Democratic Dad Blog

Types of Mens Running Shoes

There are three types of mens running shoes. These types are determined by foot type and gait. Running in the wrong type of shoe will lead to pain and injuries.

Determining which type of shoe you need is a simple process that can be done in the comfort of your home. The first thing you need to do is to determine which type of arch your feet have. The best way to figure it out is to get the bottom of your feet wet and make a footprint on a paper. This footprint will show you one of three things; a natural arch, a flat arch or a high arch. The natural arch is reflected in a normal looking footprint. A flat arch will be shown as a footprint without a curve. A high arch will be shown as a footprint that looks like two circles.

Knowing the type of arch you have will determine how you run and what type of mens running shoes you will need. Those with natural arches run with the foot hitting the pavement evenly from front to back with a slight inside roll. Athletes with these type of arches are lucky. They can wear just about any shoe. A stability shoe is a good fit for natural arches.

Athletes with flat arches have a rolling stride. Their foot will significantly roll inward when it hits the ground. A running shoe that prevents this is very important. If this is not fixed, the runner faces severe injury. The best mens running shoe for those with flat arches are a motion control shoe.

A high arch is not a common arch but it can be a problem to many people. A foot with a high arch will not roll at all. The foot will have no way to absorb the impact of the foot hitting the ground. This will put much stress on the outside of the foot and the let. The best type of mens running shoe for this type of arch is a shoe that contains neutral cushioning without added support.

Looking at old running shoes can also determine how you run. The shoes will wear faster in the places where the foot hits the ground. Look at the both the inside and the outside of the shoe. Bring your old running shoes with you to the store to have an employee look at the wear. They will be able to help you determine how you run and which shoe is right for you.