How your shoe is constructed is vital to how much cushioning you get to benefit from. The sole of a modern cushioned running shoe isn’t simply the tread; there’s a lot more going on underfoot.
- Midsole: The main cushion foam element, sandwiched between the insole and outsole. This is where shock-absorbing running shoes do their thing, reducing impact and converting it into energy to help you spring forward.
- Outsole: Where your shoe meets the planet, be it on tarmac, grass, gravel track, or elsewhere. It’s where you need traction and grip that you can rely on to keep you on your feet without experiencing drag, and durability that ensures your shoes go the distance. As with all elements of the best running shoes, this requires a combination of neat design and carefully chosen materials for success.
Best Cushioned Running Shoes
Fresh Foam Technology is revolutionary. It’s New Balance's own technological advancement in midsole shoe cushioning material, taking cushioned trainers (and your sporting endeavors) to the next level. The stack of Fresh Foam material between your foot and the ground is the result of 3D motion-captured pressure mapping, alongside force application data collated from high-tech tests conducted on real athletes.
Do I Need Support or Cushioned Running Shoes?
Every runner’s needs are different because every runner’s body is different. One size definitely doesn’t fit all. Cushioned running shoes are not for everyone and may not suit your needs if you have issues with stability and could be overpronating. If you’re not sure, one giveaway sign is if the inside edge of your running shoes is more worn down than the outside edge.
If that’s the case, then it’s likely that you are overpronating, meaning that when you run the outer edge of your heel makes contact with the ground first, causing your foot to roll inwards. So, a support running shoe designed for better stability is your best bet.Trail running shoes, such as Hierro trail running shoes, are built with stiffer midsoles to give better stability on uneven terrain. As such, they provide great support wherever you run, so if you overpronate, a trail shoe is likely to work out better for you than foam shoes designed with soft cushioning in mind.
Are Cushioned Running Shoes Right for You?
Everybody runs differently, and every body has different needs when it comes to running properly and avoiding injury. This can be due to a number or combination of factors, such as previous injuries, running style, and even age-related conditions.
Most cushioned running shoes tend to have a ‘rocker sole’. This helps to support a more natural heel-to-toe transition as your foot makes contact with the ground, giving maximum cushioning and impact softening. So, for runners suffering from pain in the feet or joints higher up the leg or spine, this can make all the difference while running, reducing the amount of pain you feel by absorbing the impact and reducing the jolt.
However, diving into your new bouncy running shoes and putting in a ten-miler as soon as they’re out of the box might not be the cleverest way to go if you’re wearing cushioned running shoes for the first time. They can take some getting used to, and so to avoid mishaps, it’s worth spending a bit of time to truly find your feet. Transitioning gently from your old pumps to a new pair of cushioned trainers, with a few short-distance runs on differing surfaces, will pay off in the long run and ensure you get maximum benefit from your new kicks.
Do Heavier Runners Need More Cushioning?
Another important factor to consider when choosing the right running shoe is your weight. Heavier runners are not necessarily overweight; height and muscle mass are just two factors that can make one runner heavier than another. But when running, it’s worth remembering that if there’s a little more weight up top pressing down upon the leg and feet joints, then the impact on the ground will increase in force. That’s where effective shock-absorbing running shoes can help, and why a cushioned shoe, even if the cushioning is a little firmer, can enable easier, more beneficial running along with faster recovery times.
Whether you need a softer shoe with increased cushioning or a firmer midsole for better support, New Balance running shoes put you on the path to success.
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