Not all running shoes are created equal, and SEA Games medalists Christine Hallasgo and Christabel Martes explain how to choose the pair that actually works for you.
Newbie runners and seasoned veterans can agree on one thing: shoes play a huge role in running performance.
While the right pair won’t automatically make you faster or turn you into a better runner overnight, it does protect your feet, reduce injury risk, and make every run safer and more enjoyable.
So, the big question is — how do you find the right pair?
During the press conference for the 50th National Milo Marathon, national athletes Christine Hallasgo and Christabel Martes shared with One Sports their guide to choosing the best running shoes.
Comfort Over Everything
For 31st Southeast Asian Games silver medalist and 2025 Manila Marathon champion Christine Hallasgo, comfort comes first — always.
“Para sa akin, kung ano ang akma sa paa mo at saan ka mas kumportable. ‘Yon ang mahalaga,” she said.
Brand and price tag don’t matter, she emphasized.
“Walang pinipiling brand o kung magkano ang presyo ng sapatos mo, as long as you’re comfortable.”
Christine also echoed a golden rule in running: nothing new on race day.
“‘Yon ang suotin mo sa race para hindi manibago ang paa mo. Kung ano ang nakasanayan mo at kumportable ka.”
It’s simple advice — but one that has saved many runners from race-day disasters.
Start With Gait Analysis
For two-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist and now long-distance running coach Christabel Martes, choosing the right shoes is rooted in science.
She recommends undergoing a gait analysis first — a systematic assessment of how you run, including your movement patterns and biomechanics.
“May mga categories ang shoes. Usually kapag beginners, mahina pa ang paa at nag-o-overpronate. Ang best talaga is pumunta sa running store, ipa-check ang gait mo. Doon makikita kung overpronated o underpronated ka, at doon sila magsu-suggest ng best running shoes,” Christabel explained.
Understanding whether you overpronate or underpronate helps determine the type of support and stability your shoes should provide.
Pronation is the natural inward rolling of the foot and the excess of pronation (or overpronation) happens when the foot rolls too inward that it causes the arch of the foot to flatten excessively.
Meanwhile, underpronation, or supination, is the outward rolling of the foot that can cause pain to the foot, ankle, and leg.
Cushion Matters for Long Runs
For long-distance runs, cushioning is key — especially in the Philippines where most training surfaces are concrete.
“Better ang higher cushion kasi puro semento dito. Kapag manipis ang cushion, mas masakit sa paa. Habang tumatagal ang activity, naiipon ang pain. It’s not advisable na iyon ang gamitin sa training,” she said.
More cushioning helps absorb impact, reducing stress on the legs over time.
What About Carbon-Plated Shoes?
Carbon-plated shoes have become increasingly popular — but according to Christabel, they’re best reserved for races.
“Mas responsive kasi very foamy at malambot. Sa akin, ang difference no’n, mas napu-push ka forward. May malaking part ang carbon-plated sa performance,” she shared.
However, she cautioned against using them for daily training.
“Only sa races. Kaya nga race shoes kasi limited ang lifespan ng rubber niya. I-reserve mo siya for race day.”
Because of their specialized materials and design, carbon-plated shoes wear out faster and are built specifically for performance, not mileage accumulation.
At the end of the day, whether you're chasing a podium finish or simply aiming to complete your first 5K, the right running shoes come down to three things: comfort, proper fit, and purpose.
Listen to your feet. Trust the science. And never try something new on race day.
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Inna Mina is a sportswriter with a passion for telling stories that go beyond the scoreboard.
She covers running, athletics, and other major Philippine sporting events, while also following grassroots sports, athlete journeys, and women in sports. Her work also includes lifestyle stories on health, fitness, and community.