Best Rated Running Shoes - What to look for in your running shoes

The best rated running shoes for you may differ from your neighbor, and this is do to different type of foot mechanics. Most people tend to concentrate on the brand of shoe, and that is not the best way to approach buying shoes. Especially if you will be running in them for miles on end.

You will first need to determine whether of not your foot has a high arch, a normal arch, or whether you are flat footed. You will then need to see how your foot strikes the ground. Do you strike with your heel, mid-foot, or forefoot? Last, but not least, your need to know something about your stride pattern. Do you pronate, supinate, or do you have a neautral stride pattern?

Your may look at these questions and say I haven't the slightest clue. You can use our guide below to help you answer these questions. If not, your local pediatrist will be able to help you determine this. I myself am an overpronator with a smaller arch and heel strike.

Knowing the answer to these questions will help you find the best rated runing shoes for your feet. This will help you maximize your running potential.

Determining the Best Rated Running Shoes for You

What Foot Type Am I

Normal Arch:
The normal arch is the most common foot type as is marked by seeing about half of your arch on the paper. You are lucky because your feet are great for balancing your body weight and you can wear just about any shoe on the market. You may be best suited for stability shoes that provide moderate arch support.

If you want a lighter shoe, you could opt for neautral cushioned shoes without added support or a peformance training shoe that provides some support but are lighter for a faster feel.

Flat Foot (low arch):
If you can see almost your entire foot, then you have a flat foot. This menas you do not absorb shock properly and can be prone to roll your ankles due to a problem in stabilizing your body weight. If your pronationation is mild to moderate, your can use stability shoes or motion-control shoes. These have built in devices that reduce pronation and allow for better support of your body weight. The more severe your pronation and the heavier you are, the firmer your support devices have to be.

High Arch:


If you see the ball and heel of your foot connects by a thin line on the ouside of your foot, then you are an underpronator. This leads to too much shock tarvelling up your legs. Neautral cushioned shoes with softer midsoles are recommended for you. You should not run with a shoe that has a stability device.

What's My Stride Pattern and Foot Strike

Normal pronation:
• The outside section of the heel makes intial contact with the ground.
  
• The foot "rolls" inward about 5% and comes in complete contact with the ground allowing for bodyweight support
  
• The foot rolling inward helps to evenly distribute the force of impact for shock absorption
  
• You push off evenly from the front of youtr foot at the end of your cycle
  
• Foot-strike is neutral. Your feet roll slightly inward the nslightly outward again during the time it is contact with the ground allowing for proper body alignment

Over-pronation:
• The outside section of the heel makes the intial contact with the ground
  
• The foot "rolls" inward more than 5%
  
• The foot and ankle are unable to properly stabilize the body and shock is not absorb efficiently
  
• The foot pushes off unevely using the big toe and second toe at the end of your cycle
  
• Foot-strikes that roll too far inward place the body in poor alignment and increase the risk of running related injuries. You tend to have overly fleible arches and muscle strength imbalances.

Under-pronation (supination):
• The outside heel makes intial contact with the ground
  
• The foot "rolls" inward less than 4%
  
• Forces of impact concentrate on the smaller portion of the foot and are unevenly distributed.
  
• At the end of the cycle, most of the work is done by the smaller toes
  
• Foot-strikes are supinated, with a lack of inward roll. Impact is not well absorbed, increasing your risk of injury.

How Foot-Strike Effects Shoe Selection:

Neutral-strikers:
You can wear any shoe as long as it does not detract from they way your run naturally. Motion control shoes are not recommended.

Over-pronators:
You need a shoe that has the right amount of support to keep your feet from rolling inward. The support of the shoe increase with the firmness of the shoe. This will help to keep your boy properly alligned. If you like softer shoes, you can try replaces the insoles with a more supportive one.

Supinators
Soft and flexible shoes are the way to go for you. Supination is more a problem with shock absorption and is best to have shoes that provide plenty or protection.

Sources: "The Best Shoe For You", Runners World Magazine and "Pronation, Explained", Runners World Magazine.

Hopefully you have learned all your need to know about the best rated running shoes for the mechanics of your foot. Like I said, you may want to talk with a pediatrist to help you determine the best rated running shoes for you.

Pediatraists can help make fitted molds called orthotics to put inside your running shoes to help with stability in pronators. I have these for my shoes and they work great. Unfortunately, not all insurances cover orthotics, but you can call your insurance company and find out.