What to Know About Running Shoe Terminology So You Can Find Your Perfect Pair

Examples: Xero Shoes HFS II, Vibram V-Trail 2.0

On the other end of the spectrum sit these cushy, plush models, which got here into favor because the controversy over minimalist shoes began brewing—and, due to the boom in popularity of the Hoka brand, are even seen as stylish off the run. They’re padded with loads of foam within the midsole, creating either a soft or bouncy feel under your feet. Many even have a rocker-bottom sole, which implies your foot and ankle do less of the work whenever you roll from heel to toe with each stride.

Vital: More cushioning isn’t necessarily higher. Your cadence, or the variety of steps you’re taking per minute, is more likely to be lower in heavier shoes, Antush says. That, combined with the actual fact which you could’t sense the bottom underneath you, may very well cause you to land more heavily, increasing the forces traveling through your feet and legs.

Nevertheless, some runners will prefer a more pillowy experience, especially those that’ve had pain or other problems within the forefoot, Dr. Canzanese says. Older runners and heavier runners may fare well in maximalist models, as have those that’ve had ACL tears or joint replacements, Antush says.

Examples: Hoka Bondi 8, Recent Balance Fresh Foam X More v4

Latest-day shoes fall into this category, somewhere between minimalist and maximalist, Dr. Canzanese says. Try several different brands and models to seek out just the precise amount and quality of cushion for you.

Examples: On Cloudswift 3, Fresh Foam X 1080v13s

Parts of a Shoe

Shoes are divided into three major sections—uppers, outsoles, and midsoles—and there’s rather a lot occurring under the surface in each.

That is, quite literally, the upper a part of the shoe—the material that covers your foot and attaches it to what’s underneath. It’s normally made from either stretchy, supportive knit or breathable mesh. “Neither one is best or worse, they’re just providing other ways of going a couple of protected and secure and breathable upper experience,” Zielinksi says. Some newer materials mix properties of each.

These are other materials—reminiscent of strips of plastic or rubber logos—that cross over the upper material. They may provide more support and structure, provide reflection, or just add a component of favor (or some combination of all three).

These secure the shoe to your foot and provide help to fine-tune the fit—but you would possibly not realize just how much adjusting them can matter. “There’s a ton of other ways to lace the shoe,” Dr. Canzanese says. The term for the holes they wind through is eyelet, and the plastic or metal bits on the tip are called aglets.

This firmer material surrounds your heel, reinforcing and supporting it so your foot doesn’t slip or slide. The scale of the heel counter normally corresponds to the extent of support overall—motion control and stability shoes are inclined to have larger, stiffer counters, while minimalist shoes have lighter, smaller ones, Dr. Canzanese says. Some shoes even have extra padding around this area; that’s often known as the heel collar.

The front a part of the shoe surrounds your digits, allowing them to splay and bend naturally as you log your miles. Getting one which’s the precise shape and size is essential—if it’s too short or narrow, you risk blisters, chafing, and damaged toenails, Dr. Canzanese says. Note that size-wide shoes don’t at all times have a wider toe box; certain brands (reminiscent of Altra) and models are designed to be roomier up front, so chances are you’ll wish to seek those out if you have got bunions, arthritis, or another excuse you have to allow your toes extra space.

The tongue provides protection so the laces don’t pressure or irritate your foot, Dr. Canzanese says. Some tongues are gusseted, meaning they’re connected on all sides; this higher secures your foot and in addition keeps dirt and rocks from moving into your shoe. Others are free or simply connected at the underside.

That is the underside a part of the shoe, which comes involved with the bottom. The treads on the underside are what gives you roughly traction; what you would like is determined by your preference and the surface you’re running on.

It is a design feature baked into the midsole and outsole, which curves up on the toes and heels—yes, like a rocking chair—to make it easier to roll through your stride. This takes some pressure off your forefoot, Dr. Willy says. They’re alternative for individuals who have conditions like bunions, hammertoes, or arthritis.