Supportive running shoes

Elle7

I've got a bad under gait (I think that's what its called) where my arches are non existant, and when I run I get a lot of ankle pain. I've been told I need some very supportive shoes to correct this, but does anyone have any recommendations?

It feels like I'm looking for a needle in a haystack, and my ankles hurt so much now! :eek:

jenniewb

Is what your saying is that you have an over pronation or fallen arches/flat feet? These are two similar things but are actually different, would require different shoes or even orthopedic insoles, are you able to speak to the person you got the 'diagnosis' from and see what they say?

If your after trainers for an over pronation, your looking for 'maximum support' trainers which will have support along the insides of the foot so your feet cannot roll in. Many trainer brands make these but only particular types will suit your feet and depending on the severity of your pronation as some are worse then others, will suit certain types of trainer above others. I over pronate, my options are limited as I need the most support going. I wear Asics Foundation trainers, other options for me would be the Evolution range from Asics of the Nike Equalon. If I had not as sevear a pronation my options would be wider as a medium pronation needing support but less support is the most common pronation type so I'd go back to the person who told you about your pronation and ask for suggestions. If you self diagnosed I'd suggest going to a runners store and seeing what they offer after they do a gait check. Branches of Runners Need for example will do this as will many other trainer stores.

If your looking for day to day shoes, as yet I am unable to find any such shoes and this is a pain as I need trainers with support also- I have been 'lucky' though in that I now have shin splints as a result and have to wear orthopedic insoles to correct things. This means I cannot wear things like flip flops again (unless I go without insoles and so worsen my problems) but does mean I can wear other shoe types. You can get over the counter orthopedic insoles but they are about £30 depending on where you get them, again, get professional advice on what you need to get or you could be making an expensive mistake!

Elle7

Over pronation is written on the note she gave me, but I forgot what it meant

Thank you so much for the advice, I'll check out the shoes you've mentioned. I've had insoles and my feet cast to make specialist insoles, but so far nothing has made a difference at all.

I'll check out the Asics Foundation trainers and Nike Equalon Evolution range too. I really appreciate the advice!

I'll also contact my doctor to get more insoles, and see if they help. I can't wear flipflops either, it hurts too much to walk in them. I hate feet! :rotfl:

Thanks again x

Edit: Is it just me, or is it impossible to find anything on the Nike website? :S

love_potion

Depending on the advice from your GP/ physio/ podiatrist, like jenniewb, I would recommend you go to a specialised running shop where they can do a gait analysis and recommend some trainers to suit your feet. The different brands have quite a different fit and that may help you as much as the arch support you mentioned.

If you do overpronate, 'motion control' and 'stability' are the type that they may recommend. On the other hand, I have quite low arches and just was recommended a 'neutral' pair of trainers which I put my NHS custom othotics in. I'm not much of a runner, but for going to the gym and even for everyday walking around, this is really comfy.

In summer I find that for me, Birkenstocks are the best kind of open shoes to wear, but I know that not everyone gets on well with them!

Good luck, as I know from recent experience how horrible it is to have painful feet.

heretolearn_2

I have terrible over-pronation and my feet really hurt if I do much. I have a terrific pair of trainers that I can wear for hours as they support me properly - they came from Clarks. They are those sort of slip on trainers if you know what I mean.

murphydog999

Just to agree with the others and to say stay away from 'standard' sports shops. Don't know if you are anywhere near Portsmouth but there is a superb runners shop there (sorry can't remember name). The staff are so knowledgable, have all the latest technology and are runners themselves. If you are keen to keep fit and don't want problems in later life, this is really the best way to go.

jenniewb

Elle7 wrote: »

Over pronation is written on the note she gave me, but I forgot what it meant

Thank you so much for the advice, I'll check out the shoes you've mentioned. I've had insoles and my feet cast to make specialist insoles, but so far nothing has made a difference at all.

I'll check out the Asics Foundation trainers and Nike Equalon Evolution range too. I really appreciate the advice!

I'll also contact my doctor to get more insoles, and see if they help. I can't wear flipflops either, it hurts too much to walk in them. I hate feet! :rotfl:

Thanks again x

Edit: Is it just me, or is it impossible to find anything on the Nike website? :S

You can get them on the Nike website but please don't: get then checked first by a professional store, you could be risking greater problems, trust me on that- the last thing you want is to be recovering from an injury caused because you didn't want to get thigs checked and fitted first. Once you've done this a few times and know what to look for then by all means shop online but I seriously wouldn't recommend it the first time, especially not if your correcting an already diagnosed issue.

Be aware though that there are varying types of over pronation, please please please get yourself gait checked with the trainers and get them fitted, don't just go getting a pair off the net: if you chose wrong you could end up with all sorts of injuries. There are many sports stores and running stores that will do this for you for free its just making the time to do it, takes about 10 mins max.


You have an issue, you don't yet have an injury, be very careful or you could end up with both and trust me, calf and back injuries don't heal at all fast and can be very painful!

Elle7

Ah okay, I'll avoid online buying then.

My problem is I'm really struggling to find somewhere to have my gait analysed. I'm around Warwickshire, I know there is a place in Stratford but they seemed confused and didn't have very much choice.

Does anyone know of anywhere round here? I really want some supportive shoes, who knew it'd be so complicated?!

melancholly

i got some in a shop where they made me run, showed me the video of my feet and then let me try various trainers on the running machine to see what felt comfortable (which was unexpected or i would have worn a sports bra!!). had a google and are any of these close enough to you?

http://www.coventryrunner.co.uk/gait_analysis.asp
http://www.warwicksportsshop.co.uk/about_us.php
http://www.runaroundsports.co.uk/content/aboutus
http://www.birminghamrunner.com/

jenniewb

Elle7 wrote: »

Ah okay, I'll avoid online buying then.

My problem is I'm really struggling to find somewhere to have my gait analysed. I'm around Warwickshire, I know there is a place in Stratford but they seemed confused and didn't have very much choice.

Does anyone know of anywhere round here? I really want some supportive shoes, who knew it'd be so complicated?!

What your looking for is a store which offers "gait analysis" and most of the time (but not all the time!) its runners stores which offer this.

My geography is rubbish so I wont pretend to know where the best place to go in your area is (however if your visiting London...) but check out the Runners World website, they have a long list of links on the right hand side, some are websites some are stores and if they have a branch near you quite often they will offer gait analysis. Most of the time stores which offer gait analysis, (eg runners need) do know their stuff and you can quiz them on problems you've had.

Otherwise ask for insoles which support you from your doctor, see if you can get an appointment with someone who can tell you what to look for in an insole if your shopping yourself, sometimes pharmacies offer podiatry advice and these people would also be good to speak to on getting the correct type/enough support for your pronation. Its virtually impossible to know and check yourself as its often viewed when fitting you, from many angles and most importantl from being directly behind you. Even with a mirror no one I know at least has a neck which swivels 180 degrees and then 5 foot downwards!

Humphrey10

I've got fallen arches (I think that is the right term but I'm not sure - the arches are there if I stand on tip toes, but when standing normally my feet roll inward meaning the arches disappear) and I've always had insoles from the hospital, ever since I was a child, I couldn't wear shoes without them it's too uncomfortable. Strangely having bare feet is not as uncomfortable as wearing shoes with no insoles, I've no idea why that happens.

To make the insoles, they take molds of my feet then make custom insoles, so I'd assume that ones from a shop wouldn't be as good?

With the insoles, they lift my heels up slightly, meaning it's very hard to find shoes that fit - my heels slip out of most of them. The only trainers I've found that are 'deep' enough to stop my heels slipping out are Nike air force one trainers. Most types of ankle boots are also OK.