You’ll enjoy running more in the right shoes, and to find them you need to know your arch type. Here’s a test from Girls Gotta Move Running Club coach Jenny Hadfield you can do at home: Wet the bottom of one foot and step on a paper towel or brown paper bag; step off and match the shape of the wet mark to one of the illustrations below. Then look for shoes that fit comfortably and are made specifically for your arch.
If your footprint looks like this …
You have a low arch. You’re probably an overpronator (your arches roll inward too much as you run). Support your arch with “motion control” or “stability” shoes.
If your footprint looks like this …
You have a high arch. You’re probably an underpronator (your arches don’t roll inward enough). Look for flexible shoes described as “cushioning.”
If your footprint looks like this …
You have a normal arch. You’re a neutral runner (your foot rolls in just enough) and need shoes with basic stability control, usually called a “neutral” shoe.
Jenny Hadfield is our Girls Gotta Move Running Club coach and a certified personal trainer.
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Comments (2)
You showed graphics of the arch of the foot giving definition of each but failed to recommend shoe companies to match that?
I actually found the best running shoes which I highly recommend, I paid a visit to foot solutions, great store overall. I went and had a free foot screening done I purchased the inserts that were molded specifically for my feet and I realize what a difference it made when I added them to my heels and even my other walking shoes my balance is so much better and it had definitely helped with my back problems. The inserts I have for my running shoes I can actually use in my other shoes which works perfect for me. the best find them is online http://www.footsolutions.com.