Whether you’re just beginning your running journey, or you're an experienced runner looking for a new shoe to try out, finding a quality pair of running shoes is the first step to guaranteeing that your future running endeavors will be enjoyable. It wasn’t so long ago that not much thought was given to the difference between male and female runners and their separate needs as athletes. The go-to phrase was, “shrink ‘em and pink ‘em.”
Luckily, athletic companies have moved away from this simplistic — not to mention sexist — standard and have taken into consideration that women’s bodies are different than men’s, so they need running shoes made specifically for them. With so many women representing the running population, this is a smart move. In 2016, women made up 58% of all the 5k races in the United States and 43% of all marathons.
Women's vs. men's running shoes
So what makes a woman’s model of a running shoe different than a man’s? First off, women tend to have smaller heels in relation to the forefoot, so the shape of the shoe will be slightly different. A lower body mass results in slightly less foam in the midsole of the shoe and deeper grooves make it easier to flex the midsole when toeing off. Men and women also have different Q-angles, or the angle of incidence between the quad muscle and the kneecap, as women generally have wider hips than men. This can cause pronation to occur, which requires different types of cushioning.
Overpronation vs. underpronation
If you overpronate, your foot tends to roll inward too far as you run, and your body isn’t absorbing shock as efficiently. For overpronation, you’ll want a more supportive motion-control shoe to help correct your foot motion. If you underpronate, your foot isn’t rolling in far enough, making the outside of it take the brunt of the impact after the initial heel strike. If this is the case, you’ll want a more neutral-cushioned shoe that will encourage a more natural foot motion. This is one of the most important things to consider when buying running shoes, as overpronation or underpronation can cause serious injury over time if it’s not addressed.
Different shoes for different types of running
You’ll also want to consider the type of running you’ll be doing. Are you planning on doing a lot of road racing? A lightweight shoe will likely be best. Do you tend to do your long runs on trails? Then you may want a shoe designed specifically for trail running. If you’re looking for a simple training shoe for casual running, then durability may not be a big concern. However, if you’re the type of runner who lives in their running shoes, finding a high mileage shoe will give you the best quality for your money.
It may sound overwhelming, but luckily we’ve done the research for you and chosen what we think are the best women’s running shoes based on a variety of running needs.
Credit : http://www.businessinsider.com/best-running-shoes-women/#the-best-running-shoes-overall-1
Luckily, athletic companies have moved away from this simplistic — not to mention sexist — standard and have taken into consideration that women’s bodies are different than men’s, so they need running shoes made specifically for them. With so many women representing the running population, this is a smart move. In 2016, women made up 58% of all the 5k races in the United States and 43% of all marathons.
Women's vs. men's running shoes
So what makes a woman’s model of a running shoe different than a man’s? First off, women tend to have smaller heels in relation to the forefoot, so the shape of the shoe will be slightly different. A lower body mass results in slightly less foam in the midsole of the shoe and deeper grooves make it easier to flex the midsole when toeing off. Men and women also have different Q-angles, or the angle of incidence between the quad muscle and the kneecap, as women generally have wider hips than men. This can cause pronation to occur, which requires different types of cushioning.
Overpronation vs. underpronation
If you overpronate, your foot tends to roll inward too far as you run, and your body isn’t absorbing shock as efficiently. For overpronation, you’ll want a more supportive motion-control shoe to help correct your foot motion. If you underpronate, your foot isn’t rolling in far enough, making the outside of it take the brunt of the impact after the initial heel strike. If this is the case, you’ll want a more neutral-cushioned shoe that will encourage a more natural foot motion. This is one of the most important things to consider when buying running shoes, as overpronation or underpronation can cause serious injury over time if it’s not addressed.
Different shoes for different types of running
You’ll also want to consider the type of running you’ll be doing. Are you planning on doing a lot of road racing? A lightweight shoe will likely be best. Do you tend to do your long runs on trails? Then you may want a shoe designed specifically for trail running. If you’re looking for a simple training shoe for casual running, then durability may not be a big concern. However, if you’re the type of runner who lives in their running shoes, finding a high mileage shoe will give you the best quality for your money.
It may sound overwhelming, but luckily we’ve done the research for you and chosen what we think are the best women’s running shoes based on a variety of running needs.
Credit : http://www.businessinsider.com/best-running-shoes-women/#the-best-running-shoes-overall-1
