What is a neutral runner?

The term neutral runner describes a person's pronation, or how their feet strike the ground while they jog, according to Running Shoes Guru. Runners with this pronation hit the pavement with their heel, then while they roll towards the toes, their arch slightly folds inward, absorbing the impact.

The Asics shoe company explains that a person with neutral pronation will have shoe soles that show wear in an S-shaped pattern from the outer heel to the large toe. People with a normal pronation pattern are able to run in a broad variety of shoes, though they should seek custom neutral running shoes that offer extra cushion and support.