Choosing your next pair of road running shoes.
There are 3 main types of running shoes that fall under road running shoes and they are dependent on your mechanics. Basically, how your foot hits the ground and what does it do after it does. The three categories are.....Neutral Control, Medial Control and Motion Control. Keep in mind it is not an exact science which category you will do best in and many shoe styles cross over making it confusing. We'll do are best to simplify it for you. Let's start with Neutral Control.
There are 3 main types of running shoes that fall under road running shoes and they are dependent on your mechanics. Basically, how your foot hits the ground and what does it do after it does. The three categories are.....Neutral Control, Medial Control and Motion Control. Keep in mind it is not an exact science which category you will do best in and many shoe styles cross over making it confusing. We'll do are best to simplify it for you. Let's start with Neutral Control.
Do you fall into the Neutral Control category?
Well it's not quite that simple. Many neutral control shoe use very stable foam and resist torque making them a good choice for many runners, even though who think they should be in Medial (stability) shoes.
First let's recap the side by side motion of the foot and ankle. Go ahead and point your toes and foot towards your head. That is called "dorsiflexor" and away from your head is called "plantar flexion". This is up & down which is NOT what we're talking about. We're talking side to side. A neutral foot/ankle is one that stays straight or a slight bit toward the lateral or outside of the foot.
A "neutral" shoe is for some with "neutral" or "supinated" foot mechanics as well as someone with mild "pronation".
Here is a great video that demonstrates both a "neutral" foot/ankle type on the left and a "supinated" or also called "under-pronated" ankle on the right. Both types of foot/ankles would use a "neutral" type shoe. Please continue under the video for more foot/ankle types that would use a "neutral" type running shoe.
Let's see it in action in this video. *Runnergy is not sponsor nor is promoting or endorsing the companies reflected in the photos or videos.
Well it's not quite that simple. Many neutral control shoe use very stable foam and resist torque making them a good choice for many runners, even though who think they should be in Medial (stability) shoes.
First let's recap the side by side motion of the foot and ankle. Go ahead and point your toes and foot towards your head. That is called "dorsiflexor" and away from your head is called "plantar flexion". This is up & down which is NOT what we're talking about. We're talking side to side. A neutral foot/ankle is one that stays straight or a slight bit toward the lateral or outside of the foot.
A "neutral" shoe is for some with "neutral" or "supinated" foot mechanics as well as someone with mild "pronation".
Here is a great video that demonstrates both a "neutral" foot/ankle type on the left and a "supinated" or also called "under-pronated" ankle on the right. Both types of foot/ankles would use a "neutral" type shoe. Please continue under the video for more foot/ankle types that would use a "neutral" type running shoe.
Let's see it in action in this video. *Runnergy is not sponsor nor is promoting or endorsing the companies reflected in the photos or videos.
Great example a "neutral" and "supinated" foot types.
If your foot resembles the three feet in the green in the image below I usually find a "neutral" shoe type to be a great option. This is even more true if you have an insole you apply to the inside of your shoes. Click here for more information on insoles/orthotics.
Keep in mind the image below is using the right foot as an example.
Image credit: Northsiderunners.com, *Runnergy is not sponsor nor is promoting or endorsing the companies reflected in the photos or videos
If your foot resembles the three feet in the green in the image below I usually find a "neutral" shoe type to be a great option. This is even more true if you have an insole you apply to the inside of your shoes. Click here for more information on insoles/orthotics.
Keep in mind the image below is using the right foot as an example.
Image credit: Northsiderunners.com, *Runnergy is not sponsor nor is promoting or endorsing the companies reflected in the photos or videos
