Running is a fitness activity that requires little investment in expensive equipment beyond a pair of decent shoes. For the average runner, a simple stability shoe built by a recognized athletic shoe manufacturer should be sufficient. Stability shoes are designed for runners with mild to moderate overpronation, a description which fits approximately 85 percent of the population.
Saucony
Saucony is a running shoe company. According to the company manifesto, "At Saucony, we exist for runners. Runners inspire us, bring us new ideas, force us to be better." Look at the shoes present at any major running event in the world and you will notice that Saucony is well represented. By specializing in running shoes, Saucony has managed to lead the pack in designing stability support shoes for runners.
Saucony's patented "Grid" technology encompasses your feet when you put on a pair of their shoes. It prevents the stress caused by overpronation during a running stride. Since this overpronation can lead to extreme stress and damage to the tendons and ligaments of the ankles, knees and lower legs, the Grid technology's ability to prevent it is critical.
Saucony produces Grid technology shoes in many models, including the "ProGrid Paramount 2," the "Grid Stabil6 Stability" and the "ProGrid Guide." Each of these models is available in both men's and women's models.
New Balance
New Balance is unique among contemporary athletic shoe manufacturer's in that 25 percent of its athletic shoes are still manufactured in the United States. While most manufacturers have moved production off-shore, New Balance still runs five manufacturing plants in New England.
Started in 1906, New Balance introduced its first running shoe in 1938 with a thin-soled track racing shoe. Today, New Balance protects runners' feet with several models of stability control shoes. These include MR1011 and MR749 for men and the WR1011 and WR749 for women, as well as other models.
Nike
Best known for their Air Jordan basketball shoes, Beaverton, Oregon-based Nike is the world's most recognized athletic shoe brand name. Named for the Greek goddess of victory, the first Nike-labeled shoe was the brainchild of Oregon running coach Bill Bowerman and current Nike president Phil Knight. It was released in February 1972.
Today, Nike sells shoes around the world in a variety of styles and for various sports. For runners, the company manufactures stability control shoes in several models, including the "Zoom Structure Triad+" in men's and women's models. Nike also produces the "Total90 Strike II" for men and the "Shox ZipSister+ II" for women.
References
- "The Runner's Handbook: The Bestselling Classic Fitness Guide for Beginning and Intermediate Runners," 2d ed.; Bob Glover, et al.; 1996
- New Balance History
- Saucony Manifesto
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