Cushioning protects you by absorbing impact. How much you need depends on how you run.
Land with a hard jolt?
Choose moderate to plush cushioning.
Land more gently?
Choose moderate to firm cushioning.
Cushioning also interacts with your stride and your pace.
When you run faster, firmer shoes feel better.
When you run slower, softer shoes feel better.
For this reason, many runners have a combination of shoes: Firmer shoes for faster workouts. Softer shoes for longer runs or slower recovery runs.
Some runners need added stability in their shoes to reduce the stress on their body caused by pronation.
Pronation is the natural inward rolling motion of the foot and can sometimes overstress the body causing discomfort or injury.
So, how do you know if you need more stability? Here are some clues:
When you run, and/or after you stop, you feel discomfort or pain along the inside of your shin.
When you look at your old shoes from behind, they are collapsed to the inside.
When you run your knee and ankle roll towards the inside and your unsupported hip drops.
If you said yes to any one of these, choose light stability or stability.
If you said yes to more than of one these, choose stability or motion control.
If none of these apply to you, stick with neutral or light stability.
What do these numbers mean?
8mm and 4mm refer to the difference in height between your heel and the ball of your foot. In other words, how much higher off the ground is the back of your foot compared with the front. This offset determines the angle between your foot and the ground.
We’ve found that lower offsets like these engage the body’s natural cushioning, energy storage and energy return mechanisms to a greater degree.
8mm has proportionally more cushioning in the heel compared to the forefoot than 4 mm. So 8mm may work better for runners who land with a heavier heel strike or are used to traditional running shoes that typically have a 12 mm offset.
4mm works better for runners who land with a more midfoot strike, where the heel and forefoot land close to the same time. If you have been running in a 12mm shoe your body may need some time to adjust to 4mm.
Cushioning protects you by absorbing impact. How much you need depends on how you run.
Land with a hard jolt?
Choose moderate to plush cushioning.
Land more gently?
Choose moderate to firm cushioning.
Cushioning also interacts with your stride and your pace.
When you run faster, firmer shoes feel better.
When you run slower, softer shoes feel better.
For this reason, many runners have a combination of shoes: Firmer shoes for faster workouts. Softer shoes for longer runs or slower recovery runs.
Some runners need added stability in their shoes to reduce the stress on their body caused by pronation.
Pronation is the natural inward rolling motion of the foot and can sometimes overstress the body causing discomfort or injury.
So, how do you know if you need more stability?
When you run, and/or after you stop, you feel discomfort or pain along the inside of your shin.
When you look at your old shoes from behind, they are collapsed to the inside.
When you run your knee and ankle roll towards the inside and your unsupported hip drops.
If you said yes to any one of these, choose light stability or stability.
If you said yes to more than of one these, choose stability or motion control.
If none of these apply to you, stick with neutral or light stability.
What do these numbers mean?
8mm and 4mm refer to the difference in height between your heel and the ball of your foot. In other words, how much higher off the ground is the back of your foot compared with the front. This offset determines the angle between your foot and the ground.
We’ve found that lower offsets like these engage the body’s natural cushioning, energy storage and energy return mechanisms to a greater degree.
8mm has proportionally more cushioning in the heel compared to the forefoot than 4 mm. So 8mm may work better for runners who land with a heavier heel strike or are used to traditional running shoes that typically have a 12 mm offset.
4mm works better for runners who land with a more midfoot strike, where the heel and forefoot land close to the same time. If you have been running in a 12mm shoe your body may need some time to adjust to 4mm.