Updated: May 5th, 2019

There are a few tests commonly used to determine which kind of runner you are and, therefore, which kind of running shoe you should use.

One of these tests is called the Wet Feet Test and it is very simple to do and to understand. The basis of this test is that the wet footstep you leave on the floor while walking is a good indicator on how your foot absorbs the shock of the impact with the floor.

Simply wet your feet and walk over a flat surface, either the floor or a sheet of paper. Now, compare the impression you leave with the three figures here below:

Neutral Pronator

Neutral Pronator

Neutral Pronator:

If your impression looks the most like this one, you are a neutral pronator (20-30% of runners are). You strike the floor with your heel, then while you roll towards the toes, your arch lightly collapse inward absorbing the impact.

Over Pronator

Over Pronator

Over Pronator:

This foot impression looks like the whole sole of the foot. If this is the footstep that most closely resembles yours, then you are an over pronator. This means that the arch of your foot stretches inward too much, not assorbing the shock correctly and exposing you to injuries.

Supinator

Supinator

Under Pronator (Supinator)

Last, this is the foot impression of an under pronator (or supinator as most commonly called). Supinators’ feet don’t flex enough to provide an effective shock absorption during the run, making impact with the floor very hard and surely dangerous.

Whatever your kind of foot is, sport companies over the years have developed footwear technologies that can help. Almost all of them offer different lines of footwear, each one targeting only one of these foot types.

Sports industry has come to a common way to classify this different kind of footwear.

Please check the article here to find out what shoes are made for your foot type!

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