I hear that a lot and certainly having a "soft" shoe gives us a feeling of having more comfortable feet. This is especially true if we're on our feet all day.
But in the running world the cushioning factor can be a bit misleading. There are several factors governing shoe cushion for runners some of which include:
Running terrain- running in rocky, hilly, uneven terrain usually isn't suitable for shoes lacking foot support and cushioning. If you've ever stepped in that unforeseen hole or misplaced rock you know what I mean.
Level of training- individuals just starting a running program probably are going to want a shoe type that softens the blow on the feet and lower legs so shoes with a little more cushion may be applicable. At least until your body adapts a little to the demands of running. And those demands are substantially greater than walking.
Body weight- I can't tell you the number of lower extremity injuries I see that are related, in part, to body weight. For large people (over 180 pounds is big for a runner in my opinion) the demands of propelling their body weight over various terrains are significantly greater than for a 130-140 pound person. That's not an absolute but is true in most cases anyway. You don't see many 200 plus pound runners that are serious about it. Yes, they are out there but not like the fit 140 pounders.
Foot type- This may be the most important factor of all. If you have been genetically given a foot that is high arched, inflexible, and rigid then you definitely need a shoe with more cushion particularly at heel strike. This cushioning will help reduce stresses that an inflexible foot isn't capable of dispersing efficiently.
Now for the person looking for a shoe to support them at work day in and day out you have many more options other than the cross country shoe types. I wear a pair of Asics Gel Nimbus quite often at work and my feet thank me for that. But out in the hills I wouldn't think of wearing them instead choosing a pair of Red Wing work boots that are light with plenty of cushion and great ankle support.
There can be a fine line in finding a shoe with adequate cushioning and at the same time supportive. Just because a shoe is soft and feels good when you try it on may not equate with providing the proper foot and arch support you need. So be aware of this when purchasing cross country shoes that are not considered name brands shoes or are cheap in price. Not always but in many instances you get what you pay for.
For the "on your feet all day" person your footwear requirements may vary considerably from a cross country runner. So your shoe store and selection will vary as well.
There are plenty of shoe options out there for your specific needs. Just identify those needs and proceed down to a quality shoe store (whether running or work) and support your feet with shoes made for you. Preferably with just the right amount of cushion.
Author Resource:-
Don likes to write about people and life experiences. Visit his latest website at http://crosscountryshoes.org/ and read up on finding the correct cross country shoes for your type of running and daily foot wear.
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