Buying the correct running shoe is very important, it can help prevent injury, improve running style and make you look good! Everyone is different, so what is a great trainer for one person may be a poor choice for someone else.

Using the “Wet Foot Test” is a great way to get a basic idea of the type of shoe you need without having a full running style or gait analysis.

Wet the sole of your foot with water and then stand on a surface which will clearly show your footprint (a piece of cardboard works great). From your footprint you will be able to identify the best type of running shoe to get you started. There are 3 categories, Cushioned, Stability and Motion; match your print with the diagrams below to work out which style of running shoe you need.

leggit have teamed up with Wiggle, the online running shop, to give you some expert tips on choosing the right trainers for you.

Cushioned If your footprint looks like this image, with a narrow band or sometimes no band at all between the forefoot and heal, then a cushioned shoe will best for you. It provides plenty of flexibility and foot movement, great if you have rigid feet.
Stability If your foot print looks like this diagram, with a medium band flaring towards the heal, then a Stability shoe will be best for you. It provides a mixture of moderate cushioning and stability. This is considered the “Normal” foot.
Motion If your footprint looks like this image, clearly showing the whole of your sole, then a motion shoe will best suit you. It provides added support and helps prevent your heal from rolling inwards (pronate) too much.

• Shop for Stability Shoes
• Shop for Motion Shoes
• Shop for Cushion Shoes