Those 'Ugly' Thick Midsole Shoes Again

Page A20 300423 Straits Times 

My last post on those 'ugly' Hoka shoes earlier in April 2023 being more popular now was echoed by the Straits Times deputy editor in yesterday's Sunday Times on page A20. 

The deputy editor wrote how she had to 'convert' from her delicate ballet flats (or minimalist type) to more sensible shoes after a foot tendon injury and foot joint stress.

Her family actually sniggered when she changed her shoes since her Generation Z children and husband had been wearing those 'ugly' maximalist shoes all the time. She explained that it was perhaps due to her "poor footwear choices over the years, from flimsy flip-flops to vertiginous heels".

I should draw your attention that evidence for "flimsy" footwear is actually very sound provided the wearer's running (and walking) technique is correct.

Using results of Daniel Liberman's study, runners who land correctly in their running technique will have benefits as impact is a lot less (even less than landing on your heels with cushioned shoes on).  If you land wrongly (with minimalist shoes) the impact is 7 times greater thus greatly increasing the chance of injury. See picture below.

(From Liberman et al, 2010)

Unfortunately most of us (runners) are very impatient for results and do not master the correct running/ landing technique while just using minimalist shoes thinking that will be sufficient.

 Also read why if you run in more cushioned/ expensive shoes, the more likely you seem to get injured to further support why running in minimalist shoes with correct technique is superior to running with cushioned/ expensive shoes. 

Page B5 Forum section

Moreover, a young reader (18 year old Amos Loh) wrote in today's Forun page B5 (pictured above) that this may "perpetuate a culture of consumerism and superficiality" since there is also pressure amongst Generation Z to keep up with te latest trends.

Reference 

Liberman DE, Venkadesan M et al (2010). Foot Strike Patterns and Collision Forces in Habitually Barefoot Versus Shod Runners. Nature. Jan 463(7280): 531-535.