How to Choose the Right Athletic Shoes

If You’re a Pronator...

Look for: Shoes that are a contrasting color (often gray) near the arch. This indicates the presence of a dense material that provides reinforcement to keep the arches from collapsing. The shoes tend to be fairly stiff and will flex only near the toe area. The added support can sometimes give these sneakers a boxy appearance, says Luke Rowe, a vice president of the sneaker retailer Fleet Feet.

Shoes for cross training: A wide toe box allows for comfortable lateral movement.

Shoes for running: Stabilizing roll bars help protect arches.