How to Find the Right Running Shoe for You! a Brief Guide

Here is a brief guide on how to find the proper running shoe for your gait. Note, that this is only to point you in the right direction, and a truly accurate fitting should be done with a professional at your local specialty running shoe store!

Step 1:

Remove your shoes and stand comfortably with your feet shoulder-width apart.

Step 2:

Bend your right knee slightly, just far enough to still see your toes. Don’t bend your knee so far that you have to lean into it. It should only be a slight bend.

Step 3:

Make note of where your knee lines up over your toes. Is it slightly to the outside of your big toe? Directly over the top of the big toe? Or is your knee lined up over your other toes?

Step 4:

Repeat on the left foot.

Step 5:

Next, are examples of the most common alignment patterns, and what they say about your alignment.

Step 6:

Are you a moderate to severe over-pronator? Generally, people in this category have what’s known as a “duck-footed” stance, and the knees fall far inside the big toes. You need a high-stability or motion control shoe.

Step 7:

Are you a mild over-pronator? Your knees fall just slightly inside your big toe, and you may not necessarily walk duck-footed. Look for a light stability shoe.

Step 8:

Are you considered neutral? That is, your toes and your knees are in a straight line. Then go for a neutral shoe!

Step 9:

Do you supinate? This means that your knees fall to the outside of your big toe. Then a neutral shoe would work best for you, because they won't force your feet outward, like a stability shoe will. There aren't many shoes designed for this type of gait, because it's not very common. However, Asics neutral shoes I find to be the best for supination control.

Step 10:

Keep in mind that this guide is only designed to point you in the right direction. A visit to your local specialty running shoe store is the best way to find out what type of shoe you need, as there are more factors than those presented here that determine what kind of shoe and brand is best for you!