Running world: Custom footwear, 'smart' socks and more now available

Any race to the finish line these days needn't be as painful and tiring as some make it.

Modern science, working hand in hand with marketing one-upmanship, has brought a whole new level of technology into the running world.

Today's shoes, for example, are not only more comfortable but can correct a less-than-perfect gait, new socks actually breathe, new shirts not only shed odors but also sweat, new shorts have sunscreen protection and new watches closely monitor a jogger's heart rate.

And, pointed out Jason Burlage, manager of the Runner's Advantage store in the Foothill Shopping Center, it would pay a runner to take a few moments and see what's new.

Take, for example, shoes. The six major running-shoe makers put shoes in three categories — neutral, stability and motion control.

The key to more enjoyable running, said Burlage, comes from matching the foot to the right shoes.

Use of a magnetic digital impact pad can tell Burlage if a foot is neutral, underpronated or overpronated.

Meaning?

"Between 70 to 75 percent of runners have what is called overpronation. The arch has a certain amount of rigidity. If the arch collapses, this causes the foot to rotate, which is called overpronation," he explained.

"If the arch remains too rigid, this causes too much lateral rotation. This is underpronation. If the arch responds as it should, this is the neutral position."

Determining how the foot responds to running makes it possible for a runner to be matched to the right shoe. And since all shoes are not the same, it helps to gets a little technical advice from a well-trained professional.

Running in the wrong shoes can cause pain in the arch of the foot, shin splints and knee problems.

The process of selecting the right shoe begins on the pad. Once the action of the foot is determined, the selection process begins.

"I encourage buyers to avoid being brand loyal. Today, with all the research and development, there's a lot of parity in the shoe market. We encourage customers to try on five or six different shoes, even run on the treadmill to see which is most comfortable, and then make a selection," he added.

The price of a good running shoe ranges from around $80 up to $165.

Those who are considering using a trail shoe for running on streets needs to realize that the midsole of a trail shoe is twice as dense as the midsole of a street running shoe, which makes for a hard impact on the body on each stride.

The second most important piece of apparel is the socks.

Cotton is out; polyester and wool are in.

"There is not a single item in the apparel department in this store made from cotton. Socks and all running apparel, for that matter, have gone away from cotton," Burlage said.