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THE RIGHT SHOE
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Basic Foot Types
Flat Foot/Pronated
- The foot strikes on the outside of the heel and rolls inward excessively
- Many types of overuse injuries are associated with this foot type
- About 60% of the population have pronated feet
High-Arched Foot/Supinated
- The foot is rigid, doesn't pronate (roll inward) enough and is not an effective shock absorber
- About 30% of the population have supinated feet
Neutral/Ideal foot
- You land on the outside of your heel, then roll inward slightly to absorb shock
- If you are of normal weight, you are considered the most biomechanically sound type of runner
- Only about 10% of the population has neutral/ideal feet
The "Wet Test"
1. Get your foot wet
2. Then step on a surface, such as a sidewalk or a piece of dark construction paper, which will show an imprint of your foot
3. The characteristics of the imprint will determine your foot type
- High-Arched Foot/Supinated
- Your feet are supinated if there is a large open area on the imprint where the arch of your foot didn't touch the ground
- Flat Foot/ Pronated
- Your feet are pronated if a complete impression of your foot can be seen
- Neutral/ Ideal
- Your feet are neutral/ideal if a moderate space is visible in the arch area
If you are Flat Foot/Pronated:
- Look for a straight or semi-curved last for stability and maximum support for the inside of the foot
- Look for features like a medial post (a stiff material on the inner side of the shoe) to help reduce overpronation or rolling in
- Look for a dense, durable polyurethane midsole for moderate cushioning and greater stability
- Look for a carbon rubber outsole for greater durability
If you are High-Arched Foot/Supinated:
- Look for a semi-curved or curved last to encourage foot motion
- You are not likely to need any additional medial support
- Look for an EVA or compressed EVA midsole, which will provide the softest cushioning and the lightest weight
- Look for a softer, lighter outsole with a greater flexibility
- Some shoes combine heavier, more durable carbon rubber in the heel area with lightweight blown rubber in the forefoot to make the shoe more flexible
If you are Neutral/Ideal:
- Look for a straight or semi-curved last
- Although you probably don't have any major motion-control problems, you may want to consider a shoe with a medial post for motion control. A medial post is a stiff material on the inner side of the shoe to help reduce overpronation or rolling in.
- Look for a shoe with moderate cushioning, such as a 2-density midsole. The blend of EVA's lightweight cushioning and polyurethane's density and durability offers a nice mix of cushioning and stability.
- Look for a durable carbon rubber outsole or an
outsole that combines carbon rubber with a lighter weight, softer blown
rubber in the forefoot
- from fogdog sports -
Alcatraz Challenge Aquathlon and Swim, San Francisco
set for June 26, 05. for more information or to enter
click on the link above.
