Asics
at
Runnersworld
(Rayners Lane, Middlesex)
0208 868 7057
Determine
your foot type so you can find a shoe with fit characteristics
that meet your feet and biomechanical needs.
A simple way of finding out your foot type is to take
the Wet Foot Test to determine what shoe shape
you should look for.
The
Wet Foot Test
This is quite a simple test that can be done at home.
All you have to do is wet your feet and stand on a surface
that will leave a visible footprint. Your footprint
should fall into one of three categories.
Flat Feet This
type of print looks like the whole sole of the
foot is in contact with the ground. The low arch
in this foot type is usually associated with overpronation
and this is when the foot strikes on the outside
of the heel and rolls inwards too far. If this
is allowed to continue it can cause many different
types of injury.
Best
Shoes
Motion-control shoes with firm midsoles and control
features that reduce the degree of pronation.
Stay
away from highly cushioned, curved-lasted
shoes that lack stability and control.
Normal Feet This
footprint is the most common and suggests that
you do not have any special requirements. Your
feet will have an average sized arch and show
the forefoot and heel connected by an even broad
band.
The motion of a normal foot lands on the outside
of the heel and rolls inwards a small amount to
absorb the shock. This would suggest that you
are biomechanically efficient and can use any
shoe you want to. As motion control shoes tend
to be more expensive and heavier you might want
to discount these shoes from your list.
Best
Shoes
Shoes with moderate control features such as a
two-density midsole.
High Arched Feet This
is the least common of the three types of feet.
The print shows that the band connecting the forefoot
and the heel to be very thin or even non-existant.
If you have feet like this then it tends to indicate
that you underpronate (supinate) and are not very
effective as a shock absorber. It is recommended
that you only go for cushioned, neutral shoes
without any motion or stability properties.
