Published March 16, 2009 04:43PM
Natural Motion Running Shoes
I’ve struggled with running injuries for years. In my quest to run farther with fewer problems, I’ve been experimenting with a wide range of factors, from my running form and cross-training to how many runs per week I add to my schedule. But the one thing I’ve never really investigated is perhaps the most crucial: my running shoes. I test a lot of shoes for Women’s Running, but usually train in the brand I’ve worn for years, which feel most comfortable to me.
But last week, I received a pair of running shoes to test that I’ve never seen before, the new BIOM made by the Danish shoe company ECCO. The BIOM looks and feels unlike most running shoes that come into my office. To say nothing of the “Here-I-Come!” hot pink color, the BIOM is lightweight and highly flexible. Designed to feel almost as if you were running barefoot, the BIOM allows your foot to move much more freely than many traditional running shoes. The theory: Natural movement helps prevent, not cause, injuries by strengthening the muscles in your feet.
Intrigued, I’ve tried the BIOM on a few runs, and it does feel significantly different: lighter, more flexible and more responsive to the road underfoot. ECCO recommends that you build up mileage in these shoes slowly, as it’s likely your muscles will not be used to working in the way that these shoes require. So, I’m experimenting, and trying my hot pink attention getters on shorter runs. So far, I’m surprised to discover I really like the very different feel of the BIOM. Any one else experimenting with barefoot running or more low-profile shoes?