FAQ
Who needs stability running shoes?
People who find running painful and uncomfortable because of overpronation need stability running shoes. These sneakers are designed to provide support and prevent your ankle from excessively rotating inwards while running. This, in turn, reduces the chances of possible injury and fatigue while even running long distances.
How do you know if you need a stability running shoes?
The easiest way to find out if you need stability running shoes is with the Wear Test. This test is elementary to perform. Just take a pair of sneakers you have used for some time. Take a look at its bottom to see which parts are most worn out.
You overpronate with excessive wear from the ball of your foot, along the inner edge, to your big toe. If your shoes look like this, then it means you need stabilizing running sneakers.
However, if your sneakers are more worn on the footâs outer and pinky toe side, it means you supinate. Itâs normal for sneakers to wear down the center where it means you are a neutral runner.
Thatâs is why your body tends to absorb any running shock. Neutral running shoes are more than enough to keep neutral runners sprinting as efficiently as possible.
What is the difference between a neutral running shoes and stability running shoes?
The main difference between the two shoes is that stabilizing sneakers have extra supporting features to reduce your footâs pronation. It also helps align your leg to minimize the chances of injury and fatigue.
That is why itâs necessary to assess how much your foot pronates. It helps you select the right sneakers for yourself. Besides, itâs because of this additional support that stability shoes are hard as bricks.
They donât have much cushioning because as it is, its existing center support system adds to its weight. Adding more cushioning will only weigh the sneakers down even more, which isnât desirable for runners.
Stabilizing sneakers are also not flexible because of its support system and the long break-in time it needs. It takes the toll on your shoesâ cushion and support system, which is when you need new sneakers.
Neutral running sneakers are meant for sprinters who do not overpronate or supinate. They are light, with more cushioning, making you feel as if you are walking on clouds, with nothing on your feet. Its flexibility gives your feet more movement, and you can feel the rolling process from heel to toes.
Will a stability shoes hurt a neutral runner?
Theoretically, neutral runners can wear any sneakers. So this means itâs okay to wear stabilizing shoes. However, itâs healthier to wear neutral sneakers. Because they are lighter and better cushioned with the right level of stability.
While some neutral runners may be able to sprint in neutral shoes, some may get knee problems or foot related injuries. Then again, some neutral sprinters donât have any problems running in stability sneakers. So it all boils down to the individual runner, their feet structure and gait.
Choosing Running Shoes For Stability: Buyerâs Guide
Now that you know about the top stability shoes available today, you still have to learn about its features. Here is a buying guide that will help you select the right stability sneakers for your gait.
What are Stability Running Shoes?
Stability sneakers are designed to support and rectify the overpronation of your feet. They are firmly cushioned on your feetâs inside arch area to prevent the foot from rolling inwards on impact. They effectively distribute impact to minimize pronation and are recommended for people whose feet tend to roll inwards while running.
Stability Shoes Benefits
Stability sneakers offer various benefits for those who have feet that over-pronate. They, however, provide milder support than the other type of pronation supportive sneakers, motion control shoes. These sneakers offer various benefits like:
- Makes running comfortable for those with mild pronation
- Prevents injuries with its cushioning
- Ideal for beginner runners
- Improves performance while reducing injury risks
What Makes Good Stability Running Shoes?
The best stability running shoes have extra stability and cushioning on the inside of the feet. It prevents your shoes from wear and tear, and evenly distribute weight to avoid injuries. This is why you mustnât compromise on your shoes size and fitting.
Remember that the shoeâs arch height doesnât determine the type of support you need. Even sprinters with similar feet and shaped arches need different shoes because they run with different gaits.
This is also why there is no best support style for these sneakers. Even footwear with similar stability features provides different levels of support to different runners. This is all thanks to their varied construction methods.
So if you are looking for the top stability running shoes, it is sneakers which fit the following criteria.
Durability
While stability sprinting sneakers have added sophisticated shoes technology, itâs useless if they wear out after 10 miles of use. So look for durable shoes that will withstand wear and tear of frequent runs and workout sessions.
Stability
The shoeâs stabilizing feature tends to wear out as your run distance increases. This poor stability only leads to potential injuries to your feet, ankle, legs and back.
This is why you need to look for good sneakers that keep your legs well-balanced and positioned for maximum stability. It is its construction method, materials and added features that establish a shoeâs stability.
Flexibility
Stabilizing shoes should not only be supportive but also offer some flexibility, especially while you run on uneven terrain. This is necessary to provide you with the required grip and contact with the floor while running.
This, in turn, reduces any chances of your slipping and falling. So look for stabilizing shoes with some flexibility so that you donât lose balance while sprinting.
Breathability
Breathability is a factor many people forget to consider while selecting sneakers. Itâs important because poor airflow leads to hot and sweaty feet, foul odor and possible blisters and sore spots.
Accessories
There are some accessories you may need to buy with your sneakers. The first ones are differently shaped and sized insole kiosks. They let you customize the shoes to your foot shape, size and gait.
There are also different foot arch types to add to your sneakers as per your feetâs level of pronation. You can find out your footâs pronation level through a foot scan. This scan provides information like the type of pronation, pressure points and correct size of your feet.
Comfort
Comfort is the next important factor to consider while selecting stabilizing sneakers. Your sneakers should give such a snug fit to your feet that you practically forget you are wearing anything. Besides, there is nothing more irritating than running in shoes that you are uncomfortable wearing.
Size
It is obvious that you need the right sized sneakers for your feet. When you talk about size, itâs not just length; you have to check, but also the shoeâs width.
Those who pronate tend to have wider feet and may have problems with a shoeâs narrowness. That is why you should always try any pair of sneakers before buying. If you buy online, buy from a store that permits you to return the sneakers if required.
Upper
Sneakers that come with a nylon mesh uppers offer maximum breathability. You may, however, need to look for waterproof uppers if you will be wearing it while trail running.
If itâs something light or durable that you are looking for, then synthetic leather uppers are what you need. So basically, itâs better to choose the upper based on your sprinting preferences.
Midsole Support
The midsole is the layer in between the outsole and upper, responsible for your shoeâs stability and cushioning. While EVA midsoles are common for most shoes, supportive sneakers have stiffer posts incorporated to withstand overpronation effects.
The support focuses on the shoeâs arch side to maximize stability and comfort. Insufficient support only leads to fatigue, pain and possible injury.
Heel Counter and Outsole
Those with flat feet should wear one of the
top 10 running shoes for flat feet. These sneakers come with a supplemental heel wedge for added cushioning and shock absorption. A rigid and supportive heel is essential for overpronators to keep the feet steady without slipping or rolling inwards.
However, itâs better to choose the best running shoes for stability based on your gait, running style and requirements. For example, look for footwear with a rubber heal if you are a typical road or pavement runner.
You need sneakers with rubber outsoles if you are into trail running. If you are a sprinter, lightweight shoes with all blown rubber outsoles make the best choice for you.
Material
The shoes should be made of durable, reliable and breathable material. In short, it should be constructed to withstand most weather conditions to let your feet breathe appropriately while moving around. Some sneakers are made of water-resistant materials that prevent your feet from getting wet even upon contact with water.
Final Thoughts
After reading our reviews, you now wonder which the best stability running shoes 2019 are. Well, according to
gym-expert they are
Nike Menâs Revolution 4. They are quite affordable for a pair of supportive sneakers.
Their upper mesh conforms to your footâs shape for optimal breathability. These best stability running shoes also give a good grip on surfaces, while the molded pads make the sneakers âspringâ back when you are running. Besides, they offer the advantage of a good sizing scheme to fit even people with wide feet.
Have you chosen a perfect pair of running shoes for yourself? Share with us your thoughts in the comment section!