What Is a Stability Shoe and Is It Really Important?
With the sheer number of features advertised in different running shoes, it’s hard to know what matters and what doesn’t matter to your comfort and performance. Last week we talked about the importance of heel to toe drop , and today we’re talking about stability.
We’ve argued before that most people shouldn’t think too much about running shoes . At the same time, if you are prone to overpronation (i.e., excessive inward-turning of the foot), the right shoes can increase your comfort. Here’s what you need to know about running shoes and whether they’re right for you.
What is a stability running shoe?
When choosing a pair of running shoes aimed at adjusting your support, the main types of offerings will be stability or motion control shoes. These types of specialty shoes solve the same problem (just to a different degree): pronation or rolling inwards when the foot touches the ground. Every runner pronates to some degree, but over-pronation can lead to injury over time.
The stability shoe provides arch support to help runners overpronate. Similarly, motion control shoes are designed to support runners who work with a lot of weight, have flat feet, or suffer from more severe overpronation. Both types of shoes are stiffer (and often heavier) than neutral shoes that advertise minimal support and a more “natural” ride.
Do stability and movement control matter to you?
Every runner naturally pronates to some degree, and it’s not always something to worry about. If you overpronate, you may need some sort of stabilization or motion control shoe to provide extra support and reduce potential injury. In particular, stabilizing shoes are recommended for people with normal arches and milder overpronation, while motion control shoes are recommended for people with flat feet and more severe overpronation.
To see if you need a stability shoe, look at your current pair. Excessive wear on the inside edge of the sole (compared to the outside edge) is a clear sign that you are rolling in too hard and would benefit from the stability support or movement control of the shoe.