Stability or neutral running shoes

[Peter007]

Hi - what are people’s thoughts on this for overpronation ?

Do you really think they make a different or just a marketing con?

I was told I overpronate (not sure how much) and have worn ASICS Gt2000 for years - but starting to wonder if it’s all a con!

Just wondered if any overpronators wear neutral shoes at all?

Cheers

[Lordi Marathon]

As a complete beginner I bought shoes without even knowing there were such things as models aimed at supporting suplinators and pronators. As a result I've used models that are not ideal for me (I'm neutral) with no effect at all. Maybe it is not that critical for neutrals because the support a shoe offers is simply not used/needed? It may be a different story if that support is useful/used/needed? I can imagine a severe overpronator using shoes designed to support suplination might cause issues (and vice versa). Sorry I can't answer your question but my suspicion is that (at least for me) it is not that critical.

Edit- Forgot to say that I did have a slight issue with a pair of minimalist shoes I bought years ago (in ignorance) to play badminton in (Merrel Roadglove). On subsequently realising they were a barefoot type of running shoe I tried them out on a run to see what it felt like to do minimalist running. Bit of a disaster as the minimal cushioning and zero drop caused a few temporary leg niggles. Might try them again in future on a soft track once I've got properly built runners legs.

[misswobble Marathon]

If they suit you stick with them I’m not convinced either. My foot rolls in a bit but I expect that happens to loads of us when we tire

I think we do need to try lots on to find what we like best

Shoes get narrower at the toes for some reason that’s not clear to me so it’s that which drives my choice.

[Madge50 Marathon]

I’m not convinced either, I started in ‘stability’ shoes and now am neutral, my theory is, we are impatient, the shoes with more support etc., get us ‘up and running’ (forgive the pun) as quickly as possible with minimal injury from overuse. Once your body/legs/feet get the gist, and muscle strength is built you don’t need the ‘stability’ , you run, however is natural to you, and it’s just about what you find comfortable.

I found the ‘stability’ shoes started to give me issues once I’d got stronger etc., so switched to neutral, personally I like a lot of cushioning, like slippers, if I could strap lovely big sponges to my feet, I would 😂🏃‍♀️

I couldn’t work out why I was recommended to use ‘stability’ shoes as a pronator - which is natural for most of us anyway, then ended up a neutral runner?🤔

So, I reckon, we are just impatient, I don’t see sports coaches proclaiming about such shoes.....they just talk about ‘comfortable’ shoes.....and being patient with your body, if it hurts, you’re probably overdoing it....

Easy to say with hindsight!😉

Mx

Ps - mind you, I can’t say for definite they didn’t help.....

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Madge50]

Shoe shop gait analysis is subjective, or I presume so anyway - it is done by a person in a shoe shop looking at you run isn't it? Even if you had the same person analyse your gait over the years there would still be discrepancies.

[ju-ju- Marathon]

For me, getting a shoe ‘prescribed’ for me was the best thing I did and altered my situation very quickly. I’ve stuck with the same shoes ever since. I know when they are running out of support when my shins start hurting. When I get new ones.... boom it’s gone.

[Peter007]

Thanks everyone - great to hear your comments on this topic!!! Think I may try some neutral shoes (more of a selection) with decent Cushioning and see how it goes...I know the old saying, if it ain’t broke..but hey ho..the Asics I use are very good, but never feel like they really that comfortable..

[benwill Marathon]

It's all a con! 😂

But I know I am quite flat footed and ether stability or the vibram near barefoot things are best for me. (apparently) one day I will try the barefoot shoes if I see a cheap pair.

But I normally have two pairs on the go a cheap pair for 5k's tend to be light and and natural. Then for longer runs I have stability shoes (hoka one one's arahi 2) but I will shop round on the Internet for the best deals or wait. I did love my Adidas but they changed so much I have gone for some Hoka's and they are some comfy but don't seem to give the boost like the Adidas.

But if they are comfy go for them.

[Peter007 in reply to benwill]

I think I agree!!! Ive tried on a pair of Hokas and mist say they feel amazing - glad they are working for you!!

[benwill Marathon in reply to Peter007]

The day after stating I love my hokas they give me a blister on the bottom side of my foot (where insole meets shoe) I never get blisters. Dam shoes should have stuck to Adidas!

[Peter007 in reply to Peter007]

[Sqkr Half Marathon]

I think my physio made sense when she looked at my flat feet and said presumably I'd always had them, and that I didn't want to start altering things unless there was a problem because I'd grown my entire adult body on the basis of those flat feet. I did run in stability shoes, now I don't, and I'm not sure if there is a difference or not. The frustrating thing is I don't suppose I'll know without having an identical twin as a control! This is not a very helpful response, but I think like so much of running, what works for one person is not necessarily going to work for others, or even the same person over time. If only it was that simple 😂

[Peter007 in reply to Sqkr]

Completely agree - we are all different and what works for one maybe different for another

[theoldfellow]

There are a few issues there I think. I've been doing a lot of research into this over the last week since picking up a knee injury.

We need time to develop the musculature, and even more the bone structure, to support running. We do it naturally in childhood, but if there is a long period of inactivity in adulthood (I didn't exercise anaerobically from age 16 to 68), it can take a long time to fully develop. While it's developing, shoes that support our weakness can help, but you have to be cautious, because if they restrict the micro-tearing and the development of the muscles in the right way, you may never be able to run without that support.

I can't say yet if the advice I've found works. But for what it's worth it goes like this: Use the shoes that support your weakness, but do other exercises to develop the muscles and bones that are weak.

Finally the caveat: I am not a physician, nor a physio... But I don't sell shoes either.

[Peter007 in reply to theoldfellow]

Make perfect sense

[Whatsapp Half Marathon]

Gait analysis only looks at the ankle. In order to properly identify any issues the whole lower body would need to be analysed when running. There is no official training for gait analysis. Anyone with a treadmill and some shoes to sell can offer advice.

If you go into a shoe shop and buy a nice new, comfortable pair of running shoes, they are going to feel better than your worn out pair immediately regardless.

[Peter007 in reply to Whatsapp]

Makes sense - I’ve often been sceptical of the gait analysis on offer in the shops - it’s can’t be that straight forward - what you are saying is so true - I think half of it is psychological