Putting Running Shoes to the Test – Part 1

I ran my first marathon about six months ago, and survived the 26.2 miles without a single blister. I thought my shoes must have been some pretty magical kicks! Now, as I begin training for my very first triathlon (a local sprint tri here in Southern California), I have been thinking more about my footwear because of all the attention that barefoot running and the new style of rocker bottom shoes are getting. For a long time the “best” shoes all shared certain characteristics, but now more engineers, designers, and biomechanists are improving the “best” shoes in radical ways. As a physical therapist, I am particularly interested in how these new technologies impact the body, and I’m curious to see if they will allow me to run faster and safer than ever.

First a little about the foot! For being as complex as it is (26 bones, 33 joints, 107 ligaments, 19 muscles), the mechanics of the foot are beautifully simplistic. As we turn our foot out to make contact with our heel to the ground, the bones shift and align in such a configuration that they are moveable. In this position, the foot is prepared to absorb shock, which in running can amount to three to four times our body weight. This incredible amount of force is absorbed in a couple of ways. Some of the force is absorbed up through our body, and some of the force is stored as elastic potential energy (think of a loaded rubber band) in the muscles that hold up the arch (namely tibialis posterior) and the fibrous tissue lining the arch (plantar fascia).

After the shock of our step is absorbed and all of our body weight is fully loaded on our foot, we need it to perform an entirely different role. We no longer want a moveable shock-absorber; we now need a very rigid lever over which to launch our entire body. When we roll onto our toes at the end of our step, the bones shift into a new alignment where they are rigid and locked. In this position, the foot now creates more torque that propels our body forward.

The classic running shoe is designed to do as much of the work for our foot as possible. It absorbs shock for us, which provides more elastic “spring”. It also creates a stronger, more supportive sole, which strengthens the foot’s lever. This logic is not necessarily wrong, but the new running technologies are challenging the principles on which they stand. Foot injuries and foot pain among runners are still both very common, and many would claim that it’s even more common than it used to be.

So, what should a good running shoe do? I’m going to attempt to answer that over a series of blog posts. During my training, I will run in three very different ways: barefoot on soft and hard sand, with a traditional, supportive running shoe, and with my new pink ProSpeed SRR fitness sneakers. I will share the different biomechanics of each style as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each shoe, so that we can all run a little faster and avoid injury!

Written by: Maureen McClure
Maureen is a Doctor of physical therapy, active in running, swimming, and beach volleyball. She regularly trains for marathons and triathlons.

The Speed of Science – SKECHERS ProSpeed

Having tried on and worn a lot of running shoes, I am very impressed with the new SKECHERS ProSpeed running shoe.  I think once people realize just how forward-thinking and advanced this shoe is, it’s going to be very popular.

First things first, the shoe looks good.  I know that’s not really important in a technical running shoe, but some running shoes out there are just a bundle of features with no style. There will be people attracted to the ProSpeed for looks alone.

It’s amazingly lightweight. As in under 10 oz. (can be up to 15 oz. for larger sizes) per shoe lightweight.  Usually that kind of weight means you get little to no comfort and cushioning, but in the ProSpeed you get an impressive amount of cushioning and technical features. That light a weight, and it doesn’t feel at all flimsy or featureless – it feels solid and ready to run.

Even before you get to the midsole design, the ProSpeed has a lot of neat features.  There’s a tiny but perfectly placed piece of hook-and-loop fastener that holds one side of the tongue perfectly in place even during a long run. The ventilation of the shoe is well designed to keep your feet cool. There’s good internal stabilization so that your foot stays in place and doesn’t tend to pronate.

They took everything that I love about the Resistance Runner– and I really enjoy the comfort and support of that shoe – and made it more efficient and lighter weight. Where the Resistance Runner makes running a natural fluid motion, the ProSpeed almost makes me feel like I could race anyone and win.

The instructions call the midsole design a “SmartShoe with Mid-Foot Strike”, and I can see why. A traditional heel strike forces you to land on your heel, an area of your foot that also brakes and reduces speed. ProSpeed directs your foot to land past your heel, giving you a more fluid stride and using your body’s energy more efficiently. It feels entirely different from my old running shoes, which have lots of cushioning at the heel and not a whole lot at the mid-foot or toe. I didn’t even have to think about changing my stride – it just happened naturally and feels right, whether I’m walking or running.

There’s a lot of advanced scientific design built into the ProSpeed; that much should be obvious just by looking at them. But wearing them, and running or walking in them, feels a little bit more like magic than science!

Written by: Tim the Shoe Guy
Tim is the web merchandising manager for SKECHERS and has years of experience selling running and athletic shoes for other retailers.

Shoe Cleaning and Care Tips from the SKECHERS Shoe Guy

Show your shoes some love by taking good care of them, and they’ll last longer and look better! Here are three easy steps to ensure your shoes will be protected, clean, and long-lasting.

Protect your shoes – I always recommend that you protect a new pair of shoes before wearing them, especially if you’re planning on wearing them in wet weather.  For leather and suede shoes, there are many very good brands of protective “rain and stain” treatments specific to those materials.  For non-leather and fabric shoes, there are fabric-specific spray treatments that offer excellent protection against water and staining.  Suede, especially, needs to be treated so that water will not discolor it.

Clean your shoes – I never recommend machine washing shoes.  Sure, it might get them clean, but the spin cycle and the dryer can damage the shoe and shorten its life.  Instead, there are lots of great products designed to clean and reinvigorate shoes.  Leather and suede shoes and boots get a leather or suede cleaning treatment, and fabric or non leather shoes can be cleaned with mild soap, warm water, and a soft cloth.

Treat your shoes - Sometimes people complain that their shoes wear out quickly, but most of the time you can keep your shoes healthy by giving them a treatment every so often. For leather shoes, I suggest using a leather lotion or mink oil to keep the leather supple. Suede shoes also should be treated and brushed to ensure the finish is always looking its best. It’s always a good idea to rotate wearing your shoes so that you aren’t wearing the same pair every day, week in and week out, as that also shortens the life.

Give your shoes a home – Not surprisingly, one of the best places to keep your shoes is their box. Keeping your shoes in their box is a good way to keep them clean and safe between wearings. If you’re going to store your shoes for a while (like keeping your warm boots for the summer) it’s a good idea to put the shaping forms back into them to keep them looking their best.

Written By Timothy Lakin, SKECHERS USA

Resistance Runners – The Lazy Man’s Favorite Workout

I must admit, though it’s kind of taboo in healthful California where I live, that I don’t care much for working out.  Go to the gym?  I don’t have time, and I don’t care much for watching a bunch of sweaty people grunt and strain.  Jogging?  Kind of dangerous in my neighborhood considering most people are texting or putting on their makeup while driving, sometimes both.  I like to walk, sure, and I primarily do that for exercise.  Comfortable fitness shoes are a must, and my new SKECHERS Resistance Runners are just about the most comfortable and energizing shoes I’ve ever worn.

I have a pair of ‘Original’ Shape-ups, which are super comfortable, but they’re also pretty big and thick – I wear a size 14, and they’re kind of Herman Munster-ish when I wear them.  When the Resistance Runners came out, I was glad to see they came in a 14, and they’re not at all clunky or heavy.  They look sleek and fast, like they were made for running.  They’re pretty light weight, and they feel nice and stable.  Comfortable?  Supportive?  Very much so.  The design of the sneaker gives you an extra added bounce when you walk in them, almost like you’re jogging even when you’re walking.  They feel great for walking, the rocking motion is subtle but definitely there, everything feels smooth and natural.

When someone asks me if I run, my usual response is “only if I’m being chased.”  These Resistance Runners are pretty much the only fitness shoe that made me want to run in them.  If any sneaker could get me to take up jogging, i’s this one.  So do the Resistance Runners give you a workout even when you’re walking and standing?  I definitely feel it every time I do any kind of walking in these shoes.  Even if it’s just a casual walk, these jogging shoes give your body – not just your feet or your legs – a good workout.  The few times I went for a good long walk in them, I felt like I had done some serious working out the next day.

Even better, my jeans are fitting a bit more loose, I feel more energetic, and I don’t mind those long shopping trips with my wife.  I’m recommending the SKECHERS Resistance Runner for everyone, not just runners, as a great looking and comfortable sneaker shoe that is also the perfect workout program for an under motivated guy like me.

Post written by: Tim Lakin