Looking for running shoe recommendations from people who suffer from over pronation. I was born flat-footed but my parents out me through orthopedics to develop and arch. It worked cosmetically though from doing two “fittings” at running stores its easy to see that the arches collapse once I step forward. I’ve bought a couple of shoes from said store recommendations and done a few sessions of PT to strengthen my leg muscles, however I still struggle to run without pain in my calf/shin regions. So, slowtwitchers, which shoes have worked for you?
I used to wear the Mizuno motion control ones several years ago (can’t remember what they were called) and really liked them but my issues were excess weight and running with poor form.
I use Mizuno as well. I find their wave system only gives you as much pronation support as you need. I’s had pretty bad luck with any other brand of shoe that I’ve tried. Been using Mizuno for 3 years now and have been good ever since.
I am flat footed and over pronate. I was advised by a running shoe store to wear stability shoes. I tried that and hated it.
Now I run in neutral shoes. I’ve been comfy in Nike Frees, Mayflys, etc.
I think the best approach is just try some shoes, and don’t make any assumptions about what you should need based on how you pronate. Just try, run, if you like it, keep running in it.
what jackmott said.
I have probably the flattest feet in the world. I was plagued with calf and knee pain, then I changed my stride (was a heel striker, modified to midfoot) and slowed down intensity wise, and that seemed to help. Of course, my back has been forked for the last couple of years, so I haven’t tried to run in that time.
On shoes, less arch support tends to be better for me. shoes which have any kind of an “arch support” just dig into the bottom of my feet and will often result in bruising. The heftier racing flats are the most comfortable for me.
I am flat footed and over pronate. I was advised by a running shoe store to wear stability shoes. I tried that and hated it.
Now I run in neutral shoes. I’ve been comfy in Nike Frees, Mayflys, etc.
I think the best approach is just try some shoes, and don’t make any assumptions about what you should need based on how you pronate. Just try, run, if you like it, keep running in it.
This^. Run in shoes you like and feel comfortable in. Your injuries are more than likely caused by overuse or possibly over-striding. I was sold the stability gimmick for years until I finally broke free and now can run marathon mileage in a racing flat. You just need to slowly ease into it. Happy holidays!
how long have you been running ? shin pain is not typical of overpronation, rather it is part of the early adaptations to running… maybe try a couple of weeks of walking every 5-10min of the run. The problem is the heart/lungs adapt faster to training than the musculoskeletal system so it’s easy to run into injuries in the first few months of running…
Running and overpronating since 1975, the Hoka One One Bondi is both the most cushioned and the most stable shoe I’ve ever run in, recommend it. Boulder Running Company has last year’s model on sale for $103 and free shipping,
http://www.boulderrunningcompany.com/on-sale.html?manufacturer=2436
I have a collapsed arch in one foot only. I ran in motion control shoes for years because I thought I “needed” them, despite the fact that in my one bad foot I would get massive, ungodly blisters on my arch. I guess my arch was trying to flatten out and rubbing against the arch support in the shoes and causing the problem.
Eventually I had a stress fracture issue and sought the help of a sports MD, and he recommended neutral shoes with an insole called Superfeet. I think the green or orange ones were what he recommended. They give you some support, and it turns out to be just what I needed, and my runs have been a lot more comfortable since then. It’s hard to believe it took a good 12 years of running to figure that one out.
I am flat footed and over pronate. I was advised by a running shoe store to wear stability shoes. I tried that and hated it.
Now I run in neutral shoes. I’ve been comfy in Nike Frees, Mayflys, etc.
I think the best approach is just try some shoes, and don’t make any assumptions about what you should need based on how you pronate. Just try, run, if you like it, keep running in it.
^^This again. In my experience, every salesperson in every running/shoe store I’ve ever been in is trained to guide you towards shoes that “correct” your pronation. For years I was told to buy shoes with some medial support because I “slightly” overpronated. The reality is that everyone pronates to some extent, and most of us don’t need our shoes to correct it.
When I thought I needed pronation control shoes I ran in the Asics kakayano. I taught myself how to run more on the balls of my feet, limiting a significant overpronation and in the process actually raised my arches.
I now run in pretty neutral shoes.
My tip is to go to the running store and try a few pairs of shoes to find weekdays comfortable for you. I wouldn’t buy something online because it worked for someone else. The good running stores nearby may let you return the shoe if you try it and it’s not working for you.
My experiences mirror what many others have said. When standing or walking I’m flat footed and “over-pronate”, now, that has nothing to do with what my feet do when actually running (i’ve never been observed by the proper equipment), but I’ve been pushed orthotics and supportive footwear all my running life. Instead, I wear neutral shoes ranging in stack from 9 to 22mm tall.
Not sure how much control you need, but the Brooks Pure Cadence has served me well for years. If the distance is 13.1 or less, the Saucony Fastwitch is a good shoe for me too. Both are for mild pronation control.
Sad, but true. The majority of shoe stores, or those that provide shoe recommendations, have little training on - or have thought critically- on the need for pronation or what constitutes the correct amount.
However, left to their own solutions, most of us try form changes, trends on shoe design, and single solution answers to a complex problem.
Bottom line, consumers have to be much more critical of those giving the advice or shoe recommendation, and those providing the recommendation need to think of ways to do it (shoe fit/run form) better. In jackmott’s case, I’d be willing to bet that he has a visually flat foot, with some rear-foot eversion, and an arch that is probably very stable. In that scenario, 9 times out of 10 the one giving the shoe recommendation would be wrong. Injury-to-the-runner wrong. The 1 out of 10 would probably be dumb luck.
I bought Newtons… problem solved.
From a person that has seen a few feet in their day, I will take an opposing view as the OP is reporting pain/injury. Yes, flat arched people can successfully wear neutral shoes, but that doesn’t become a blanket statement as shoes can alter mechanics (positively and negatively). Its the prescription that is the problem; as the static position/posture of the foot is not a good proxy for footwear needs.
You appear to be doing the right things, but a little mechanical help may assist you as you adapt. A shoe recommendation from your post is a stretch as there are just too many variables and assessments that need to happen, however, there are a few low risk options that I have found useful without seeing someone. ! would pass this by your PT as well.
Consider an OTC orthotic such as:
http://www.aetrex.com/lynco-sports-series-l420-orthotics/
or the 425 if you want some transfer arch support in your forefoot. These are not rigid, but offer a slight (~2 degree) medial post to bring some relief to the posterior tib and soleus. They can be placed in neutral shoes as well. I have tested these insoles in a gait lab and indeed verified a slight reduction in pronation torque (calcaneal eversion) with controlled conditions; speed, cadence, footwear… even in midfoot strikers. No I do not work for or sell Aetrex.
They do tend to “pack” over time/use and I would suggest a new pair every 2 pairs of shoes.
BTW, there is an assumption in most corrective orthotics and footwear that you actually load the area that has the correction. In most cases, be it an orthotic with posting or a stability/motion control shoe, the “correction” is in the rear of the shoe/insole so their value to a forefoot striker is lost. There are some exceptions to this if indeed you are more of a midfoot/forefoot striker/loader.
Cheers!
I found Saucony Hurricanes work for me. Saucony Rides are ok but don’t seem to last very long. New Balance were ok (can’t remember the model #) but didn’t seem to last as long. I figured out what worked thru trial and error and have no idea if I am a “overpronator” or not. Now that I have figured out what works for me, I get worried when they “upgrade” the shoe every year.
If I even look at a pair of Nike, I get terrible shin splints.
Absolutely neutral shoes.
Thanks for all the input. So far I’ve tried newton Gravity with the blue superfeet inserts, last year hokas, some brooks (can’t recall model) and neither has really worked. I will look more indepth into some of the advice from above (posting this from the beach in Acapulco hehe) and hopefully find a solution soon. Thanks and merry Christmas.