Wearing uncomfortable running shoes can damage your feet.
Running puts stress on the feet. It is important that you use a pair of running shoes that cushion and protect your feet. Lack of such protection can spread the stress to your hip or lower back, leading to problems. Knowing the features of running shoes helps you determine shoe types that are right for your feet and running style. It also makes it easier for the retailer to assist you.
Outsole Material and Design
The outsole, or outer sole, of a running shoe is its bottom portion. The outsole provides the essential traction or grip for the runner. Traction requirements vary depending on the running style. For example, marathoners have traction needs different from that of trail runners. Traction apart, outsoles serve as shock absorbers. Those made of carbon rubber are heavy and stiff but durable, while blown rubber outsoles are lightweight and flexible and offer more cushioning. A design that has grooves cutting across the forefoot in a horizontal direction allows for natural movement of the foot. A split heel design, appearing in most running shoes, separates the shoe heel into inner and outer sections. This allows for an efficient heel-to-toe running motion.
Upper Sole Comfort
The upper sole is the soft portion of the shoe body. Upper soles come in a combination of materials, from lightweight durable and breathable synthetic to leather. For the upper sole to be comfortable, different features including the last, toe-box and heel counter should be considered. The shoe last, which is the shape of the shoe, is important as it supports foot motion. Lasts should match your foot shape and they can be straight, curved or partially curved. The toe-box is located to the front of the shoe, and should be roomy enough to allow muscle and tendon movement. A space of your thumb's width from your longest toe to the toe-box is considered ideal. The heel counter offers greater stability for the heel. External heel counters offer the maximum motion control; this feature is of particular benefit to runners that land on their heels first while running.
Midsole Reliability
The midsole, located between the shoe outsole and the upper sole, offers stability and cushioning needed for a runner. The midsole can be made of lightweight ethyl vinyl acetate, or EVA, which provides greater shock absorption, or of polyurethane, which is heavy but durable and offers greater stability. Sometimes, it is a combination of both materials.
Foot Shape
A runner's foot can be flat, high-arched or normal-ached. Individuals with flat feet can consider running shoes with a semi-curved or straight last and polyurethane midsole for better foot motion and stability. Shoes with a curved or semi-curved last, an EVA midsole and a lightweight outsole offer efficient flexibility, motion control and cushioning for high-arched feet. Normal-arched feet work well with a straight or half-curved last, carbon rubber outsole and a combination of EVA and polyurethane midsole for better shock absorption and stability.
Tags: running shoes, your feet, carbon rubber, foot motion, greater stability, heel counter, midsole better