Part of finding the right athletic shoe is learning your foot type. Most fall into three main categories: normal, flatfoot, or high arches. This wet test will tell you which type you have and help you choose the right shoe out of the myriad selections in sporting-goods stores. To do the test, wet your feet, then stand on any surface that will leave a mark. Take a look at the imprint.

Normal foot: Your toe bed and heel are connected by a wide band, and there’s a space where your arch curves off the sole. Best shoes: Those made for cushioning and stability, with moderate control.

Flatfoot: Your entire sole, including the arch, leaves an imprint. Because you have a low, flexible arch, your foot rolls inward too much, which can put the knee and hip out of alignment. Best shoes: Motion-control.

High arch: The imprint shows your forefoot and heel connected by a very thin band. High-arched feet do not pronate (turn inward during motion) well and aren’t as efficient at absorbing shock. Best shoes: Cushioned trainers with lots of flexibility.