • A buyer must try shoes in the evening or afternoon as feet tend to swell while running or throughout the day.
    • There should be almost a thumb width between the end of the shoe and the end of the foot. This width avoids the hitting of the toe of the runner to the end of the shoe while running down a slope.
    • A shoe should cover the foot comfortably. It should not compress or feel sloppy.
  • The right type of shoe; the type of running shoe depends upon the kind of running a person wants to do.
    • Every day running shoes; can handle all kinds of running and are durable.
    • Lightweight running shoes; these shoes are best for races and faster workouts. Generally, these are less durable.
    • Trail running shoes; are best for running on rocky and dirty trails. Lugs built on the bottom of the shoe provide maximum grip on rocks and dirt. The upper body of such shoes is more durable.
  • Cost; normally it is considered that any article with higher prices gives more technology and comfort features. But it does not mean that buyers must purchase the most expensive shoes in the market. On the other hand, opting for less costly shoes may mean that these are not able to meet one’s requirements. A person must buy the best-featured pair at a reasonable price.
  • Knowledge of lingo;
    • Stack height; this term refers to the amount of stuff between ground and foot. Stack heights can be minimally cushioned, highly cushioned, and barefoot. Low stack height shoe gives the feeling of pavement than the cushion effect. Whereas high stack height shoe gives maximal cushioning to the runner.
    • Heel-toe offset; this term tells the difference between the quantity of material beneath the forefoot and beneath the heel.
    • Pronation control; running shoes are either stability or neutral shoes. 80% of total running shoes are neutral running shoes. Stability running shoes are built to correct overpronation and to minimize the chances of injury.

Types of running shoes (3)

Running shoes are classified into five types

  1. Lightweight shoes

These are also known as cross country spikes and racing flats. These are suitable for speed workouts such as competition, fartleks, intervals, and sprints.

  1. Trail shoes

As the name indicated, these are best for trail running. These shoes maneuver across dirt, off-road hurdles, mud, and rocks.

  1. Stability shoes

These shoes are recommended for people with neutral feet or normal arch. These shoes help to reduce or prevent excessive pronation.

  1. Motion-control shoes

These are recommended for the runners having low arch and mild to serious overpronation. These are also suitable for obese individuals who want a highly stable and durable pair of shoes.

  1. Cushioned shoes

These are built with extra cushioning to give the feel of plush running, without an ample amount of supportive and corrective elements. These are suitable for runners with almost no pronation. These are also known as “neutral padded shoes”.

Top Brands of running shoes

  • Brooks running shoes- one of the famous footwear companies founded in 1914. Brooks Glycerin 19 and Brooks Launch 8 come under the category of cushioning and brooks Launch GTS 8 is famous for its stability. The cost starts from $130.
  • Nike- these shoes are a perfect blend of cushioning, support, and stability for all kinds of workouts. Its premium material provides a plush feel to the foot. Nike attracts its customers by its superb-looking designs and variety of colors. The cost starts from $150.
  • Adidas- was founded by Adi Dassler in Germany. Supernova and AdiZero are popular running shoes. AdiZero is famous for being light-weighted and Supernova for being comfortable in long-distance races. The cost starts from $120.
  • Asics- it is a Japanese Footwear Company. It makes worldwide famous running shoes initiating from cushioned Nimbus and Cumulus to stability GT and Kayano series. The cost starts from $49.
  • Skechers- this brand provides a fun and bouncy ride to a runner. it provides its customer with light-weighted shoes with high durability and stability. The cost starts from $129.95.

References

  1. https://www.active.com/running/articles/running-shoe-guide-for-dummies
  2. https://www.runningwarehouse.com/learningcenter/gear_guides/footwear/how_to_pick_running_shoes.html
  3. https://www.runnersblueprint.com/types-of-running-shoes/