Yes, the reality couldn’t be any closer! Fact is, modern day running shoes and tyres are almost allegorical. If you can decode the tyres of your car and why them bearing certain dimensions offer certain ride characteristics, you can very well pick running shoes of your choice depending on what your run preferences are! (not to mention the ride customization that you can do depending on what your drive preferences are!)
Markings on a Tyre
There are several markings on a tyre sidewall, lets for the moment focus on just the basic ones.
The Nominal Section (marking A ) is primarily responsible for stability of the car at higher speeds. Cars optimized for performance (and not for efficiency) have progressively larger nominal dimension.
The Aspect Ratio (marking B) is the height of the side wall as a percentage of the nominal section. For example if the nominal dimension is 205 mm and aspect ratio is 55, then the height of the sidewall will be 55% X 205 mm = 113 mm
The Aspect Ratio is primarily responsible for comfort and control, actually a trade off of these.
Cars that most of us use (Top Speeds of around 160 – 170 kmph or lower) are optimized for efficiency and comfort of ride. The aspect ratio of the tyres in these cars are are in range of 55 to 80. A thicker profile or side wall offers greater riding comfort however it might not be too high on control, but one can still be at peace with it because we are not into 250 kmph + range. Have a look at the aspect ratio for some popular commuter cars on Indian roads.
Performance cars are a different genre, extremely high nominal section and low aspect ratio. Have a look at the short compilation below for some super cars.
High nominal section ensures better stability & traction while lower aspect ratio keeps these beasts under control at high speeds.
For pure performance to get that adrenaline rush, one can mount tyres will aspect ratios going to as low as 20. Ride quality will be relatively stiff but these would deliver confident high speed performance. Look at these performance tyres below.
On to running shoes now, they exhibit identical behavior to tyres.
We have running shoes of all kinds, what one picks would depend on one’s level of dexterity and expectation that one has of them.
Let’s say someone has just begun – For someone who is just initiating into running, or is a casual runner (twice/thrice a week around 2 -3 kms per run), or a swift walker it would be wise to pick a shoe with broad and thick soles (Remember high nominal ratio and high aspect ratio for best combination of balance, control, and comfort). The broadness of soles would keep the runner grounded while the thickness would cushion the run and protect over exertion on knees, ankles, feet, and muscles.
But then the cushy nature of sole wouldn’t allow for pressing on in gusto or keep pressing forward at consistently high speed, the feeling would akin running through slush – comfortable yet restrictive.
These shoes will also be heavier because of all the thick cushioning that they get inside.
From feedback that I get, Asics suits this kind – heavy, well protected, and very stable. Mind you, Asics is first choice for a lot of professional sportsmen (not runners specifically).
Refer this for more choices on thick cushioned running shoes
Now on to the more serious types, these runners do an average of 40-60 kms a week, some walks in between, cycling as well, an opportunistic trek here and there, 4 -5 marathons a year. These dudes have fairly evolved muscles and strong bones – knees and ankles have gotten used to the abuse of daily running (the feet actually love it, that’s their Endorphin kick for the day).
For them, shoes are gateway to liberty, enablers to an unhindered run – protection of feet is hygiene, consistency, rhythm, and control matter far more than balance that a casual runner seeks.
These guys are fine with broad and thinner soles (Remember high nominal section and low aspect ratio for performance cars). The broad soles help with control, while the thin nature of them help with consistency, rhythm, and control while keeping the overall weight under check.
I personally feel, successive generations of Nike Lunarglide have served this clan well. (The pattern on the soles of the Lunarglide also contributes to better control but that’s for some other time.)
Finally, we get to the hardcores.
I see 2 types of runners, there are the ones who run for a greater attainment, the liberated souls. These guys are in love with nature, they love of the feel of earth, rubble, pebbles, and soil under their feet. These guys don’t run for speed, distance, or time – they just run for atonement, gratitude – for the feel of the Sun on their face. Fitness is not their objective, they don’t have an objective at all, running satiates them – running is as innate to them as it was to the neanderthals.
These guys run barefoot, yes they do; I am sure all of us have seen atleast one of this kind around. And sometime they run in Vibrams.
These have High nominal section and negligible aspect ratio (Remember pure performance, low aspect ratio, stiff ride quality and confident performance). Using these, would require rigorous regime and penance for considerable time before these can be taken up.
The second kind of hardcores are professionals who take up running for pure performance, this kind typically uses highest variants from reputed sports footwear brands. They are influencers to the ‘Serious Types’ in terms of Brand and variant selection.
To sum:
What kind of runner are you? 🙂
I would love to make specific recommendations on brands/variants for specific user groups, if you would be so kind to fill in the survey with your personal user type and brand preference.
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