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Gait is a technical term. But different professionals mean different things when using it. If there is something common to all of them, it is that gait is observed locomotion. In this post, it means what happens in the foot and ankle, between foot strike and toe-off. When you land, which is equal to hitting…

On our wall, just about every shoe is made with some kind of etheylne vinyl acetate (EVA). During the history of the technical running shoe, EVA has become the preferred material for midsoles and sockliners. EVA is the prominent material in most technical running shoes. It’s a foam that can compress without flattening under large…

I have a 1970’s memory of my mom using the washing machine to clean my shoes. (Don’t ask me what kind of shoes they were, I didn’t know if I was wearing dirty running shoes or basketball shoes or tennis shoes–as long as they weren’t the dreaded bobo shoes!) They didn’t fit exactly like before…

I have high regard for the companies that manufacture technical running shoes, which are shoes made specifically for running. There are not many of those companies that are recognized around the world. Under Armour is now among their number. Making a durable technical running shoe is hard because running causes forces that punish shoes. Running…

There are three kinds of insoles that are commonly put into technical running shoes, in descending order of importance: manufacturer’s insoles, orthotics, and off-the-shelf insoles. The manufacturer’s insole is the most common type. Manufacturers put insoles into almost all technical running shoes. Of the 62 different styles of technical running shoes that we currently carry,…

HOKA ONE ONE, like every other shoe manufacturer, boasts a number of different technologies. HOKA shoes have one, very recognizable feature: a large amount of cushioning underfoot. They also shape their midsoles to mimic a rocker, so that the shoe helps drive you forward. The main advantage But the technology that sets them apart from…

Arch supports probably don’t hurt your feet. Size and width explain much of what makes shoes comfortable and also explain much of what makes shoes painful. Pain, even in the arch, is most likely due to too little room, not to arch supports. A foot has three arches Biomechanists sometimes describe the foot as having…

Run currently stocks 40 different styles of shoes and each one of them supports the arch. Whether you have high arches, low arches, or something in-between, it’s practically impossible to buy a shoe that doesn’t give some kind of arch support. The construction of the upper, the materials selected for use in the midsole, and…

The best way to deal with blisters is to avoid them. The best way to avoid them is with a proper fitting sock, made from the right materials, designed for your activity, and worn inside a properly fitting shoe. Socks should fit Look for socks with sizes. Just like you want shoes to match the…

You can race in training shoes if they are still alive. Shoes don’t last forever. And when they’re dead, they’re done. That’s a fact that doesn’t occur to everyone. Those that do realize it, have some questionable ways of deciding when a shoe needs to be replaced. Some will look at the outsole to see…