My Minimalist Running Shoes

If you are suffering from overpronation, you need to opt for minimalist running shoes for overpronators to help the condition and/or correct it altogether. The movements of your foot as you run or walk is closely linked to the shape of your feet. What usually happens when you take a stride is the heel is the first to strike the ground. It then rolls slightly inward and to reduce the impact the arch flattens itself. Your foot then reels slightly to the outside and brace itself to create a launch pad to push itself for the next stride. However, these sideway action differ from person to person or runner to runner. The natural inward roll of the foot following the strike of the heel to the ground actually helps take in the impact, easing the pressure on the joints and the knees. This normal attribute of neutral, biochemical competent runners is called pronation.

Overpronation and how it affects our choice of footwear

Overpronation is an amplified form of the foot’s normal inward roll. This common attribute affects the majority of runners, which exposes them to the risks of leg pain and knee injuries. Continuous wearing of contemporary shoes will definitely expose you to major injuries of your legs as well as your spine. To correct this, you need to wear minimalist running shoes for overpronators, which provide stability and motion control. These shoes are designed with outsoles, midsoles and insoles that will help reduce the exaggerated rolling of your foot inward. When you buy minimalist shoes, you should focus your search on footwear that will provide you with the appropriate features to help you with this problem. A physical therapist, podiatrist or a medical practitioner expert on this field can probably tell you what kind of running style you possess. However, you can tell for yourself which style of running is yours by just looking at your old pair of running shoes. If you have a normal pronation, your old shoe will show wear at the center of the ball of your feet and perhaps some parts of the heel.  However, if you are suffering from overpronation, the wear of your shoes is manifested along its inside edge.

Features of a minimalist running shoes for overpronators

Merrell Men's Trail Glove

The best minimalist running shoes for overpronators are footwear that helps slow down basic pronation. These shoes usually feature a post in the midsole.  However, for those who suffer from moderate to severe overpronation, the best minimalist shoe for you is a motion control shoe which features rigid heels and a straighter form.  There are numerous styles and brands of minimalist running shoes in the market today. Choosing one over the other due to the brand or price and disregarding the most valuable factors in selecting the right kind of footwear for your type of feet would be a huge mistake. Do not fall for the trap of trendy ads, featuring chic and stylish brands of running shoes. While they may feel comfortable when you are fitting them at the store, the true test and challenge for these running shoes would be after several miles of running on the hard pavement or trail. The perfect shoes for you depend on the type and shape of foot you have and not on anything else.

Shoe structure for overpronators

New Balance Men's Barefoot Trail Running Shoes

The best form of shoe highly recommended for overpronators are footwear that has straight last, since it helps manage inward rolling of the foot. The term “last” refers to both the form or mold and shape of the shoe. This type of form will reduce the inward motion of the feet when running. Overpronation is just one of the many risks that a runner has to face up to. However, it may or may not lead to injury as the case of other great runners like Haile Gebrselassie. He may have been lucky but for the rest of the population, it is better to prevent or avoid than get remedy for the injury. Overpronation exists for several reasons. One reason could be deformed feet, has poor muscle control or may be the effect of a lifetime of over padding and cushioning of contemporary shoes. Switching to minimalist running shoes for overpronators might be the solution. However, you should do it gradually since doing it rashly might create more problems that will overshadow the injury that overpronation can cause.

Minimalist running shoes for overpronators in a glimpse

At present, several brands and styles of minimalist footwear that answers the requirement for overpronator runners are being introduced in the market. However, there are also highly recommended minimalist footwear that have already been in the market for some time and have already earned reviews or accolades for their benefits. These shoes include the likes of Merrell Trail Glove, Vivo Barefoot, New Balance Minimus models, Puma Faas 300, Saucony Kinvara, K-swiss Kwicky Blade and Vibram FiveFingers. These shoes have lower heel-to-toe drop and are all minimally padded. The best minimalist running shoes for overpronators depend on the actual wearer’s type of feet and running style. Since runners experience different degrees of pronation, the best footwear for a particular runner with overpronator depends on his actual physical requirements such as foot shape and running style.