PUBLISHED 08/14/2007
By: Warren Greene and Ray Fredericksen, M.S.
Even Wear:
Treads across the heel and under the ball of the foot are both worn, with additional wear marks underneath the big toe.
Diagnosis: About 80 percent of all runners show this pattern, which indicates an even transition along the foot from heel-strike to toe-off. These are the hallmarks of a healthy stride.
Recommendation: Runners who show this wear pattern are okay in the shoe model they're wearing, although heavier runners may benefit from a shoe with some stability, such as the Nike Air Structure Triax 10 (reviewed in the Spring Shoe Guide) which will keep your stride better aligned. Just keep an eye on the treads: If they're worn smooth at any point, it's time for a new pair.
Edge Wear:
Tread loss is concentrated at the outside of the shoe. In extreme cases, there will be holes in the upper where the runner's foot has broken through.
Diagnosis: This is the usual wear pattern of supinators--runners who don't pronate or roll their ankles inward enough and tend to strike the ground with the outside edges of their feet. High, rigid arches that restrict the foot's inward roll are a common cause of supination.
Recommendation: Landing on the outside of the foot puts a lot of pressure on the leg, so these runners tend to be candidates for stress fractures. They should look for well-cushioned shoes, like the Nike Air Pegasus 2007+ (see the Fall Shoe Guide)that absorb some of the pounding, and they should avoid stability shoes.
Heel and Forefoot Wear:
Significant wear in the heel and the ball of the foot extending to the big toe.
Diagnosis: Runners who overpronate, or roll their feet too far inward as they land, commonly show this wear pattern. They often have flat arches and a more flexible foot, so it rotates farther inward on the ground. Too much rotation at the hip or knee can also cause overpronation.
Recommendation: Shoes that provide a lot of arch support can help overpronators limit the inward roll and keep their stride in line. Since they break down soles more quickly than other runners with the extra rotation on the ground, overpronators should wear heavier shoes with more durable rubber outsoles, such as the Brooks Trance 7 (see the Fall Shoe Guide).
Heel Wear:
Heel worn down to the midsole, with some slight wear around the ball of the foot.
Diagnosis: This wear pattern occurs with runners who overstride, meaning that they run with their feet too far in front of their body. Most of an overstrider's foot rotation happens in the air, which puts the heel in sole position to absorb the force at impact.
Recommendation: Overstriders should look for shoes that offer a lot of protection, like the New Balance 1223 or the Brooks Radius 7 (see the Fall Shoe Guide) (depending on their arch type), since they are more durable and have extra cushioning to take some of the shock out of landing. They should also keep an eye on the heels of their shoes and be sure to replace any pair when the tread on the outside wears smooth.
