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Footwear - Running Shoes

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

Related Articles

Foot-Friendly Tips to Prevent Common Running Injuries
How To Select A Running Shoe | Tips On Fitting A Running Shoe
Socks And Your Feet

Looking for current research on running shoes and the validity of studies conducted? Click here for research related articles.

Running Shoes by Level of Stability

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.  

Ironman Performance Sponsors

Brooks
Brooks Sports, Inc.

www.brooksrunning.com

Cutting Edge Laser Technologies
Cutting Edge Laser Technologies
www.med.celasers.com/

Tekscan
Tekscan
www.tekscan.com

Vilex
Vilex
www.vilex.com

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.

Running Shoes by Level of Stability

For more detail on structural features that determine a shoe’s stability please see “Running Shoe Anatomy” article.

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Maximum Stability

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.

Recommended Shoes: Maximum Stability

Asics Gel-Evolution 6
Asics Gel-Foundation 10

Brooks Beast
Brooks Ariel (women)
Brooks Addiction 10

New Balance 1012
New Balance 587
New Balance 993
New Balance 1123

Nike Zoom Nucleus MC+
Nike Zoom Equalon+3

Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS 2

Maximum Stability

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Stability

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.

Recommended Shoes: Stability

Adidas Adizero Aegis 2.0 *
Adidas Adistar Salvation 3
Adidas Response Stability 3
Adidas Supernova Sequence 3

Asics Gel-3030
Asics Gel-Kayano 17
Asics Gel-Fortitude 5
Asics GT -2160
Asics Gel-1160
Asics Gel-DS Trainer 16 *

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 11
Brooks Switch 4
Brooks PureCadence *
Brooks PureFlow *
Brooks Ravenna 2 *
Brooks Trance 10

Mizuno Wave Alchemy 11
Mizuno Wave Inspire 7 *
Mizuno Wave Nexus 5 *
Mizuno Wave Nirvana 7
Mizuno Wave Elixir 6 *

New Balance 817
New Balance 860
New Balance 993
New Balance 1260

Nike Zoom Structure Triax+ 15
Nike LunarEclipse+ *
Nike LunarFly+ 2
Nike LunarGlide+ 3 *
Nike Lunarswift+ 3 *
Nike Air Span+ 6
Nike Zoom Elite+ 4

Saucony Progrid Omni 10
Saucony ProGrid Hurricaine 13
Saucony ProGrid Guide 4
Saucony Progrid Mirage *
Saucony Powergrid Cortana *

Stability

* Denotes Lightweight shoe

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Neutral

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.

Neutral

Recommended Shoes: Neutral

Adidas Adizero Feather *
Adidas Adistar Ride
Adidas Adizero Boston
Adidas Climacool Ride *
Adidas Adizero Sonic 2.0 *
Adidas Supernova Glide
Adidas Response Cushion

Asics Gel-Nimbus 13
Asics Gel-Pulse 3
Asics Gel-Cumulus 13
Asics Gel-Landreth 7 *

Brooks Glycerin 8
Brooks Defyance 3
Brooks Ghost 2

Mizuno Wave Enigma
Mizuno Wave Creation 12
Mizuno Wave Prophecy
Mizuno Wave Rider 14 *
Mizuno Wave Precision 12 *
Mizuno Wave Universal 4 *

New Balance 1064
New Balance 840
New Balance 883
New Balance 870 *
New Balance 890 *
New Balance 905
New Balance 1080
New Balance 1770
New Balance 1906

Nike Air Pegasus+ 28
Nike Air Max+ 2011
Nike Air Max Moto+9
Nike Air Max Tailwind + 4
Nike Free Run 2 *
Nike Free Run 2 3.0 *
Nike Free 5.0 *
Nike Shox Qualify+ 2
Nike Shox trubo + 12
Nike Zoom Vomero+ 6

Reebok Premier Verona KFS II
Saucony Grid Fastwitch 5 *
Saucony ProGrid C2 Glide
Saucony ProGrid Jazz 14
Saucony ProGrid Kinvara 2 *
Saucony ProGrid Triumph 8

* Denotes Lightweight shoe

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Manufacturer Web Sites
Adidas Asics Brooks Mizuno New Balance
Adidas Asics Brooks Mizuno New Balance
Nike Reebok Saucony    
Nike Reebok Saucony    

Runner's Resources
Looking for current research on running shoes and the validity of studies conducted? Click here for research related articles.

APMA Runners Resources Big Sur International Marathon Boston Marathon
APMA Runners Resources Big Sur International Marathon Boston Marathon
Chicago Marathon Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon Comrades Marathon
Chicago Marathon Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon Comrades Marathon
Crater Lake Rim Marathon Dallas White Rock Marathon Detroit Free Press Marathon
Crater Lake Rim Marathon Dallas White Rock Marathon Detroit Free Press Marathon
Grandma's Marathon Honolulu Marathon Kiawah Island Marathon
Grandma's Marathon Honolulu Marathon Kiawah Island Marathon
Marine Corps Marathon Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon NYC Marathon
Marine Corps Marathon Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon NYC Marathon
Ocean State Marathon Peachtree Road Race Portland Marathon
Ocean State Marathon Peachtree Road Race Portland Marathon
San Francisco Marathon Shiprock Marathon St. George Marathon
San Francisco Marathon Shiprock Marathon St. George Marathon
Twin Cities Marathon    
Twin Cities Marathon    

Related Articles

Foot-Friendly Tips to Prevent Common Running Injuries
How To Select A Running Shoe | Tips On Fitting A Running Shoe
Socks And Your Feet

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Customizable Running Footwear | Minimalist Running Footwear
Running Shoe Anatomy

Running Shoes | Training Shoes | Walking Shoes
Toning Shoes | Fitness Begins With Feet

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