Has anyone experienced injuries from running shoes that were TOO cushioned? At my wits end

I ran in "normal" running shoes for many years and never got injured. Then a few years ago I switched to Hokas. Since then, I also didn't get injured.

Glad to help.

I have been reading a lot on this topic in the last few months and I will say that most the best discussion I have found is in this

thread.

Going with what i saw, I think it's possible to reset the scale on what is cushioning , or enough cushioning to make less shoe actually protective enough. Also, that for some people it's a good idea. I have a good structures neutral foot.

I think I sunk into the cushion trap some posters have described here. Loosing foot ankle and lower leg strength because of cushioned shoes, but also because of the same cushion being able to go well beyond what I was mechanically fit for...until I REALLY was trashed.

My reset is build muscle strength through exercises( which are a from now on thing). Walk and run barefooted in good substrates sand and level grass or turf fields , starting with 10 minutes walking in soft sand a mile on the grass. Graduation to running a little in hard shoes Inov-8 cross trainers(minimalistic). Adding walking on nasty terrain in socks only. Running and walking nasty terrain hills in socks only, 4 miles. Running 6 miles in the minimalist shoes. And so on.

Wide toe box wrote:

Can you share what shoes work for you, darkwave? I think that's what I'm looking for in my next pair of shoes

Well...I was thriving in the Nike Flyknit Free 4.0 for my easy runs. Until they did away with that shoe. And the replacement has a narrower, non-stretchy toe box and is not working for me.

So now I'm using the Streak 6 and the Adios for my easy runs until I find something better. The most likely replacement will be an Altra racing flat, but I haven't tried it yet.

Every time.

I can easily run 100+mpw in firm, more minimal shoes, but any time I start putting in miles with cushioned shoes something breaks down. Surface counts a lot too there.

It seems like the more structured shoes feel “easier” to run in, and I feel less fatigued from the miles, but then things fall apart unexpectedly. As if I have bypassed my body’s early-warning systems.

With less shoe I’m more attuned to what’s going on with my feet, and the lack of protection forces me to be more careful about how I run. Shoes probably shouldn’t compensate for lack of running skill or strength, just protect from sharp rocks and such.

Feet are sensory organs. Protect them too much and you’re running blind.

darkwave wrote:

Wide toe box wrote:

Can you share what shoes work for you, darkwave? I think that's what I'm looking for in my next pair of shoes

Well...I was thriving in the Nike Flyknit Free 4.0 for my easy runs. Until they did away with that shoe. And the replacement has a narrower, non-stretchy toe box and is not working for me.

So now I'm using the Streak 6 and the Adios for my easy runs until I find something better. The most likely replacement will be an Altra racing flat, but I haven't tried it yet.

Some years ago Nike touted the original Nike Free (pre Flyknit) as the perfect running shoe.

Triathletes ALWAYS raced in Newtons.

Tell me what has changed.

Newtons always feel a little bulky to me, but, running feels great.

Recently have been running in Peg Turbos, and my calves haven't stopped bothering me since...especially if I go faster than general aerobic. They feel great while running, but this calf thing has become such a pain!