NEUTRAL

Figure 1A (right foot)         Figure 1B
 

Neutral shoes are designed for individuals with an efficient step.  Notice Figure1A above and how linear it is.  It has no stress caused by overpronation (the rolling-in motion caused by the flex in the arch as seen in Figure 2A).  Generally, people with no overpronation issues have a higher arch.  Though uncommon, an individual can have lower arches and still not pronate.  The staff at BMRC is able to recognize these types. Neutral shoes do not have the medial support built into them because people of this type are considered biomechanically efficient.  Any addition of medial support could overcompensate and have adverse effects. 

Individuals with overpronation issues should NOT wear neutral shoes because they do not offer the medial support to correct the pronation.  The proper fit of a shoe is completely dependent on an individual's foot type. 

Every brand makes neutral shoes.  Functionally they are a lot alike, however they will fit and feel different due to the method of construction and cushioning systems.  This is why it is important to try several different brands to find the one that suits you best.  The best fit is most often the shoe that feels the most natural. 

*Supination is the most uncommon of all foot types.  Supination is when an individual rolls on the outside of the foot and has extremely high arches (see Figure 4A below).  There is not a shoe that corrects supination, but a wider based neutral shoe would be the best fit for this type.
 

Figure 4A (right foot)

STABILITY

Figure 2A (right foot)           Figure 2B


Stability shoes are designed to recognize individuals with overpronation issues.  Overpronation is more common in individuals with average to lower arches.  It can be described as an "rolling-in" motion as seen in Figure 2A.  Statistically, about 3 in 5 people need stability shoes for corrective issues.  This is the most common foot type. 

Stability shoes correct the pronation by having different densities of rubbers in the sole of the shoes.  These rubbers found along the medial side (the arch area) are significantly firmer that the rubber in the rest of the shoe.  This will support the foot from rolling in and will ultimately work at achieving a neutral step.

There are different levels of stability shoes such as mild to moderate.  It is important when being fitted that we recognize the degree to which you are (or are not) pronating.  We will observe you walk and inspect your arches to do this.

Like neutral shoes, every brand makes a functional stability shoe.  They do vary in some cases with the amount of stability they provide.  BMRC's staff is very familiar with the differences and will be able to put you in an appropriate shoe.  Also, just like overpronators should not wear neutral shoes, nonpronators should not wear stability shoes.  The medial support (arch support) can actually cause adverse effects to a nonpronator.
 

MOTION CONTROL

Figure 3A (right foot)         Figure 3B
 

The motion control shoe is the most supportive type of shoe.  They are designed for individuals who severely overpronate.  Comparing the Figures above, you can see the obvious differences in the foot types (Figure 3A vs. Figure 2A).  Figure 3A "rolls-in" or leans inward much more than Figure 2A.  Most individuals who need motion control shoes also have very flat feet with no evidence of arches at all such as the one shown in Figure 3B.

Like stability shoes, motion control shoes use a firmer, denser rubber to support the medial side (arch side) of the foot.  What makes the motion control shoes so much more supportive however is that they use a lot more of this type of rubber.  This, along with the generally wider base of the shoe, makes the shoe much more supportive.  Think of it like a stability shoe on "steroids."

There is not as large selection in motion control shoes as there is in stability or neutral shoes.  This is because it is the most uncommon foot type of those three.  However, there is still a solid selection to choose from offering maximum support.

Again, it is important to be fitted properly in this shoe.  Certainly a mild pronator would not want to wear this shoe.  People will often ask for "the most supportive shoe" when in reality, they may only need the amount of correction that a basic stability shoe offers.  Motion control shoes also tend to be on the heavier and wider side as they are constructed with a lot of denser fabrications to support the overpronation.