Running shoes help

Alexandra2001 · 21/02/2025 09:46

I ve been running in Asics Trabuco trail shoe, its classed as neutral but it offers stability, great cushioning, amazing grip and i ve had no issues with them, usually run in a stability shoe for the road.

Asics Outlet website sells off last years models a bit cheaper and if you join One Asics, you can return, even if you ve used them outside.

Original poster

Onleemoi · 21/02/2025 10:19

Thank you! Great tip about One Asics. I’ll take a look.

OP posts:

xsquared · 21/02/2025 13:46

Onleemoi · 21/02/2025 09:42

What style of shoe would you recommend for overpronaters for running on bridleways, canals and road? Not sure if I need trail (the surfaces are muddy but not overly unstable) but can’t find trail stability shoes. So a neutral trail shoe or a road stability shoe? Currently running in a road shoe which are fine but wondering if I can do better.

Definitely don't run muddy paths in road shoes if you want to stay upright. I fell in the mud today in mine!

Innov8 are a good brand for trail shoes, but I use mine for cross country which tend to be shorter but faster running on grass and mud. I don't think mine ate stability specific for overpronation, and I've been told that I do. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Best to go to a specialist running shop to try on and ask for advice and recommendations.

BitOutOfPractice · 21/02/2025 13:50

Have you thought about going to a proper running shop, getting your gait assessed and asking For advice. I found it really useful!

Original poster

Onleemoi · 21/02/2025 13:55

Thanks, I’ve had a gait analysis in the past but I live really rurally now and no real chance of getting anywhere.

OP posts:

FeelinTwentySixPointTwo · 21/02/2025 16:27

I really don't believe in gait analysis- I mean, they'll tell you that you overpronate, sure, but then trying to "correct" that with stability shoes really isn't the answer. And a lot of experts in the field say overpronation or supination is natural and normal anyway.

In terms of stability shoes; think of it this way. While overpronation presents itself as the way your foot lands, it isn't usually "caused" by the foot. It's actually often a result of weak glutes (or just running slowly or heavily, as well - most new runners overpronate). So if you "correct" it with stability shoes you could actually be making the issue worse, as rather than tackling the weakness at the top of the chain (ie the glutes) you're putting a load of padding on the bottom of the chain (the foot) which masks the issue and forces the foot to plod down into a big cushion rather than moving through the stride and pushing off again. Many people say stability shoes actually make things worse as they affect the natural movement of the foot.. link here, but there's loads out there:

truemotion.run/en/u-run/mythos-ueberpronation-warum-pronation-beim-laufen-nicht-schlimm-ist?srsltid=AfmBOorGfn_FpFMmsCydHsBTkNNni_uCnF4KUUKv5aNNFJII-uWbiYKM

Speaking from vast experience here of having been sold the snake-oil of stability shoes but then ending up switching the problem from my feet to my knees. Moved into neutral shoes and have now run several marathons (fairly quickly) with my overpronation naturally decreasing as I've got fitter, faster and stronger in my leg and glute muscles.

Anyway! That was a long way of saying I'd forget the stability bit. I usually run on light trails and canals in road shoes; either the Brooks Ghost or the Nike Pegasus for really decent, cushioned, neutral shoes. I only switch to a trail show when I'm doing XC or out on proper fells. Inov8 are good but you'd want something light and not too luggy. I'd add a cushioned insole too as they can be quite harsh. The Brooks Cascadia would be a good choice too.

Back on the stability front - they don't really make stability trail shoes for a reason; that reason being that on hilly trails you need to feel the rocks/shingle/mud etc and the changes in terrain, so you don't fall. A big layer of padding like in stability shoes would stop you doing that and lead to downhill tumbles, which wouldn't be much fun.

Original poster

Onleemoi · 21/02/2025 17:05

Thank you @FeelinTwentySixPointTwo really appreciate all the advice. You've made it all a lot clearer.

OP posts:

BogRollBOGOF · 21/02/2025 20:13

As trail shoes are for uneven terrain, stability doesn't matter in that each step is different so the load isn't as repetitive as road running.

Trail a good way of building leg strength as it uses the full range of muscle groups to balance from one step to another.

Tophelleborine · 21/02/2025 20:29

FeelinTwentySixPointTwo · 21/02/2025 16:27

I really don't believe in gait analysis- I mean, they'll tell you that you overpronate, sure, but then trying to "correct" that with stability shoes really isn't the answer. And a lot of experts in the field say overpronation or supination is natural and normal anyway.

In terms of stability shoes; think of it this way. While overpronation presents itself as the way your foot lands, it isn't usually "caused" by the foot. It's actually often a result of weak glutes (or just running slowly or heavily, as well - most new runners overpronate). So if you "correct" it with stability shoes you could actually be making the issue worse, as rather than tackling the weakness at the top of the chain (ie the glutes) you're putting a load of padding on the bottom of the chain (the foot) which masks the issue and forces the foot to plod down into a big cushion rather than moving through the stride and pushing off again. Many people say stability shoes actually make things worse as they affect the natural movement of the foot.. link here, but there's loads out there:

truemotion.run/en/u-run/mythos-ueberpronation-warum-pronation-beim-laufen-nicht-schlimm-ist?srsltid=AfmBOorGfn_FpFMmsCydHsBTkNNni_uCnF4KUUKv5aNNFJII-uWbiYKM

Speaking from vast experience here of having been sold the snake-oil of stability shoes but then ending up switching the problem from my feet to my knees. Moved into neutral shoes and have now run several marathons (fairly quickly) with my overpronation naturally decreasing as I've got fitter, faster and stronger in my leg and glute muscles.

Anyway! That was a long way of saying I'd forget the stability bit. I usually run on light trails and canals in road shoes; either the Brooks Ghost or the Nike Pegasus for really decent, cushioned, neutral shoes. I only switch to a trail show when I'm doing XC or out on proper fells. Inov8 are good but you'd want something light and not too luggy. I'd add a cushioned insole too as they can be quite harsh. The Brooks Cascadia would be a good choice too.

Back on the stability front - they don't really make stability trail shoes for a reason; that reason being that on hilly trails you need to feel the rocks/shingle/mud etc and the changes in terrain, so you don't fall. A big layer of padding like in stability shoes would stop you doing that and lead to downhill tumbles, which wouldn't be much fun.

This is really good advice and well explained.

My experience - first started running 20 years ago and was told I over pronated, so always wore stability shoes. I was also perpetually injured with minor stress issues in my feet and ankles.

Took a 5 year break while having kids, and during that time started wearing barefoot shoes all the time in an attempt to correct back problems (which seemed to have done the trick). When I returned to running it was almost exclusively on trail and fell, and I've worn a variety of inov8 shoes but all minimal or zero drop.

Now running around 15-20 miles off road every week, with several races a year including longer (15+ mile) events. No pronation and no injuries. Make of that what you will.