What's a good running shoe for flat-footed people?

[b0mbrman]

Yeah, I've got flat feet and I like running...a lot...mostly on pavement

What would be a good shoe for me?

Repost-checked (Flat, running, shoe)

 

[PsychoAndy]

i think rockport makes some kickass shoes, my feet arent really flat flat, but flat enough to a point where i could use some arch support

 

[Ameesh]

running from the coppers hippie?

 

[MazerRackham]

I think New Balance makes the best running shoes on the planet. You can get them in different widths as well, which is something that many people have never experienced (they just shove their big feet, if they have them, in to shoes that are too small). I am also pretty sure that NB has running shoes specific for people that are flat-footed as well.

 

[vi edit]

If you are flat footed, there's a very good chance that you are an over-pronator. Pronating means that your feet tend rock to the inside and you put a lot of pressure on the inside of your foot, your arch, and inner heel.

You'll want a motion control and stability shoe. Examples are the Nike Structure, the Brooks Beast, and the Asics MC or Foundation III. Mizuno also makes some pretty good motion control/stability shoes as well.

 

[b0mbrman]

<< running from the coppers hippie? >>


Heh heh.

No, me and the other hippies are running away from these guys trying to give us a bath

 

[beat mania]

The best solution is just to get a pair of arch support. But I heard they are expensive. Good thing my insurance covers it

I don't think any shoes would have a pad that can support your feet as well as arch support, and when your feet is flat you're putting weight on the wrong places causing you to tire more rapidly.

 

[vi edit]

The worse thing a person can do to their feet (and ultimately to their entire body) is to buy a pair of shoes that works against them.

If you are a supinator and buy a pair of shoes for an overpronator you will put serious stress on your arch and will give yourself a serious case of tendonitis in your lower legs.

If you are a pronator and buy a pair of shoes for a supinator, you will once again, put serious stress on your arch and will actually start hurting your knees, hips, and lower back.

Your best bet is to go to a specialty running shop, not footlocker or the finish line, and have a shoe specialist observe your running form and take a measurement of your foot. They can tell which way your natural tendency is to roll (in or out) and then make a recommendation for you. Many of them will do this service for free, charge you less for shoes, and actually provide you with service after the sale. They also tend to be locally owned, so you are supporting local businesses as well.

The last thing you want to do to your feet is to put them into the wrong shoes.

 

[loup garou]

<< I am also pretty sure that NB has running shoes specific for people that are flat-footed as well. >>


Yeah, NB makes running shoes for pronators that should suit b0mbrman fine. Here are some.

EDIT: vi's advice is sound. That is exactly what you need to do....I used to buy my shoes from a local place called Phidippides, and they knew exactly what I needed.

 

[b0mbrman]

Hmmm...when I run, I feel pain mostly on the outer edge of my feet and my big toes...

 

[vi edit]

When you say "pain" in your toes and the edge of your feet, can you be a bit more descriptive? Is it a dull, throbbing pain that is constant? Is it a searing pain that only happens when you put pressure on your feet? Does it only happen when you run? Does it happend the entire length of your run?

 

[littlezipp]

Newbalance and Asics... Handsdown the best.
Nike sucks, Adidas are ok, and Reeboks are for 12yr olds.
Those are all the brands I have used for a season or more for running, but the Newbalances and Asics are the ones I keep going back to.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
When you say "pain" in your toes and the edge of your feet, can you be a bit more descriptive? Is it a dull, throbbing pain that is constant? Is it a searing pain that only happens when you put pressure on your feet? Does it only happen when you run? Does it happend the entire length of your run?

Hmmm...my big toes hurt the most...I run every day and they always seem to be pretty heavily calloused

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman
Hmmm...my big toes hurt the most...I run every day and they always seem to be pretty heavily calloused

As someone who shares the flatfoot problem, I also reccomend New Balence. I don't share the big toe pain though, but I've met plenty of woman who have. 99.9999% of time it's because they are wearing too small of a size. When's the last time you had your feet mesured?

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: b0mbrman
Hmmm...my big toes hurt the most...I run every day and they always seem to be pretty heavily calloused

As someone who shares the flatfoot problem, I also reccomend New Balence. I don't share the big toe pain though, but I've met plenty of woman who have. 99.9999% of time it's because they are wearing too small of a size. When's the last time you had your feet mesured?

Have them measured every time I buy shoes

 

[Muadib]

You might want to see a doctor then. I did last year, and found out that I had a bone spur in my heel. He gave my a list of things to try,
and changing my shoe brand was first on the list. Do a search on bone spur if you want information overload. Good luck my fellow flatfoot!

 

[bizmark]

good thread. Thanks vi_edit for the info.

It's funny though how these things can affect you. One pair of shoes that I had (I forget the brand) when I was running a lot caused a pain on the inside of my calves. Not a pain per se, but more like a muscle soreness, that just got worse every time I ran. I think I'm a supinator (that means turning the top of the foot outward, right?), and my shoes at the time didn't help.

 

[b0mbrman]

I have the worst feet I've ever seen...I'm surprised I can run at all