1. New Balance Men’s M1540v2 Motion Control Running Shoes
2. Saucony Women’s Stabil CS3 Running Shoe
3. ASICS Men’s GEL-Fortitude 7 Motion Control Running Shoes
4. New Balance Men’s Rubix Running Shoes
5. Hoka One One Men’s Gaviota Running Shoe
6. HKR Women’s Slip-On Light Weight Shoes
7. Mizuno Men’s Wave Inspire 13 Running Shoe
8. Brooks Men’s Beast ’16
9. Brooks Women’s Glycerin 16 Running Shoes
10. ASICS Men’s GEL-Foundation 12 Running Shoe
11. New Balance Men’s 1340v3 Running Shoe
12. Saucony Women’s Ride Iso Training Shoes
13. Brooks Men’s Addiction 13
15. ASICS Women’s Gel-Kayano 25 Running Shoes
Motion Control Running Shoe Buying Guide & FAQ
How We Chose Our Selection Оf Motion Control Running Shoes
Brand - We scoured the footwear landscape to assemble our list of motion control shoes. Because this is a niche item though, not every footwear maker can afford to invest in production of motion control shoes. Therefore this is a universe populated mostly by big, recognizable brand names. So while we didn’t set out to review only big name brand shoes there’s lots of them on our list because that’s life.
Price - We strive to present our readers with value at all times. When it comes to running shoes however the old adage “you get what you pay for” is almost always applicable. That said, there are still a few diamonds to be found on the discount circuit and we’ve presented the best ones above.
Reviews - In order to save money some review sites just scrape user reviews from Amazon and present them as holy writ. While we do spend time sifting through the digital zeitgeist to get a feel for the general reaction to a particular product we insist on making up our own minds and presenting our own opinions based on the experience of our test panel.
Features To Look For In Motion Control Running Shoes
Outsole - Before buying your motion control running shoes you should be sure to take a look at the sole. The sole is, quite literally, where the rubber meets the road. As such, if it isn’t designed to provide a nice easy motion and grip any surface wet or dry then the shoe as a whole is likely to come up short.
Cushioning - There should be plenty of foam inside the shoe to make them work as shock absorbing shoes and take pressure off your joints. If there isn’t you may well have a proper gait but later in your run your knees are going to start complaining. Maybe your hips too. This is one of the features that adds to the bulk of a motion control shoe, but it can’t really be avoided.
Flexibility - Saying a motion control shoe must be flexible seems contradictory since it needs to hold your foot in a certain position all the time. How is it going to remain flexible if it needs to be rigid? The answer is designers need to walk a tightrope between rigidity and flexibility, between control and freedom, between promoting a specific motion and allowing your feet to find their happy place. It’s not easy. So keep all that in mind while shopping for the best motion control running shoes.
Breathability - It’s hard enough for a shoe to achieve that incredible balancing act we just described but it also needs to breathe. And to do that it needs to be fashioned from fabric or feature a synthetic mesh of some kind. These materials will also help reduce the weight of the shoe which will, in turn, reduce the amount of effort it takes to run in them. Which in turn should reduce how much your feet sweat in them.
Durability - The structure, weight and enhanced rigidity of the motion control running shoe is going to put a lot of unusual stress and strain on the materials. So they need to be materials that can take punishment. And they need to be constructed in a way that will put up with the unusual forces being brought to bear on them. Because controlling the movement of the foot is so tough on these shoes it should not be any surprise that one of the most common complaints you’ll hear about them is that they lack durability.
Style - Nobody wants to look like they’re wearing medical devices on their feet. (Although that is essentially what motion control running shoes are.) You want to look good when you go out. At the same time however, taste is the most subjective of things. What looks good to someone else may make your eyes water. Fortunately, in recent years manufacturers have managed to create motion control running shoes that are every bit the style equals of their lighter, more popular cousins. The Asics Gel-Kayano for instance is available in more than 30 colors. As such you’re bound to find one that speaks to you.
Motion Control Running Shoes FAQ
Q: What does “motion control” mean in running shoes?
A: “Motion control” means exactly that. The shoes are designed to control the motion of your foot in order to negate the adverse effects of overpronation. As we mentioned at the outset overpronation describes a gait wherein the foot tends to roll inward to an excessive degree. This type of motion puts enormous stress on all the joints of the leg from the ankle to the hip. Never more so than when the person runs. Without motion control shoes people who display overpronation in their step often find it difficult to run distances due to the cumulative effect of stress on their joints.
Q: What is the difference between stability and motion control running shoes?
A: As we have just discussed motion control running shoes are designed to correct overpronation in a person’s stride. They do this by adopting an internal structure that guides the foot through a normal motion which relieves stress on the joints and muscles of the leg.
Stability running shoes on the other hand, while also designed to offer a certain amount of control, are not designed to address any particular mechanical issues. Instead their purpose is to provide a combination of support, flexibility and cushioning. Stability shoes absorb shocks, provide a forgiving footbed that coddles the foot and also provide a high degree of flexibility so that the person doesn’t feel that the shoe is fighting them as they run.
Q: Are motion control shoes necessary?
A: They are necessary if a person with overpronation wants to be able to run distances without it causing pain and damage to the muscles and joints of their legs. Studies have also confirmed the notion that motion control shoes will help reduce the risk of injury and repetitive traumas for people with overpronation.
