Shoe Fit Guide
There are seemingly countless pairs of shoes in the world, but how do you find the one that works best for you? At Skinny Raven we use a tactical approach to fitting shoes, taking into consideration not only size and width, but arch type as well. Arches come in all different heights and lengths and one of the most important aspects of finding a good piece of footwear, is making sure your arches are properly supported.
The Three Foot Types
Flat Foot
The foot strike is on the outside of the heel and typically rolls inward or overpronates.
High - Arched Foot
The arch is high and rigid and typically doesn't roll inward enough(supinates).
Neutral Foot
The foot strike is on the outside of the heel and rolls inward slightly.
Once your arch type is determined, it’s up to us to not only find a shoe that fits your foot well, but also gives your arch the proper support it requires. There are three major categories of running shoes: stability, cushion and motion control.
The Three Shoe Types
Stability - Stability shoes are designed for runners who moderately overpronate and need a bit of support for their arches. Stability shoes have a semi-curved shaped, a dual density midsole, which appears as a different color from the rest of the outsole, and a reinforced-sturdy heel counter. The dual density foam on the inside (or medial part of the shoe) prevents runners feet from rolling in(overpronating). Stability shoes make up the largest category of running footwear, as a majority of runners fall into this category.
Motion Control - Motion control shoes are made for runners that need the maximum amount of support from a shoe. Runners who severely overpronate fall into the motion control category. Motion control shoes have the most dual density foam of any shoe category and thus provide the most pronation control. Motion control shoes are significantly less flexible. The motion control shoe will have a straight shape to it, a dual density midsole, and a rigid heel counter.
Neutral/Cushion - Neutral/Cushion shoes are designed for runners who are neutral or supinate(roll out). Cushion shoes provide the most shock absorption and typically fit runners with high rigid arches. When looking at the bottom of the shoe, the cushion-style shoe has a curved appearance from the heel to the toes. Its midsole will have one continuous color and a softer, flexible heel counter.
