{"id":3740,"date":"2020-05-07T17:35:02","date_gmt":"2020-05-08T00:35:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/helpshoe.com\/?p=3740"},"modified":"2023-11-27T12:43:45","modified_gmt":"2023-11-27T20:43:45","slug":"stability-shoes-buy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/helpshoe.com\/stability-shoes-buy\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Signs You Need Stability Shoes [How To Buy Them]"},"content":{"rendered":"
As a runner, your shoes are your most important piece of equipment. If you have a flat or low arch, a regular shoe may not be comfortable or give the added support you require. In that case, a stability shoe would be the best option for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are stability shoes? Stability shoes are shoes that are a type of running shoe designed to offer added support for reduced risk of injury and give added comfort for people who have a low arch in their feet.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n What are the signs to know if you need stability shoes? Where can you purchase them? I will answer that and also explain the science behind how they help stabilize your foot. I will also discuss the different kinds of stability shoes, and for whom each kind are best suited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A stability shoe is a shoe that is a type of running shoe designed to offer added support for reduced risk of injury and comfort for people who are overpronators<\/strong>. Pronation refers to the natural movement and weight distribution of the foot while running or walking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Overpronators<\/strong> are people who have flat arches<\/strong> in their feet that cause their feet to roll more inward than people who are normal pronators, or neutral runners. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The bodies of overpronators overcompensate to even out weight distribution in relation to your feet to your legs. Over time, this overuse can lead to injuries like Achilles tendinitis, shin splints, and runner\u2019s knee<\/strong>. The best way to correct this and hopefully prevent those injuries is proper footwear<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Stability shoes usually are made with a firmer medial post to minimize inward foot roll. Manufacturers used to do this mainly with the use of wedges, bars, and other forms of support under the foot\u2019s arch<\/strong> to balance weight distribution around the foot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These days shoemakers have taken a more minimalist approach and focus on making stability shoes to reduce the risk of injury and improve comfort during runs. Now the shoes aren\u2019t made as heavy nor as stiff. This is to encourage the free and natural movement of feet throughout the gait cycle. Your running gait cycle refers to the way your feet and the rest of your body moves when you run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stability is something we all want from our shoes when running, but stability shoes are not best for everybody. If you have a natural gait cycle or a neutral arch, stability shoes may feel uncomfortable and not be beneficial to a runner. Neutral shoes have a softer medial post that is better suited for people who are normal pronators<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This makes it important to identify your type of foot when purchasing a new pair of running shoes and select the correct type of shoe. If you shop at a shoe store that specializes in running shoes, they should have knowledgeable staff that can help you determine which shoe is best for your type of foot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you don\u2019t have that benefit, there are a few signs that let you know you are an overpronator:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do the soles of your old shoes show signs of heaviest wear on the inside of the heel and under the ball of the feet? If that is the case, that is a sign you have a low arch and would benefit from stability shoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A running-oriented physical therapist can help you figure your body\u2019s natural gait. That will tell you what kind of shoes will work best for you. If you are not able to visit a medical professional to help you with this, you can visit a running store. There you should be able to talk to someone who will know how to help you figure out the best shoe type for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you can, have someone record you running, preferably on a flat surface or treadmill. Rewatch the video in slow motion paying particular attention to how your knees and legs are going straight ahead, or they are rotating toward the inside. If it looks like they are rotating inward or that your knees are rubbing together, that usually means you are an overpronator. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The wet test is a simple test you can do to determine what type of feet you have. Get a blank piece of cardboard and put it on the floor. Get barefooted and wet the bottom of your feet. Now stand on the cardboard and bend your knees to the point where you are almost squatting, then straighten up and step off the cardboard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, look at the pattern left on the cardboard<\/strong>. Depending on the pattern left on the cardboard, you can determine which type of feet you have, and which type of shoe will benefit you the most. If you see most of your feet, you have a low arch and would probably benefit from stability shoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No, they will not prevent you from getting injured at all, but they are made to help protect you from injury. Stability shoes are designed to keep your feet from rolling inward to better align them with your legs, so your body doesn\u2019t overcorrect itself. Over a period of time, that overcorrection can lead to Achilles tendinitis, shin splints, and runner\u2019s knee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Research shows there are greater factors that lead to running injuries. Sensible load management plays a big factor. Don\u2019t overexert yourself when running because you are more likely to injure yourself when you are fatigued. Another major factor in injury prevention is proper strength training. <\/p>\n\n\n\n How big of a factor your shoes play in injury prevention is still hotly debated among experts. Some believe it is the most important factor in preventing running injuries. Other professionals think that they aren\u2019t that big of a factor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It is almost impossible to conduct accurate research because each injury is unique to itself and hard to say that injury would have been different if the runner was wearing different shoes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Stability shoes can be purchased in stores that have running shoes. Stability shoes are not usually explicitly labeled as such, so it\u2019s important to ask your salesman whether or not a shoe is a stability shoe. You can also research the shoe itself to determine the type of shoe it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The best place to purchase your shoes is at a store that specializes in running equipment. They should have a knowledgeable staff that will be able to answer your questions and help match you with the best shoe for your feet. The most important thing is to try the shoes on and see how they feel to you. A few things to remember when trying on shoes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are also several online options, as well. The obvious negative against buying stability shoes over the internet is you don\u2019t get to try them on first. Unless you are very familiar with that brand and model, you may end up with uncomfortable shoes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Then there will be a very time-consuming return process. For that reason alone, I recommend going to a store to purchase your shoes, at least until you find a brand and model you prefer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are three types of stability shoes. Most major brands have at least one type of stability shoe in their product line. The types are broken down by the various ways that manufacturers incorporate support in their shoes. Knowing these differences will help you better decide which shoe is best for you. There are three types of stability shoes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n When shopping for stability shoes, there are a few features you will need to know about. Each offers support differently. Understanding what they are and how they function will help match your feet to the shoe that is best for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A medial post is a bar or post that runs on the medial, or inside, part of your shoe starting at the middle of the heel and running up to the flex point of your foot. The purpose is to correct inward tilt by taking on the pressure to alleviate the amount of pronation on that side of the foot pushing more weight to the outside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Medial posts are usually made of a harder foam but be careful not to get too big or hard of a medial post. They could stop pronation, although which isn\u2019t good for your feet either. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The footbed should have enough space for your toes to be able to wiggle. You want to be sure there is a half-inch space between your longest toe and the tip of the shoe. To make sure the shoe has good flexibility, the midsole should not extend further than the flex point of your foot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The heel counter refers to the part of the shoe that keeps your heel in place. This should wrap snuggly around your heel so that it prevents your heel from sliding around. The heel counter also keeps you stable while you are out on the track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make sure the shoe has a lacing pattern that is comfortable and secures your foot in the shoe. The laces should not be tight enough to hurt your feet. Take your time and get the lacing right, as it can add significant stability to your feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many different stability shoes on the market. This is not a comprehensive list, nor is this a ranking of stability shoes either. This is just a list of many popular stability shoes with a brief description highlighting a few of the features of that shoe. As stated above, it is best to go to a good running store and talk with a knowledgeable staff member and try on several pairs before making a final decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Popular Brands<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nWhat Is a Stability Shoe?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nAre Stability Shoes Heavy?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nDo You Need a Stability or Neutral Shoe? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n1. Check the Pattern of Shoe Wear On Your Old Shoes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\n2. Ask a Professional<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n3. Watch Yourself Run<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n4. Wet Test<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWill Stability Shoes Prevent Me From Getting Injured?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhere and How to Buy Stability Shoes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nTypes of Stability Shoes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nFeatures of Stability Shoes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nMedial Post<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nContoured and Roomy Footbed<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nHeel Counter<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nSupportive Lacing Pattern<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nPopular Brands of Stability Shoes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n