The most frequently asked question we get is what is the No. 1 shoe. And our answer never changes: There isn't any shoe which fits and functions perfectly for every runner. It simply doesn't work that way because every runner has different needs, foot type, biomechanics and fit requirements.
Once you get to the running store, you'll undoubtedly be drawn to the shoe wall where all the top shoes are displayed. Pretty confusing, huh? To help clarify the confusion, running shoes generally fall into one of six classifications: motion control, stability, cushioned (or neutral), trail (or off-road), lightweight performance trainers and racing shoes.
If you don't know which shoe you are best suited for, consult with the sales personnel who will watch you run and evaluated your gait and offer some advice to the shoe shoe type that best meets your needs.
Here are the six basic shoe types:
Cushioned (or neutral) shoes: This type of training shoe places an emphasis on cushioning and de- emphasizes stability or support. This type of shoe usually has a higher heel height with a split heel (also called decoupled) and added cushioning in the rearfoot for good shock absorption upon heel strike. These shoes are the least stable trainers, but are also the most flexible and responsive.
Best suited for: Runners who are biomechanically efficient (they don't overpronate) and often have a high or rigid arched. Also underpronators and fast, lean runners do well in these shoes.
Top examples: Asics Gel-Cumulus, Adidas Torsion Response, New Balance 879, Nike Air Skylon, Shox or Air Max, Mizuno Wave Creation or Wave Runner.
Stability shoes: The most popular category of shoes, stability shoes offer external and internal devices that will reduce overpronation (the distinctive inward roll which is a leading cause of injuries). Stability shoes generally have a multi-density midsole, a supportive upper and a midfoot shank or reinforcement to add torsional stability.
Best suited for: Runners who overpronate and/or need some added medial support and stability. Runners with normal or flat arches. Runners who wear orthotics generally do well in stability shoes.
Top examples: Adidas Supernova Control, Asics GT-2090 and Gel-Kayano, Brooks Adrenaline, Nike Air Structure Triax and Perseus, Mizuno Wave Alchemy and Legend, Saucony GRID Hurricane and Omni.
Motion-control shoes: Designed primarily for severe overpronators and/or big, heavy runners, motion controllers offer maximum support and stability. Generally, motion-control shoes have a broad base of support, a sturdy heel counter, a supportive upper and a midsole with multi-densities and often external support devices. These shoes are all about keeping the pronated foot in balance during the running gait. Although heavy, motion control shoes provide the greatest protection and support.
Best suited for: Overpronators or big, heavy runners who need all the support they can get. Runners with low arches also do well in motion-control shoes. Also good for orthotics wearers.
Top examples: Adidas Cairo, Brooks Beast and Addiction, Asics Gel-Foundation, Mizuno Wave Renegade, New Balance 1221 or 589, Nike Air Kantara, Saucony GRID Stabil.
Lightweight performance trainers: As the name implies, these are lightweight shoes that are designed for runners who want to fly in training-or racing. These shoes have a performance fit and feel, are highly flexible, have highly breathable uppers and good toe spring. Performance trainers are generally about 2-4 ounces lighters than conventional training shoes but there is a tradeoff in cushioning, stability and durability. They aren't designed to be worn every day, but usually for speed work or races.
Best suited for: Runners who train (or race) fast. Runners who don't need a lot of stability or cushioning, but prefer an unencumbered, light, flexible ride.
Top examples: Adidas Rotterdam, Asics Gel-DS Trainer, Brooks Burn, New Balance 900, Nike Air Skylon or Air Elite, Mizuno Wave Precision or Maverick.
Road-racing shoes: Racers (or flats) are the sports cars of the shoe wall. They are designed for only one thing: road-racing. Weighing between six and 10 ounces, flats don't offer much cushioning or stability and are not suitable for daily training (you'll wear them out too quickly anyway). Flats have a low-profile midsole and a minimalist upper and outsole.
Best suited for: Serious racers who don't want (or need) a shoe which will slow them down. Efficient, lightweight runners do best in flats.
Top examples: Adidas Supernova Racer, Asics DS-Racer, XXXXXX
Trail shoes: The SUVs. These are heavy duty, well-cushioned shoes that place an emphasis on upper protection and traction. Especially traction as trail shoes generally have heavily lugged outsoles (especially around the rim of the heel and forefoot) for going up or down steep, soft dirt trails. Many trail shoes have weather-resistant uppers that provide some protection from the elements.
Best suited for: Runners who do a lot of mileage on soft, dirt trails. Also runners who cover a lot of hilly terrain in wet, inclement weather.
Top examples: XXXXXXX
Dead shoes? Here's how you can tell when it's time to buy a new pair
Shoe life? There's no exact rule of thumb how long a good running shoe should last. There are simply too many variables-surface you run on, size and weight, running speed, biomechanics, weather conditions-to give an exact figure for how many miles each shoe should get. Also materials and construction of shoes are different that mileage expectations vary greatly.
In addition, a shoe begins to deteriorate on the very first run. The cushioning gets compressed with each subsequent run so a shoe with 100 miles has already begun to breakdown.
But generally-and this is only a gross generalization-a high quality running shoe from a reputable manufacturer worn under normal conditions should get anywhere from 250-500 miles. That's a pretty wide range, but some runners get more miles and some get fewer. Another generalization is that the bigger you are, the fewer miles you'll get. That only makes sense. A 250-pound guy will generate more force than a 100-pound woman and certainly get less miles out of the same shoe.
How do you tell when your shoes are dead?
Contrary to popular wisdom, the outsole doesn't wear out first. The midsole does. A conventional running shoe with an EVA midsole will get compressed before the outsole does. This is called compression set. When the midsole gets compressed from dozens and dozens of runs, the compression creates visible lines or wrinkles in the midsole that are easily observed from the side of the shoe. This is normal wear. But as the midsole gets more and more compressed, the number of compression lines grows and come closer together. Another words, compression set.
To determine if the midsole is worn out, flip the shoe over and press a thumb on the outsole and upward to the midsole. It should be relatively easy to see the midsole compress into the compression lines. But as the midsole breaks down with wear and tear, the midsole will compress less into these compression lines with the same amount of pressure. When the midsole shows distinctive compression lines and the press test indicates a lack of compression, you can bet the midsole is shot to the point where there's little or no cushioning remaining in the midsole. Time to buy another pair.
Another way is even more simple. All of a sudden a normal easy run results in aches or pain which ordinarily wouldn't be there. Experienced runners usually have an approximate idea of the number of miles they have on a particular model and are keenly aware of any change in cushioning.
Two good tips to monitor your mileage on a pair of shoes (so you have an idea when they will begin to break down) is to either note in your training log when you first begin wearing a new pair. Or write on the tongue of the shoe the date you begin wearing the shoes. That way you can approximate the mileage you have on a pair and when aches and pains begin to appear you'll have a good idea of how long you've been wearing the shoes and thus, can easily estimate the amount of life (if any) left in the shoes.
What to do with old shoes
Just because a shoe is worn out from running, doesn't mean you should toss it out. They can still be used for household chores such as mowing the lawn or gardening. Or even better: Many stores (including RunTex) offer a discount on new shoes if you return your old shoes. Those old shoes can the be recycled to the less advantaged.
Nike also recycles shoes. Nike has a Re-Use A Shoe program which is an environmentally friendly way to put your old shoes to good use. Nike grinds up old shoes and uses them to resurface running tracks, soccer fields and football fields. Contact your local running store to see if it participates (and collects shoes) for this program. Nike accepts all brands and types of athletic shoes-except shoes with metal cleats.
Or you can send your shoes (or shoes from your club) to:
Nike Recycling Center
Re-Use A Shoe
26755 SW 95th Ave.
Wilsonville, OR 97070
Or got to Nike.com for further details.
 
 
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Shoe Types
by Wish, 7/30/2004 |
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