Pronation is one of the biggest problems that affect runners. Some runners are affected by too much overpronation and others are affected by too little pronation. This can cause instability in the runner’s stride that can result in serious injury. Fortunately, runners can avoid over or under pronation that can result in foot or leg injury by investing in a good pair of motion-controlled shoes that can align their foot properly and help them maintain a stable stride. We researched some of the best brands available and have come up with a list of some of the best motion-controlled running shoes currently available.
Quick Summary of Motion Control Running Shoes
Reviews
ASICS Men’s Gel-Kayano 26 Running Shoes
Even though these shoes simply look like very nice looking running shoes, they are some of the best motion-controlled running shoes available. They’re designed with a range of features that help to prevent the runner’s foot from becoming over or under pronated, so they can maintain a proper and stable stride. These are shoes that incorporate some of the latest gait research and technology into their shoes to provide something that many runners are going to love.
What’re some of the technology that’s incorporated into these shoes? Well, there are quite a few technologies that work together and do an amazing job of keeping the runner’s foot stable. The main component is what’s known as the Duo Max Support System. This is a dual-density midsole that helps to keep the runner’s foot properly positioned and helps to enhance the runner’s stability during runs. Also found on these shoes is Flytefoam Lyte Technology that uses the lightest weight midsole formula possible to cushion the foot without knocking the foot off balance.
These shoes also have Flytefoam Propel Technology built into it. This technology uses an energetic foam formulation that acts somewhat like a shock absorber. This helps to prevent ground impacts from rising through the foot and legs by using an elastomer compound that offsets some of those shocks. All of these components make these shoes some of the most stable shoes available, and ones that will help with just about any runner’s gait.
It should also be mentioned that these shoes not only provide great support and stability but they’re also fine-looking shoes. These shoes have a nice style to them and they’re available in a variety of different colors. Consumers can buy these shoes in midnight/grey floss, black/electric blue, tuna blue/peacoat, ash grey/blue, black/gold, and a variety of other impactful two-tone colors. They are truly comfortable and good looking running shoes.
- They help to keep the foot properly stabilized.
- They’re very stylish looking shoes.
- They’re extremely comfortable to wear.
- These shoes cost more than other types of running shoes.
Saucony Women’s Ride ISO Running Shoes
Even though these running shoes might not be the flashiest ones available or the ones that are the most stylish, they are one of the better motion-controlled shoes currently available. These shoes are equipped with the technology needed to keep the runner’s foot nice and stable. It allows the runner to maintain a neutral stride and does it while offering enhanced cushioning that helps the runner feel like their feet are being cradled in comfort.
Now don’t get use wrong here. We’re not saying that these shoes aren’t attractive or that they are bereft of style. That’s not the case at all. We’re just saying that these shoes don’t devote as much attention to their style or color as other types of running shoes do. No, they concentrate most of their attention on making the shoes the most stable ones possible and aiding in the runner’s comfort, but they are also available in some nice colors that include black, blue, purple, and slate.
These shoes are available in a variety of different sizes from U.S size 5 up through U.S size 12-wide. These shoes hold onto the foot extremely well, and they have rubber soles that do an amazing job of absorbing ground impact. Although these shoes might be a tad tight for some women with wider feet, they otherwise fit well and are comfortable to wear even during prolonged runs. They’re also made with an open mesh upper that allows the shoes to breathe quite well.
These shoes are also equipped with both Isofit and Formfit technologies that enable the shoe to adjust to different foot shapes on the fly. This makes these shoes feel like they’ve been custom fit, even as they’re coming straight off of the shelf. They’re also equipped with Everun and Pwrfoam technology that allows them to provide the runner with a good amount of energy return on their runs.
- They do a good job of keeping the foot stable during runs.
- They’re very comfortable and absorb ground impacts well.
- They come in an assortment of nice colors.
- They may be a bit tight for people with wider feet.
New Balance Men’s MR1012 Running Shoes
Also Consider
Another pair of great motion-controlled running shoes are these manufactured by New Balance. Although these shoes don’t come in a wide assortment of different colors as some of the other shoes in this category do, they still have a nice look to them and provide the foot stabilizing that runners need from their shoes. These shoes are available in either silver or silver/blue and are made using 100% synthetic materials.
These shoes use arch support that’s lightweight and rigid, so it provides the correct midfoot flex that runners need. It also features a full-length Strobel board that helps to provide the correct balance of compression and cushioning. It’s capable of providing this well-balanced support by using Isoprene rubber and Dupont Engage technology to create a great base for the runner. These shoes allow the runner to be comfortable, even as the shoes provide the maximum amount of stability possible. They’re not without their flaws, but they are great inexpensive running shoes for runners suffering from over-pronation.
Even though we found these shoes to be a little heavy and bulky for our tastes, we did like the way that they delivered a smooth ride while preventing the runner’s foot from rolling inward. This helps to protect the runner against overpronation and keeps their gait balanced. And because these shoes are equipped with a Phantom Liner, there are no seams that could rub or irritate the foot as the runner hits the trail.
The shoes are also equipped with a good amount of outsole rubber, which helps to absorb some of the impacts coming up from the ground. All of these features might seem insignificant when weighed individually, but when taken as a whole, they make for a pretty impressive running shoe that helps to protect against over-pronation.
- They align the runner’s feet very well.
- They’re comfortable and provide arch support.
- They’re reasonably priced running shoes.
- These running shoes seem a bit heavy.
A Guide To Motion Control Running Shoes
It can be sometimes difficult for runners to find shoes that not only provide a neutral disposition but also actively help their feet from over or under-pronating. Although there are a ton of shoes that claim to provide the runner with motion-control, unfortunately, very few of them are successful in making good on those claims.
It was our disappointment with the status-quo provided by running shoe manufacturers that compelled us to not only find the best motion-control running shoes available but also find out the features that made these shoes perform so well. Once we did that, we were able to take all that we’ve learned and put it into the guide you’re currently reading. We hope that it provides all of our readers with the information they need to purchase a pair of shoes that will help them maintain a neutral gait.
The Advantages & Disadvantages of Motion-Controlled Running Shoes
Motion control running shoes have both their pros and their cons, so runners should give some serious thought to whether or not they will be beneficial to them. Although there are plenty of running websites who tout nothing but the positives when it comes to these types of shoes, we wanted to be able to give our readers the most accurate information possible. We urge all of our readers to look over the following pros and cons, so they can get a good idea of whether these shoes will fit their needs or if they should look for another type of running shoe.
Advantage Of Motion Control Shoes
- They reduce the risk of injury for runners with over-pronation issues.
- They help to strengthen the Vastus Medialis Obliquus.
- They reduce the risk of Patello-Femoral pain.
- They help to reduce the overworking of some muscle groupings.
- They’re more suitable for runners who put in a lot of miles.
- They’re more suitable for runners with flat feet.
The Disadvantages Of Motion Control Shoes
- These shoes are heavier than other types of shoes.
- These shoes may hinder the strengthening of some muscle groups.
- These shoes tend to cost a lot more than other types of running shoes.
- Some runners may find them to be less comfortable than more cushioned shoes.
Tips For Buying The Best Motion Control Running Shoes
Now that we’ve gone over the pros and cons of these shoes, we’d like to turn our attention to helping those who want to purchase these shoes by providing them some concrete information they can use. The following section should help our readers find the best motion control shoes for their needs.
Measure Your Foot Properly
The first thing the runner is going to want to do before they purchase their next pair of motion control running shoes is to properly measure their feet. This is true even if they have measured their feet when they bought their last pair of shoes because a person’s shoe size changes over time. Below is the correct way for consumers to measure their feet to get the most accurate measurement possible. It should be noted that the runner should measure their foot in the evening for the most accurate measurements because the human foot swells slightly during the day and this can impact the end foot measurements dramatically.
- Make sure to measure feet wearing your running socks.
- Place the foot on a piece of paper and outline the foot.
- Measure the foot length from the biggest toe to the heel.
- Use the foot length measurement on a shoe size chart to determine shoe size.
- Measure the width of the foot.
- Compare the foot width measurement to a shoe width chart to obtain the proper shoe width.
Decide On The Level Of Cushioning
The next thing that the consumer needs to do to find the perfect pair of motion control shoes is to consider the amount of cushioning found on them. Some runners like a lot of cushioning and other runners like the bare minimum of cushioning, so each runner has to decide for themselves how much cushion they want their shoes to have.
Consider Style & Price
The runner is also going to want to consider how the shoes look. Although the main purpose of these shoes is to properly align the foot, that doesn’t mean that the runner has to choose ones that are stark and without style. There are plenty of shoes that are stylish and come in an assortment of colors.
It also should be mentioned that although motion-control shoes tend to be more expensive than other types of shoes, some are cheaper than others. Therefore, the runner should always keep their budget in mind while they’re shopping for their next pair of shoes.
