Help! Are my max cushioned shoes causing injury

Yes. More cushion = weaker joints.

Could be the drop is causing the issue. What is the difference between the two shoes?

Yes.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-35980-6

I had a pair of Hoka Bondi's....I think they are good for slow jogging and walking but seemed to be unstable for regular workouts.

As the foam in a highly cushioned shoe takes permanent compressive set, it typically wears unevenly. That can possibly then continue to accentuate any imbalances in one's gait, resulting in them then becoming a problem.

hr measurement wrote:

As the foam in a highly cushioned shoe takes permanent compressive set, it typically wears unevenly. That can possibly then continue to accentuate any imbalances in one's gait, resulting in them then becoming a problem.

Note, you typically are not going to visually distinguish uneven wear in the midsole.

hr measurement wrote:

hr measurement wrote:

As the foam in a highly cushioned shoe takes permanent compressive set, it typically wears unevenly. That can possibly then continue to accentuate any imbalances in one's gait, resulting in them then becoming a problem.

Note, you typically are not going to visually distinguish uneven wear in the midsole.

it's kinda funny how the thing that touts itself as our savior ends up being our destruction

cushionator wrote:

Hi. I run most of my runs in max cushioned shoes (hoka Bondi is my shoe of choice). 1-2 times a week I use a faster trainer for a workout. I notice when I use my faster trainers more frequently I start getting pains and end up injured. I’m wondering if my max cushioned shoes are too forgiving in terms of some of my muscles weaknesses/imbalances. Then when I put on a shoe that’s isn’t as forgiving, these weaknesses cause me to get hurt. I’m working hard to correct my gait and strengthen weak areas, but I’m wondering if I should consider using a less cushioned shoe for my easy runs. Thoughts? Any recommendations on what shoes you like for easy vs workout vs race days? Any advice appreciated.

Well, just re-read your post. It looks like you need more cushioned on faster days too. You will gravitate to what kind of shoe you like. Too hard, get a softer one. Too soft, get a harder one.

The Skechers Razor line is good for more cushion and 4mm drop. This is their Tempo type model, but they have faster models, and a more max cushioned shoe too that is lighter than Hoka. The Max Road.

I never thought about the cushioning getting worn down and making the problem worse. But that makes sense. Based on wear pattern on my soles, I think I heel strike more on one side and then pronate on the push off if that even makes sense? One side the wear pattern seems even and in line with a neutral mid-fit strike. The other had a lot of wear on he heel and then on the inner sole under ball of the foot. More towards first and second toes.

Thanks for the recommendation. Never worn sketchers but I’ll check them out.

I was using the Nike Pegasus turbo 2. They use the zoom x foam and feel cushioned. I think they are discontinued now anyway so was going to look for something different.

I have a Razor and a Speed 6. They both have taken a pretty good compressive set right underneath the big-toe maximum toe-off spot, even though they have less than 100 miles on them. They are still fine for training (up to a point), and I got a decent price on sale, but something to consider.

CoachMostert wrote:

Yes.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-35980-6

Great reference, thanks.

I had the Hoka Bondi, but they were too squishy for me. I switched to the Hoka Clifton, and it seems to work well for me.

Thanks, I was thinking of switching to the cliftons. Do you have other shoes in your rotation or do you use these for tempos/longer speed work too?