Five Different Types of Running Shoes

Updated on February 10, 2020

There are numerous different sorts of running shoes – but which is the right one for you – read on to see. 

Which Style Of Running Shoes Is Best For You?

Running shoes are beneficial for everyone, regardless of their gait. Shoes like these support the foot while still being flexible enough to bend and move. Most of them are also quite rugged, allowing them to stand up to the rigors of running.

The flexibility, support, and strength of the shoes can vary, depending on their style. Five of the primary types of running shoes are highlighted below. These include cushioned, lightweight, motion control, stability, and trail running shoes. You may find you get the most benefit from orthotic insoles, like these from Orthotic Shop – so keep those in mind as well.

Cushioned Running Shoes

Underpronation is a condition where your feet either roll too far toward the outside of your body or don’t roll inward as much as they should. When your foot strikes the ground and rolls, it acts as natural shock absorption, helping to minimize the strain on your joints and spine.

Cushioning shoes minimize shock by simulating the process that naturally occurs when a normal foot strikes the ground.

The running shoes by New Balance are very good with their cushioning. They might not be as popular as the other major brands, but their line of running shoes feels great and they do not cost as much. They are an underrated brand and as Lilly Harvey of ShoeAdviser reported, “there is a whole range of New Balance running shoes all over Amazon and all across the internet and perform very well

Running Shoes For Motion Control

If overpronation is a problem, motion control running shoes could be the perfect solution. These shoes help stabilize feet that roll too much. They also help absorb shock. In most cases, they feature a rigid design.

Running Shoes For Stability

Stability running shoes fall somewhere between cushioned shoes and motion control shoes in terms of their level of cushioning and support. The goal of these shoes is to keep the foot and ankle stable while still allowing them to move freely. To know more about running shoes and their stability, check out all remarkable running shoes on Sportsly.

Lightweight Running Shoes

Shoes that weigh less than traditional running shoes fall into the lightweight category. In most cases, these shoes are more flexible than standard running shoes. Thanks to their lower overall weight and their more flexible nature, they are comfortable to wear – almost like you aren’t wearing any shoes at all. Unlike going barefoot, however, shoes like these do provide cushioning, which can minimize problems like pain and weakness.

Shoes For Trail Running

Trail running requires extremely durable shoes that are capable of withstanding the rigors of a typical trail. They need to be able to move over surfaces like hardpacked soil, loose gravel, and uneven surfaces. Many of these shoes are lined with Gore-Tex to make them waterproof. They usually have rugged tread and extra support around the middle of the foot. Durability is key when it comes to keeping your feet well protected when you run.

Ultimately, though, the thing that sets shoes for trail running apart from other running shoes is their tread. They are designed to offer the ultimate in traction and support, even when running on surfaces that are rough or wet. They are also usually cut quite low to allow the foot to respond quickly to changing trail conditions.

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