What Type of Shoes Do Podiatrists Recommend for Running?
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned runner, ensuring that you have the right shoes is essential for comfort and providing your body with proper support. After all, running is a high-impact activity that puts excessive pressure on the feet and knees; the last thing you need is an injury.
While you might care about how your running shoes look, your podiatrist cares about how they’ll protect your feet. Use this guide to help you choose appropriate footwear.
With more than 30 years experience, rest assured that we know feet. The knowledgeable team at Midland Podiatry can help ensure that you’re wearing the correct shoes when running. Book an appointment today and let us assess your feet.
How to Choose the Right Running Shoes
When choosing shoes for running, there are several features that you should look for:
- Arch support – poor arch support can lead to swelling and place stress on the knee and hip. The right shoes will support your arch, preventing pain and helping to keep you comfortable.
- Breathability – your feet tend to get hot and sweaty while running, which creates an ideal breeding ground for fungi and bacteria. A mesh design will provide ventilation, as well as add to the lightweight feel.
- Cushioning – your foot impacting the ground causes a lot of force and excessive pressure. Running shoes should have plenty of forefoot and heel cushioning to aid in shock absorption.
- Lightweight – bulky or heavy shoes will weigh your feet down, making running more challenging. Instead, opt for lightweight shoes that are designed for speed and performance.
- Proper fit – shoes that are too small can cause corns, calluses, bunions, and hammertoes, while shoes that are too big don’t provide anywhere near enough support.
- Spacious toebox – you should be able to wiggle your toes without touching the front of the shoe. This is essential for preventing calluses and discomfort during your run.
- Stability – if you have feet that roll inwards or are flat, shoes that provide stability are a must. They often have a dense midsole, which helps to prevent your feet from collapsing inward.
Running Shoe Recommendations
There are certain brands and even specific types of running shoes that podiatrists often recommend:
- Asics – providing staple running shoes for decades, Asics are known for their cushioning systems and support. Specific shoes we recommend include Cumulus, Quantum, Nimbus, Kayano, and the GT.
- Brooks – known for being lightweight while still providing much-needed support, Brooks shoes are also very popular. Look into the Glycerin, Ghost, Dyad, Adrenaline, Addiction, and Bedlam styles.
- Hoka – with a completely different feel to most traditional running shoes, Hoka are also fun to look at. We recommend the Bondi, Stinson, Speedgoat, Skyflow, Gaviota, Clifton, and Arahi styles.
Other brands that offer good running shoes include Altra, ON, Saucony, TOPO, New Balance, Nike, and Adidas.
Signs it’s Time to Replace Running Shoes
There may be several signs that it’s time to retire your running shoes and invest in a new pair:
- Increased tiredness in your feet and legs compared to normal (this can mean your body is working harder to control shock and motion).
- New niggles in your feet or legs after running.
- Lack of cushioning or spring in the shoes.
- Major compression lines in the midsole (which means that the shoe may no longer be providing adequate support).
- Wear and tear on the tread pattern.
- Stretching in the upper (such as the toe box, lace cage, and heel collar).
Can I Increase the Lifespan of My Running Shoes?
Running shoes have an average lifespan of around 400 to 600km for cushioned and 300 to 500km for lightweight styles. There are some things you can do to try to increase the lifespan:
- If you use them every day, you might like to have two pairs on the go and rotate between them daily. This allows the cushion to “bounce back” rather than be consistently compressed.
- Have specific pairs for specific types of running – higher cushioned shoes are preferable for longer runs, for example.
Choose the Right Running Shoes with a Podiatrist’s Help
Knowing how to choose the best running shoes for providing comfort and support is essential, which is why it’s a good idea to see a podiatrist to determine whether you have any issues that need to be addressed and see if they have any shoe recommendations.
The team at Midland Podiatry has been caring for the feet and ankles of the people of Perth for more than 30 years now; we are well-versed in treating a wealth of foot-related issues and in recommending appropriate footwear. Book an appointment today.
