If you’re a runner, you’ll know that your shoes make a huge difference to the health of your feet and to your performance. Choosing the right type of running shoes for your feet can revolutionise your running habits and ensure that you keep smashing those personal bests! Check out our brand new range of Puma running shoes.
When you’re investing in new running shoes, it can be helpful to consider whether neutral or stability shoes will be the best choice for your feet. At The Edge, we know how important these decisions are, and we offer a gait analysis service to help you get it right. Read on to find out more about neutral and stability shoes to help you find the best fit.
What are Neutral Running Shoes?
Neutral running shoes are a great option for runners whose feet tend to land in a straight line when they are running. These are standard running shoes that do not adjust your gait, simply providing the cushioning and flexibility you need to prevent foot injuries and pain.
If you think that your feet tend to move in a straight line when you run, you should be looking out for shoes with plenty of cushioning to optimise shock absorption, as well as flexible soles that allow your feet to move naturally. You’ll want to ensure that your weight is distributed evenly throughout your feet, especially across the midsole, and you will probably prefer light shoes that are responsive to your movements.
A gait analysis can be very helpful to identify whether your feet roll as you run, and neutral shoes are the best choice for runners who do not experience their feet rolling inwards or outwards. However, if your feet roll slightly outwards when you run, which is known as supination, you will probably also be well suited to neutral running shoes. The main consideration is to support the natural running position and keep the feet in great shape while you are running.
What are Stability Running Shoes?
Analysing your gait reveals the way in which your feet move while you are running, and it can identify overpronation, which occurs when the feet roll inwards, towards each other. Overpronation can lead to pain when running, causing strain on the knees, the ankles or the hips if not corrected. The good news is that stability running shoes can provide the adjustment you need to prevent overpronation and protect your feet and your body as you run.
Stability shoes are an excellent choice for runners who have low to medium arches and require some extra support to correct overpronation. If you have developed shin splints or plantar fasciitis from running, stability shoes may be a good option for you.
Stability running shoes tend to have firmer, structured cushioning that helps to adjust the foot and align it correctly, with additional support along the inside edge of each shoe. These may look and feel slightly heavier or more rigid than neutral shoes, and this is so that they can provide more support for the feet.
Analysing your Gait
Analysing your gait can help you to work out which sort of running shoes will be best for your feet. Looking at the soles of your current running shoes can give you a good insight into your gait, and it can be helpful to take these with you when you are shopping for new running shoes. If you notice more wear on the outer side of your shoes, your feet likely tend to supinate when you run, while increased wear on the inside is a good indication of overpronation.
Many stores, such as The Edge, offer gait analysis services using treadmills and video analysis, and these can help you to make the best decisions about your new running shoes. You can also analyse your gait at home by stepping onto a dry piece of paper with wet feet. The resulting prints can indicate that you have low arches or that your feet roll inwards (overpronate) if the prints are full and flat, or that you have neutral or high arches if there is a clear curve in your print.
Finding Running Shoes that Work for You
Finding the right pair of running shoes is all about working with the biomechanics of your body and finding the best option for the unique shape of your feet and the way they move. When you understand more about the support your feet need, you can consider shoes that will be better suited to them. Modern running shoes incorporate sophisticated sports technology and can help to take the pressure off your feet when you are running.
When you are shopping for running shoes, you should consider:
- Support. Running can place the feet under a great deal of stress, and supportive shoes will help to prevent fractures and overuse injuries. The amount of support your feet require will depend on the shape of your feet and your unique gait pattern, and this can make a big difference to the health of your feet.
- Cushioning. The cushioning in your running shoes can help to prevent injuries and pain by protecting you from the impact every time your feet hit the ground. Finding running shoes with cushioning in all the right places for your unique foot shape can significantly increase your comfort and keep your feet safer as you run.
- Stability. Keeping your feet stable when you run will help to prevent injuries such as shin splints, so it is important to identify whether your feet overpronate and, if so, to wear stability shoes to prevent this. If you have never tried stability shoes, you may be surprised at the difference these can make, and a gait analysis can help to work out whether these will be the best choice for you.
- Grip. You will need to consider the type of running you do, as road running shoes and trail running shoes can be very different in design. If you are running off-road, for instance, you will need more protection against debris and uneven surfaces, while road runners will require a higher level of impact protection.
Working with the biomechanics of your feet to find the right running shoes can ensure that you are comfortable while you are running, and can also help you to optimise your performance. If your running stride is neutral, you will get the best results with neutral shoes, but if you tend to overpronate, you will find that stability shoes offer improved alignment and increase your efficiency as you run. A gait analysis can help to identify the key factors for you to consider, and this will help you to make the best choices about your next pair of running shoes.
Find Top Quality Running Shoes at The Edge, Ireland
Our expert team at The Edge can help you to find the very best running shoes for your feet, and we also have a great selection of running clothing and accessories so that you can make the most of your running experience. You’ll find everything you need for running, triathlon and cycling in our range, and you’ll find our full catalogue on our website.
