The Shoe Tests

How do you know if you are buying a good shoe?
Picking the proper shoe for your foot and gait pattern is imperative for the avid runner. This can be determined with a thorough gait analysis here at the clinic.  Once your gait pattern is determined the proper platform of running shoe can be recommended.  Additionally, there are several tests that must be performed to the shoe, prior to buying it, to determine you are getting a well made shoe.         
 
They are as follows: 

#1 Test the midfoot of the shoe (flexion of the shoe).
To determine that the sole of the shoe is well made you must test its rigidity.  Take the shoe and attempt to fold it in half length wise. As pictured to the left, if you can fold the shoe right in half, it is not well made. The shoe should feel rigid and bend only at the "ball of the foot" region.


















#2 Test the torsion of the shoe (Torsional Rigidity).
When testing the torsional rigidity of the shoe you simply attempt to twist the shoe like a dish rag.  If you are able to ring it out completely (second picture on left) then it is not a well made running shoe.  There should be solid rigidity and it should be difficult to twist the shoe at all (first picture on left).

















#3 Test the heel counter of the shoe.
This is accomplished by doing the pinch test. There are two components to this test; first you should attempt to squeeze the heel of the shoe from either side (picture left top), second place your thumb on the back of the heel counter and attempt to fold it into the shoe (picture left bottom).  For both tests there should be little to no give while pinching.  If you can squeeze your fingers together or push the heel of the shoe right down then it is probably not a well made shoe.











#4 The shelf test.
Lastly you want to place the shoe on a flat surface and inspect the heels of the shoe from behind.  From the center point of the sole to the center point of the top of the heel should be a straight line (picture left top).  If this line is deviated inwards or outwards the shoe is not well proportioned (picture left bottom).

*Whether you are a recreational runner or a marathon runner, finding the proper shoe and a well made shoe is imperative to the health of your body and performance.  Next time you buy a pair a shoes try these 4 simple tests and make sure they pass each one.


-Dr. Paul Merlino,DC