Q&A with our Pedorthists

Q: I am confused about all the different kinds of shoes! What is the difference between neutral, stability, and motion control? Which one do I pick if I have orthotics?

A: Unlike most types of footwear, athletic footwear and athletic running footwear in particular offer footwear options that address ones’ specific foot biomechanics.

Motion Control running shoes are designed for runners who need maximum stability and support.

This type of runner has arches that pronate excessively with each step, and often have flat feet (little or no arch).  Runners who have low arches typically over-pronate more than runners with higher arches, although this is not always true. Those runners who have a heavier build and overpronate will usually have more success with a motion control shoe versus a stability shoe as the broader platform (straighter last) will provide them with the additional foundation of support they need. The runner who over-pronates has arches that collapse as their body weight comes down, allowing their feet to excessively roll to the inside (or medial side).  To prevent your feet from over-pronating, Motion Control  shoes feature midsoles with supportive features, usually a firmer area of EVA foam called a dual density post. The post is a usually a darker color, and works by reinforcing the medial side of the shoe. This allows the over-pronator to run with their feet and legs in proper alignment, minimizing the likelihood of injury.

Stability shoes are a slight step down from Motion Control shoes in terms of support.

Runners who need a Stability shoe have arches that over-pronate (or collapse inwards) just like runners needing a Motion Control shoe - but to a lesser degree.  Stability shoes also feature dual density material in the midsole to prevent the foot from over-pronating, but are more mild than the correction present in a motion control shoe. Stability shoes feature a more curved or "carved out" platform, more similar to a neutral shoe, and not as broad and supportive as the wider platform found on Motion Control shoes. Stability shoes also have plenty of cushioning as well. Most runners - ranging from the beginner jogger to the well-seasoned marathoner - over-pronate mildly and require at least some stability from their running shoes.

Neutral Cushioned shoes are intended for runners who have a higher arch that does not pronate, or collapses only slightly inwards.

Neutral Cushioned shoes have very little or no pronation support, and usually offer substantial cushioning. Runners who require a neutral shoe usually show wear the outside corner of the heel, and in the center of the forefoot or the outside of the forefoot.  Supinators also require Neutral Cushioned shoes. Supination occurs when your foot strikes the ground on the outer edge of your heel, and instead of the arches collapsing in and over-pronating, they do the opposite and roll slightly outward. A supinated wear pattern will show wear at the outside corner of the heel, and significant wear along the entire outside edge of the shoe. As Neutral shoes do not have stability features to correct over-pronation, and feature a more curved "last" or platform that encourages the foot to roll inwards naturally to help absorb impact forces, they work best for the runner who supinates.

If you wear custom orthotics, it is best to use them with a more neutral shoe allowing the orthotic to its job while lessening the risk of over correcting the problem with a shoe that is too supportive or corrective when combined with an orthotic.

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