To help you with the purchase of your new running shoes we have organised our shoes into categories

• Neutral running shoes
• Stability running shoes
• Motion Control running Shoes
• Off Road/trail running shoes

You will see the word Pronation , what is pronation ?

As you are running your foot and leg will go through some motion. As your foot approaches impact it will turn outward and become more rigid to prepare for the force of impact. That’s why most people land on the outside edge of the heel. After impact the foot loosens and rolls inward this is called pronation.  Pronation is this natural inward rotation of the foot which allows the foot and body to adapt to surfaces and absorb shock. In most cases the body uses pronation as a shock absorbing mechanism. Following pronation the foot becomes rigid again as the body weight is transferred to the forefoot to allow toe off.

Runners will show three styles of motion.

• Under Pronation/ Supination – rigid and immobile requiring a neutral shoe.
• Neutral Pronation – foot usually has a high arch and requires a neutral shoe.
• Over Pronation – A foot which overpronates creates a severe angle and puts high stress on the joint which controls the rotation of the rear foot. Resulting in excessive inward motion, a low arch (flat footed); depending upon the severity of the overpronation a stability shoe will be required, with the most severest cases requiring a motion control shoe. 

Neutral shoes

These shoes have  excellent shock absorption and are usually built with a semi curved shape and slip last construction.

They are designed to promote normal foot motion, which is helpful for underpronators/supinators. Underpronators have rigid immobile feet and usually a high arch.

Suitable for the efficient runner - who does not overpronate and does not need any extra medial support.

Models include: Asics Nimbus: Saucony Triumph: Nike Pegasus; Brooks Glycerin

Stability Shoes or Structured Cushioning Shoes

This style is for the runner with mild to serious overpronation who does not have any severe motion control issue.  They require a cushioned shoe with some medial support such as Duomax midsole on Asics shoes. These shoes allow the foot to pronate naturally.

The shoe compresses at a slower rate because of the extra support and supports the foot better than a shoe without this reinforcement. Suitable for the average runner who does not have severe motion control problems, who requires a shoe with some medial support.

Models include: Asics GT2140, Asics Kayano,: New Balance 859; Brooks GTS

Motion Control Shoes

These shoes are the most rigid and are designed to control the excessive motion of the foot (or slow the rate at which the runner overpronates). The Foot has a low  arch or flat foot. Features built into the shoe would include a medial post or footbridge to offer support.

Suitable for the excessive over pronator, or the heaver runner who needs durability and control. Model available include : New Balance 1122 ; Brooks Beast.

Racing and Performance Shoes

These are more responsive lighter weight shoes designed for racing or fast paced training. Some models will have medial support.

For racing the models are designed for different distances form 10k to the marathon. Often in this category the choice of shoe is determined by the runners preference and what style they have found perform best for them. Not suitable for the heavier runner.

Models include: Asics Gel Racer.

Off Road Shoes

These shoes are for the runner who runs on/off road and requires extra traction for the off road element of the run.

Shoes feature more durable uppers and outsoles that flex and grip on various terrain. Some models will have medial support.

Fell Shoes

These are lightweight shoes designed for fell running. They feature abrasion resistant materials and flexible outsoles to grip the terrain.

What type of foot do you have ?

Get to know your arches: Do the Wet Test

  

While knowing your pronation pattern is the key to choosing your running shoes, you can’t evaluate it without specialized equipment or appropriate training. However, it is useful to determine what kind of arches you have as this has a direct relationship on how you run and can be a good starting point on figuring out what shoes you require.

 

Arch Types

 

There are three types of arch height. People with a flat foot, or very low arches, tend to overpronate. Conversely people with high arches are more likely to underpronate. If you have normal arches will usually have a normal pronation pattern. The Wet Test is a simple way you have figure what type of arch you have.

 

The Wet Test

1. Fill a basin of water and place a piece of paper beside it. A dark colored paper works best.
2. Stand into the basin and then step out onto the dry paper.
3. Then step off the paper, and have a look at the prints left behind

Understand the prints:

If a print showing almost your foot is left behind, with hardly any curving inwards where you arch is, then you have very low arches or flat feet.

On the other hand, there is a very big curve between the ball of your foot and you heel then you have a high arched foot.

If you foot is somewhere between the two descriptions above, then you have a normal arch: there is slight curve inward but not too much.

See an expert

 

The wet test is a fun test to do to gain a basic idea of what kind of shoes you might need. However it not a basis on which to purchase shoes. It is still possible that while you have normal arches but still overpronate. We advise that when you’re buying new shoes (especially if you are changing models or brands) that you visit a store where staff can perform a gait analysis and use that to make a sound recommendation for your new running shoes

Tips to ensure a good fit