footwear

Running Shoe Considerations (Trainers)

Peter has compiled a database below, of good quality trainers. These shoes avoid a strong anti-pronation mechanism (which aggravates many sports enthusiasts and runners, as the required degree of shock-absorbing pronation can be lost causing kinematic chain difficulties). The trainers listed here present with good cushioning and a gently neutral/curved last, ideal for orthotic users. NEVER get a strong anti-pronating or anti-supinating shoe with orthotic insoles… your orthotic prescription is providing all the mechanical dynamics, so the shoe simply needs to be ‘neutral’ and well cushioned.

NB: Special Note to Lady Runners: Women’s trainers are shaped to be more feminine and often have a narrow and shallow toe box. They also have seams in the uppers which could catch on nail plates in running. It is advisable to seek a trainer that is unisex with a wider, deeper toe box but still close fitting heel counter. The laces should be tied to the most comfortable tension and secured in the top eyelets (often missed) to avoid them slipping loose. The foot will be securely held but not squashed and the toes will have room to move without catching the nail plates, causing damage. Improper toebox mechanics will increase shear forces on the nail edges which causing the nails to lift painfully. Repeated trauma to the nail will possibly result in nail dystrophies in future, so prevention of repeated nail trauma is essential.

ADIDAS

  • Supernova Cushion
  • Universal Cushion – no medial support, flexible forefoot
  • Response Cushion

ASICS

  • Nimbus V1 - Flexible forefoot, maximum cushioning, superior response
  • Landreth
  • Cumulus V1 - Wider forefoot, good cushioning, especially flexible, with outer (lateral) wedge

BROOKS

  • Escalate – Good quality ‘budget’ shoe
  • Glycerin 2 – Superior metatarsal / ball of foot / forefoot cushioning. Good grip
  • Epithany
  • Burn  - Can be used as a racing flat shoe

MIZUNO

  • Wave Nevana 5 – Great heel support. Especially suitable for runners and heavy heel strikers with extreme overpronation
  • Wave Aero,
  • Atlantis
  • Wave Rider 8
  • Wave Mustang 3 – Good cushioning in heel and forefoot

NEW BALANCE

  • 834 - Lightweight with good cushioning
  • 844 - For runners needing soft cushioning Balance
  • 900 – Very Lightweight
  • 1023 - Good cushioning & flexibility

NIKE

  • Air Max Moto
  • Pegasus
  • Skylon
  • Vomero – new recommendation

SAUCONY

  • Grid Triumph - Good cushioning, although not a great degree of forefoot and rearfoot control
  • Grid Trigon L - Lightweight cushioning, intrinsic forefoot post
  • Grid Trigon R Durable – well cushioned, intrinsic forefoot post
  • Grid Trigon D - for marathon runners who need more impact and distance, intrinsic forefoot post
  • Jazz Lightweight –  good cushioning, for on or off road

And finally… a word on shoes too…

Correctly fitting shoes are not only comfortable to wear, but they also help prevent injury, pain and malformation of your feet!

During childhood, our feet are frequently checked and measured, so parents and guardians know which width and length the child has reached. For some reason though, we tend to assume as an adult, that out feet are a fixed size for life. However, our feet can (and do) change in size and shape for various reasons as we get older, so we don’t always stay exactly the same size.

If possible, it’s worthwhile getting your feet measured each year to check their size and width. A specialist shoe shop (or a good podiatrist!) can do this for you.

It’s good to measure your feet in the afternoon if possible (particularly if your feet swell to some degree during the day). It’s also good to try shoes on and walk on a hard floor area of a shop, rather than on the very cushioned, soft carpets that most shoe shops have fitted!

There are many signs that may reveal a poor fit of your current shoes or footwear:

If you can feel the end of your footwear with your toes, you’re likely to be wearing a size or two too small. With correctly fitting shoes, there should be a bit of space and you shouldn’t be able to feel the end of the shoe.

If your shoes ‘slap’ from side to side as you walk, your shoes could be too wide (or too long, especially if your heel lifts out of the shoe during gait). Not all shoes come in different fittings these days, but if you’ve got a particularly narrow or wide foot, it’s worthwhile looking out for manufacturers who produce shoes designed for your particular foot issue.  We can offer advice on suitable companies and manufacturers on request.

Shoes should be functional, comfortable and attractiveto wear, so if you’ve got discomfort, it’s time to take a closer look at your shoes, feet and walking mechanics, to get to the bottom of your problem at your body’s foundation!

Shoe Size Converter:





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