Brand VS Category:
In today’s rapidly changing running shoe market, brands are constantly finding ways to market themselves as having the latest and greatest shoes for your feet. While major running shoe brands like New Balance, Nike, Brooks, Hoka One One, Saucony, ON Running, Mizuno and Asics (among others) do all produce some excellent shoes, we really encourage potential buyers to ignore the marketing hype and let the fit, function and performance of the shoe be the deciding factors. In the end, each brand is producing a set of very similar products for different user and foot-types, it’s up to the buyer to find the shoe that most suits their unique shape, support and performance needs!
Over the next few weeks, we’re going to be releasing a guide on each of the major running shoe categories. This will include what to look for, which specific models compete with each other, why they’re different and what you should consider before pulling the trigger on a new pair!
Defining Shoe Categories:
Before we dive into specific models, let us take a second to define the most common running and walking shoe categories! Every site, brand and individual will have their own opinion on such categories, but as shoe-fitters who, through our in-store fitting procedures, lace up an average of 300 pairs of shoes a week- here’s what we think.
Neutral vs Stability: In general, running and walking shoes come in 2 major families; neutral and stability.
· Neutral refers to the “neutral” (or same) density of cushion on both the medial and lateral side of the shoe (i.e. the same firmness on both sides!). These shoes allow the users foot to move more freely than a stability shoe and do little to control pronation. Start here if you have a neutral arch, do not over-pronate and/or have a foot orthotic.
· Stability refers to the supportive and controlling features within the medial side of the shoe. These shoes will have more arch support and be appropriate for those who have a flat arch, over-pronate, or just love the feeling of support! Start here if you feel a need for more support in the arch and tend to collapse in while walking or running.
Not sure which one you are? Stay tuned for our blog on how to read your own wear pattern!
A Deeper Dive:
Neutral shoes:
Since this category of shoes is so broad, we like to break it down into smaller groupings of shoes that help a user narrow their running shoe search. The following groups of shoes live within the neutral category, but differ in fit, feel and function!
Minimal: Shoes that offer as much of a “barefoot” feel as possible. The different factors that influence how “minimal” a shoe is include; the shoe’s drop (heel-to-toe difference), stack height (thickness of cushion), rigidity and weight (among others). If you crave longevity, cushion or support- move along. 😉
Activities/purpose: Popular for shorter distances and for those looking to become less reliant on footwear and strengthen your body to support itself!
Neutral-Cushioned: The most popular shoe category because of its versatility, price-point, and the “fit’s a lot of people” factor is high here. Unlike minimal shoes, these shoes have a structured heel-cup and have an increased level of torsional rigidity while also offering more durability. This category will also contain varying levels and densities of cushion and, as you can expect, it’s typical that the more the cushion, the pricier the shoe! With varying drops, weight, looks and shapes, there is a lot of choice in this category. Without any foot orthotic intervention, these running shoes will offer the user a touch of control and moderate cushioning.
Activities/purpose: For the beginner-intermediate runner, these shoes can provide a great option for the 5k to half marathon distance. Like it light but want a nice cushy feel- start here!
Neutral Supportive: Different than the above category because these shoes offer a wider sole plate and a generally more accommodative fit. The sole of these shoes are considerably wider than most and offer a full ground contact feel that is appreciated by most walkers and orthotic wearers. The wider base allows the user’s foot to relax and splay out within the shoe and not feel like it’s going to fall off the sides of the sole. Do you wear an orthotic but always find it is bulging or hanging off the side of your shoe? Check this category out as these are our go-to orthotic friendly shoes.
Activities/purpose: Popular for those who are looking for walking shoes, and who are not necessarily running. Excellent for those who have orthotics and who are searching for orthotic friendly shoes.
Maximal: The “newest” category in the running shoe world, maximal shoes are known for having ample cushion, wide soles, and plenty of protection for those with lower limb injuries. Inspired by HOKA One One, many brands have begun to release their own “maximal” shoes and consumers are loving them! Consider this category of shoe if you want the most cushion possible, have sore or arthritic feet, or you just want to be a little taller!
Activities/Purpose: This category was inspired by Ultra Marathon runners- “Let’s create a shoe with the most cushion, protection, and stride assistance so our feet and lower limbs don’t fatigue and get injured as easily!” We usually suggest them for walkers and runners who need that extra cushion and rocker profile to help with ambulation and foot protection.
Stability shoes:
As we move into the stability category, we like to break the shoes up into 3 groupings; light, moderate and motion control. Each shoe in this category is going to actively attempt to control pronation and help your foot from collapsing in. How so? Well, there will be some sort of reinforcement on the medial side of the shoe- be it a denser foam, a roll-bar, or even a plastic plug – that sits in the user’s arch and controls the foot.
Do you typically supinate, or roll to the outside? If so, avoid this category as it will only encourage that movement and you will soon feel like you’re falling off the lateral side of your shoes. Remember, if you wear an orthotic, you will want to avoid this category of shoes and we typically try not to a supportive insert on top of an already supportive shoe… too much support!
Light Support: As it sounds, these shoes will offer a low level of support. Very popular for those who don’t like the feel of arch support but know that later in their run or walk that form breaks down and some help from the shoe is necessary! Typically we’ll see a very small medial post, or even just a change in the structure of the midsole that helps stops a runner’s foot and knee from collapsing in.
Activities/Purpose: Runners and walkers will find success in these shoes especially if they are doing shorter distances or like a lightweight feel.
Moderate Support: Here we’re basically taking the Neutral-Cushioned category of shoes and adding a built-in arch support. We can find varying levels of cushion and weight and so this is certainly the most popular group of shoes in the stability category. Unlike the light support shoes, these will offer a little more structure, a more stable heel-cup, and will be overall more torsionally rigid.
Activities/Puropose: Great for running and walking, the stable feel should make you feel like you can keep on going! Consider these shoes if you’re experiencing arch or heel pain as they will offload the foot and allow the areas to heal and not be put under as much stress. **cough** Plantar Faciitis **cough**.
Motion Control: Here’s where we turn when there is no such thing as too much support. These wide based and (sometimes) bulkier shoes will be your best bet at stopping your feet from rolling in. With a large medial post, full ground contact sole, and firmer cushion, motion control shoes are as stable as they come!
Activities/purpose: Often too bulky for most runners, these are popular for walkers and those who are on their feet all day. Lookout as there is a ton of arch support here- you want that to feel nice and natural and not like there is a golf ball jammed up into your arch.
That wraps up our category and grouping definitions, stay tuned for our upcoming blogs in which we will breakdown the categories further and dive into specific running shoe models from all of your favourite brands! Have a question or want to give feedback- drop us a line below or pop by the store!