News — running shoes

What You Need to Know About the Materials Your Running Shoes are Made of

Running shoes are primarily meant to serve the purpose of protecting your feet while running. This includes providing comfort as well as a proper movement of your feet. Traditionally, all running shoes were made of the same materials. The story is different now though, with different brands having to differentiate their products in the market in new and innovative ways. Your choice of running shoes will depend on how you run, how often you run, and on what surface(s) you run. If you’re a regular runner, you will need a pair of shoes made of highly durable materials that doesn’t need to be cleaned too often. So, when choosing which pair to buy, it is important to keep the shoe materials in mind. Let’s take a look at what running shoes are made of. The different parts of the shoe and their materials Running shoes are made up of three parts:

• Upper – This part is what holds the feet in place. The materials used are usually:

1. Synthetic leather for durability,
2. Nylon mesh for breathability,
3. Reflective material for safety, and
4. TPU (thermoplastic urethane) – overlays of this material are placed over the mesh panels to improve support and durability.

Nowadays, running shoes with knitted uppers have become popular. They provide both support and flexibility with minimal material wastage.

• Midsole – This is the part of the shoe between the upper and the outsole. It provides support and cushioning for the foot. There are usually two materials used in this part:

1. EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) – it is a type of foam. Cushioning shoes use a single layer of EVA while shoes that are meant to provide specific flex patterns will have multiple densities of this material in the midsole. Dual-density EVA is used in shoes that are meant to provide motion control and increased support for runners who tend to exert too much pressure while landing.
2. TPU (thermoplastic urethane) – this material is more durable and stable than EVA but it is heavier. You will find this material being used in shoes meant for motion control. If your landings while running aren’t very stable, choosing a shoe that has polyurethane in its midsole might be the sensible choice.

• Outsole – This is basically the sole of the shoe. It has treads that provide traction and flex grooves for flexibility. Depending on your need, you can get shoes with thicker, more stable soles or soles with flex patterns that enhance the flexibility of your feet while running. Outsoles are usually made of two materials:

1. Carbon rubber – this material is highly durable and used mostly in the heel area. However, shoes meant for trail running will have soles that are made entirely of carbon rubber.
2. Blown rubber – it is lighter and more flexible than carbon rubber but not as durable. It provides more cushioning, so it is used in the forefoot area. Shoes meant for running on roads and other similar surfaces will usually have soles entirely made of blown rubber for increased comfort and reduced weight.

Which Type of Running Shoes are Right for You?

With so many types of running shoes in the market, it is quite understandable that most people are left confused and bewildered as to which one to buy. The most important aspect to consider while choosing running shoes is whether they fit you right and whether they satisfactorily serve the purpose for which you require it. Some people simply want a pair to walk in daily while others are occasional joggers and gym goers and some are serious runners who run most days of the week on a regular basis. Using the wrong pair can cause injuries and is ultimately a waste of money as well as being harmful to your body.   The problem is that most running shoes feel comfortable when you’re trying them on in the store, even though you’ve walked around in them for a few steps. You only truly realise the true fit of a pair of shoes once you’ve walked or run in them for a few miles. The ideal running shoe is one that accommodates your feet properly given your running style and the shape of your feet. So, choosing the right pair depends on first determining what your running style is (how you run) and what surface you’re going to be running on.  

Figuring out how you run

  You can figure out the mechanics of how you run by checking the wear pattern on the soles of a used pair of running shoes. Pronation is identified by a wear pattern in the area of the balls of the feet and a little bit of the heels. Neutral pronation absorbs impact while running and protects your ankle and knee joints. Overpronation is can be seen by wear patterns along the inside edges of the shoe which indicate that the runners' natural inward roll of their feet are exaggerated. Overpronators are at risk of knee injury, so they need shoes that will provide stability and motion control. Conversely, underpronation (or supination) is an outward rolling of the feet indicating that impact during landing is not being absorbed sufficiently. This can be seen when shoes have wear patterns along the outer edges of the shoes. Underpronators need shoes with a lot of flexibility and cushioning.  

Running shoes types

 

Motion control shoes

Also called maximum support shoes, these are for overpronators. They have soles that emphasize medial support (inside support) made of higher density materials for extra support in order to slow down excessive pronation.  

Stability shoes

These are for neutral pronators and are the most popular kind. They combine cushioning and support features, offering a balanced blend of motion control and impact control. They’re not as heavy as motion control shoes  

Cushioning shoes

These are for supinators (underpronators). They are designed to disperse shock in the midsole and outsole by adding material for cushioning to the forefoot and heel areas.  

Barefoot shoes

Nowadays there are shoes in the market that feature a heel to toe ‘zero drop’, meaning that there is no difference in height of the heel and the toe, where traditional running shoes