March 30, 2023
For those with chronic foot pain, it can be downright impossible to achieve pain management on a substantial level. But if you wear custom orthotics with your shoes, long-lasting comfort may be just around the corner.
Custom orthotic insoles are among the most popular medical devices chiropodists offer their patients. Per Harvard Health , foot specialists prescribe orthotic inserts when the "muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, or bones are not in an optimal functional position and are causing pain, discomfort, and fatigue." The key word here is "custom," meaning these insoles are specifically designed for your unique needs and tailor-made to target each individual's chronic pain. They are not the same as insoles you can buy over the counter, which appeal to the masses.
But it's not enough to simply take our word for it. Understanding the science behind custom orthotics and how they aid so many different foot issues is important. In today's blog, we'll explore three main topics:
How custom orthotics treat chronic foot pain
What conditions can you treat with custom orthotics?
How to acquire custom orthotics
How Custom Orthotics Treat Chronic Foot Pain
Orthotics have one main job: to correct the foot's walking and standing position.
Those with a painful foot condition, or those predisposed to developing one due to flat feet or high arches, often adapt slightly unusual walking patterns to compensate for their less-than-ideal foot structure. The two main ways we do this include:
Overpronation (flat feet): When the foot and ankle roll slightly inward and downward with every step. In this case, orthotics adjust your foot's position by offering sufficient arch support.
Underpronation/Supination (high arches): When the foot's heel leans outward, putting excess weight on the outer edge of the foot. Orthotics can correct this by stabilizing the foot's steps.
Orthotics also help with chronic foot pain caused by joint and muscle conditions like arthritis and pain caused by severe foot deformities, such as bunions and hammertoes.
They do this by placing the foot in a position that reduces excess force and pressure on the foot's mot vulnerable and painful areas during movement. Not only does this relieve strain, but proper alignment of the feet can also help avoid future back, knee and hip pain.
What Foot Conditions Can You Treat With Custom Orthotics?
Custom insoles can help treat a wide array of common foot issues. Some of these:
Plantar fasciitis: Orthotics support the foot's arch and provide extra cushioning and shock absorption for the heel.
Osteoarthritis: Orthotics immobilize, support, or correct the joints' movements while stabilizing walking.
Bunions: Orthotics help reduce excessive pressure on the big toe joint.
Morton's neuroma: Orthotics prevent the rolling together of bones in the metatarsal arch (the arch responsible for distributing weight, located just behind the ball of the foot).
Metatarsalgia: Semirigid orthotics reduce pressure in painful areas and support the feet.
Achille's Tendonitis: Orthotics reduce the load and strain on the Achille's tendon while supporting the foot as the tissue heals.
Gout: Supportive orthotics with sufficient cushioning can help with gout attacks by reducing joint pressure.
Hammertoes: Orthotics counteract the muscle-tendon imbalance that causes hammertoes. They also align the bones in the foot and provide cushioning in crucial areas.
How to Acquire Custom Orthotics
The best way to secure the perfect pair of custom insoles is to schedule the appropriate appointments with your chiropodist.
They start with a thorough biomechanical assessment that includes a test of your range of motion and weight-bearing tendencies, as well as a gait analysis.
Following this, your chiropodist will use one of several casting techniques to make custom orthotics by capturing your foot in the ideal position. And lastly, you can schedule an appointment for a fitting when your orthotics arrive to ensure they're working properly.
Check out our main orthotics page to read more about securing custom orthotics. You can also learn more about the benefits of custom orthotics and the several different kinds by viewing our comprehensive guide to orthotics.
March 6, 2023
Our gait, or the way we walk, is like our blueprint. It's unique to every individual. But there are commonalities.
Gait reveals a lot about us: gait tells us how we distribute our weight when we walk, the parts of our feet which may experience too much or too little pressure, and areas of compensation. These features factor into our biomechanics – the mechanics of our body's movement.
In this article, we'll talk about how a simple biomechanical analysis can help you say goodbye to foot and ankle pain and improve your foot and ankle function.
What's a biomechanical analysis?
Biomechanical analysis is a helpful tool for identifying and improving foot and ankle function. Biomechanical analysis can explain factors contributing to foot and ankle injuries or dysfunction, and develop interventions to improve function and reduce the risk of injury.
A biomechanical analysis also determines our gait and foot type. You may overpronate or supinate, which refers to how far inwards or outwards your ankle rolls when moving. An analysis can also provide details on your foot type: you may have high, medium, or low arches (flat feet).
There are three components to a typical biomechanical analysis.
Range of motion assessment: A chiropodist examines your range of motion in the major joints of the foot, ankle, hip and knee. They will check how everything in your body is aligned and the symmetry between your body's left and right sides. Generally, a higher range of motion is more ideal as it permits muscles and joints work together in unison equally.
Weight-bearing assessment: A chiropodist investigates how your muscles and joints distribute weight through different movements.
Gait analysis: A chiropodist carefully examines your gait to see how your feet, joints and muscles move when you walk. They will also examine how you distribute your body weight during each stage of your walking motion. Video analysis may be part of the gait analysis. Video gait analysis equipment records you from different angles while you walk on a treadmill and allows for slow-motion replays to pinpoint exact flaws or trends in your movement.
Once a biomechanical assessment is complete, a chiropodist can provide a treatment and prevention plan.
How do poor mechanics lead to foot conditions?
Abnormalities in your gait can lead to several foot and skin conditions due to uneven weight distribution. Over- or under-pronating (supination) creates a chain reaction in your feet and ankles every time you step by disrupting the proper distribution of weight and impact across your joints and muscles. Over time, specific muscle groups are over (or under) worked, which can cause irritation and, ultimately, pain and discomfort.
Common foot and ankle conditions that may stem from poor mechanics include:
Bone and heel spurs
Blisters
Bunions
Achilles tendonitis
Plantar fasciitis
Metatarsalgia
Morton's neuroma
Capsulitis
How can a biomechanical analysis help your feet and ankles?
Once a biomechanical analysis is complete, clinicians and researchers can use the information to develop interventions to improve foot and ankle function. Improvements may include:
Exercises to strengthen weak muscles
Stretching to improve flexibility.
Custom foot orthotics or footwear modifications to improve foot alignment. Orthotics are custom shoe inserts specific to your feet. Orthotics aim to correct or accommodate biomechanical abnormalities, foot deformities, and a variety of joint and muscle conditions (i.e., arthritis) to improve your gait and manage pain. They do this by redistributing the force and pressure placed on our muscles and joints when we move.
Overall, biomechanical analysis can be a valuable tool for improving foot and ankle function, thereby reducing the risk of injury. By identifying factors contributing to foot and ankle problems and developing targeted interventions, clinicians and researchers can help individuals maintain healthy, pain-free feet and ankles.
Who can benefit from a biomechanical analysis?
Many people can benefit from a biomechanical analysis to better understand their feet and how they move. A biomechanical analysis can be helpful for those looking to improve their physical performance or function, whether for sports, work, or everyday activities. In addition, those who spend a lot of time on their feet, patients with physical disabilities, and anyone who experiences foot and ankle pain can benefit from a biomechanical assessment.
February 23, 2023
Foot health isn't just important because it keeps the foundation of your body in good condition. There is also a direct link between foot health and overall wellness!
Forgetting to practice foot care and foot pain management can trigger a domino effect that leads to other health problems. If you have a nagging sense that your body and mind feel generally "unwell," it could all stem from neglecting to take care of your body's foundation and lower extremities.
Here are some of the most common problems associated with poor foot health that we'll discuss today:
Back, hip and knee pain
Posture and balance
Heart health and diabetes
Mental health
Back, Hip and Knee Pain
Our body's joints, ligaments, tendons and nerves need our feet to be in good shape. If they aren't, it can lead to a concerning trickle-down (or trickle-up!) effect that jeopardizes the rest of our body. The most common symptoms of this effect are back pain, hip pain and knee pain.
First, your lower back will take a hit if you don't wear shoes with proper shock absorption and arch support. The effects will transfer upwards, resulting in low back pain. People who work long hours without the right footwear often notice this and not know the reason why.
Furthermore, if you have frequent foot pain, it will alter your gait. This means you adopt abnormal walking patterns to navigate life with chronic pain, such as using your tip-toes or the outside of the feet to bear weight. The unusual walking pattern causes extra strain on the joints and muscles in your lower body from having to move in ways they weren't designed to move. This kickstarts feelings of pain and tightness in the lower back and knees. Your ankles may also roll slightly inwards or outward while walking. People with flat feet or high arches are at risk of experiencing gait-related back and knee pain.
Plantar fasciitis and bunions can also trigger back pain. If you neglect to treat plantar fasciitis, the plantar fascia ligament can become so inflamed that other muscles have to compensate in order to support your weight. This ultimately affects your back. Likewise, bunions cause a misshapen structure in the feet, which can alter your posture and make it difficult to fit into supportive shoes.
Modifying movements due to foot pain also takes a toll on your hips. Bilateral foot pain can lead to pain in the corresponding hips, often due to multi-joint arthritis.
Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels
Heart Health and Diabetes
These connections aren't as farfetched as you think!
Your heart is responsible for transferring oxygen-enriched blood and nutrients to your lower extremities, so if the heart cannot do this for any reason, your feet can mirror your general heart health and wellness. For example, illnesses like diabetes can be a major sign of extremely restricted blood circulation; foot swelling and numbness can be symptoms of this.
Your feet can also show signs of serious heart issues, like heart disease and peripheral artery disease. You may not be able to feel a pulse in your feet, or you may notice excessively shiny skin or hair loss on your toes. Heart failure can also cause foot swelling due to excessive fluid build-up. Plaque accumulation in the arteries can also lead to foot numbness and pain, warning you of peripheral artery disease.
Photo by Puwadon Sang-ngern from Pexels
Posture and Balance
There is a direct correlation between foot and ankle health and posture and balance. According to a study on gait posture published by the National Library of Medicine, poor postural balance in the upright position can pose a greater risk of sudden falls and resulting foot injuries in older people. The study found that improving toe flexor strength via foot stretches and exercises contributes to overall improved postural balance in people over 60.
But it could also be the shape of your foot that lets you down. For instance, people with flat feet risk experiencing muscular imbalances in the legs, ankles and hips. Luckily, simple and non-invasive foot clinic services can help people with flat feet curb this problem, such as wearing custom orthotics or shoes that support a flat arch.
Mental Health
Can't hike on your favourite trails due to foot pain? Or perhaps you simply struggle to get out of the house due to mobility issues.
Since our feet keep us moving, there is a clear link between mental and foot health. Time and time again, fitness proves to be helpful to those struggling with mental illness. But without cooperative feet, it can feel impossible to be physically fit, which leads to a sedentary lifestyle. Feeling stuck inside too often can also cause psychological stress and loneliness. Furthermore, the feeling of consistent pain can cause anxiety and depression.
It can also work both ways. According to a study in Arthritis Care and Research Vol. 66, chronic foot pain can also be a symptom, or manifestation, of major depression.
Photo by Suzy Hazelwood from Pexels
February 9, 2023
Toe pain can be mysterious. There are numerous causes, and sometimes you can live your life assuming you know why it's there, only to be completely wrong! Case in point: a lesser-known toe condition called capsulitis.
Capsulitis is an overuse injury that mainly targets the second toe and the surrounding area. Today we'll thoroughly dive into the topic by addressing the following:
What is capsulitis?
Symptoms of capsulitis
Causes of capsulitis
Treatment and prevention
Complications
What is Capsulitis?
Capsulitis, also known as frozen toe, hallux rigidus or turf toe, is a foot condition characterized by joint inflammation in the area where the base of the toe meets the ball of the foot. The specific area affected is called a "capsule" and is technically a dense ligament structure found at the base of the joint. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, capsulitis in the feet usually targets the second toe. However, it can sometimes affect the big toe and the third and fourth toes. Another technical term for capsulitis in the toe is metatarsophalangeal synovitis (MTP joint pain).
Healthline also notes that capsulitis is often confused with Morton's Neuroma since pain radiates toward the ball of the foot in both conditions. However, Morton's Neuroma results from compressed nerves and capsulitis from inflammation. A chiropodist can help you tell the difference between the two conditions.
Symptoms of Capsulitis
Capsulitis often worsens as time progresses. This means that symptoms can vary depending on the stages of development. It's important to be in tune with your foot health and seek help if you notice the following:
Pain in the ball of the foot.
A persistent feeling that something is "bunched up" in your shoe or the feeling that you're walking on a pebble or marble.
Swelling in the base of the affected toe.
Discomfort while wearing shoes.
Pain that worsens when you're barefoot.
Crossover toe: as degradation of the ligament progresses, the joint in the second toe can fail to stabilize (stay in the right position). This can cause your second toe to move towards the big toe and lay on top of it.
What are Some Causes of Capsulitis?
Capsulitis is technically an overuse injury that targets the ball of the foot. And as with many foot conditions, one issue can often be a risk factor in developing another.
The following may lead to capsulitis development:
There is a connection between severe bunions and capsulitis. Other prominent foot deformities like hammertoes can also be a risk factor. Both conditions can lead to too much pressure on the ball of the foot and subsequent inflammation.
Abnormal foot mechanics can put you at risk. It's important to note that this is not the same as a severe foot deformity. It simply means any mild structural factors that lead to excessive weight-bearing pressure in the ball of the foot underneath the toe.
If your second toe is longer than your big toe, you may experience capsulitis.
An unstable foot arch, like high arches and flat feet, can contribute to capsulitis.
Excessive bending of the toes. This can happen if you wear poorly designed shoes or high heels.
Capsulitis Treatment and Prevention
It's relatively easy to tackle early-stage toe capsulitis. You can purchase many items from a pharmacy, general store or foot clinic that can relieve the pain. A chiropodist can also use their unique expertise to ensure the condition improves.
Here are some effective treatment methods:
Ice or heat packs. Compression can help reduce swelling, and applying heat or ice (while resting with your foot elevated) can help with pain management.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen.
Supportive footwear with proper arch support and strong soles. Rocker bottom-sole shoes can be especially helpful as they offset pressure away from the ball of your foot.
Custom orthotics can lessen excessive pressure on the weight-bearing foot areas.
Toe taping can align the second toe and prevent crossover toe.
Complications
Unfortunately, if crossover toe is present, it usually means that the second toe will never revert to its natural position without intervention. If this is the case, you may need surgery from a foot and ankle surgeon.
February 2, 2023
Ankle strengthening is no joke. Not only does it enhance athletic performance, but a keen focus on ankle strength can benefit people from all walks of life, especially those with conditions that cause ankle instability. After all, your ankles regularly hold up the entirety of your weight, so a weak ankle can cause a domino effect that keeps you from feeling your best.
If you have weak ankles, rest assured there are ways you can build strength and establish a more solid foundation for the rest of your body! All it takes is a combination of vigilance, lifestyle changes, and occasional assistance from a chiropodist.
To get you on your way toward achieving your goal, we're going to talk about the following:
Why strong ankles are important
Ankle strengthening exercises
Additional ways to strengthen your ankles
Additional exercises and stretches that enhance your overall routine
Why Strong Ankles Are Important
Ankle strengthening is all about being proactive instead of reactive.
Your ankles bear the brunt of your everyday activities. The impact of running, lightly jogging, and even simple walking make your ankles one of the most vulnerable parts of your body. For that reason, ankle weakness combined with just the slightest misstep can leave you bedridden for a lengthy period.
Strong ankles are key for maintaining overall muscle function and preventing mild injuries like shin splits. Strong ankles can withstand more force, whereas chronic ankle instability can cause muscle strain, which leads to regular aches and pains in the feet, lower legs, ankles, back, hips and knees. Building ankle resiliency can help prevent serious injuries like sprains --- or at least reduce their severity! Lastly, paying attention to your ankle strength can improve your stride and overall performance if you're passionate about your athletic performance.
Ankle Strengthening Exercises
If you're wondering how to improve ankle stability and strengthen your ankles, look no further than a solid exercise routine. The following exercises are great for strengthening weak ankles and preventing ankle injuries. A study from the National Library of Medicine also recommends them as part of an ankle rehab program for injuries like ankle sprains and fractures.
The following exercises are relatively easy to perform, and you can do them in the comfort of your own home or at the gym:
Towel Tug / Towel Stretch
https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/782007922795194098/
Sit on the floor (or even your bed!)
Keep your leg and knee straight as you loop a towel around your foot.
Pull the towel towards yourself, holding for 30 seconds. Repeat with your other foot!
Bonus tip: Not only if this exercise one of the best for ankle strengthening, but it can also aid those experiencing plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis.
Golf Ball Stretch
https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/782007922795231123/
Get a golf ball, tennis ball, frozen water bottle or therapeutic massage ball.
Roll each foot over the item for 10 minutes each day(or less depending on how much time you have), three times per day.
Bonus tip: The golf ball roll strengthen weak ankles, but it also targets the tired muscles on the bottom of the feet.
Ankle Circles
https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/782007922798992582/
Stand up with your hands on your hips.
Raise your leg, keeping your knee bent.
Move your ankle in a circular motion around 10 times and repeat with the other foot.
To takes things up a notch, try writing the full alphabet after you master the circles!
Bonus tip: Ankle circles can also reduce the frequency of cracking and clicking and improve your range of motion!
Additional Ankle Strengthening Exercises
Calf Stretch on a Stair
Beginner Calf Raise
Banded Toe Pulls
Toe Flex and Raise
Is There Anything Else I Can do to Strengthen My Ankles?
Exercises are crucial for strengthening, but strong ankles also depend on other lifestyle factors.
Maintain a healthy weight: When your ankles have to bear more weight than they can stand, they can quickly weaken. Your other lower extremities, like your knees and feet, can also feel the burden. Maintaining a healthy weight with regular exercise and good eating habits can make a major difference!
Attend a shoe fitting: Wearing the wrong shoes can do more damage than you realize! Supportive, high-quality footwear can prevent the injuries that weaken your ankles in the first place by protecting your feet and helping with balance and stability. There are also stability shoes that accommodate people with weaker, unstable ankles.
Stretch before and after cardiovascular activity and weight training: The stretches we talked about are helpful as standalone physical activity, but they're also great ways to prep for a session at the gym. Warming up and cooling down with stretches can regulate blood flow to the ankles and make them feel less stiff.
Get a foot assessment from a chiropodist: If your ankles are weak, impacting your mobility and causing pain, a foot assessment from a chiropodist can help point you in the right direction. They can pinpoint underlying biomechanical issues and recommend medical devices like an ankle bracing compression sleeve or custom orthotics.
Photo by jcomp from Freepik
Looking for Even More Exercises and Stretches?
Top 12 Exercises and Stretches to Treat and Prevent Foot Pain
Best Stretches and Exercises for Diabetes
How Foot Stretches Can Help Your Back Pain
7 Exercise Tips to Avoid Injury
Beginner's Guide to Dynamic Stretching
Top 5 Best Flexibility Stretches
A Beginner's Guide to Exercises for Arthritis: Part 1
A Beginners Guide to Exercises for Arthritis: Part 2
January 12, 2023
How do we know if our running shoes are high quality? What's more, what should we look for when hunting for new shoes?
It can be easy to simply look for the cheapest pair and call it a day. But before you know it those low-quality running shoes will start to wear down, which puts you at risk of sustaining an injury or developing a chronic foot condition.
Luckily, we've compiled a list of essential features that make a great running shoe!
10 Indicators of Great Running Shoes
Shock absorption
Cushioning
Breathability
Support for your foot type
Weight
Flexibility
Traction
Durability
Waterproof
Bonus Features
Shock Absorption
This is a fancy term for how high-quality athletic shoes withstand impact with the ground. Shock absorbers are frequently mentioned when people discuss vehicles and are described as any device that smoothens or dampens shock impulses.
Shock absorption in your shoes should help your muscles like a car's shock absorbers protect its parts. The National Library of Medicine notes that sufficient shock absorption is required during the landing phase of running or jumping to protect joints and muscles from impact damage.
When looking for new shoes, you should check the level of shock absorption. One of the best shock absorption technologies includes ASICS GEL cushioning, located in their running shoes' forefoot or rearfoot (or both). The GEL compound absorbs the shock from the ground, and its foam midsoles offer a solid rebound. Saucony is another example and uses EVA foam and their Super Rebound Compound (SRC) to provide durable shock absorption in the heel crashpad.
Cushioning
Running shoes for women and men will require a solid amount of cushioning. This will help runners avoid common athletic injuries like Achilles tendonitis, muscle strain and stress fractures and also provide general comfort by combating the onset of foot pain and keeping you on your feet for long-distance runs.
Cushioned running shoes are also beneficial for athletes still recovering from an injury and will provide support and comfort as the foot muscles get back to optimal condition.
ASICS Gel Technology Footwear
Breathability
Wearing running shoes with breathable mesh uppers can work wonders for your foot health. After all, when we exercise, our feet start to sweat, so your new shoes should have a way to ventilate and promote a healthy foot environment. Furthermore, a lack of ventilation can put you at risk of developing athlete's foot or fungal toenails.
Some of the best running shoes for breathability include the Saucony Ride and the Saucony Endorphin. The generously pored mesh and thin fabric help your shoes circulate air and keep the shoe's interior well-ventilated.
Support and Foot Type
If you're wondering if a running shoe is worth investing in, check to see if it advertises its support type. In other words, check if it's a stability, neutral or motion control running shoe.
Generic running and walking shoes often cannot accommodate your specific gait and foot type, but high-quality shoes can.
Here is how to know what type of shoe you will need:
Stability shoes are for people with flat feet who overpronate (the arch collapses upon weight bearing). These shoes may help prevent complications associated with a low arch, like plantar fasciitis. More specifically, they offer extra support on the shoe's inner sole, called a medial post.
Motion control shoes are for runners with more severe overpronation and are essentially stability shoes taken up a notch. In addition to medial support, they offer a stiff heel, firm cushioning and a more rigid midsole.
Neutral shoes do not contain bonus support features in the midsole. They are typically for "normal" pronators or people with a normal arch. People with high arches can also wear neutral shoes as they don't need bonus motion control and stability features.
Weight
You don't want to feel like your shoes are weighing you down while running. You want your feet to feel as light as a feather and to notice a "spring" in your step.
When your shoes are lighter, you can run for longer periods. This is because you're using less energy to lift your foot off the ground, which protects you from fatigue. Lightweight shoes can also improve your form during exercise. It's all about making your experience as effortless as possible.
To address the need for lightweight running shoes, top brands have mastered the art of using light materials and breathable membranes, without compromising on supportive features.
Flexibility
Flexibility refers to how much you can bend or twist your shoes. A running shoe can have either a stiff midsole or a flexible midsole, and a clear sign of a good running shoe is knowing its level of flexibility.
Flexible shoes are great for longer runs and comfort enhancement, and they will always be neutral and not include stability features. Flexible shoes are also better for terrain running and are more lightweight.
Stiff shoes will feature stability enhancements and are great for motion control and improving your running performance.
Traction
Sometimes when we go for runs we don't always have the luxury of smooth, dry pavement or a treadmill. It may start raining, or you may even enjoy taking your runs to some of Toronto's most beloved trails.
The part of the running shoe responsible for traction is the outsole (bottom of the shoe), which are usually made with rubber. Think of them as similar to a car's tires, protecting you from slips and falls, but also contributing to the smoothness of the "ride."
A running shoe should have a strong grip of the pavement and other terrain types. A lot of winter running shoes are made with enhanced traction via a rigid rubber outsole and durable lugs. The Gel-Cumulus GTX or GT-2000 GTX from ASICS and the Saucony Peregrine ICE are examples of running shoes with the best traction.
Durability
For your running shoes to last a long time, they must be durable. Furthermore, the lifespan of a shoe depends on the sum of its parts and the quality levels of the following:
Upper: The mesh and synthetic overlays must be relatively flexible but maintain a thickness level that extends their lifespan. If the upper of a running shoe is thin, there should be less friction between materials to boost durability.
Midsole: The density of the midsole, as well as its firmness, will determine how durable a shoe is. EVA foam, for example, has a high level of resistance, making it a durable material.
Outsole: A weak outsole will ruin your shoes and running experience as it is the point of contact between you and the ground. Generally, the harder the rubber used for the outsole, the more durable it is.
Waterproof
Like breathability and traction features, a waterproof running shoe is critical for rainy weather, moisture control and winter running.
When you stay dry and comfortable, your feet are also protected from rubbing and abrasion, which can lead to blisters.
You can try running shoes made with GORE-TEX fabric for optimal waterproof protection. This membrane consists of a microporous structure that renders fabrics waterproof. Specifically, the microscopic pores are much smaller than water particles, meaning they cannot penetrate the fabric. Some running shoes made with GORE-TEX fabric include the ASICS GT-2000 GTX and the ASICS Cumulus GTX.
Bonus Features
Here are some extra signs of great running shoes you can look out for:
Reflector accents: These will keep you noticeable and safe while running in the dark.
Removable footbeds: For athletes with consistent foot pain, custom orthotics or Superfeet insoles may be necessary for long runs. You can look for running shoes with footbeds that you can remove and replace with your medical device of choice.
Shoe width: Runners with wide feet should look for shoes with varying width options.
Photo by Philip Ackermann from Pexels
