Running is more popular nowadays than ever before. Many recreational athletes choose to run or jog as a balance to work or family. But even the circle of ambitious runners is getting bigger, as the participation records of national and international running events prove.
Of course, with all this enthusiasm for running, the question arises as to the right equipment.
At the latest after the first few running units, the athlete asks himself which running shoe is the right one and whether a pair running Shoes sufficient at all.

The history of running Shoes is still relatively young

But first of all to the beginnings. Considering the fact that people have certainly been able to walk for more than 60 or 70 years, it is relatively amazing that the first running Shoes around this time have come on the market. The adidas Achill or Trim Trot, which also comes from the sporting goods manufacturer with the three stripes, is one of the first shoes designed and produced for perseverance. Other models in the sixties were the Puma Mile or the New Balance Trackster. Nike came in the late seventies with the Tailwind, in which the American sporting goods manufacturer air cushion for damping installed.
Since then, many innovations in running shoe construction have given the handle into the hand. The leading manufacturers such as Asics, adidas, Nike, New Balance or Brooks have contributed to the further development of the running shoe. The inventions turned mostly to improved damping behavior but also technical gimmicks such as Pedometerwere designed to provide the runner with added value. Milestones include the adidas 1, with the first intelligent cushioning to fit the environment, the asics Gel Kayano with gel cushioning, one of the most popular stirrup shoes in running history, the Nike Free, with the flexible midsole or the adidas Ultra Boost, which comes with a completely newly developed technology for cushioning in the midsole.

The construction of running shoes

In principle, the running shoe is divided into outsole, midsole and upper. The outsole is relatively thin and provides protection, provides grip and should also increase the longevity of a product.
The midsole is mainly responsible for cushioning. This part of the running shoe usually consists of a foam-based material, often called EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate). The material is characterized by air pockets. Under load, for example, impact forces while walking, this structure can absorb some of the forces. The material returns to its original state after a short time.
Most innovations in running shoe construction are in the midsole, with manufacturers trying to improve cushioning through air pads or gel pads or other technologies. Recently, a new material called Boost has come onto the market, which is not EVA based. It is TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), which is foamed and then baked into a midsole. This material should be much more durable and does not lose its reactivity over time. Exactly these two points decide mostly when it is time to dispose of a running shoe, because the EVA material becomes brittle with the run kilometers (from approx. 500-600) and has no more optimal damping properties.
The upper encloses and protects the foot from external influences. Above all, it should give support and can also have reflectors for safety in the night traffic.

Stable or not stable

For quite some time running Shoes into the categories „Stable“ or „Control“ and „Not Stable“ or „Neutral“. This division into two areas is based on the nature of the construction of the respective running Shoes back.
A Stable shoe has a reinforcement in the midsole on the medial, ie inner side. Above all runners, who have a overpronation, should profit from this support. Overpronation is known colloquially when the athlete bends inward during the rolling movement of the foot. This reinforcement is intended to counteract this excessive movement and thus prevent injuries. All well-known manufacturers have developed technologies with this objective.
The neutral shoes refrain from such reinforcement and thus aim at runners without the tendency to buckle inside.
In recent times, the running scene has strayed a little from this strict classification and thus follows findings that, above all, the training of the foot is crucial for a low-injury running. A sturdy shoe may possibly counteract this.

Churning trends

Over the years, the running shoe industry has brought many more innovations and ideas to market in addition to stabilizing the media side. With the need to run away from the roads on mountain trails or just in the woods, the first ones have Trail Shoesdeveloped. This variant of the running shoe is characterized by a particularly profiled outsole. For a while, as minimalist running shoes as possible were in vogue. In the case of so-called natural running or barefoot-like running, the running shoes have an extremely thin middle sole and low damping values. The philosophy behind it is to be as natural as possible a running movement, which optimally trains the foot. There are many more trends that should not be listed here in this context. In the last few years, shoes have featured a very flexible midsole such as the Nike Free, or a new type of cushioning such as the adidas Ultra Boost.

The agony of choice

Anyone who ever wanted to buy a running shoe knows the situation. Whether in the store or online, you face a sheer infinite choice and is quite overwhelmed.
Decisive is a comprehensive and professional advice, especially for beginners, who could not run the optimal shoe in the course of time.
In addition to the fit itself, you should pay attention to buy the running shoes a little bigger. Under no circumstances should you toast with your toes. Good traders offer run analysis, either with pressure gauges or on treadmilland thus can draw conclusions about the running style of the customer. This helps in choosing the right product. In addition to fit and functionality plays in many runners and the appearance of a large role. Also in this area, the manufacturers have evolved and so it is not uncommon that a running shoe in the sneaker scene causes a sensation.

In addition to optimal advice, it should also be noted when purchasing that quality has its price. Cheap models sometimes have shortcomings in terms of cushioning, workmanship, longevity and can even lead to injury faster. So it pays to invest in a running shoe from the middle price range up to the upper price range.