Select the Best Running Shoes for Your Foot Type

Running Shoes are built with such a variety of features, how can anyone decifer which footwear are best for their feet? Don't worry there is a shoe for you and it is important that you find the right technical runner that is built for your foot type. Foot types are broadly categorized into three types and knowing the characteristics and understanding what foot type you are will help you to choose from Motion Control Runners, Cushioned Runners and Stability Runners.

You need to wear motion controlled runners if you have a flat foot. Flat feet usually strike on the outside of the heel and roll inward. The name for this is overpronating. Overpronating can cause a variety of over-use injuries. Runners who overpronate usually have very flexible feet and motion control runners provide the most rigid, control-oriented of a running shoe. Motion control shoes are typically built on wide stable bases and utilizing "posts" (stiff support pieces). They're designed to slow down or limit extreme inward rolling of the foot and ankle, which can cause injury. The New Balance 815, Nike Footwear Air Stasis or Asics Gel Revolution are an example of a few runners available with motion control.

You need to wear cushioned runners if you have a curved, highly arched foot. The high arched foot is usually supinated or underpronated and rigid. When feet supinate, this means that they roll outward when running. This foot type does not absorb shock as well which potentially can set the stage for ankle problems and stress fractures. Because it doesn’t pronate enough, it’s not usually a good shock absorber. Cushioned footwear have soft midsoles and the least added stability. The focus is solely on cushioning - shock absorption. An example of cushioned footwear is the New Balance 1023, Nike Air Pegasus, Nike Shox 2:45, Mizuno Wave Creation and the Saucony Grid Triumph 2.

And if you have normal feet then you probably have little, if any, motion control problems. Normal feet have a normal sized arch and stability runners are what you need to wear. A normal foot lands on the outside of the heel and rolls inwards slightly to absorb shock. The stability running shoe has moderate control features. They offer good cushioning, support and durability. Stability shoes come in the New Balance 766 856 and 1221, Mizuno Wave Nirvana, Asics Gel Kayano and the Nike Air Storm Beacon.

A pair of runners should only be used for running for approximately 350 - 500 miles. After this, they start to break down and injuries can happen. Your runners will last longer if you wear them only for running and do not machine wash or dry your runners. If a running shoe becomes dirty, hand wash them with commercial shoe care products. If your runners become wet, stick bundled up newspaper inside and they will dry quicker.

Choosing the right pair of footwear can significantly decrease your chances of injury. If you are not sure of what foot type you have, take an old pair of runners into a specialty running store and an experienced sales person should be able to tell your foot type by looking at how the bottom of your old runners are worn. With this information you can then choose your runner type. One last important point: comfort is key, do not let anyone tell you that you must break your runner in, they should feel comfortable from the moment you put them on.