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Running Shoes by Level of Stability
Maximum Stability | Stability | Neutral
Customizable Running Footwear |
Minimalist Running Footwear
Running Shoe Anatomy | Manufacturer Web Sites and Runner's Resources
Below we have listed running shoes under three main categories; maximum stability, stability, and neutral . A subset of the stability and cushioned categories is the lightweight running shoe. Maximum stability shoes are designed to provide significant support for flat-footed or severe overpronators and bigger runners while neutral shoes are designed for lighter more efficient or underpronating runners. Moderate and mild stability offers some features for the majority of runners who fall somewhere in the middle of the pronation and size spectrum. Lightweight running shoes may be found within the stability and cushioned categories and will be denoted with (*).
Footwear manufacturers have significantly increased the number of lightweight and less structured running shoes and decreased the number of maximum stability shoes. The lightweight category has grown significantly in the last year primarily driven by the minimalist movement. Lightweight shoes may incorporate stability features such as medial posts or shanks but tend to be less durable than conventional running shoes.
Manufacturers do not use uniform language when describing their footwear and some models may fall in between categories. The distinctions between categories are not always easily discerned but we have made every effort to place all shoes into the appropriate category.
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Until recently, most manufacturers classified running shoes according to three main categories; Motion Control, Stability and Cushioned or Neutral. Now manufacturers are using their own terms such as “structured cushioning” or “guidance”. The major manufacturers use two to four categories to classify their shoes. The AAPSM has chosen to use three categories; Maximum Stability, Stability, and Neutral.
For more detail on structural features that determine a shoe’s stability please see “Running Shoe Anatomy” article.
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Generally, best suited for severe overpronators and/or moderately overpronating runners who weight more than 180 lbs. The vast majority of runners do not require this level of control but for those who do the structural features provide maximum protection and durability.
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The majority of the best selling running shoes are found in the stability category. The structural features can minimize overpronation yet still provide levels of flexibility and cushioning not found in maximum stability shoes. The level of stability features can vary significantly within this category.
* Denotes Lightweight shoe
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Neutral shoes may have little to no stabilizing structural features. Efficient runner s who are not prone to injury often do well in neutral running shoes.
* Denotes Lightweight shoe
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Running Shoe Anatomy
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