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The heel counter refers to a little plastic insert used to reinforce
the heel cup of a shoe and increase support. A firm, thick heel
counter cradles the heel and arch and reduces over-pronation.
A good firm heel counter helps lock the foot into the shoe and anchors
it to the mid-sole.
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| A good heel
cup is one that is reinforced with a hard plastic heel counter. You
can't see the heel counter though; it's internal and covered on both
sides by material. To evaluate a shoe's heel counter you will need
to feel it. Press on the heel counter with your thumb or finger. If
you can flatten it out, like in the example below, then no matter
what other support elements the shoe may have, it probably isn't going
to give your feet much support. If you are experiencing or commonly
experience foot, ankle or knee problems then you should consider trying
shoes with firm heel counters. |
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| This shoe
by New Balance (above) is a light training shoe. It is not meant to
offer a lot of support and it doesn't. The heel cup is reinforced
with a heel counter but it is very thin and flexiable so it doesn't
give much support. If you need more support try to avoid shoes with
soft heel counters like this one. |
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| The heel cup
on this Saucony GRID Stabil (above) is so solid that it can't be bent
at all. This is the result a thick plastic heel counter that extends
out far into the shoe and around the heel. This is a great example
of a maximum support shoe. Two other good examples are the Asics "Gel
MC Pluss" and the Brooks "Beast". |
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