Men's and women's conventional running shoes are quite similar, but it's important to scrutinize running shoes to ensure selecting the best model for your feet. Portland, Oregon-based sports podiatrist Dr. Ray McClanahan suggests that the best women's running shoe is one that supports a foot's inherent strength and integrity and allows the foot to function as a barefoot within the shoe. Shoe features to avoid include heel elevation, toe-spring, tapering toe boxes and inflexible soles.
Vibram FiveFingers
Vibram FiveFingers--a thin-soled foot "glove" that has rapidly gained popularity among walkers and runners--are perhaps the ultimate running shoe for foot health and performance. According to the FiveFingers website, running in FiveFingers footwear strengthens muscles in your feet and lower extremities, improves your ankle, foot and toe range of motion, improves balance, agility and proprioception, improves posture through structural alignment and allows the foot to function as nature intended. The FiveFingers footwear exhibits none of the detrimental features built into conventional running shoes, and promotes a gait pattern that reduces the likelihood of running-related injuries.
Crocs
While Crocs widely are regarded as a healthy footwear choice, and are even touted by the American Podiatric Medical Association for those who spend prolonged periods of time on their feet, few would consider them appropriate as running shoes. However, examining the shoe's features reveal the benefits of using crocs for running, especially given the alternative of conventional running shoes, which immobilize your foot muscles and contribute to structural and soft tissue problems. Crocs, however, have little grip in their soles, which can contribute to falls when running on slippery surfaces.
Moccasins
Moccasins, similar to FiveFingers and Crocs, are an example of minimalist footwear. Moccasins typically are made of a soft leather and surround your foot like a sheath. They are designed to protect your foot's sole while allowing you to feel the ground. According to a study published in the journal Nature, minimalist footwear might protect your feet and lower limbs from the impact-related injuries experienced by a high percentage of runners because it promotes a fore-foot- and mid-foot-strike gait. If you choose to run in moccasins, McClanahan suggests purchasing a model with a wide toe box. A wide toe box allows your toes to spread evenly, which improves your balance and reduces your likelihood of foot, knee, hip and low-back injuries.
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