In recent years, running has become exceptionally popular throughout the US. As interest in the sport has increased, several new products have entered the marketplace. While experienced runners can navigate the panoply of new goods with ease, those new to the sport can find the experience overwhelming. This is especially true when it comes to trying to pick the right pair of the latest running shoes. This piece will help you navigate the confusion through explaining the different types of footwear and giving types to help you pick the best ones.
Footwear for this sport can be divided into four different groups: cushioned, stability, motion control, and minimalist. The cushioned type have the most cushioning and the softest underfoot feel and offer minimal arch support.
These models use gel, foam, and other lightweight materials to protect the foot from impact. Cushioned models work well for bigger runners as well as runners with low arches or who overpronate. Examples of popular footwear of this type include: Nike Lunar Glide 2, New Balance 730, and Saucony Triumph 8.
The stability catagory offer more arch support in order to control excessive pronation and also tend to have less cushioning. These are recommended for medium to small framed individuals with normal arches and mild to moderate overpronation. Popular brands in this catagory include Asics 2160, Mizuno Wave Alchemy 2, and Brooks Adrenaline.
The third type is the motion control category. These models provides the highest level of arch support and is best for runners with extreme overpronation and low arches. Examples in the motion control category include Saucony Progrid Stabil CS, Asics Gel Foundation 9, and Brooks Beast 8.
The final category is the minimalist category. This type is extremely basic and offers little to no cushioning or support. Proponents of minimalist footwear say that this allows the foot to behave more naturally, making feet stronger and improving running performance while reducing injury. Some models of minimalist shoes include Nike Free Run, Vibram Five Finger, and Newton Running Gravity.
Discovering what type of pronation you have is the first step towards deciding which type of footwear is best for you. If you tend to put most of your weight on the outside part of your foot, you can be considered an underpronator. In this case, you should use cushioned models. People with neutral pronation should also use this same type of footwear. If your arch collapses and your feet fall inward as you walk, you can be considered an overpronator. In this case, you should use stability or motional control models. Minimalist shoes can be used with any pronation type, but care must be taken when starting with minimalist models as it takes time for the feet and ankles to adapt to the new impact forces. More study is still needed to see if minimalist footwear truly live up to the hype.
Many specialty stores have experts who can do fittings to determine which type of the latest running shoes best meet your needs. As the fitting proceeds, the expert will look at your foot strike pattern, measure your arches, and determine what type of pronation you have. This information will then be used to determine what type of shoe you should use.
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