Are expensive running shoes worth the money?
Publication Date:15/10/2007
Running or jogging can seem like an ideal form of exercise. There's no need to pay for gym membership: all you need is some free time and a pair of trainers. Most of us would imagine that more expensive running shoes are better at protecting your joints when you're pounding the pavement. But cheaper trainers can be just as good, new research has found.
What do we know already?
Running can put a lot of strain on your joints. It can be even worse when you're tired, because tired muscles aren't as good at supporting your joints. Running-related injuries can include heel or knee pain, muscle tears, arthritis and even broken bones.
The padding in the soles of running shoes aims to cushion the impact and let you run safely. But how well do they work? And are more expensive trainers better than cheaper alternatives? Researchers have now done a study to find out.
What does the new study say?
Researchers looked at three brands of running shoes, although they didn't say which ones. They looked at a cheaper shoe (£40 to £45), a mid-price shoe (£60 to £65) and a more expensive shoe (£70 to £75) from each brand. People walked in the shoes while wearing special insoles that measured the pressure on their feet. People also rated the shoes for comfort.
More expensive shoes didn't provide any more cushioning and were no more comfortable. The exact protection shoes offered varied between brands and price ranges, but overall, expensive trainers weren't any better.
Where does the study come from?
The study was done by researchers at Ninewells Hospital and Medical School in Dundee. It appeared in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, which is published by the British Medical Association.
How reliable are the findings?
The study was small. It only looked at three brands of trainers, and only 43 people tested the shoes. Also, most of the pressure measurements were taken while people were walking rather than running.
What does this mean for me?
In the study, more expensive shoes didn't offer any more protection. So, you might want to think twice about paying more for expensive trainers that advertise extra safety features. But the researchers only looked at pressure and comfort over a short period of time. They didn't look at whether expensive shoes might offer better value by lasting longer, for example.
How comfortable you find a pair of trainers seems to be a very individual thing. It may have to do with the kind of shoes you're used to, the way you walk and how well new shoes fit. But this research suggests it might be worth trying on cheaper running shoes as well as more expensive ones, to see which are best for you.
What should I do now?
Make sure you train safely. Lots of things affect your risk of injury, including your running technique, how often you exercise and how tired you are during your run. The researchers advise that you include some rest in your exercise routine. This will let your body recover between sessions.
Some research has found that people who wear expensive running shoes expect more protection, leading them to train too much and get injured more often. So it's important to listen to your body and make sure you exercise safely, whatever kind of trainers you're wearing.
Clinghan R, Arnold GP, Drew TS et al. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2007; 0: 1-5.
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© BMJ Publishing Group Limited ("BMJ Group") 2007. All rights reserved
This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.
