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Running shoes get a thumbs down from various critics (taken a little of context to be fair). Mick Habgood, podiatrist, and running orthotic specialist offers an alternative view in response:

This is the original article published in the Daily Mail:
http://tinyurl.com/cerpyu

Asics running shoes and a very barefoot at Balance

Here is the alternate view from Mick:

Companies like those mentioned seem to create their idea of the ultimate shoe with the perfect foot in mind – A foot that is neither flat nor high arch, functionally stable throughout foot strike and not hypermobile through propulsion. Do we really need a battery powered cushioning unit that adapts after each strike? Do we really need a shoe with a midsole that looks like and mimics the plantar fascia? In reality, probably not. But we are trapped between marketing geniuses and companies that need to continue developing new concepts or they are at risk of becoming the next ‘has been’.

The principles of barefoot running are fairly sound and I’ll be the first to admit that if we never had shoes, I probably wouldn’t be doing what I do. The reality is that we have become accustomed to wearing footwear, our intrinsic muscles and ligaments have become weaker and yes, we have become more susceptible to injuries. But this doesn’t mean we should throw away our favourite running shoes, as an immediate change to running the same distances barefoot, will most likely end with in injury at a statistical rate much higher than any of those mentioned in the article.

The first trick to minimising running injuries is choosing the right shoe for you, and this is where the battle can either be won or lost. A shoe can have all the features in the world but if it’s not right for you, it will probably do more harm than good. For the consumer, purchasing the running shoe that best fits your requirements is a confusing process. Footwear companies tend to categorise their numerous running shoes as either ‘Cushioning’, ‘Structured Cushioning’, ‘Motion Control’ or as part of the newest group, the ‘Guidance’ shoe. The best practice would be to get your foot mechanics and running style assessed by your sports / biomechanical Podiatrist. However, if this is not a viable option, having your running shoes fitted by well-trained staff at a specialist running shop is imperative.

The development of barefoot running shoes has quite possibly made the footwear industry stand up and question the effectiveness of their own products. However, it’s important to keep in mind that some of these brands have been associated with the more fashion conscious runner in the past. Is this development their way of making a comeback statement to the running footwear industry?

At the end of the day, barefoot running is a good concept but adapt wisely as it’s not for everyone. The average runner is a weekend warrior who beats the pavement hard and heavy. Choose the most appropriate running shoe based on its specifications, not looks and if you are unsure, seek the answers from your running specialist.

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