Our Shoe Fit Philosophy
Our goal is to find a shoe for your individual foot and fitness goals. It is important when finding the right shoe to keep in mind that everybody's foot is different and that everybody's running/walking gait cycle is different. We listen to your goals, interests, history and current footwear, and any aches and pains, and take them into consideration when finding the right shoe for you.
The Basics...
If you have a normal arch, you're likely a normal pronator, meaning you'll do best in a stability shoe that offers moderate pronation control. Runners with flat feet normally overpronate, so they do well in a motion-control shoe that controls pronation. High-arched runners typically underpronate, so they do best in a neutral-cushioned shoe that encourages a more natural foot motion.
Generally speaking, an individual will fall somewhere within these three categories:
Flat Feet/Low Arches
Overpronation
As with the "normal pronation" sequence, the outside of the heel makes the initial ground contact. However, the foot rolls inward more than the ideal fifteen percent, which is called "overpronation." This means the foot and ankle have problems stabilizing the body, and shock isn't absorbed as efficiently. At the end of the gait cycle, the front of the foot pushes off the ground using mainly the big toe and second toe, which then must do all the work.
What kind of shoe works best? Usually, if the foot overpronates, "stability" shoes and "motion control" shoes work best to limit excessive pronation.
As with the "normal pronation" sequence, the outside of the heel makes the initial ground contact. However, the foot rolls inward more than the ideal fifteen percent, which is called "overpronation." This means the foot and ankle have problems stabilizing the body, and shock isn't absorbed as efficiently. At the end of the gait cycle, the front of the foot pushes off the ground using mainly the big toe and second toe, which then must do all the work.
What kind of shoe works best? Usually, if the foot overpronates, "stability" shoes and "motion control" shoes work best to limit excessive pronation.
Normal Arches
Normal Pronation
The outside part of the heel makes initial contact with the ground. The foot "rolls" inward about fifteen percent, comes in complete contact with the ground, and can support your body weight without any problem. The rolling in of the foot optimally distributes the forces of impact. This movement is called "pronation," and it's critical to proper shock absorption. At the end of the gait cycle, you push off evenly from the front of the foot.
What kind of shoe works best? If there is a healthy amount of pronation, "stability" shoes and "neutral cushion" shoes work best allow for a natural and healthy amount of pronation.
The outside part of the heel makes initial contact with the ground. The foot "rolls" inward about fifteen percent, comes in complete contact with the ground, and can support your body weight without any problem. The rolling in of the foot optimally distributes the forces of impact. This movement is called "pronation," and it's critical to proper shock absorption. At the end of the gait cycle, you push off evenly from the front of the foot.
What kind of shoe works best? If there is a healthy amount of pronation, "stability" shoes and "neutral cushion" shoes work best allow for a natural and healthy amount of pronation.
High Arches
Underpronation/Supination
Again, the outside of the heel makes initial contact with the ground. But the inward movement of the foot occurs at less than fifteen percent (i.e., there is less rolling in than for those with normal or flat feet). Consequently, forces of impact are concentrated on a smaller area of the foot (the outside part), and are not distributed as efficiently. In the push-off phase, most of the work is done by the smaller toes on the outside of the foot.
What kind of shoe works best? If the foot doesn't absorb shock because there is no pronation, a "neutral cushion" works well to absorb the shock for the foot.
Again, the outside of the heel makes initial contact with the ground. But the inward movement of the foot occurs at less than fifteen percent (i.e., there is less rolling in than for those with normal or flat feet). Consequently, forces of impact are concentrated on a smaller area of the foot (the outside part), and are not distributed as efficiently. In the push-off phase, most of the work is done by the smaller toes on the outside of the foot.
What kind of shoe works best? If the foot doesn't absorb shock because there is no pronation, a "neutral cushion" works well to absorb the shock for the foot.
Other
Minimalist/Forefoot/Natural Running
In this case, shoes that work best are shoes that have no heel counter, minimal medial posting (arch support), have a decreased heel to toe offset at around 5 mm or less (traditional shoes are at 10-14mm on avearage), and are lightweight (usually 2/3 the weight of a traditional shoe).
The shoe is chosen based on feel, previous shoe history, running form, and heel to toe offset. not necessarily on factors that dictate various levels 'stability' or 'correction.'
In this case, shoes that work best are shoes that have no heel counter, minimal medial posting (arch support), have a decreased heel to toe offset at around 5 mm or less (traditional shoes are at 10-14mm on avearage), and are lightweight (usually 2/3 the weight of a traditional shoe).
The shoe is chosen based on feel, previous shoe history, running form, and heel to toe offset. not necessarily on factors that dictate various levels 'stability' or 'correction.'
