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pitch /pɪtʃ/
noun
1. the steepness of a slope, especially of a roof.
2. (shoes) the difference in the stack height (padding) between the heel and the forefoot.
Most of us will therefore agree that the pitch of a shoe should be given as a comparison between the thickness at the heel and the thickness at the forefoot, preferably taken using callipers or similar.
Based on this understanding, what do you estimate as the pitch for each of the shoes below?
noun
1. the steepness of a slope, especially of a roof.
2. (shoes) the difference in the stack height (padding) between the heel and the forefoot.
Most of us will therefore agree that the pitch of a shoe should be given as a comparison between the thickness at the heel and the thickness at the forefoot, preferably taken using callipers or similar.
Based on this understanding, what do you estimate as the pitch for each of the shoes below?
Using the shoe company methodology, you'd be WRONG.
Let me explain, though, before anyone jumps up and down and gets their knickers twisted, let it be known that relative to most of what is on the market I am very fond of the above shoes. I use them as a point of reference to help you be better equipped to sift through the bullshit and jellybeans.
toe spring /təʊ sprɪŋ/
noun
1. The elevation of the toe end of the shoe from the ball.
More often than not, it seems that the pitch of the shoe is made by a comparison of two lines. The first a line from the highest point of the toe spring to the highest point of padding at the heel. The second horizontal in line with the ground. Using this calculation the two shoes above are being marketed as 4mm and 6mm.
Added to this, athletic shoes generally come with a foam inner sole. The vast majority of foam inner soles are thicker at the heel than the forefoot. This further increases the angle of your foot in the shoe.
So, going back to our shoes above. What do you think is the true pitch of your foot inside these shoes?
Is there an ideal pitch? That is a whole topic all on its own. The short answer is no. The beginning of the longer answer is that there is only one constant in the equation, that being the foot. Morphologically the more time you spend with the heel raised off the ground, the shorter the achilles (amongst other structures) will become. Though, this is far more important in life than in exercise.
Now, go and grab some shoes, have a play, and let me know what you find.
Let me explain, though, before anyone jumps up and down and gets their knickers twisted, let it be known that relative to most of what is on the market I am very fond of the above shoes. I use them as a point of reference to help you be better equipped to sift through the bullshit and jellybeans.
toe spring /təʊ sprɪŋ/
noun
1. The elevation of the toe end of the shoe from the ball.
More often than not, it seems that the pitch of the shoe is made by a comparison of two lines. The first a line from the highest point of the toe spring to the highest point of padding at the heel. The second horizontal in line with the ground. Using this calculation the two shoes above are being marketed as 4mm and 6mm.
Added to this, athletic shoes generally come with a foam inner sole. The vast majority of foam inner soles are thicker at the heel than the forefoot. This further increases the angle of your foot in the shoe.
So, going back to our shoes above. What do you think is the true pitch of your foot inside these shoes?
Is there an ideal pitch? That is a whole topic all on its own. The short answer is no. The beginning of the longer answer is that there is only one constant in the equation, that being the foot. Morphologically the more time you spend with the heel raised off the ground, the shorter the achilles (amongst other structures) will become. Though, this is far more important in life than in exercise.
Now, go and grab some shoes, have a play, and let me know what you find.
