Neutral Shoes
Recommended for runners who need maximum midsole cushioning and minimum medial support. These shoes are best for biomechanically efficient runners and mid-foot or forefoot strikers with high or normal arches.
Features:
- Open mesh for breathability on everyday long training runs.
- Overlays to keep the shoe locked over the arch without sagging
- Carbon rubber on the outsole for durability for frequent use
Motion Control shoes
Recommended for moderate to severe overpronators who need maximum rearfoot control and extra support on the medial (arch) side of their shoes. These runners tend to be flat-footed or strike hard on their heels. Also best-suited to bigger runners who need plenty of support and durability.
Motion control shoes are the most rigid, control-oriented running shoes. They're designed to slow down or limit extreme inward rolling of the foot and ankle, which can cause injury (this excessive rolling is called 'overpronation').
Motion control shoes are generally heavy but very durable. They may include features such as a medial post (a firmer section under the inner edge of your foot, for pronation control); a polyurethane midsole (for midsole durability) and a carbon rubber outsole (for outsole durability). Many are built on a straight last, which offers stability and maximum support on the inner side of your foot.
You should buy these if: you’re an overpronator who needs control features and places a premium on durability; or you wear orthoses (sculpted shoe inserts) and want a firm midsole and deep heel counter; or you’re a heavy runner who needs extra durability and control. Runners with flat feet often do best in motion control shoes.
Off-road Shoes
As the name suggests, these are designed for running off the beaten track. Also called trail shoes, they might be designed as a road shoe with a harder-wearing upper and extra grip on the outsole, or they could be a shoe designed specifically for off-road use. The latter are usually simple, technology-light but with tons of traction.
Off-road, or ‘trail’, shoes offer increased outsole traction, and uppers with toe bumpers and reinforced stitching for more durability. The foot often sits slightly lower to the ground than usual, for stability and responsiveness; and the shoes often have less cushioning than a road shoe, because they're designed for softer surfaces.
Performance Shoes
Recommended either for racing or, if you’re biomechanically efficient, for training. They have varying degrees of support and cushioning but they’re generally lighter (most weigh around 200-300g) and narrower.
Features:
- Stripped-down midsole so foot can be closer to the floor for a responsive ride.
- Elevated toe-spring to help with speedy toe-off.
- A snugger fit across the toe box for a glove-like fit.
Stability Shoes
Recommended for runners who are mild to moderate overpronators and who generally have low to normal arches. These runners tend to need a shoe with a combination of good support and midsole cushioning.
Features:
- Higher medial post for anti-pronation support
- Torsion control device in the midfoot to stop the shoe being twisted during overpronation
- Thicker crash pad on the heel for impact force dispersion
Track Shoes
Track shoes can seem intimidating. It’s easy to assume they’re the preserve of elite athletes, but they’re not. A weekly session at a track will not only help to give your speedwork an edge, but the variety will help keep you motivated, too.
Track shoes can seem intimidating. It’s easy to assume they’re the preserve of elite athletes, but they’re not. A weekly session at a track will not only help to give your speedwork an edge, but the variety will help keep you motivated, too.
While using ordinary running shoes on a track is fine, if you want to get the most out of your workout, get yourself a pair of track spikes.
What to look for: All the shoes in our review are middle-distance ones – a good option for track-training virgins. The longer the distance, the longer the spike you need. This is because the longer you run, the slower you go, and so you need greater traction as your foot spends longer on the ground on each stride.
Sprint shoes have fewer cushioning and support features than distance ones, and cross-country shoes have longer spikes and a tougher construction for mucky conditions.
Minimalist Shoes
Designed for biomechanically efficient runners who want maximum responsiveness and a stripped-down shoe with a degree of cushioning. These are midway between neutral cushioned shoes and performance trainers for weight, cushioning and ‘heft’.
Features:
- Fewer bells and whistles in the mid-outsole – for example, no torsion control device in the midfoot
- Lower ratio of heel-to-toe drop from a differential of 13mm on average to 8mm and below
- Less cushioning in the midfoot so the foot is closer to the ground for a more ‘natural’ feel.Runners world magazine
No comments:
Post a Comment