Unmasking Running Shoe Myths: Separating Fact from Fiction

[@matthewlaw]

As an over pronator, I don’t need a pair of arch support shoes. They just poke my arches. What I need is just a stable neutral shoe, that won’t worsen my over pronation. It will automatically strengthen my arches. My over pronation becomes less than before after adapting this approach.

[@TravelRunner]

Great video, Chris. One thing I would add to the tip about durability - the outsole typically lasts longer than the midsole foam (unless you're running primarily on trails). So using the eye test of the outsole is not usually a good method of judging how much life is left in the shoes. Just because the outsole still looks good doesn't mean the midsole foam is still doing it's job.

[@RnFfishy]

My Saucony Endorphin Pro 3's have 600 miles on them, waiting for them to die, but they just keep on giving :)

[@tiosklightning4367]

Definitely agree with the cushoining point. I love a high stack shoe (favourite is the prime x) but recently have gone back to relatively lower stack shoes (Adios 8/hyperion max) and feeling great after running in those too. I think the quality of the foam is important but not always the amount of it.

[@FordyRuns]

thank you

[@TC55555]

Also, if you're unsure about a shoe, get it in a neutral color. I picked up the Hoka Mach 6 in a black color wave. It didn't work for me as a daily trainer but it's a great everyday and work shoe!

[@FordyRuns]

good shout

[@aristodiga82]

I pronate, to a point where people might see it as "over" pronate. However, since I first run around 13 years ago, I always wear neutral shoes. I bought a stability shoe, one time, after around 30k of usage, I realise I always have pain in my arch when running in them. Ditched them, never bought another stability shoes after that. Work on your feet strength people! Also agree with the cushioning part. Never bought overly cushion shoe. My best running footwear for daily runs is a pair of barefoot sandals which I keep as one of my rotation for the last 2 years. Ok, I'm not fully converted to barefoot running, I have 3 other running shoes on my rotation. But still, when I just want to go for an easy run, the sandals are just as good. I always get my lowest heart rate on easy runs when I'm in my barefoot sandals. So yeah, footwear is about what feels good for you, not about what the commercials say.

[@davidblockley9923]

Some interesting points so thank you. People spend a fortune on socks and then complain about blisters. Same with shorts, I'm running around in cheap adidas shorts for £15. And you get trends, A lot at my club like Hokas but again talk about blisters. I think I'm trying to say do the same thing on Kit !

[@paultaylor4056]

Spot on “what works for one don’t work for another” I have UA Velociti 3 they are so comfortable they are great. If I do same route wearing my Boston 12 I’m quicker. Then I have Takumi Sen 9 for 5k / Parkruns and I’m faster again. BUT a faster runner is faster than me wearing his Boston 12. If I’m doing a 10k race I wear my Adizero Pro 3. I love the feel of the Pro 3 - I cannot do marathons anymore; but I feel I get the same protection and energy return in the Pro 3 in the finishing Kms that you guys get at Km 22 onward.

[@FordyRuns]

thank you

[@simonleighrobertson]

Hey mate Robbo in Oz! I have had a big toe problem with a bunion and serious big toe joint pain. I have tired about 12 different shoes types from wide toe box, low drop , high drop, high cushion, low cushion, neutral shoes every brand possible! Podiatrist want me to run in an orthotic but I can't do it they suck! The best shoe I have found is the Saucony guide 17 stability shoe. It's has arch support and a wider toe box I can run 20kms now in this shoe with no toe and foot pain it's a game changer for me. Maybe the stability helps as I'm old at 50! 😂 Love ya channel and pod past mate very inspirational cheers

[@johnblogs5732]

Top video, can never get enough fordy straight talk

[@user-io4fx1gu8j]

I am a mild overpronator, with a little ankle hyperflex but also some leg/knee rotation normally running 5k to 12.1k. I like to own a range of shoes so that I minimise overuse of any specific feet and leg muscles. I don't believe I have an arch issue. So I have in my range (amongst others) Altra Paradigm/Brooks Glycerin GTS for long slow runs, I have Hoka Arahi and Inov8 Trailfly for firmer runs (on different terrains) and I have Adizero Bostons/Endorpohin Speeds for speed sessions and races. So I try to mix up drops, rockers, firmness and geometries. As an older runner who started late and is still getting some PBs, I like having a mix of feel and function in shoes. I am never convinced that science is finished and there is nothing else to learn so to hedge the risk that I am led down a wrong path I aim to continue with a variety of shoes. If I were to run a third marathon (not sure yet) I would consider a less stable superfoam for the race and a few practice sessions but really don't know what that would be. One other shoe I would like to add to the mix would be true motion - which look interesting at least for the knee rotation perspective.

[@bloatedtonydanza7798]

I used to use 0 drop low stack height shoes, and my knees always hurt 😢 I turned to maximal shoes and voilà, my knees thanked me

[@Jarrod723]

Also it’s interesting you point out the stack height myth; although I REALLY enjoy the Superblast, since I started doing all my runs in the Superblast exclusively I have been having a lot of calf tightness I haven’t had in years of running. Is there a shoe like the Superblast but with lower stack height?

[@FordyRuns]

ghost max

[@Jarrod723]

@@FordyRuns also seen a lot of positives about SL 2; might that be a lower stack option? Or not really comparable?

[@daymonclayton6388]

This idea that an over pronator will develop an injury without stability shoes. For many runners it’s not necessary nor are the insoles that the running stores will inevitably try to upsell.

[@TheHutchRuns]

Nice video Chris, quick question, would you say having a shoe rotation is better than having a do it all shoe like, say, an Endorphin Speed 4?

[@doctorhypnotizer]

As with many things, one do-it-all shoe that works for you is better than a rotation of two or three that don't. And of course, if one shoe is all you can budget for then that's fine. I know runners who have one shoe that they train and race in, and some who have two or three for different types of runs (long & easy vs. tempo, etc.)

[@FordyRuns]

optimal is to have a few but comes down to budget

[@idawson998]

If you have more than one shoe you are less likely to get injured a study found as you work different muscles etc

[@karlbratby4349]

So agree with how poor the quality of both shoes and clothes are dreadful quality, the packaging that they arrive from Nike direct are also very very poorly thought through add to that piss poor customer service from Nike Direct...I will no longer entertain Nike in my clothing or shoe rotation.

[@bloatedtonydanza7798]

I like this guy 😂 he’s the Bill Burr of shoes reviews

[@FordyRuns]

Thank you

[@Jarrod723]

I like to believe that when I run well it’s because I’m awesome and when I don’t it’s the shoes fault 😂

[@FordyRuns]

i like this

[@johnnytraveler]

Was that the new skecher wave 12?

[@ryantinney]

Agreed on all points.

[@TC55555]

Great info on shoes!!!

[@FordyRuns]

thanks

[@therapygrind]

You're wrong on one point, mileage & utility. All shoes for all runners generally have a bell shaped curve, a distribution of utility. Shoes 'peak' and have a 'sweet spot'. As runners we all kind of know when our shoe has peaked but can still enjoy a bit of the sweet spot - and then we know when a shoe is still certainly serviceable, but has seen better days. It's not "nonsense to retire a shoe" after it's peaked, and you simply don't care to experience it's gradual descent - though it can still offer 100 or 200 more serviceable miles. If you want to ride it till the wheels fall off - good for you. I only want to experience the ascent and upside of a shoe and once the thrill is gone (the sweet spot), though it can still offer 100 - 200 more serviceable miles - sorry, won't be with me, it's out of my rotation and donated to a shelter. For me, that's usually around 200 mile mark. Rule #1 in Runner's Lore, Never fall in love with a shoe.

[@FordyRuns]

fair enough

[@Trailrunner1978]

This myth was debunked on Saturday: That a 220 lbs runner can run a trail 50 K in Salomon S Lab Pulsar 2 SG without getting significant underfoot pain!!!

[@Manuel-901]

Good morning. The wonderful running's world, with the real or fakes news. Like to Fordy. Have a great day.

[@FordyRuns]

thank you

[@thebullfighter6733]

id agree that the nike build quality is not great. I used to be pro nike, now I daily in the boston 12s and novablast 4s and long run in the superblasts and prime x 2s. That being said I'm a 2:30s marathonner and ive run in the Pro 3s, meta speed edge paris and old sky plus , rocket x 2 and in terms of perfomance the Alphafly 1 and 3 (HATED THE 2) are better than anything asics, adidas and hoka have available to to public on race day (pro evo1s may be better but nobody can get them). At least for me and having given all of these other brands a try. So yes I agree that nike as butthole build quality, but in terms of perfomance I still think theyre the top dog on race day.