Find a Shoe Built for Your Foot

Running shoes not only have different shapes, they have different internal structures. Most running shoes are built in one of three ways: board-lasted, slip-lasted and combination-lasted. To see which type of build a shoe has, simply pull out the inner sole. If you find a stiff cardboard-like material running the length of the shoe, it's board-lasted. This design is best for runners who need maximum stability. If there is merely fabric stitched together up the length of the shoe, it's slip-lasted. This design provides maximum flexibility, and is best for neutral runners. Combination-lasted shoes are a compromise. They have the “board” in the rear portion of the shoe, while the front is slip-lasted. These shoes offer more stability than a slip-lasted shoe, but less than one with a board last.