The best way to make an informed purchase is to gather as much information about the product before going shopping. This way, you avoid the questionable influence of salespeople and can understand how the product affects you personally. This is very important for products like running shoes that have different purposes based on different designs. The typical pair of trainers has many components that affect a runner's form and performance. The following is a quick rundown of the anatomy of running shoes used for training.
The market for running shoes is unique because the designs meet the needs of individuals with different foot shapes and running styles. Each person has a unique foot type, just like a fingerprint. This type is defined by the shape of the main arch on the foot, along with the extent of pronation, or inward rolling of the foot upon impact with the ground. You'd expect that flatfooted people have different needs than those with high arches. Manufacturers take these differences into account when developing the design in order to reflect the shoe's function.
The three main parts of running shoes are the upper, the midsole, and the outsole. The upper is the top of the shoe that prevents the foot from sliding around. It also protects objects like rocks from getting into the shoes, and has mesh material to allow the foot to breathe. The upper's function is pretty standard throughout different brands of trainers, so our focus is on the midsole and the outsole, where a different design means a different function.
The midsole of running shoes is the foam-like piece below the upper but above the outsole. Manufacturers adjust this part of the shoe based on how much support a certain foot type needs. For instance, some midsoles wrap around the back of the shoe's heel to increase stability, an important addition for those who overpronate. Also, a plastic piece called a medial post can be used on the inside portion of the shoe's heel to control the heel's pronation. Of course, the more severe the overpronation is, the greater the size of the medial post.
Many companies claim to offer the best running shoes with advanced cushioning technology. Some shoes have it along the entire length of the midsole, while other companies only insert it on the heel or forefoot. This feature will make the running shoes more expensive, and will only slightly help absorb the impact of each stride to reduce the risk of injury. Overall, this feature is not necessary because most trainers have sufficient cushioning already.
The interesting thing buyers are unaware of about outsoles is that they outlast the shoes? midsoles. Running shoes with regular treads will last about 400-600 miles judging by outsoles compared to a life of only 300-500 miles judging by the midsoles. These mile ranges are not exact and depend on many other factors like weight and weather conditions, so pay close attention to the condition of your midsoles. Even a short jog using worn down midsoles can put you at risk for injuring tendons and ligaments of the foot, as well as knee and ankle joints.
