One of our favorite services to provide at Sports Basement is a gait analysis! We offer them at every Sports Basement store for free and it's one of the most fun (and important). Everyone has a different swagger in their stride and finding out what it is can be the difference between the perfect shoe and a painful one. Our in-store service is always available, but here’s one way to find your gait type at home too.

How to Test

One of the best ways to check your gait is to grab a buddy and have them record you as you walk a few feet directly in front of the camera. Make sure you’re barefoot or wearing socks (bonus points if they’re fun socks) while you’re walking.

Now that you’ve got your guide, all you gotta do is match it to the analysis that fits you best.

Overpronation

If your feet seem to roll in on their sides towards each other, then you are likely overpronating. This is often due to having a flat foot so you’ll want to try shoes in the “motion control” and “stability” categories. Over-pronation can lead to injuries on your ankle and shins (like the all-too-familiar shin splints) because your foot strike is putting too much stress on them. You want lots of cushioning and support so be wary when trying on minimal type shoes. They may not have enough support and could cause foot pain after a long walk or run.

Supination

If your foot seems to roll outwards towards your pinky toe when you walk, you are likely supinating (also called under-pronating). You can often blame very high arches for this type of gait which can cause pain in your heel and ankles. Look for shoes that are more flexible but have some cushion to them to reduce the impact of your foot strike.

Neutral

Can’t seem to find any of the above patterns in your walk? Then you likely have a neutral gait. While this type of gait is least prone to injury, it’s still important to get the right type of shoe for your foot. Neutral gaiters can choose from a larger variety of shoes but be careful with those that offer too much cushion or support. While they might feel like a dream, they can actually change your gait and your arch over time because they will be overly supported. Start in the neutral section of our shoe department for your best fit.

Do all of these look the same to you? That's why we've got experts in-store to help! So if you're still not sure which category you fall under, get a second pair of eyes on your strut from our running experts. They'll be able to find what your gait-type is and recommend a few pairs of shoes to try out. Of course, this is far from an exact science and what works for others may not work for you. Your best bet is to try the shoes on yourself and find what fits and feels best. You'll know which one is for you right out of the...gait. (We had to).