I am a Medium Arch, Over-Pronator, Cushion + foot type and therefore wear Stability + shoes based on my mileage. So what the heck does that mean? I’ll break it down so you’ll be able to impress your non-running buddies.
First, determine your Arch Type. The easiest way is the “wet foot test”. After getting out of the shower make a foot print on the floor. If your print is skinny, you have a high arch. If the print is wide, then you have a low arch or flat foot. If the print is in between, consider yourself a medium arch.
Next, look at the bottom of an old pair of running shoes. The part that is most worn will indicate your Foot Pronation? On my shoes, the outside heel and inside toe are definitely the most worn. This would indicate that I Over-Pronate (roll from the outside heel to the inside toe). If you are an Under-Pronator you would have almost no roll inside. And if you have a Normal Pronation your foot rolls slightly in (15 degrees is normal).
Lastly, how much do you run in a week and what is your body frame like? I’m roughly 175 lb. and I try to get 25+ miles in a week (lately, not so much!). Therefore, I need more Cushioning than someone who weighs 150 lb. and only runs 10 miles.
Add it all up and I’m a Medium Arch, Over-Pronator, and Cushion + foot type.
Bonus: some running specific stores (The Runner’s Flat or Running Wild) will do this for you.
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