The Fit Process - Myth Busters
“Myth Busters” BPRC Style...
Famous Myths Related to Proper Footwear Selection
“I’m a Big Guy, therefore I need a shoe with lots of stability and cushioning.”
Not true. All shoes carried by BPRC are designed to match biomechanics and foot characteristics, not body types. Consider the fact that we carry Motion Control shoes that can accommodate a women’s size 6 and Neutral Cushioning shoes that can accommodate a men’s size 17. Our fit process will successfully determine the appropriate footwear category and the appropriate shoes within that category for each individual...regardless of body shape and type.
“The outside of my shoe shows a wear pattern on the outside part of my heel, therefore I tend to underpronate.”
Nope. Wear patterns on the heel give no indication of pronation tendency. Most runners and all walkers strike on their heel during the initial phase of the gait cycle (some runners are forefoot strikers). Instability (over or under pronation) becomes critical at midstance and toe-off, not at heel strike. In fact, nearly all shoes are designed to accommodate impact at the back or outside portion of the heel, by providing additional cushioning in the midsole, more durable rubber on the outsole, and a beveled outsole that is designed to allow for a smoother transition from heel strike to midstance.
“I know I over-pronate because I have a flat arch.”
“I know I under-pronate because I have a high arch.”
Wrong. While it is certainly true that arch type plays a role in determining pronation tendency, it is one of a number of factors, and not the sole factor. Ankle strength and flexibility, as well as overall foot construction (including whether a foot is hyper-mobile or “loose") are important factors as well. Again, the BPRC Fit Process is designed to determine an individual’s true pronation tendency by isolating various stages of the gait cycle while the foot is in motion. Of course, understanding arch type is also a critical part of this process, but more for understanding which shoes will provide the best fit, as opposed to helping us understand pronation tendency.
