As controversy persists in the claims of barefoot running versus modernized running shoe in gaining advantage over injury prevention in running. Though literature goes on saying ill fitted shoes can cause foot problems like onychocryptosis, hyperidrosis, bromidrosis, hallux Valgus, hallux varus, arch collapse and the like. No studies have exclusively tested the correlation of shoe components to the occurrence of foot defects, deformities and diseases in endurance runners. 77 middle and long distance shod runners were chosen for this study to be screened for their various foot defects, deformities and diseases with validated tools. Bivariate non parametric test used to correlate shoe components to foot disorders. In the result shoe upper material made up of mesh correlated negatively with foot deformities. Shoe outer material made up of plastic correlated positively with foot defects r=0.35 and heelforefoot height difference above 3cm correlated positively r=0.23 with foot defects. When shoe fixation components correlated, board lasting type had shown positive correlation of r=0.36 to occurrence of foot defects and positive correlation with foot deformities. Combination type had shown negative correlation with foot defects and also with foot deformities. Forefoot flexion point at proximal to first MTP joint correlated negatively with the occurrence of foot deformities (r=-.24) and forefoot flexion point at distal to first MTP joint correlated positively with foot defects (r=0.19). Shoes with fair motion control exhibited negative correlation to foot defects and medially tilted upper exhibited positive correlation (r=0.26). Shoes with no midsole wear pattern (MSWP) exhibited negative correlation to foot deformity and medially tilted wear pattern positive correlated. Shoes with normal way of outer sole wear pattern (OSWP) exhibited positive correlation to foot diseases and laterally worn OSWP exhibited positive correlation to foot deformities. All these variables discussed here have shown statistical significance.
