I ran several hundred miles in a pair of Nike Air Cesiums this past year, and really liked them after adjusting to the bizarre feeling (but effective) medial posting. I’ll buy another set soon. I rotated the Nikes with Brooks Addictions, but these are like having bricks strapped to your feet. Any suggestions on a lighter, more flexible shoe for overpronators? I prefer to rotate different brands to vary the stress I put on my feet (seems to help w/ the plantar fascitis in the L foot- comes and goes).
Anything else you overpronators have had success with?
I work at a running store so i’ve tried on lots of shoes. This is a very individual answer for a very individual question, but i LOVE the Asics Gel Foundation VI. i’m on my 3rd pair now.
I needed to size up a half size in this shoe and so have many of the people i’ve sold it to. I’d say that it is still a big ass bulky motion control shoe, but more in size (big foot base) then weight. It’s nothing compared to the Brooks Beast which to me is like an anchor.
If you are looking for light and stiffer, try out some Mizunos. some people love them. Sucks to be flat footed. i might just get proper ortthotics soon so i can finally get some Asics Nimbus. yum.
I generally wear Asics, I just went from a Gel Empire to a DS Trainer. The trainers are light and give just enough support with my orthotics that they work really well. The trainer doesn’t seem to have quite as much cushioning in the toes but just the right about in the heel and in the areas I roll too to make it work for me. Oh and it helps a bit with my PF as well, but that’s probably just the orthotics.
I’m a severe overpronator, but I really like shoes with only moderate support. Asics 1100’s are currently my favorites. One of the problems with the motion control shoes is that many of them are too stiff and like to dig into the bit of my foot where most people have an arch, sometimes bad enough that I get bruising.
Depends how seriously you overpronate - I love lots of shoes in the asics range - 2000 series for off season trudging and Gel DS trainers for light footed fast feeling but they both may be a bit flat for you.
Am also using a pair off Mizuno Wave Inspire 2s which are very good and very well made. Toe box is stretchy and roomy but I don’t mind that too much.
Here are the shoes we carry, you’d just try them all on
Mizuno Renegade-Really cut down on weight since the last version…over an ounce
Asics Foundation and Evolution-Good, more “trim” shoe with posting. Evolution has more cushion
Brooks Beast-new version is quite different and slick looking, new midsole material MOGO
Saucony Stabil-Again, new version, not quite as brick like
Brooks Addiction-You tried on and know what you like
Maybe the reason you had problems with the cesium is because it’s not a typical posted shoe. It actually has very little posting with a wedge built into the shoe, with 3 degrees of supination built in.
Just go give a bunch a try on and see which ones feel best, that’s the only way.
Go with Rocketdog’s suggestions. The new Brooks MOGO is quite interesting and a nice improvement for the Beast (and others in their line). I use the Foundation while training and the Nirvana for races. Thats just me & my flat feet. Go with what feels good to you.
I’m a big fan of Mizuno - ran in them for years now. Started in the Renegade, lost some weight, stride changed a bit and now I’m in the Nirvana and have been really happy with the feel. The only thing you have to get used to with Mizuno is that they breath so well that your feet can get cold in the winter and you have to wear slightly thicker socks…guess if thats all I struggle with I’m not doing too badly huh?
Here are the shoes we carry, you’d just try them all on
Mizuno Renegade-Really cut down on weight since the last version…over an ounce
Asics Foundation and Evolution-Good, more “trim” shoe with posting. Evolution has more cushion
Brooks Beast-new version is quite different and slick looking, new midsole material MOGO
Saucony Stabil-Again, new version, not quite as brick like
Brooks Addiction-You tried on and know what you like
Maybe the reason you had problems with the cesium is because it’s not a typical posted shoe. It actually has very little posting with a wedge built into the shoe, with 3 degrees of supination built in.
Just go give a bunch a try on and see which ones feel best, that’s the only way.
I actually really like the Cesiums- held up well and felt good. Beasts were my 1st motion control shoe- used when I was a 200# powerlifter in the Army. I’m down to 169 now, going 5-8# lower every year til I hit 160 or so. With the weight in mind, should I look @ Beasts? Is there much difference between the shoes made for medium and large frame runners now? Thinking of giving the Foundations or Grid Stabils a shot…
Most of the “heavy duty” type shoes I don’t like (i.e. Brooks Beast, ASICS Gel MC Plus/foundation, etc.). The just don’t “ride” very nice. I usually put people (assuming they are under, say 195 lbs.) in a decent neutral shoe (DS Trainer, Wave Precision) with some slight stability then a good, custom orthotic if they really need that much help (most runners do not). You get the same control then, lighter weight, and much more natural “ride” than without all the built up heel/external medial posting.
Is it just me or are we overlooking the obvious (usually just me). Have you had your feet looked at and cast for custom orthotics? This will open up a whole new world of shoes for you. Comming from the strength and conditioning world this is the first thing to check. This will correct problems all the way up the kinetic chain.
Nike Air Cesiums. They’re very different, and I imagine some folks won’t be able to stand them. If they work for you, though, they’re the lightest stability shoes around. (They work great for me.)
All of the shoes you mention are great shoes…we sell most of them, plus a few others.
We have had really good feedback on the updated Stabil and Beast. Also, the latest Addiction is a lot more flexible and lighter than the previous version. The Adrenaline also works well for some pretty severe over-pronators if the posting is in the right place for them.
I have had great results putting people who normally wear motion control shoes into the NB 857. It has a ton of control and, while bulky, is less so than your average MC shoes.
Like you said…go in and try them all on. If your running store doesn’t encourage you to try everything on, spend as much time in each pair as needed and make an informed decision, it is time to find a new store. Heck, we send folks out to run around the parking lot if it will help them select the proper shoe.
