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.