Do You Really Need Expensive Running Shoes?

 What You Do (and Don’t) Need in a Running Shoe

It’s tempting to believe the right sneakers will help you run faster or avoid injury. Here’s what experts know.

By Cindy Kuzma New York Times

Cindy Kuzma is a health and fitness writer. She has completed 23 marathons, including seven in Boston.

March 30, 2023

Humans have run for hundreds of thousands of years, most without the benefit of cushy, brightly colored footwear. But take a stroll around a sporting goods store or scroll through a running website, and you’ll find a dizzying array of options. Some promise speed, others comfort and injury reduction — and nearly all carry hefty price tags.

To help you sort fact from fad — and stability shoes from super shoes — we consulted research and experts.

What makes a running shoe a running shoe?

Traditional running sneakers are designed to blunt the impact of hitting the ground and provide traction, said Geoff Burns, a sports physiologist for the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee in Colorado Springs.

As with other athletic shoes, running sneakers are made of fabric, foam and rubber, but they’re engineered to meet the specific demands of the sport. For instance, they’re typically lighter and more flexible than basketball shoes, which are designed to protect your foot during lateral, stop-and-start movements.

The biggest difference in most running shoes is in the midsole, made of cushy foam. Other types of athletic sneakers have midsole foam, but there’s more in running shoes and manufacturers say it’s tapered toward the front of the shoe to assist with forward motion, Dr. Burns said.

In addition, most running shoes have features integrated into the uppers — the fabric parts that make up the top the sneaker — meant to keep your foot secure, said Matthew Klein, a physical therapist, assistant professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at West Coast University, and founder of the “Doctors of Running” website and podcast. You might notice a stiff piece of cardboard or plastic on the back of the sneaker called a heel counter, for instance, or extra strips of fabric, called overlays, that run across the upper.

Do specialized running shoes actually do what they claim?

Shoe companies invest a great deal of money in biomechanical research, said Allison Gruber, an associate professor of kinesiology and a biomechanics researcher at Indiana University Bloomington.

However, marketing departments and running-store clerks often oversell certain features, especially to newer runners, said Dr. Klein and Dr. Kevin Vincent, a physiatrist and director of the University of Florida Health Running Medicine Clinic.

Stability and motion control shoes, for instance, are popular among runners and are said to prevent injury by correcting for overpronation — when your ankle collapses too far inward as you walk or run. Some models have rigid posts that reduce side-to-side motion, though many newer releases use subtler systems, such as making the shoe wider on the bottom than the top, Dr. Klein said.

What should you look for in running shoes?

Most runners — including those who are lacing up for the first time — should consider opting for what’s known as a neutral daily trainer, Dr. Klein said. These shoes don’t attempt to change the way your foot interacts with the ground — they simply place some cushioning between the two.

But there are a few reasons to consider other options. While specialized shoes, like maximalist and stability sneakers, don’t seem to ward off running injuries, clinicians like Dr. Klein and Dr. Vincent said they sometimes recommend them to patients who are already coping with certain types of pain or injury.

If, for instance, you have arthritis, plantar fasciitis, or other types of pain in your feet, maximalist shoes — especially those with rocker bottoms — may help, since

there is some evidence that they might decrease the pressure on your feet and the demands on your Achilles and ankles. In these cases, consider seeing a sports medicine provider, who can guide you on treatment and prevention.

And if you regularly log miles on craggy, muddy or steep terrain, trail shoes have added traction for better grip, especially on downhills, Dr. Klein said. Some also have a stiff plate embedded into the midsole to protect your foot from sharp rocks.

And, above all, make sure your shoes feel comfortable, he added. Comfort, more than matching your shoe to your gait or foot type, is what will keep you running over the long term, he said.

Running shoes are expensive. How often should I really replace them?

Most name-brand running shoes cost over $100, and specialty super shoes can run upward of $200. You can also pick up other trainers for around $50 at a discount or sporting goods store — but many runners find that they don’t feel as cushioned or comfortable, likely because they use less or lower-quality foam, Dr. Burns said.

Studies conducted in the lab and in the real world suggest running shoes do lose significant amounts of shock absorption within 300 to 500 miles, if not earlier. That’s about three to five months if you’re a serious runner, or perhaps around nine to 12 months, if you’re getting out there a couple times per week, said Hiruni Wijayaratne, an elite marathoner and certified running coach. But it isn’t clear when this breakdown begins causing problems for your feet or legs, Dr. Burns said.

Much depends on the runner and the shoe, he said. Higher-mileage runners, those who train on harder or rugged surfaces, or people with uneven gait patterns may have to replace shoes sooner, and super shoes tend to break down faster than neutral trainers.

If you’re accustomed to running, you might feel when your shoe is nearing retirement — perhaps your arch or shins ache slightly, or your knees or heels grow sore. Visible signs of damage, such as cracks or worn-through rubber, also indicate it’s time to move on, Dr. Vincent said.

You can extend a shoe’s life by wearing it only for running and not to other workouts or the grocery store, Dr. Burns said. And if you have the funds, alternating between pairs helps too, by allowing at least 24 hours for the foam to restore its shape. There’s also some evidence that cycling through more than one model — whether it’s in a different category, or a similar style in different brands — reduces injury risk, perhaps because it slightly varies the repetitive stresses on your body.

Finding the right sneaker can feel daunting, but don’t stress too much about getting one perfect pair, Dr. Burns said. Instead, recognize there’s likely a range of shoes that will work for you — and the search is all part of the running journey.

A version of this article appears in print on April 4, 2023, Section D, Page 7 of the New York edition with the headline: Do You Have to Buy Fancy Running Shoes?