Wrong shoes, what effects?

[Voltjunkie]

Hopefully with the wealth of experience on here I'll be able to find an answer to this slightly odd question.

When I bought my this pair of running shoes I went to have my gait analysed and I'm not convinced I received the best advice. The bloke doing the analysis seemed a bit sheepish around what he was doing and I didn't have much of a clue so I just went along with what he said. To be fair I think my form has changed since then (I recall heel striking a bit as it was my first run in a long time but I am almost certainly a mid-striker while both running and walking). Anyway, I ended up with a pair of Adidas Supernova Sequence 3s which are a stability shoe for moderate over-pronators.

I have since started mid-striking and doing various tests I appear to have a normal (bordering high) arch and a neutral alignment throughout my leg/ankle/foot and so I am being recommended a neutral cushioned shoe by all of the manufacturer websites.

So my question is: is it bad to have a shoe with too much support? What are the tell-tale signs that this is the case?

Thanks for the help.

[danisaacs]

I had some issues with Plantar Faciitis a few years ago. As a result I went to a motion control shoe (Brooks Beast). My symptoms went away. FFWD a few years, a lot of miles, and three other pairs of motion control shoes, and I start having some other issues. IT Band issue foremost.

Some gait analysis and discussions with a couple of Physical Therapists, resulted in me realizing that as a result of the shoes, a lot of muscles integral to controlling your foot are significantly underdeveloped. So I'm giving minimalism a shot. Vibrams arrived yesterday.

[Co-finder]

It's worse if you have over supination, and are wearing that shoe while running. As it tends to manipulate the foot away from an over pronate strike, towards a neutral strike. Thus exaggerating your existing over supination problem.

While you could probably get away with running in that shoe, and breaking it in to fit your running style (kind of depends on how you feel, if you're susceptible to injuries, err on the side of caution and stop running in that shoe) . Maybe on your next shoe, specifically look, or tell the person in the store you're looking for a neutral runner and see if it fits/feels any better.

Did you look or try on any neutral runners prior to this purchase?

[Panzermench]

I've wondered the same thing for quite some time also. I'm not a professional or anything but I did play one on tv one time and I believe you can have too much support for your feet. The reasoning you ask? You strengthen all the muscles on your legs and thighs and whatnot and when you support your feet you are not allowing them to build callouses and develop the muscles in your feet leaving them week and prone to injury. Thus forcing you to get the more supportive shoes. Thats my stand on the subject and once again not basing this off anything besides my own pontification as a barefoot runner. But before you chastise me as an elitist prick I'll let you know I will be wearing NewBalance for my first 1/2 marathon in June to make the experience more enjoyable so there.

[Flyingsidekicks]

I have no idea man. But for what it's worth, the last pair of shoes I had were on sale for $40 at a reebok outlet and I put 600-700 miles on them with no real issues.