The New Shoes May Be Smarter Than You Are

Everyone has become very comfortable out in the real world with the terms “neutral” “stability” and “motion control”, as if there were just three different types of biomechanics that needed to be addressed in the world. And yet we all know that that isn’t true, so why do we hold on to these terms?

First, because we have to have a common language for discussion, and there is a need for a starting place. I’ll be the first to admit that. However, as we move forward, and its not just the runners and walkers and cross fitters that are asking these questions, but the shoes themselves that are asking, “Are you sophisticated enough to understand how I’m going to work with you?”

After being in this business for over 20 years, I’m frankly astounded at the innovation in shoe design that we’re seeing in 2011. And this is not something that I would have imagined saying in the last two years. As the economy crashed around us, shoe manufacturers did the obvious things: lean on established models, make less of them so that they’re carrying less inventory, etc.

But a funny thing must have happened on the way to being conservative; a little thing that appears to be innovation in all sorts of different places. Its not just Nike trying hard to reinvent itself in the new Lunar products, which they are. Its Columbia coming to the plate with shoes like the Switchback that very clearly blur the line between lighter weight running shoe, trail hiker and fashion inspired kick around. It’s the minimalism trend expanding with fall’s INOV-8 line, where you have three different shoes with either a zero drop or mere 3 millimeter differential and they all feel and fit differently. Its Somnio bringing new shoes that can be customized to each foot individually with both interior cant and cushion.

Frankly, it will come, I believe, as more of a shock to the orthotic wearing traditionalist when these new designs come to play. No longer can we simply say, “This shoe runs narrow.” The modern version of the Mizuno Inspire runs both wider around the metatarsals and narrower in the heel than many other shoes. It makes a mockery of us humans, with our complex feet, trying to jam them into unsophisticated sheaths. Thankfully, they’re upgrading to the point where they can really help, or conversely, hurt us if not fit properly.

I’ll be addressing a bunch of the new models that will be hitting your back rooms of your favorite shoe store this fall soon, and posting pics as well. Stay tuned!