Spring in Your Step

Ready to get on the road and start logging some miles? Whether you’re walking or running, choosing the right shoe should be your first step – pun intended. We talked to Second Sole General Manager Randy Benedict to get the lowdown on how to choose your own Cinderella kicks.

Motion Control is a small but important category of shoes, ideal for runners and walkers with knee injuries and those who need the maximum amount of support, Benedict says. Cushioned Stability shoes offer a good cushion in the heel and forefoot and a moderate amount of support. These shoes have a special stability bridge built into the body of the shoe. Neutral Cushion shoes have no stability built in. These shoes are the most flexible and are lightweight with a “go-fast” feel. Increasing in popularity are Minimalist shoes, a subset of neutral cushion shoes. Vibram FiveFingers, the shoes that have a spot for each toe, are a type of minimalist shoe, as are Nike Free shoes and Brooks Pure Connect.