Get
Straight on Shoe Shape
Did
you ever think about the shape of your foot? You should! Knowing
the shape will help you find the right running shoe for you.
One
of the most basic attributes of a shoe is the shape of the last
(the three-dimensional model, or pattern, on which the sole is cut).
There are straight, semi-curved, and curved lasts, based on surveys
of many feet. Some shoe companies try to appeal to specific audiences.
Saucony, for example, cuts its last with a wider toe box and narrower
heel than most shoes, to conform to a typical woman's foot. Each
company uses one or two basic lasts for all their shoes. If you
have a preference for a particular brand of shoe, it's probably
partly because the shape of their last works well with the shape
of your foot.
To
determine the shape of your foot, stand on a sheet of paper and
trace the outline of each foot. Draw a straight line bisecting your
heel, from your heel to your toes (see diagrams). If the line runs
through your first two toes you have a fairly straight foot. The
farther away from the big toe it runs, the more curved your foot
is.
The
shape of the last is one of the important motion control features
of a shoe. A curved last encourages the inward movement of pronation.
Therefore, this is a bad choice for an overpronator. A straight
last gets in the way of that inward motion, inhibiting excessive
pronation, which makes a straight lasted shoe a good selection for
an overpronator.
The
shape of the last also determines if you have enough room for your
longest toe to push forward naturally during each step. For instance,
a curved shoe on a straight foot can push your toes uncomfortably
into each other. You may want to hold a tracing of your foot up
to the shoe you're considering to see how well the curvature matches.
In
addition to the shape of the last there are many other motion control
features, so you should be able to find a comfortable shoe appropriate
for your needs.
Volume
15, Number 11, Running & FitNews
© The American Running Association.
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