5 Of The Best Running Shoes For Bad Knees – 2020 Reviews And Top Picks

Type

First, you should determine what kind of running you will be doing. There are several types of running shoes for different kinds of runners. The four main kinds are a cushion, stability, motion control, and minimalist running shoes.

Cushion running shoes are ideal for people who have normal to high arches. It is very flexible and provides shock absorption. On the other side of the spectrum, minimalist running shoes provide less shock absorption for a different running experience.

Stability and motion control running shoes are for people who have overpronated feet. This is when your feet tend to roll inwards when you run, making you more susceptible to knee injuries. Motion control shoes are preferred for severe overpronation.

Furthermore, you should also take into consideration the environment where you plan to use your shoes. Different terrains require different kinds of running shoes. For example, a rugged trail would need sturdier shoes than ones that are meant for normal roads.

Material

Different parts of running shoes are made with different kinds of material. Choosing a shoe with the right kind of material based on your running style is important. There are three main parts of a running shoe: upper, midsole, and outsole.

The upper is the outer layer of the shoe where the laces are found. It is advisable to pick a shoe whose upper is made of mesh. It is breathable and lightweight. For people who plan to use their shoes in wet environments, they can opt for waterproof material.

The midsole is in between the insole and the outsole. It absorbs shock and provides support. The most commonly used material for the midsole is EVA foam. If you have pronated feet, the midsole material is important to address these problems.

For example, people who have overpronated feet need shoes whose midsoles provide stability or motion control. This is mainly to counteract the foot's pronation and increase durability. It also counteracts the excess wear and tear caused by overpronated feet.

The outsole is the part of the shoe that directly touches the ground. The material used here is important because you want it to give traction when running. Different materials such as blown rubber or carbon rubber will depend on where you usually run.

Another important part of a running shoe is the insole. For this, you want something that fits comfortably and cushions your foot properly to prevent discomfort or injuries. However, you can also buy insoles separately to suit your needs.

Fitting

It is important to get shoes that fit well. A common misconception is that a shoe has to fit tightly when there should be some allowance. Plenty of injuries is caused by ill-fitting shoes. Therefore, it is important to make sure your shoes fit snugly.

Running shoes’ sizes tend to vary between different brands. For example, a size 10 in this store could translate to a size 9 in another one. When in doubt, is it better to measure your foot and use that as a basis for the shoe size.

It is common for people to buy shoes a half-size or a whole size bigger than their actual foot. This gives them some space in the toe area. This is important because we do not want our feet to feel cramped inside the shoe, especially if we will run for a long time.

However, these are only the basic factors to keep in mind. There are plenty of other characteristics that come into play such as your budget. Furthermore, there is no one shoe that can do everything. It is best to keep a variety of shoes for various purposes.

These are just some guidelines you can keep in mind to make a more informed purchase. It pays to properly know what you are buying so you can get the most out of your money.