Beyond the obvious differences in appearance, running shoes have many structural features that affect the way they feel on one’s feet, their durability, and their price, among other things.
The performance-affecting features of any athletic or running shoe include the last, outsole, insole, midsole, upper, counter, toe box, ankle collar, and heel tab. A shoe’s last is its sole’s shape and footprint, which can be curved, semi curved, or straight. The outsole is the portion of the sole that comes into contact with the ground; the insole touches the foot, and the midsole is the cushioning and shock absorption materials in between. A shoe’s upper is its top part with laces and material that holds the shoe together. The counter is the rigid part of the shoe at the heel which provides stability and keeps the heel in place, and the toe box is the tip of the shoe where the toes lie. The ankle collar is the area around the ankle that is padded and shaped for comfort, and the heel tab is the notched area on the heel that reduces tension on the Achilles tendon.
Another important feature to consider when purchasing running shoes is a characteristic that belongs not to the shoe but to the user’s feet: arches. Feet generally fall into one of three categories: low, neutral, or high arched. In order to get the best fit and the most support from one’s shoes, arch structure must be considered. The arch shape of one’s foot affects the way the foot falls in taking natural steps, and shoes that are designed for the wrong arch category may exaggerate patterns of movement that can be hard on the feet. Some shoes are designed for specific categories of arched feet, and many come with inserts or removable arch supports.
Explanations of features and help in deciding what kind of shoes might be best for your feet can be found most easily by visiting an athletic shoe store and speaking with a knowledgeable salesperson. Information about shoes and shoe design can also be found with traditional research methods such as the Internet. Physical trainers or health care provides can also help individuals figure out what kinds of shoes might be best for their individual feet.
Retailers of Running Shoes
There are many manufacturers of shoes designed especially for running, and even more retailers. It is easy to comparison shop for prices and shoe features by visiting an athletic shoe store. Athletic shoe stores also offer the benefit of trained and knowledgeable salespeople who can help shoppers find the best shoes for their feet.
Consumers who are already familiar with the different features of shoes and what their own particular shoe needs are, however, might shop just as easily on the Internet or with a catalog. Most manufacturers of athletic shoes also assign each different shoe a style or product number which the shopper who knows what he or she is looking for can then use to search for the shoe.
Costs
Depending on which features an individual is looking for and which company makes the shoe, prices can vary greatly. The most expensive pairs of running shoes can cost $100 or more, but many decent pairs can be found for closer to $50 or $60. If certain features of shoes cannot be compromised, however, shoppers might end up paying more. Fortunately, most manufacturers and retailers, like any other type of retailer, have sales that can give buyers better prices.
By Kristin Cleveland