Your shoes play a key role in transitioning from indoor to outdoor training.
The sun is shining, the snow has melted, and the temperatures are rising. It’s time to get outside! Everyone loves going outdoors after a long winter of indoor training but getting outside changes things when it comes to your footwear. Let us help you find the right fit!
What’s the difference?
Footwear inside is much different than what we wear outside. Inside, the surfaces are easier to predict; gym floors, treadmills etc. These surfaces typically require less thought in terms of shoes due to the predictability of the terrain. When you switch to outdoors, surfaces become much less predictable. It could be muddy and raining, rocky or smooth terrain, uphill or downhill. Without the proper shoes on your feet, you leave yourself at risk of injury during training.
What to look for?
Rigid heel counter
You shouldn’t be able to collapse the back of the shoe inwards. This helps to control the ankle and heel during gait, reducing overpronation/supination and stopping heel slippage.
Stiff midsole
Having a midsole that doesn’t bend is key to giving your foot (and orthotic) a stable base of support to keep you on your feet longer during training.
Rocker sole
Referring to the end of the shoe where the toe box curls upwards. This feature helps the foot to “rock” more efficiently, getting you moving quicker and reducing plantar foot pressure.
Your best bet for outdoor shoes
Your best bet is to style your footwear after the activities you’ll be doing and the training conditions. For muddy and wet terrain, you want to look for an aggressive tread to help grip slippery surfaces. Rocky surfaces? You want to look for a stiffer soled shoe. For example a hiking shoe helps to protect the foot when walking over rougher surfaces. Going for a run on the road? For smoother, paved surfaces, you’ll want to look at a more cushioned running shoe. Having a shoe for all the different weather conditions is a good idea too.
Whatever the surface, your shoes play a vital role in maintaining your lower limb health. Getting properly fitted shoes is crucial to reducing the likelihood of callousing, blisters, falls etc. All things you don’t want when you’re outside doing more.
