Do you know which type of running shoe you need? It depends on your feet and if they pronate, supinate, or are neutral.
What is pronation? Pronation is a part of the natural movement of the body and refers to the way your foot rolls for impact distribution. Knowing your pronation type can be very helpful, especially when looking for a running shoe. Neutral pronators can wear a wider variety of shoes, while underpronators (or supinators) need more cushioning to avoid impact injuries and overpronators should look for a shoe with more support or structured cushioning shoes.
One way to get a basic understanding of your pronation type is by checking wear patterns on your shoes! For underpronators, it’s likely that the outside of your shoe shows the most wear & tear. Neutral pronators’ soles will show wear in an S-shaped patter, from the outer heel to the big toe. For overpronators, there may be extra wear on the inside of the heel and under the ball of the foot.
So what kind of shoe should you buy? With so many shoes out there, that’s why a gait analysis is so important. Yes, looking at a wall full of shoes can be confusing for this very reason. One might be cute or have all the right colors, but it may not be the right one for you. That’s where we come in. Consult with a sales associate at Brown’s Shoe Fit to find your best fit!
