Does It Matter Which Athletic Shoes I Buy?
Next time you go to Foot Locker or Finish Line it might be a good idea to look past the appearance of the shoe you are purchasing. This can often be a daunting task as you gaze at the wall of athletic shoes having no idea where to start.
However, in general there are three options: 1) motion control, 2) cushioning or 3) stability.
It has long been thought that an individual who walks with excessive pronation requires a more supportive shoe. While an individual that walks with excessive supination requires a more cushioned shoe.
What is supination?
In general if you are a supinator, you carry more weight on the outside of your foot and are typically characterized as having a high arch.
If you flip an old pair of shoes over you will see excessive tread wear on the outside of the shoe.
This positioning of the foot is generally thought to be very rigid in nature, which is why a more cushioned shoe is recommended.
What is pronation?
If you are a pronator, the opposite is true and you tend to carry more weight on the inside of the foot. You are also typically characterized as having a flat foot.
If you flip an old pair of shoes over you will see excessive tread wear on the inside of the shoe.
In general, a flat foot is less stable leading to recommendations of more supportive footwear, otherwise known as your motion control model.
What if I don’t have either?
Then you have neutral foot positioning and require a combination of the two. This subgroup tends to be the most common and they generally perform best in a stability shoe model.
What about minimalist shoes?
Minimalist athletic shoes have become very popular over the last few years. These shoes are manufactured in a way that gives you the same input you get when being barefoot:
It is thought that the new developments in shoes have actually led to regressions in the natural gait pattern, causing increased rearfoot striking – which can lead to increased running-related injuries.
The minimalist shoe caters more toward a forefoot strike, which is related to decreased running injuries.
Despite these recent findings, a transition to minimalist shoes is not for everyone and there have been increased injuries related to the switchover in individuals who lack the appropriate foot and ankle strength.
How should my athletic shoes fit?
In addition to the technology in the shoe, the fit is also extremely important, and it is always ideal to try on your shoes prior to purchasing them. Our feet change over the years and it is recommended that you get re-measured yearly. When determining sizing:
The toe box should be wide enough to allow the toes to move.
However, the heel and midfoot should be secure.
To determine if the shoe is too narrow, you can remove the insole and place your foot on it. If your foot hangs over the sides of the insole it is too narrow.
When your foot is in the shoe and you’re STANDING, there should be a thumbnail’s width of space from the longest toe (may be your 2nd toe) to the end of the shoe.
To determine if it is snug and secure enough, you can grab the back of the shoe and secure it to the ground while pushing through your toes. There should be little to no movement in the heel.
Make sure you are wearing the socks you plan to wear with the athletic shoes.
At the end of the day, these are general guidelines to follow. However, the most important aspect of determining the proper shoe is your own comfort, and you should never purchase shoes that you feel you need to break in. They should be the proper fit from the start. If you have pain regardless of the shoe you wear, it is a good idea to get checked out by your local physical therapist.
