How reliable is gait analysis?

If it was an exact science, the Runner's World shoe guide is all anyone would need. The reality is for some people it can be a very complex puzzle. A good, ... and I really mean good store will be able to help deal with any unusual cases.

I've worked specialty running for 7+ years now and I look forward to the tricky cases because I learn from them and I help people get back to enjoying running.

Make use of good running stores. They really do want to do the best job for every one.

A poor farmer blames his tools. if you are just now getting injured after after wearing the same model of shoe for two years then I think it's not the shoe at all. Most people get injured from running to far/to soon/to fast/to often. You are starting to get competitive, it's not uncommon for people to experience a set back with an injury.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

How many miles do you have on your current pair?

Where is the stress fracture?

How many miles do you run in a week/have you picked up your training within the past two months?

So many runners come into the store with questions like these. It's ridiculous. Running does not have a lot of equipment so it is easy to blame the shoes when in reality you probably have poor biomechanics AKA your running form is off.

EVERY running wears out the outside of the shoe. Imagine how awkward it would to run if you landed on the inside of your foot. Go outside with your shoes and try it. It's stupid even trying to do it. The wear pattern should be in the middle-outside if the shoe has enough support/stability. If the shoe is worn out more on the inside then you would need MORE support. Pronation is supported with the medial posting inside the shoe, it is there to help put your foot in the 'natural' position. If you think I am wrong, take it to the store, ask for the owner, have him look at it. I guarantee he will help you, and has been running competitively longer than you have been.

Don't get into those RunnersWorld articles to much...

STRETCH, ICE, STRENGTHEN

If you're not doing exercises outside of running to strengthen the minor muscles in the body like, hip flexors, Achilles etc. then you are bound to get injured eventually.

Total pseudoscience.

your stride can change markedly based upon the shoe you are wearing, so gait analysis is tricky. on top of that, how to interpret it isn't something everybody agrees on.

the red flag is that you feel like you are always landing awkwardly. immediately i would say that is not the right shoe for you. you want the shoe that feels most natural, like it's not impeding your natural gait.

Gait analysis can be incredibly useful if you have it done by the right person, but it is completely dependent upon that. Find a gait analyst who isn't tied to a shoe store. The advice that they give you should be more based on muscular strength and flexibility in your legs, and how they affect your biomechanics.

Partially disagree. Many who are tied to a shoe store will give excellent unbiased analysis (yes, some do suck.). Many who are not tied to a shoe store (including podiatrists) have no clue how to match a shoe to a person.

when i started running and needed good shoes, i went to fleet feet. did the analysis of walking or jogging down the aisles.

they said i had moderately bad pronation so i got some very supportive shoes. can't recall the model but they were brooks i think.

every time i went back to get new shoes, they offered me lighter/less supportive options to the point where i now buy shoes 100% on my own and buy neutral or even minimal shoes. never been injured, and i still pronate and heelstrike.