What is Pronation & Do You Need Stability Shoes?

Pronation is a process that we hear a lot about within the running community. Usually referenced negatively, pronation is actually a perfectly natural process that is critical for helping our bodies absorb the forces of striking the ground. While running or walking, our arches collapse inward when our feet hit the ground, distributing the energy of the impact safely throughout the body. This collapsing of the arch is what we refer to as pronation. Although pronation is necessary for running, it can occur at vastly different levels in each runner, the extremes of which can be problematic.

The degree to which someone pronates can have a tremendous effect on their ability to run comfortably, as well as the overall health of their bodies. With this guide, we'll try to provide a deeper understanding of the different levels of pronation and its effects on the body.

Runners whose arches barely collapse are referred to as supinators, while those whose arches collapse excessively are called overpronators. If your arch collapses within a normal range, then you are said to be a neutral runner. As you can see by the visual below, the level at which someone pronates has a major influence on how the foot and ankle (left foot in the photo) progress through the gait cycle. Unfortunately, the excessive collapse of the arch (overpronation) can lead to the development of pain and discomfort in other parts of the body: like the ankles, Achilles tendons, shins, outside knee, outer hip, arches, and heel.

Understanding your body's unique running mechanics and identifying your foot's level of pronation can be very important to your training success, as well as your health. Simple tests like the Wear Test or the Wet Foot Test are effective ways to get insight into how your foot and ankle move, but the most effective way to diagnose your foot's pronation level is to have a specialist analyze your gait. Running Warehouse offers expert gait analysis from the comfort of your home. All you need to do is follow the link below and submit a short 15-20 second video. A footwear specialist will then analyze your foot and ankle to diagnose the level at which you pronate. No matter what test you use to evaluate your feet, it is always good to grow a deeper knowledge of your body's unique movement patterns. With this information, you can better craft your personal training program and prehab/rehab exercises, as well as purchase the proper equipment (shoes) to accommodate your body's needs and stay healthy throughout all your training.

The Wear Test is the easiest way to determine your level of pronation. To do this, you will need a pair of running shoes that you've already run in fairly extensively. Simply look at the bottom of the shoe and see where the most wear is.

The Wet Foot Test allows you to determine pronation by looking at your footprint. To do this, wet your foot and then step onto a piece of cardboard. Then match your footprint to the corresponding level of pronation, as shown in the graphic below.

Don't let overpronation keep you from the activities that you enjoy! There are many steps you can take to address overpronation and avoid the common injuries associated with it. By strengthening your feet, improving your running efficiency, using the appropriate footwear, and promoting recovery, you can keep your feet happy and healthy.

Many runners suffer from the effects of overpronation, but there are a lot of things runners can do to help mitigate the discomfort created by this mechanical inefficiency. Targeted muscle activation and mobility exercises can help correct overpronation and reduce the loading forces on the body at ground impact. These exercises can improve the efficiency of your gait and help you feel more comfortable while you run. Hip CARS, Clamshells, Lateral Band Walks, Glute Bridges, Calf/Ankle Raises, and Lunges are all exercises that can help prevent or alleviate pain caused by overpronation. Also, training smaller muscle groups in the foot and performing Short Foot exercises can help strengthen the arch to prevent it from collapsing at excessive levels (overpronating) while running.

Along with corrective exercises, one of the best ways to avoid the discomforts caused by overpronation is by wearing the correct type of shoes to meet your specific needs. Neutral runners and those who supinate may be comfortable in nearly any kind of shoe, but overpronators can benefit greatly from wearing a shoe with added stability. Stability running shoes contain special features that prevent the arch and ankle from rolling excessively inward, thus avoiding potential pain and injury. There are numerous types of stability shoes featuring various midsole technologies that offer anywhere from minimal to maximal support. To help guide you to the correct stability shoe for your specific level of pronation, check out our article on Best Stability Shoes.

Incorporating a corrective insole can be another great way to help alleviate the pain caused by either overpronation or flat feet. These insoles offer anatomical arch support to help align the foot and body. Individuals dealing with overpronation will benefit from the stability offered by the arch support, whereas those with flat feet will encounter reduced foot and arch strain, courtesy of the realignment facilitated by the insoles. Insoles can be a great option for those who want to add extra stability to existing footwear. Our guide on how to choose an insole for running can help you find the best insole for your needs.

Recovery shoes can be another helpful tool in the fight against overpronation. Brands like HOKA ONE ONE, Deckers Lab, and Birkenstock all make recovery footwear that can be useful when trying to avoid the pains caused by overpronation. Birkenstock recovery sandals apply an active recovery approach, which can help strengthen the foot while simultaneously promoting the recovery of the foot. On the other hand, HOKA and Deckers Lab focus more on providing protective cushioning to help relieve stress on the foot post-run. Again, recovery footwear will not magically cure the effects of overpronation, but it can certainly be another valuable tool that can benefit excessive pronators who need as much help they can get.