While runners base their opinion of a running shoe primarily on how it feels underfoot, the way the top of the shoe feels is sometimes just as important. The midsole is the most crucial part of a shoe, but a running shoe upper makes or breaks the shoe. Don’t buy it? A 2017 study found different shoe uppers created “more consistently measurable changes in runner’s biomechanics than different midsole materials.” Bottom line: a shoddy upper can mean tossing a pair in the recycle bin early or placing in the mailbox to return immediately.
To each their own upper
Although it’s the part of the shoe that’s highest off the ground, upper isn’t nearly as high on runners’ priority lists as it should be. Far too often, we take the upper for granted, which is a shame, because, just as you can’t run without an outsole to land on, your foot won’t stay in a shoe for long without a top keeping it in place.
The most common types of uppers are mesh and knit. Knit uppers are typically more comfortable and heavier, while mesh are lighter and more breathable. I’m not sure how some runners use their shoes, but I’ve never developed a hotspot or blister from a running shoe upper, and I’ve ran in hundreds of running shoes over the many years I’ve laced them up. Whether knit or mesh, a more structured upper may help reduce the amount of pressure on the bottom of the feet, lowering the risk of plantar fasciitis.
If the shoe fits?
Similar to comfortable running attire, they say, if you don’t notice a running shoe upper, then it’s doing its job. I say, screw that—I want my uppers to feel like pairs of slippers. I want to wrap my foot in nylon mesh or knit polyester and never feel the urge to take the shoe off.
Shoe reviews place far too much emphasis on breathable uppers, but I’ll take a comfortable upper over a breathable upper any day of the running week. Every part of my body sweats buckets, a little foot sweat won’t make or break my run or my spirit. Just don’t use shoes with black uppers in the summer and you’ll be fine. And in the winter, that same suffocating upper is going to work wonders when the wind chill makes the “real feel” drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
On the run, I’ve found an uncomfortable upper provides the same sensation as the urge to use the restroom. Or an itch on my foot I can’t quite reach. Or a throbbing pain that takes my mind off the beautiful weather and plants it firmly on the nasty ache. If I wanted to be uncomfortable while running, I’d wear a shoe that’s one size too small, or worse yet, I’d run barefoot and suffer an injury.
Laces, tongues, and pull tabs, oh my!
An upper is more than just a mesh or knit covering. It includes a few key components that tie the shoe all together.
Like a kiss, the upper is only as good as the tongue. And when there’s too much tongue, you feel suffocated. But when there’s not enough tongue, you’re left wanting more. Some swear by gusseted tongues, which connect to the upper on its sides. Case in point: The ASICS Gel-Nimbus 25’s gusseted tongue is perhaps my favorite tongue out there. I don’t care if a tongue is gusseted as long as it doesn’t ride up too high or sit too low. There’s nothing worse than a minimal upper that digs into the foot and threatens to cut off circulation.
Then you’ve got laces. Many shoe reviewers complain about the material or length of laces and the difficulty of keeping them tied. And I thought I was bad at tying my shoes. Two words: double knot. I double knot all my shoes. Why? Because every shoe I tie with a single knot comes undone. Likely because I never learned how to properly tie shoes and still tie them like a 3rd grader. It’s essentially a modified version of bunny ears, if the bunny had one severely deformed ear. I’m hard pressed to name even one shoe’s laces that I disliked. Ok, fine: Nike’s Vaporfly laces leave much to be desired.
If you dare to peek at the shoe’s heel collar, you’ll spot the increasingly common—and useless—pull tab. The critically panned HOKA Mach Supersonic featured one of the more ridiculous pull tabs. Maybe that’s why they discontinued the shoe. I detailed why these silly 4-inch pieces of fabric trigger me, in my debut “comedy” special.
Looks aren’t everything
A running shoe upper is more than just the icing on top. It’s a key ingredient in creating any shoe worth a damn. So, the next time you shop for yet another pair of running shoes, disregard Drake’s song that celebrates starting from the bottom, and instead, take it from the top (of the shoe) and don’t overlook the upper.
Just make sure you don’t judge a running shoe by its upper. Ok, I’m being disingenuous. Honestly, if a shoe’s upper isn’t attractive, I won’t consider buying it, regardless of how comfortable or durable it is. Screw function over form. The upper is the first thing that catches our eye, and if we’re being honest, just as in dating, looks are what determine whether it’s love at first sight, or we never give the shoe a second look. So, don’t ignore a running shoe upper, but feel free to ghost your all-white Brooks Ghost when it gets dirty.
