The Secret to Determining Your Foot Type

There are many models of running shoes and each have their own specific design. Each pair are designed for a different purpose and for different types of feet. It's important to choose a running shoe design according to your foot type. Here we will explain how to determine your foot type.

There are three specific foot types. Below we outline the three different kinds of feet commonly seen and the kind of shoes that are appropriate for each of them.

High Arched Feet

In this foot type the arch is very high. It is easy to determine a high arch, however, when uncertain, place your fingers below your arch when your foot is flat on the ground. You should be able to push it more than half way through the breadth of your foot. If you observe your foot prints, it will have a prominent heel and toe mark, but very little in between. The arch is so high that you see very little midfoot at all.

The problem with high arched people is that the foot will tend to under-pronate, which means that the foot will have a tendency to turn outward when you run. When you run long distances, the arches will tend to break a little causing your foot to extend in length. If you are a high arched foot type person, you should look to get shoes that have are in the neutral shoe category.

Low Arch or Flat Feet

Unlike high arched foot types, a low arch foot type are those that have very little arch. The footprint will not look like a normal one but will look a little smudged. Opposite to high arched people, those that are flat footed will most likely over pronate. This means that your feet turn inwards when walking or running.

People with low arches often need orthodics. If you want to go with the branded orthodics, look for ones that give you added support and are on the firm side. Words like "Motion Control" are what you look for in your running shoes.

Average Arch

If you don't have a low arch and you don't have a high arch, then chances are you fall into the normal foot category. Most of us have normal feet, but with varying levels of the arch. Thus if you have a higher arch, go for a more comfortable and neutral shoe, while if you have a negligible arch go for one that gives you a little more support. There are lots models to choose from, so try on many pairs to make sure you get the one that's most comfortable for you.

As a runner, you need to make sure our feet are taken care of. Wearing the wrong runners can and will eventually cause injuries. If it's only a matter of getting the right kind of shoes, take the time to make sure that you do.