The simple way to Choose the Best Running and Athletic Shoes

If you have many pairs of jogging shoes or other sports shoes chances are that when you bought them comfort and style were your main selection factors. Again consider that about twenty-five p.c of runners need some type of specialized shoe that's linked to their foot type, you may gain benefit from knowing your foot type before you purchase your next pair of running shoes. Feet come in all shapes and sizes, but their structure has a tendency to get divided into the following categories.

Common Foot Types

Flat Feet
Your foot is flat if you have no obvious arch and your footprint is totally plain with no inward curve between the huge toe and heel.

High Arches
High arches are easy to identify. There is a clear arch between the heel and the ball of the foot. If your footprint has a massive curve with a thin outer edge, or perhaps a real opening between the ball and the heel, you've got a high arch.

Neutral Foot Type
A neutral foot type is neither flat-footed or high-arched. Your footprint will have a tiny inward curve of not more than an inch.

Overpronators
Overpronators tend to roll inward from heel strike to take off during every walk. Those who pronate often need more steady shoes.

Supinators
Supinators tend to roll outward from heel strike to take off during each walk and need a flexible, cushioned shoe to absorb road shock while running.

How to identify Your Foot Type
To identify your foot type you may do the footprint test and have a look at the the pattern of your foot shape. For more images see www.about.com's running guide which offers a helpful visual guide for deciding your foot type with the footprint test.

To determine your foot type at home, you can take a look at the soles of your current jogging shoes. The location of the wear can tell you whether you land on the heels, roll in or out or have a neutral foot strike.

You can also visit a local running shoe store and talk with the running experts. Many running stores now offer foot type research where you run across a computerized surface or run on a treadmill while they video tape your foot motion during running.

Next, place your shoes on a level surface and view them from behind. If the wear is on the outside of the heels, you could be a supinator, and roll to the outside. This is even much more likely if you have high arches. In this situation, you may benefit from shoes that have good cushioning and shock assimilation. If the wear is on the inside of the heels, you likely need a more stable shoe to keep from pronating, or rolling inward as you run.

The Five Shoe Types
There are basically 5 shoe types and what you purchase will depend upon your foot type and coaching wants

Stability Shoes
A good blend of cushioning, support and durability. Choose these shoes if you are of average weight and don't have any serious pronation or supination, but do need support and good sturdiness.

Motion-Control Shoes
These are the most rigid, durable, control-oriented running shoes that limit overpronation. Buy these shoes if you overpronate, you wear orthotics and want a stable shoe, or you have flat feet.

Lightweight coaching Shoes
The lightest of the training shoes designed for fast-paced coaching or racing. Purchase these shoes if you don't have any motion-control issues and are a fast, efficient runner.

Cushioned Shoes
The most cushioned shoes with the least support. Purchase these shoes if you underpronate, have a rigid foot ( high arch ) and do not need any additional support.

Trail Shoes
These shoes offer the best traction, with both stability and sturdiness. Purchase these shoes if you run off-road or in inclement weather and need additional traction, harder uppers and a thicker soled shoe.

More fitness and jogging shoes advice at new balance outlet here