What’s the Difference Between All of These Sneakers?
When you walk into a shoe store, you will see hundreds of pairs to choose from. From barefoot sneakers to a $ 200 Nike pair. The point is, there are no “perfect” sneakers. Everyone needs a different type of footwear, and when it comes to choosing the right footwear, comfort is more important than price.
What makes a sneaker different from any other shoe?
You can go for a run in any shoe you want, but a shoe designed specifically for running will work best. Running shoes usually have a flexible outsole, enough structure and cushioning to support your feet as you hit the pavement over and over again.
Unlike basketball and tennis shoes, which provide lateral support, the shoe lacks lateral stability because you don’t move your foot from side to side as you run. The American Podiatric Medical Association recommends that if you exercise regularly, you should buy shoes for the specific sport. Therefore, if you love to run, but also play basketball, your feet will be happy if you buy shoes for each separately.
You can buy sneakers at your regular shoe or sporting goods store, but it is best to visit a store that specializes in sneakers. You won’t be distracted by other options and they will have a much better selection of different types of sneakers that are on the market.
The main difference between different types of sneakers
So you stand in a store and look at a thousand different shoes. What is the difference between them? Basically, sneakers are usually sold in four different types:
- Movement control or stability : For people withexcess bosom , footwear is recommended for stability. This means your foot rolls inward as you run. Traffic shoes are usually the stiffest and heaviest available on the market; the stability of the shoe is less. If you have flat feet, you may be guided towards them.
- Cushioning : This shoe doesn’t try to affect the movement of your feet too much, but it tends to have extra cushioning. People with a lot of weight or with high arches tend to prefer them.
- Neutral : As the name suggests, neutral shoes are for those with aneutral gait . They usually have a little amortization.
- Minimalist or barefoot shoes : These shoes generally have little to no cushioning or support. They are designed to mimic barefoot running as much as possible , while still providing the protection that many people need.
What does all this mean for you as a customer? In fact, not that much.
What really matters is how they feel when you run
Many shoe manufacturers shy away from the rigid categories above because a number of studies that have demonstrated previous ideas about foot type and what kind of shoe you need are not as accurate as you might think. A series of studies by the US military have shown that the type of shoe is not as associated with injury as we are used to thinking . In addition, researchfrom the University of British Columbia and the British Journal of Sports Medicine shows that the way footwear is prescribed and sold is usually overly simplistic and not based on evidence. Basically, the way sneakers are marketed has nothing to do with injury prevention or comfort.
Scientists, shoe companies and runners have been grappling with this problem for the past decade . In truth, there is no proven way to tell you which shoes you should buy.
If you go to the store and talk to a co-worker, they may examine the shape of your footprint to determine if your arch is high or low, and they may ask you to run on a treadmill while they analyze your gait. But after all that, their recommendation may not be any better than if they accidentally picked neutral shoes off the wall.
The good thing about going through this process, even if it’s unscientific, is that it gives you and the running store employee some time to talk about what you’re looking for in a shoe. Be sure to tell them what you like and dislike about your current shoes, and if you had a pair that you have loved in the past. When it comes to shoe types, it is safest to stick with something neutral unless you have tried neutral shoes and know for sure that they are not suitable for you.
How to choose the right pair
Once you really figure out the differences between all these different types of shoes, it’s time to choose the pair that suits you best . This is a surprisingly difficult task.
If you are new to running or are having problems with your shoes, you may need to reconsider what type of shoes you need. To this end, it’s a good idea to go to a running store and get advice and fitting from them. When you arrive, they will take a look at your posture, age, and physique. They will then link that to your goals, training intensity, and running direction to choose the right shoe type. If this is your first pair of sneakers, it’s a good idea to skip the online order and pick them up in person so you can choose the right shoes for you. (However, there are kit options available when ordering online .)
Fit is the most important thing, which means that the heel is snug, you have enough room for the ball of your foot to move a little, and enough room to wiggle your toes. For some more tips for proper fit, refer to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons’ Sports Fitting Guide to make sure you are trying them on correctly. Don’t be surprised if you have to buy half as much sneakers as street shoes; most of us do.
As for the price, it probably doesn’t matter. Some shoes may be better made than others, but comfort and fit are more important than the price tag. And to be clear, “comfort” means how they feel when you run , not just when you are in the store. Ask for a jog on a treadmill or block. They usually do.
Technologically, no two shoes are exactly the same, and a pair of shoes that a friend swears might not work for you. When shopping for shoes, keep your main goals in mind: comfort, support and convenience. That’s all that really matters when it comes down to it. As many runners often say, the best running shoes are the ones you never notice.
This post was originally published in 2013 and was updated on March 12, 2021 to add information, update links, and bring it in line with the current Lifehacker style.