Running Shoes: Tech Talk.

On this page we offer a little introduction to some of the shoe manufacturers, followed by a bit of a technical guide to some popular running shoe types.

Running Shoes Manufacturers

Brooks - Road / Trail Shoes

Brooks have been producing shoes since 1914 and continues to move the running world forward by breaking new ground in their use of environmentally friendly materials in their running shoes, the latest of which is their BioMoGo, the worlds first fully bio-degradable midsole. They have proven that you don't have to sacrifice quality to help out mother Earth. They've proven their success in making the best running shoes, being awarded Editor's Choice by Runners World on many occasions for various shoes in their lineup over the years.

Top Selling Shoe: Adrenaline GTS

La Sportiva - Trail / Mountain / Fell Shoes

La Sportiva are an Italian mountain boot manufacture that has been around since the 1920's, as well as their boots they also produce high quality running shoes for trail / fell running.

Top Selling Shoe: Crosslite

Mizuno - Road Shoes

Mizuno have been producing shoes since 1906 and selling running shoes since 1980. They produce award winning shoes and strive for excellence in their running shoes.

Top selling shoe: Wave Inspire

New Balance - Road Shoes

New Balance began as a Boston-based arch support company in the early 1900's, developing into a specialized shoe manufacturer in the 1970's, and has grown to become a leading global athletic products company. Focusing on making shoes and not celebrity endorsements with their "endorsed by no one" philosophy, which holds that a superior product will sell its self better then any superstar athlete ever could. Part of producing superior footwear and athletic apparel is manufacturing it to fit all widths and sizes, because a better fit produces better performance. New Balance running shoes have a reputation for being among the most accommodating for wide feet.

Top Selling Shoe: 850

Saucony - Road / Trail Shoes

Saucony has been making shoes since 1898, where they started in Pennsylvania, USA. They have been making running shoes since 1968 and has been making quality athletic footwear ever since.

Top Selling Shoe: Omni 8

Walsh - Fell Shoes

Real British sporting heritage doesn't get any closer than the brand Walsh established in Bolton in 1961. Norman Walsh set out on his journey in 1948 by making hand-sewn running shoes for the British elite athletes at the Olympic Games.

Whilst still remaining true to the roots in performance footwear the Walsh brand has become iconic in the world of fell running. Not drifting too far from its culture, the Walsh brand has not evolved; it has quite simply remained at the forefront of footwear brands in Bolton England fro the past five decades.

Top Selling Shoe: PB Elite Trainer

Running Shoe Types

Running shoes are the same as your normal everyday trainers. The may be a lightweight shoe or even a trail shoe, but the most important thing about running shoes is that they fit properly and they are the right type of shoe for your foot. When we say the "right type of shoe for your foot", we mean that they give you the proper amount of arch support and cushioning based on your biomechanics and injury history.

Generally, there are three categories of running shoes: Motion Control, Stability, and Cushion. Shoes are classified based upon the amount of stability (pronation control) they provide the wearer's foot. There are shoes in areas between the categories, so we call these categories Light Motion Control, Light Stability, and Light Cushion for those shoes who do not meet the full requirements of the 3 main categories.

Lightweight trainers and trail shoes are special-purpose training shoes. The support given by these types of shoes ranges from Stability to Light Cushion.

There is a common misconception that shoes that are stable are not cushioned. While it is true that stable shoes may be firmer in certain areas of the midsole (this is what helps provide the stability), supportive shoes have just as much cushioning as a shoe labeled "Cushion".

Motion Control Running Shoes:

Motion Control shoes are designed for the severe overpronator. A severe overpronator has a foot whose arch is too flexible and collapses excessively. This causes the foot to roll inward at an extreme angle and puts strain on the shins, knees, and lower back. Motion Control shoes are straight lasted and have a very broad base for support. Motion Control shoes will also have either a dual density midsole or a rollbar, or both, for added pronation control. Don't assume that just because a company or magazine says a shoe is "Motion Control" that it is, test the shoe by twisting it to make sure it is rigid through the arch.

Cushion Running Shoes:

A Cushion shoe is best for the supinator or someone with a neutral gait cycle. This type of foot has a fairly rigid arch that does not collapse and therefore the foot does not absorb enough shock for the body. This type of foot needs a shoe that is all cushioning, with very little stability because the foot is stable enough. A Cushion shoe is flexible through the arch to allow as much motion as possible.

Stability Running Shoes:

A stability shoe is best for a mild to moderate overpronator, which is about 85% of the population. Overpronation is the excessive inward rolling motion of the foot. When an overpronator's foot hits the ground, the foot rolls inward (pronates) to absorb shock, but continues to pronate past a point that is considered healthy. Then when the foot goes into the push-off phase and the foot is still in an overpronated position, it places a great deal of strain on the ankle, lower leg, knee and lower back.

Light Cushion Running Shoes:

A Light Cushion running shoe is best for a true supinator or underpronator. A supinator generally has a high arch and a rigid foot structure. This type of foot does not absorb enough shock for the body; therefore the shoe must do some of the work. A light Cushion running shoe is not a very substantial shoe, it is all cushioning, with minimal arch support. A Light Cushion shoe is extremely flexible through the arch to allow the foot as much motion as possible. In general, a Light Cushion shoe will break down rather quickly (less then 400 miles).

Light Motion Control Running Shoes:

Light Motion Control shoes are designed for the severe overpronator, but they are not as stable as Motion Control shoes. The overpronating foot has a flexible arch that collapses and causes the foot to roll in excessively. A Light Motion Control shoe is fairly straight lasted, rigid and broad through the arch, and has either a dual density midsole or rollbar for added stability.

Light Stability Running Shoes:

A Light Stablilty shoe is best for someone with a neutral gait cycle or a very mild overpronator. This type of foot has an arch that collapses slightly to absorb shock for the body. A shoe with some added stability features like a dual density midsole will give some support to this type of foot. A Light Stability show is somewhat flexible through the arch, but with enough rigidity to give some stability.

Light Cushion Running Shoes:

A Light Cushion running show is best for a true supinator or underpronator. A supinator generally has a high arch and a rigid foot structure. This type of foot does not absorb enough shock for the body; therefore the shoe must do some of the work. A Light Cushion running shoe is not a very substantial shoe - it is all cushioning, with minimal arch support. A light Cushion shoe is extremely flexible through the arch to allow the foot as much motion as possible. In general, a Light Cushion show will break down rather quickly (less then 400 miles).

"I always loved running... it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs."

- Jesse Owens