The feeling when you find the perfect running shoe is one of the best feelings in the world for an athlete.
After months or years of trial and error with shoes that cut up your heels, give you blisters and cause pain in certain areas, you find the perfect shoe for you. Well, I found my perfect running shoe — Brooks Ariel running shoes.
For as long as I can remember, I have walked and ran on the inside of my feet. Meaning that when I walk, instead of landing flat on the sole of my feet, my weight lands on the inside of my feet or they’re rolling inward as I walk. This is called overpronation.
I never gave too much thought to the way I walked. Like most people, I don’t put very much conscious effort into walking. I have many types of chronic pain, some that I know the cause of and others I have no idea what the cause is.
More recently, I’ve noticed a snapping pain in my hip, lower back pain and heel pain. I’ve noticed these things getting worse. I talked to different family members and friends, and they told me it might be my shoes that are causing some of those issues. I didn’t think that the way I walked would cause so many different issues. Boy, was I wrong.
Overpronation leaves you at a higher risk for many injuries including ankle sprains, shin splints, achilles tendonitis, heel spurs and more. Out of that list, I’ve had all but one of those injuries. Overpronation can also cause heel or arch pain; blisters and calluses; knee, hip or back pain; and other issues. Out of that list, I’ve had all of those issues.
Having shoes that don’t offer the best support can damage your feet and other parts of your body long term. Posture and balance affect a lot of different aspects of your body, and repeated stress causes a lot of unnecessary pain and problems.
Lately, the pain in my hips, back and feet has gotten bad. That’s when I decided to research overpronation, and the top brand of shoe that help with overpronation. Through my research I saw multiple websites suggesting Brooks Ariel running shoes.
I knew they were expensive, but I figured if these shoes are specifically designed to help with issues like this, maybe I should try it out. These shoes are basically stability shoes, helping balance out that overpronation in your feet as you walk. They also offer shoes that help with supination, which is the opposite of overpronation, along with various other feet problems.
I’ve worn these shoes for a couple weeks now, and I’ve noticed a lot of difference in my body. I’ve gone on runs every day and have come home with no pain in those areas. My hip usually pops every time I get up or even walk a short distance, and it hasn’t popped at all since I’ve worn these shoes.
I’ve also noticed better balance, not only when I’m walking but when I’m running. Overall, I’m feeling a lot better in various aspects of my body and health.
The shoes are cute, so I’m able to wear them as an everyday shoe. I would say the one bad thing about them is they are heavy due to them being stability shoes. So, if you’re looking to shed time off your mile these might slow you down a little bit.
Another thing that isn’t the best is they are expensive, but if the outcome helps me in the long run, I think the extra money is worth it.
I give these shoes a 9/10.
Nicole Hindberg can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @HindbergNicole.