Finding the right running shoes can be a daunting task. With an incredible variety of shoes to buy, how can you figure out what style and brand fit your foot type? Follow these simple steps next time you shop for shoes at your favorite online ASICS sales in Australia.
Step 1: Know your Foot Type
You need to know what your foot type is before you buy shoes. Why? Your foot type determines which style of shoe you buy. What are the primary foot types?
Low Arch
If your foot has a low arch, this means that you roll your foot to the inside when your foot strikes the ground. The formal term is overpronation. You can do a quick “wet foot” test to see if you have a low arch. Stand on wet sand or dirt for a minute. Then step away. If your footprint shows almost your entire foot, you have a low arch.
Flat Foot
You might have flat feet if you have almost no arch whatsoever. If you do the wet sand test above and the imprint shows your entire foot with no arch, then you have flat feet. The arches of your foot collapsed. When you run, your entire foot comes into contact with the ground. The bones may fuse in unusual ways. Flat feet can cause some pain and may need physical therapy.
Neutral Foot Position
Proper pronation, or your strike pattern, should result with the outside heel striking the ground first then moving up to the bottom of your foot. If your foot imprint with the wet test results in a footprint that has a distinct curve connecting your heel and toe, then you probably have a neutral foot pattern.
High Arch
People with high arch have underpronation or supination. Their foot rolls on the outside excessively. The resultant footprint has a huge curve. There might not be any connection, or little connection, between the ball of the foot and heel.
Step 2: Find the Right Shoe for Your Foot Type Online
You might ask, “How do I choose a workout shoe?” Now that you know your foot type, you can determine what kind of shoe you need. If you have a low arch or flat feet, opt for a motion control shoe. Someone with only mild overpronation (or a medium arch) might find a stability shoe provides the most support. A neutral running shoe fits those with a neutral or proper gait best. If you have a high arch, choose a neutral cushioning shoe.
When buying your shoes online, carefully choose the right shoe. You want to select the correct shoe size. Avoid buying shoes that you don’t like or are the wrong type just because of a sale. You need to choose a shoe that fits your unique foot type for good foot health.
If you have difficulty determining which shoe is best, contact customer service, explain what type of shoe you need, and they will direct you to brands that have those types. Thankfully you usually can type in a few key terms like “neutral cushion sneaker” to find the right kind of shoe for you.
Read the reviews. Choose sneakers that have a high number of great reviews and ratings. Avoid shoes that have low ratings or have consistent complaints about durability. You might want to talk with your coach, trainer, or medical professional for shoe recommendations. They might have specific brands or styles that work best for your foot type and gait.
Step 3: How Do Your Shoes Feel?
After your shoes come in the mail, try them out. Shoes should fit correctly right away. While a shoe might need a little “breaking in,” there should not be any pain or clear discomfort when you try your shoe. You want room for your toes and enough width and “wiggle room.” Be sure that the shoe is not too loose. You don’t want to sprain your ankle due to a loose shoe accidentally. You’ve done the hard work. Enjoy your new footwear!