3 Running Styles And Shoes To Suit

Ask any runner what’s most critical to a healthy run and you’re certain to hear two things – the will to hit the road and a sturdy pair of running shoes. While persistence is something that’s built over time, starting out with the right style of running shoe can have a tremendous impact on your daily run. We cannot overemphasise the need to find a shoe that not only matches your gait but also your running style, since each one has a unique pattern. To simplify things, running styles can broadly be divided into 3 categories. Take a look below.

Run Natural

The most balanced of the three running styles, a natural run is one that’s strong and feels like a barefoot sprint. The foot expands approximately one size in length and two sizes in width upon impact and then contracts to its original shape with liftoff. A shoe that matches this running style should allow the foot to move naturally through a runner’s stride whilst incorporating crucial protection and support.

Inspired by real-world observation and insights, Nike Free was designed to mimic the feel of barefoot training with siped outsoles and deeply cut grooves that allow the sole to flex freely. The Nike Free Run Distance Shoe for women is an evolution of this technology with its Lunarlon cushioning that fuses soft foam and a lightweight Phylon carrier for comfort and support. Hexagonal flex grooves in the outsole offer six points of flexibility for natural motion, while an engineered single-layer upper provides breathability. A deconstructed mesh heel provides breathable support, as Flywire cables integrated with the laces wrap your arch for an adaptive, supportive fit.

Run Fast

This running style is all about speed and the drive to chase the horizon. Running fast isn’t all about the speed though; it also involves much required stability that’s balanced with comfort. A running shoe that’s built for sheer velocity needs to be lightweight so that it doesn’t weigh you down when you hit top speed, while simultaneously delivering bouncy, flexible cushioning for energy return that creates swift take-offs.

Fuel your need for speed with the Nike Air Zoom Structure 20 Shoe for women. Built for support and cushioning, it delivers one smooth stride after another. The shoe features Dynamic Support technology that adapts to your stride, while its Dynamic Fit technology wraps your midfoot for a secure, locked-in fit. A seamless Flymesh upper provides lightweight breathability, while Flywire cables integrate with the laces for additional lockdown. Soft foam cushioning with a low-profile Nike Zoom Air unit delivers responsiveness and smooth transitions. An OrthoLite® sockliner enhances responsive cushioning, as a honeycomb outsole pattern and rubber crash rail creates durable traction.

Run Easy

This running style is all about going the distance. Runners looking to build endurance through distance training rely on a pair of comfortable shoes that will see them through. Responsive cushioning makes a huge difference in this running style, with the latest know-how built into midsoles for impact absorption and stability. Shoes feature innovative technology that reduce shock, distribute pressure, protect from impact and provide comfort.

Supporting your run all the way to the finish line is the Nike Air Zoom Odyssey 2 Shoe for men. Built for comfortable runs, the shoe features a triple density foam midsole with Dynamic Support platform for enhanced shock absorbency. Zoom Air units in the heel and forefoot provide responsive cushioning. A breathable Flymesh upper features updated Flywire cables that are flat and wide to lay smoothly against your foot and provide enhanced lockdown. A waffle outsole offers durability and multi-surface traction, as rubber crash rails cushion on impact for soft, smooth transitions.

While most runners are inclined towards one style or the other, it is possible to incorporate all three styles into your training and mix them up as and when needed. Try out all three to find what suits you best, and keep on running to find your sweet spot when it comes to speed, distance and stability. Also, learn about the specifics and the shoes to suit your natural running style, in terms of arch, pronation and all sorts of other interesting features, with a free gait analysis session at the Sun & Sand Sports flagship store at The Dubai Mall. Run fast, free and comfortably by checking out the latest running products for this season at the Sun & Sand Sports online store.

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