If you have several pairs of running shoes or other sports shoes odds are that when you purchased them comfort and style were your most important selection standards. Again consider that about twenty-five p.c of runners need some kind of specialized shoe that's linked to their foot type, you may benefit from knowing your foot type before you buy your next pair of running shoes. Runner's Feet come in all shapes and sizes, but their structure tends to be divided into the following classes.
Common Foot Types
Flat Feet Your foot is flat if you have no plain arch and your footprint is totally visible with no inward curve between the giant toe and heel.
High Arches High arches are straightforward to identify. There is a clear arch between the heel and the ball of the foot. If your footprint has an enormous curve with a thin outer edge, or perhaps an honest to goodness opening between the ball and the heel, you have a high arch.
Neutral Foot Type A neutral foot type is neither flat-footed or high-arched. Your footprint will have a little inward curve of not more than an inch.
Overpronators Overpronators tend to roll inward from heel strike to take off during every walk. Those who pronate frequently need more stable running shoes.
Supinators Supinators tend to roll outward from heel strike to take off during every stride and need a flexible, cushioned shoe to soak up road shock while running.
the best way to identify Your Foot Type To discover your foot type you can do the footprint test and take a look at the the outline of your foot shape. For more images see www.about.com's running guide which offers a helpful visual guide for judging your foot type with the footprint test.
To determine your foot type at home, you can have a look at the bottoms of your current running shoes. The placement of the wear can show you whether you land on the heels, roll in or out or have a neutral foot strike.
You can also drop in at a local running shoe store and talk with the running experts. Many running stores now offer foot type research where you run across a computerized surface or run on a machine while they video tape your foot motion during running.
Next, put your shoes on a level surface and look at them from behind. If the wear is on the outside of the heels, you may be a supinator, and roll to the outside. This is even rather more likely if you have high arches. In this situation, you may gain benefit from shoes that have good cushioning and shock assimilation. If the wear is on the inside of the heels, you likely need a more stable shoe to keep from pronating, or rolling inward as you run.
The Five Shoe Types There are five shoe types and what you purchase depends upon your foot type and training wants
Stability Shoes A good mix of cushioning, support and sturdiness. Choose these shoes if you are of average weight and do not have any dreadful pronation or supination, but do need support and good durability.
Motion-Control Shoes These are the most rigid, durable, control-oriented trainers that reduce overpronation. Purchase these shoes if you overpronate, you wear orthotics and need a stable shoe, or you have flat feet.
Light-weight training Shoes The lightest of the training shoes designed for fast paced training or racing. Select these shoes if you haven't any motion-control Problems and are a fast, efficient runner.
Cushioned Shoes The are the most cushioned shoes with the least support. Select these shoes if you underpronate, have a stiff foot ( high arch ) and don't need any additional support.
Trail Shoes These shoes offer the best traction, with stability and durability. Purchase these shoes if you run off-road or in inclement weather and need extra traction, harder uppers and a thicker soled shoe.
