When
it comes to running
shoes its essential that
you establish what
'type' of foot you have.
Normal everyday running
shoes fall into one of
three categories -
Neutral Cushioning,
Support and Motion
Control. Most people
fall into the 'Support'
category.
A
simple way of
establishing your shoe
type is to conduct the
'wet test'.
The
Wet Test works on the
basis that the shape of
your wet footprint on a
dry piece of paper
roughly equates to the
amount of stability you
might need in your shoe.
It will show you what
features you should look
for and equip you with
the basic knowledge you
need to make the right
decision.
The Normal
Foot
Normal feet have
a normal-sized
arch and will
leave a wet
footprint that
has a flare, but
shows the
forefoot and
heel connected
by a broad band.
A normal foot
lands on the
outside of the
heel and rolls
inwards slightly
to absorb shock.
It’s the foot of
a runner who is
biomechanically
efficient and
therefore
doesn’t need a
motion control
shoe. The Shoe for
You:
Stability shoes
with moderate
control
features.
The Flat Foot
This has a low
arch and leaves
a print which
looks like the
whole sole of
the foot. It
usually
indicates an
overpronated
foot – one that
strikes on the
outside of the
heel and rolls
inwards (pronates)
excessively.
Over time, this
can cause many
different types
of overuse
injuries. The Shoe for
You: Motion
control shoes,
or high
stability shoes
with firm
midsoles and
control features
that reduce the
degree of
pronation. Stay
away from highly
cushioned,
highly curved
shoes, which
lack stability
features.
The
High-Arched Foot
This leaves a
print showing a
very narrow band
or no band at
all between the
forefoot and the
heel. A curved,
highly arched
foot is
generally
supinated or
underpronated.
Because it
doesn’t pronate
enough, it’s not
usually an
effective shock
absorber. The Shoe for
You:
Cushioned (or
'neutral') shoes
with plenty of
flexibility to
encourage foot
motion. Dont
make the mistake
of buying
support or
motion control
shoes.
mysport.ie
