If you are looking for the best running shoes for compartment syndrome, you have come to the right place. This condition has been a pain in the back to too many and especially runners. People wearing regular shoes with the condition have doubled and experienced its severity.
However, we have prepared this list by adequately analyzing the best running shoes for compartment syndrome. These shoes have prioritized the best features like zero drop, flexibility, cushioning, grip, and traction to ensure you have an excellent run in your daily exercises. What’s more, there is a buyers’ guide to help you when researching, testing, and buying the best shoe for you. Be sure to stay with us.
It’s time; Let’s start.
Best running shoes for compartment syndrome
This is a list of the best running shoes for this condition. These shoes represent the heart, body, and sole of the best features that will enable (if not prevent) you to run with compartment syndrome. Let’s dive in!
1. Merrell Men’s Vapor Glove 2 Trail Running Shoe
Merrell vapor glove 2 construction is barefoot based, which makes it stand out compared to its counterpart. The trail runner is VEGAN friendly with 0% animal products. You will love the rubber sole on the shoe, which enhances its durability. What’s more, the shoe’s vaporglove provides very little between your feet and the ground to ensure you have an optimum connection for enhanced stability. The additional sticky Vibram in the outsole provides traction.
On the upper is a breathable mesh which keeps your feet healthy and away from bacteria. The lace-up vamp featured in the shoe ensures the is secure on your leg while the pull tab counter increases the foot’s support at the heel.
In the inner is a barefoot shape with a glove-like fit to provide natural comfort. The zero-drop from heel to toe doubles the natural ride you need when running with compartment syndrome.
Why we love it.
- Good traction
- Improved ground contact
- Breathable
- Durable rubber sole
Read also: 6 Best Running Shoes for Clydesdales
2. Vibram Men’s KSO EVO Cross Training Shoe
Vibram KSO EVO cross-training shoe engineering is to ensure you can run comfortably with compartment syndrome. Featuring the rubber outsole, the durability of the shoe isguaranteed. Additionally, the shoe features the Vibram XS Trek in the outsole. Therefore, it is highly responsive and adaptive depending on the terrain. This Vibram technology also enhances the flexibility and traction in wet surfaces.
The shoe features polyester mesh material with PU film, which protects and reinforces it. The tongue is lightly padded to enhance even more comfort and support on the shoe. Similarly, the fast lacing system double the security you have when running.
The shoe’s design is light, airy, and simply adjustable to give you flexibility when you need it. The EVA technology is strategically blended in the Dri-lex insole. This technology ensures the inner remains cushion and comfort when running.
Why we love it.
- Highly flexible
- It is very stable
- Has high traction and responsiveness
- The sole is very durable.
3. ALTRA Men’s ALM1957F TIMP 1.5 Trail Running Shoe
The altra timp 1.5 shoe is made to impress the trail running community. The shoe design is a model thatfits for exceptional performance. The shoe’s dura-tread rubber sole is improved and is stickier for better traction and grip. What’s more, the upper, grippy maxtrac outsole is an upgrade of the previous version to ensure the run remains comforting and safe.
The midsole is softer and cushioning to ensure you have that comfort and flexibility you have always desired. The design also ensures your feet fit through the heel-to-toe transition.
The upper is even more outstanding. It’s upper is improved to fit and has a 4-point gaiter trap. The gaiter trap ensures you can run comfortably and confidently on sand, dirt, and debris. Additionally, the shoe has a directional mesh upper for a smooth and glossy ride. The mesh is also flexing to enable your feet to transit properly on uneven surfaces.
Why we love it.
- It has a very cushioning midsole.
- The perfect wide toe box
- Highly flexible
- Comfortable in different terrains
4. Vivo Barefoot Women’s Stealth 2 Walk Shoe
Vivo barefoot stealth 2 engineering ensures that you have comfort when running with compartment syndrome. The shoe does not have an animal product in its making; it repurposes plastic waste. The shoe uses a durable barefoot rubber sole that is 3mm to ensure optimum interaction between the leg and the ground and minimize the interference that may build up. Also, the outsole is lightweight, flexible, and grippy to enhance your running stability.
The midsole features algae bloom textile lining, which ensures the comfort in the shoe is above average.
You’ll love the durable hex-mesh on the upper. The mesh is constructed with support and stretch zones to ensure responsive foot control and an adaptive fit. To complement this, the shoe features a lace-up system and perforated overlays. The upper is also breathable and durable, stretchy engineered to assure you the comfort, support, and stretch required for long-distance running.
Why we love it.
- It is VEGAN friendly
- Has breathable upper
- It is durable
- Very responsive and adaptive to fit
- Has maximized ground contact.
5. New Balance Men’s Nitrel V3 Trail Running Shoe
The new balance nitrel v3 is 50% fabric and 50% synthetic. The nitrel v3 features a rubber outsole. The AT tread outsole ensuresa combination of both trails and compartment running lugs. The combination of these abrasion components ensures the shoe is durable.
The midsole of the shoe features REVlite. This material provides premium responsiveness and durability. The durability of the midsole is enhanced without increasing the weight of the shoe. The shoe is 30% lighter than other shoes that have their level of durability and performance.Additionally, the REVlite in the midsole has been blend with EVA foam to double the level of cushioning in the shoe.
The upper features mesh material that is breathable to ensure proper airflow in the shoes. Similarly, the mesh upper is lightweight and flexible to more movement of the feet. What’s more, there is a padded collar and tongue for more cushioning.
Why we love it
- It is very comfortable to wear.
- Versatile usage
- Flexible and lightweight uppers
- Sufficient support and stability
5 Things to consider when buying the best running shoes for compartment syndrome.
Zero drop
Compartment syndrome results from the excessive striking of the heel on the ground. As a result, this striking causes the heel to bleed and swell. Wearing shoes with zero-drop enables your feet to land safely and smoothly. Zero-drop reduces the amount of striking you will experience on the heel.
Therefore, when buying shoes, always ensure you check the heel to toe drop. You can confirm this by checking on the specification of the features. Otherwise, you can also check the heel’s height and compare it with that of the toes. A proper running shoe should not have a heel drop that is beyond 6mm.
Cushioning
Similarly, it is vital to note cushioning in a shoe, especially in the insole, absorbs the shock created during impact. As a result, very few forcesreach the leg, and therefore, the striking won’t be in excess. Also, the cushioning helps when you’re walking on uneven surfaces. Cushioning in a shoe is majorly distributed at the heel, at the foot’s balls, and the collar.
To stay safe from compartment syndrome, you should always check the shoe’s cushioning. You can check it by wearing the shoe and walking a few steps.
Flexibility
The flexibility of the shoe is critical. The technology of materials making the upper and the sole should be very flexible. A flexible shoe enables your foot to curve with your stride when you are running naturally. A flexible shoe sole allows you to run on uneven surfaces by flexing with the terrain’s nature.
When buying a shoe, ensure you test it by wearing it first and flexing the upper layer and the outsole. A shoe that flexes with your foot provides proper circulation of the blood in the foot, among other reasons.
Durability and breathability
Would you like your shoes to stay healthy all day? Breathability is a must-have in your list of features. Breathable shoes ensure that there is airflow inside the shoe. This flow gets rid of the excessive heat that causes sweating. Sweating may cause bacteria in the shoe.
On the other hand, having a durable shoe is everyone’s wish. The footwear industry uses different materials to engineer durable soles. However, some like rubber and leather stand out.
To check the breathability, ensure that the shoe upper is made of mesh or is perforated. The durability of the shoe can only be assured depending on the material making the other.
Traction
Sliding on the surfaces when running is one of the embarrassing things. You, therefore, need to check whether the grip is secure. Sliding affects the movements and control of the feet. This would lead to even more pain and advancing of the compartment syndrome.
Therefore, ensure that your shoe grips on the surface when you are running to avoid uncontrolled movements. Shoes with excellent traction ensure optimum performance when this condition.
What is compartment syndrome, and why is it so serious?
Compartment syndrome is an excessively painful condition when the pressure builds up in the muscles causing less blood flow in the leg tissues. Lack of blood flow in the feet reduces the nourishment of the cells in the muscle.
There are two types of compartment syndrome.
- A severe injury on the muscle causes acute compartment syndrome, and without further treatment, it can lead to further damage. It is a medical emergency.
- Chronic compartment syndrome results from athletic exertion. It is not very severe.
This compartment condition is severe and can lead to permanent disability,mostly due to lack of blood in the legs’ tissues. This condition’s seriousness mainly occurs at the calf or lower leg; however,you feel the effects even on the upper leg.
Why does compartment syndrome occur?
Compartment syndrome is generally caused by increased pressure in the leg. However, acute and chronic compartment syndrome have different causes. Let’s have a look;
The causes of acute compartment condition;
- Immediate fracture
- A severe bruise in the muscle
- Crashing injuries
- Habitual usage of steroids
- Tightened bandages on the leg
The cause of chronic compartment condition
Chronic compartment syndromeresults from swelling, which mostly happens during exercises. People who participate in intense exercising are prone to getting this condition. Although chronic compartment syndrome is not severe, it can prevent runners, swimmers, and people from participating in this exercise.
Below are some of the symptoms of these conditions;
- Intense pain when the muscle is stretching.
- Tightness in the muscle
- Tenderness in the affected area.
- Swelling
Do compression socks help the compartment condition?
Yes and No. Confusing right? I know. This is why both yes and no can be answers to this question.
Yes, because sole inserts can help reduce one type of compartment syndrome; chronic compartment syndrome. This type of syndrome is not a medical emergency but is a result of intense training. On the other hand, sole inserts reduce the amount of shock your feet experience. This, in turn, reduces the amount of pressure that reaches your muscles, thereby smoothening your strides.
No, because acute compartment syndrome is a medical emergency and is caused by severe injury to the muscles. This painful injury cannot be reduced by smoothening of your strides.
Does compartment syndrome hurt all the time?
We can have two answers to this question. First, chronic compartment syndrome does not hurt all the time. This is because its pain is caused by intense excessing, and therefore, 30minutes after you stop exercising, this pain is likely to stop. On the other hand, acute compartment syndrome is caused by an injury to the muscle. Therefore, unless you treat the muscle medically, the leg will hurt all the time. It is important to note that acute compartment syndrome is a medical emergency. Therefore, seek medication as soon as you suspect you have this condition.
FAQs
How do you differentiate between the two types of compartment syndrome?
You can differentiate chronic and acute compartment syndrome depending on what resulted in the pain. In the pain results after doing some exercises, especially running, the condition is chronic compartment syndrome. However, if the pain results from injury or severe striking, the condition is more likely to acute compartment syndrome.
Who is a risk of compartment syndrome?
Everyone is at risk of compartment syndrome. However, chronic compartment syndrome mostly affects male and female athletes who are under the age of 30. This happens because of the intensity of exercise they are involved in.
Can compartment syndrome heal itself?
There are two answers to this. First chronic compartment syndrome can heal itself after inactivity for some time. Since this condition comes from intensified exercises, reducing or stopping these exercises would cure the condition. However, acute compartment condition can heal itself. What’s worse, it is a medical emergency and would cause a permanent disability if not treated urgently.
Final word
To sum up, this list of the best running shoes for compartment condition can help you. With it, the severe compartment condition that distracts you, especially whenever you’re running, will be a thing of the past. The buyers’ guide increases your confidence whenever you’re choosing the right shoe.
