Neutral vs Stability Running Shoes

Choosing the right one will help to minimize the risk of injury. While running seems like a simple workout for staying in shape, there are important factors to identify and consider. One is the pronation or the natural movement of the foot as it lands on the ground occob running shoes while walking or running. People have different pronation in which appropriate type of running shoes should be worn. Neutral running shoes are best for high arches that can’t flex very much. This condition usually makes the runner stay on the outsides of his feet.

Because of a stress fracture a few years ago, my orthopedic guy told me to replace shoes every 300 miles. I noticed a difference immediately, and have been wearing them ever since. I have been using the New Balance 1080 v7’s since last Summer, after a bout with plantar fasciitis.

And if it’s the shoe you should be in then I would recommend that you do make the switch. However, our bodies are extremely adaptable, and your body over the years has adapted to running in that anti-pronation shoe. These shoes contain denser foam in the midsole to prevent the foot from moving too much in a particular direction. Shoes for supinators have denser foam on the edge of the shoe and shoes for overpronators tend to have most support near the big toe, on the inside of the heel and under the ball of the foot. But the type of support – and what it is called – varies between brands.

With our RunRepeat lab, we cut each shoe into pieces and measure 30+ different parameters that contribute to its performance. All shoes are purchased with our own money to prevent bias and brand loyalty. Remember, you should be replacing your shoes after at least every 500 miles and sometimes sooner. The shoe that is going to keep me on my feet out on the road is what I will pay for. This post was originally published in 2013 and was updated on March 12, 2021 to add information, update links, and align with current Lifehacker style.

This design also supports more speed and movement while reducing the risk of pain and injury. In the long term, these difficulties can lead to negative effects such as shin splints, ligament rupture, plantar fasciitis, and stress fractures. The high arched foot needs support to absorb the impact of the landing.

BUT a recent study concluded that in new runners, wearing a neutral shoe no matter what your pronation did not contribute to running-related injuries. It’s possible to shop for running shoes at a general shoe store or sporting goods store, but your best bet is to visit a store that specializes in running shoes. You won’t get distracted by other options, and they’ll have a much better selection of the different types of running shoes that are out there. While stability often is approached as a singular device like posts or GuideRails, there are many ways shoes can provide a stable base for runners. Today’s market in particular has done a good job of exploring these different methods to create very stable shoes that are overall “neutral,” but still very stable at the same time.

Stability shoes are for runners with mild overpronation. Runners with feet that tend to move inward will benefit from a shoe that offers support and controls the excessive rolling of the feet. Stability shoes offer adequate cushioning but have a firm midfoot area to reinforce arch support. Most runners, when they start running, do not have developed strong lower legs and feet yet.

That is because the primary purpose of a running shoe is to help you run. Every person runs in a slightly different way, so running shoes are designed with different levels of support to accommodate varying ranges of motion in our feet and legs. And generally speaking, those changes have been a good thing.