Natural Running Center

Zero Drop refers to the height differential between the shoe heel and toe area. Most conventional running shoes have an average drop of 12 mm, which places too much impact and stress on the heel region– and we know what happens next and it’s not good for runners.  The runner’s cushioned heel strikes the ground [Read more...]

by Dr. Phil Maffetone – Understanding proper running shoe fit is the first step towards pain-free running and injury prevention. That doesn’t mean you should waste your time trying on or investigating those expensive, super-comfortable,  padded, and built-up running shoes that keep being thrown our way each year by profit-hungry running shoe companies. If you [Read more...]

This photo of a honking-big New Balance sneaker (taken from a 2009 issue of Popular Mechanics) shows how most of the major shoe companies test the exaggerated heel-cushioning of their conventional running shoes. No wonder many millions of runners unnaturally became accustomed to heel-striking. One could safely bet that the mechanical piston never experiences shin [Read more...]

James works at Two Rivers Treads in Sheperdstown, West Virginia, which is also the headquarters and flagship store of the Natural Running Center.  He recently published on the store blog a rather lengthy, and highly informative email exchange he had with another runner who was seeking his advice, Their online back-and-forth is reposted here. The [Read more...]