ASK LARA: Best brand of running shoes?
Posted September 21st, 2007 at 7:45 AM by Lara Johnson
Section: Columns, Ask Lara
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Q. I am fairly new to running. What is the best brand of running shoes?
~Mike from Portland, ME
A. Every runner’s feet are unique, and thus each pair of feet requires not the best shoe, but the right shoe for his or her feet. Therefore, the real question here is not which brand is the best, but which type of shoe is best. Fortunately, there are many companies that manufacture high quality running shoes that are based on scientific research. All of these companies seem to have their own trademark style, materials, and basis for why they make their shoes the way they do. This is great, since we as runners will fit better in one type of shoe than another. Furthermore, one type of shoe may fit better from one brand than another. Basically, it’s best to keep an open mind about which brand you choose, and an overall focus on finding the right shoe for you.
Go to a local running store
Visiting a local specialty running store is the best way to find your shoes. A good store will have staff that will take the time to ask about your running history, what you are training for, and will actually look at your feet when you walk barefoot and when you test-run their shoes. When you go running shoe shopping, go late in the day (when your feet are at their largest), wear the socks you usually run in, and bring your old pair of shoes if you have some. Lastly, be sure to go with the shoe that feels best, even if it is not the latest fad or the best price. Remember, it may save you from injury expenses down the road.
Know your feet
Running shoe companies these days offer a variety of shoes for runners with different types of feet, as well as different running styles. Although the staff at a running store should look for these differences, it is helpful for you to know what they are looking for. There are two main foot characteristics to determine: arch height (high, medium, or low arches), and pronation (overpronation, neutral, or underpronation).
Your arch height is easy to determine if you step out of the shower with a wet foot onto a piece of paper or the floor. A high arch will display little to no arch (more space between the heel and forefoot), while a low arch will display most of the mid-foot.
Pronation is the normal motion from heelstrike to the front of the foot as you take a stride. A neutral pronator will strike properly at the outside of the heel and roll to the forefoot with the weight evenly dispersed across the front (dispersing the force of impact). Someone who underpronates does not properly roll to the neutral position, thus placing most of the stress on the outside of the foot. Overpronators will roll too far from the outside to the inside of the foot.
Whoever helps you at the running store should find the shoe that works best for your feet. It may be a motion-control shoe if you overpronate and have flat feet, a cushioned shoe if you underpronate and have high-arched feet, or a stability shoe if you have neutral pronation and normal arches.
The brand game
Keep in mind that one brand of a similar type of shoe may simply fit or feel better than another. Good thing we have some different choices! Plus, shoe models are continuously updated and changed, and what works for you now may not in the future. Be sure to try on the shoes and test them out (i.e. run in them) before buying. In reality, no shoe is perfect. Ideally, it is best to have multiple shoes, from different brands, that fit well and feel good and to rotate them regularly. However, that is a topic for another time…
Happy running!
Research sources and for more information: [WebMD]
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Lara Johnson holds her M.S. in Health and Exercise Science from Wake Forest University, and is a certified Exercise Specialist from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). A clinical researcher and personal trainer, Lara works hard and plays harder, competing in events from the mile to the marathon as a member of the Boston Athletic Association (BAA).
Lara advocates exercise as the best prevention for disease and disability. She enjoys a training plan that focuses on running and that is complemented with speed-work, strength training, sound nutrition, cross training, and injury prevention.
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Tags: arch height, pronation, running shoe, running shoes
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