Running shoes
From running barefoot to running in shoes that cost a small fortune … running has sure come a long way. Today there is such a wide range of shoes available, it takes mental gymnastics to decide which one would be right for you!
It was in the last century that we saw so many changes in running shoes. At the turn of the century, running shoes were simple rubber-soled canvas shoes. Nowadays they are padded with air, sometimes filled with gel capsules. So they look good, feel good, and add up to better performance.
The first running shoes, also called “keds”, were the result of the invention of vulcanized rubber. For the first time, people were able to wear shoes that they could actually play a sport in. They were light, comfortable and did not make any noise when walking. This is how they got the name “slippers”.
Over 100 years ago, JW Foster and Sons of England (now known as Reebok) were the first to introduce specially designed running spikes. Its owner, Joseph William Foster, wanted to make a shoe that would promote the sport of running. In 1925, a German named Adolph Dassler made shoes with hand-forged spikes. It was so specialized that there were specific models for specific distances. The material was high-tech and lightweight. These shoes were worn by the leading runner of the time, Jesse Owens. Adolph Dassler’s company was later split into Adidas and Puma, both leading sports shoe manufacturers today.
Research in running footwear advanced and the need for speed and comfort produced even better footwear. Three types of running styles were found. In the neutral style, the heels hit the ground, while the foot goes in a straight line as you go. In the Pronation style, the heel hits the ground, while the foot moves inward as it moves forward. Supernation’s style was a bit different where the heel hits the ground and the outside of the foot moves forward. Shoes were made to fit these varied styles and athletes now had the option of having custom made shoes.
One of the most recent inventions is the damping system. Foam, silicon, and air gel were found to absorb shock. An even better product is ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA); a substance that has millions of tiny air bubbles that cushion and absorb shock. Some of these inventions were derivatives of space research conducted to make clothing and footwear for astronauts!
To find the perfect shoe, your biomechanical needs must be studied. A ‘wet test’ is taken, that is, the shape of your foot on a dry floor or sheet of paper. This would reveal whether your feet are flat, normal, or highly arched. Based on a few more tests, the right shoes are found. This process has benefited athletes by helping them achieve better speeds, causing fewer foot injuries and longer runs.