Have you heard of the old shoe test? It’s as simple as taking a pair you’ve worn a lot, turning them over and looking at the sole. Your old shoes say a lot about how you walk, and at Semedi Podiatry, in El Corte Inglés in Málaga, we explain how to read that clue without mistaking it for a diagnosis.
How to do the old shoe test at home
You don’t need anything beyond the shoes you already have. Find a well-worn pair, turn them upside down and look at where the sole has worn most. That wear is the trace your way of placing your foot leaves, step by step, over months.
Look especially at three areas: the inner edge, the outer edge and the outer part of the heel. That’s where the information you’re after is.
What the sole says about your gait
Depending on where the wear is concentrated, the old shoe test points towards one type of gait or another:
- Wear on the inner edge. Your foot may roll inwards when you step. This is known as pronation.
- Wear on the outer edge. Your foot may roll outwards. In this case it’s called supination.
- Even wear, with a little more on the outer part of the heel. This usually indicates a neutral gait.
Note the wording: «may» and «usually». The old shoe test gives you a pointer, not a certainty.
A clue, not a diagnosis
The sole gives you a first idea of how you walk, and that’s already useful for starting to pay attention to your feet. But a clue isn’t a diagnosis. To know for sure there’s the gait analysis, assessed by a podiatrist in the clinic.
If you want to know what it involves, we explain it in our article on gait analysis in Málaga. And if what worries you is the state of your sports shoes, here are the signs that it’s time to change your running shoes.
From the old shoe test to the podiatry clinic
If you’ve done the old shoe test and it’s left you with questions, the next step is to have a professional look at it. Book your podiatry appointment at Semedi by calling 952 395 363. You’ll find us on the 1st floor of El Corte Inglés in Málaga.
Frequently asked questions
Does it work with almost new shoes?
Not really. The old shoe test works when the shoes have had plenty of use, because wear needs time to show on the sole. With a pair you’ve only just started wearing you’ll barely see any difference.
Where is Semedi’s podiatry clinic?
At Semedi Salud, on the 1st floor of El Corte Inglés in Málaga. You can book an appointment on 952 395 363.
