New running shoes for the new year – Know your foot type

Most of us have probably found a brand of shoe that works better for us than another. Since each shoe company uses a different design for the sole this is not surprising, but even within a brand there can be much variability in the support and structure of different styles.  Shoes designed for cross training or hiking need to provide more side to side stability, where those designed for running are focused on energy transferred from heel to toe.  Within the styles of running shoe, we can further look at the amount and type of support to address the motion of your foot.  Pronation, or the motion of pressure from outside heel to the inside ball, can be exaggerated in some individuals.  Because an excessive amount of motion in this manner can cause problems, Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists recommends these shoes based on your foot.  A thorough examination of your feet in our clinic can provide you all the information you need to select the proper footgear.

Foot pain can often be caused simply by the structure of your foot.  The normal foot exhibits an arch on the inside when standing normally.  A foot with a very high arch is cavus, and a foot with no arch, or flat foot, is planus.  Most individuals fall somewhere between these two extremes, but knowing which extreme your trend towards can help you from incurring the aches and pains that can come from putting then in the wrong shoes.   Often the right type of padding or support in the right places will be enough to keep you running, but many options are available to correct painful foot structure through your Austin podiatrist.

In addition to our website, there are a variety of sources out there to help runners with shoe selection.  The American Association of Podiatric Sports Medicine has an extensive list of shoes based on the support they offer as well as other advice for the runner.  The APMA has a webpage devoted entirely to the runner. You can also find a link here to guide your shoe selection based on arch height.