Finding The Best Shoes For Overpronation. All You Need To Know
When it comes to running or otherwise walking around all day, you probably tend to be on your feet a lot. From running a few miles each day to doing chores around the house, you use your feet and lower body a lot to support yourself as you do all of these things. As a result, you have probably developed excellent definition in your legs and feet, and subsequently you are proud of them.
That said, being on your feet all day requires some solid shoes in order to hold you up not only comfortably, but also healthily. After all, wearing improper shoes can set you up for discomfort, and perhaps even lead to potential injuries that can be quite painful (e.g. plantar faciitis, hammertoe and bunions, etc.). Hence, if you want to be able to continue going about on your feet during the day in a comfortable matter, then you will need to take really good care of your feet, which means having good shoes to support you.
Especially if you tend to overpronate, i.e. flat-footed, then you will need to take extra care of yourself to ensure a healthy, happy foot. One way is to get good shoes for them, but how do you do that? We are here to help! Read on to learn more in this article on finding the best shoes for overpronation. We will give you the tips and tricks to help you out, as well as our top shoe picks to get you started. Soon enough, you will on your way to doing the things you love in no time.
Without further ado, let’s get right down to it!
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Types of foot pronation
Before we go ahead and discuss shoes to buy, it is necessary to take a step back and address just what pronation is, as well as the different types out there in the world.
In essence, pronation refers to how your feet strikes the ground whenever you are in motion, from walking to running to hiking. It is a matter of looking at how your feet moves, which more often than not starts from the heel before rolling over the arch (middle of the foot) all the way to the ball-of-foot and toes, the latter which pushes you off as you advance forward.
No two individuals have the same mannerism of walking or running, although pronation can be grouped into three, general ways of doing so:
1. Underpronation.
Also known as supination, this type of foot pronation happens when the foot tends to roll out when running, thereby causing extra pressure on the ankle to compensate for it. While it is not as commonly seen in runners and walkers compared with overpronation, underpronation can still be a problem.
One way to check to see if you underpronate is by doing a “Wet Test,” in which you submerge your foot in water and imprint it on a piece of brown paper towel. If the outline yields a minimal arch in the center, then that means you most likely underpronate, as well as have a high arch to begin with.
2. Overpronation.
Image via blogstatic.decathlon.in
On the other hand, overpronation refers to when the foot rolls inward, thereby tending to wear down the inner parts of the shoe faster than the outer ones. Doing this can more likely than not lead to knee and joint injuries, since those areas try to make up for the improper mechanics of walking and running like that.
To figure out if you are an overpronator, take the Wet Test as mentioned above. If your foot’s imprint shoes a heavy outline of your arch in the middle (especially the inner side of your foot), then you are an overpronator. Not only that, but also you are prone to flat feet.
3. Normal pronation.
Compared with underpronators and overpronators, those with normal pronation are rare to come by. In essence, they tend to have the ideal way of walking or running, with neither too little nor too much pronation that could otherwise cause problems with the body’s mechanics. Those who have normal pronation risk less while also effectively going about their day with less discomfort and more pleasure!
Things to consider before purchasing shoes for overpronation
Now that you know a bit about pronation, you will need to consider just what you need to look for in your ideal shoe. Whether you choose to go for casual footwear or athletic shoes, having overpronated feet will be your guide to finding the best pair that will suit your needs, not only perfectly, but also in the long run.
That being said, here are just a few things to look into before purchasing your shoes for overpronation:
1. Size and shape.
Might seem like common sense to you, but you might be surprised to realize that many people end up getting the wrong shoe size and shape. As a result, it causes problems with walking, even running, along with discomfort and chances of injury.
That said, it is important that careful steps are taken to ensure that you get the right fit for your shoe. It is simply a matter of measuring your bare foot with a foot measurement, then going half-a-size to a full-size up to ensure that there is enough breathing room in the toe box. As for shape, it is just knowing whether your feet are naturally wide or narrow, so that you can pick the right pair which neither squeezes in too tightly or clunky with too much space, respectively.
2. Arch type.
As mentioned in the previous section, knowing your arch type is essential to figuring out just how your feet work, i.e. how they move when you walk or run.
We discussed that having a high arch is closely associated with underpronation, in which the foot rolls outward that creates extra pressure for the ankle, whereas having a low arch (aka “flat feet”) causes the foot to roll inward and putting stress on the knees and joints- a medium, or “normal,” arch, is ideal.
For some more ideas on arch types and pronation, check out this article here.
Again, taking the extra time to perform a quick self-diagnosis through the “Wet Test” is extremely helpful; your body will thank you for it later on. From there, you can go about choosing the best pair to wear, that will give you protection, support, and comfort.
3. Breathability and support.
Just like with any shoe out there, having a pair which offers breathable features is the way to go- after all, you would not want your feet to get hot and stuffy inside, right?
In fact, most shoes that are meant for standing and walking on all day (e.g. tennis shoes, trainers) have what is called a mesh upper, which consists of mini-holes in the fabric that creates improved airflow and circulation throughout the shoe, inside and out. Not only does it keep your feet cool from the heat, but also dry from sweat.
As for support, it is a matter of seeing whether the shoe has shock absorbency, especially if you tend to heel strike, as many underpronators do. While the heel drop does not necessarily need to be super high, having a little bit of cushion can go a long way in keeping your feet in good health, even with a lot of beating going on. In addition, if it has an insole-replacement feature, then that is even better!
Related post : How To Choose The Most Comfortable Running Shoes
4. Durability.
Finally, this refers to the material that the shoe is made out of, along with whether it can stand up to the test of lasting long (or not). Good shoes are not made from just one type of material, for that tends to wear out within days of moderate use; instead, they are made from a combination to ensure both rigidity and flexibility, cushion and minimalist protection, and so forth.
That being said, an example of a good, durable shoe would be one that is made out of rubber, cloth, and polyurethane, which then contributes to both a flexible and tough-as-nails kind of shoe, which is surely guaranteed to last you a solid few months, if not a year, depending on how far and how intense you go.
For some more information on getting and trying on overpronation shoes, feel free to check out this video here:
Top 6 best shoes for overpronation for men & women.
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*Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
+ Top 3 For Men
With a shaft measuring 2.75 inches from the arch, ASICS Men’s GT 1000 4 running shoe offers just the right amount of heel-to-toe gap for correcting your overpronation, all the while not sacrificing anything for comfort. Not only that, but also it offers rearfoot and forefoot GEL cushioning Duo max support, so that your feet are protected all over when striking the ground.
Pros
- Offers a shaft of 2.75 inches.
- Provides rearfoot and forefoot GEL cushioning Duo max support.
- Excellent for mild to moderate overpronators.
Cons
- Can be quite clunky to wear.
Opinion
ASICS Men’s GT 1000 4 running shoe was quite comfortable thanks to its supportive rearfoot and forefoot GEL cushioning, along with a reasonable shaft height that was neither too much nor too little for holding my feet up. Granted, the only downside was that it was a bit heavy, if not clunky, to put on and manage, which was a mild inconvenience.
Providing the perfect amount of mesh upper for the ultimate breathability, Brooks Men’s Adrenaline GTS 16 helps your feet stay cool and dry, even through the sweatiest of workouts. Aside from that, it is made from rubber sole, which offers enough durability to last a long time while on the road. It is USA-manufactured, which gives it all the more reason to buy it!
Pros
- Provides great mesh upper for breathability.
- Made from rubber sole for durability.
- Is USA-manufactured.
Cons
- Not as durable as expected.
Opinion
After trying these on, I set about putting them to good use for running and walking. I really enjoyed how breathable it was; not once did I feel gross and sweaty inside the shoe. I have been able to appreciate my workouts more, thanks to the excellent job of keeping my feet happy. Unfortunately, durability is less to be desired, for it wore out within a span of a couple of months.
Made from a combination of synthetic, nylon, and rubber, Saucony Men’s Omni 13 running shoe is the perfect blend of flexibility and durability to keep you happy when on your feet. In addition, it comes with RunDry moisture wicking lining and HydraMAX wicking collar, as means of keeping your feet nice and dry even while sweating. Finally, its ComfortLite sockliner can be easily removed and replaced with the appropriate insole for you, to ensure maximum comfort and support.
Pros
- Made from synthetic, nylon, and rubber.
- Has moisture-wicking features like RunDry and HydraMAX.
- Contains a ComfortLite sockliner for easy removal and replacement.
Cons
- Shoe can be too narrow of a fit for some people.
Opinion
This pair from Saucony was wonderfully flexible and durable when I first tried them on. Even better, its moisture-wicking features gave me a cool and dry experience that I will not forget. The removable sockliner was a plus, since my arches tend to be quite particular and I need special orthotics anyway. The shoe is on the narrow side, which might bother some people, but my feet are narrow to begin with, so I had no problem.
+ Top 3 For Women
Offering relief for moderate to severe overpronation, New Balance Women’s W940V2 running shoe has forefoot flex grooves, along with N2 low-to-the-ground cushioning to ensure a flexible and corrective shoe to wear, respectively. Besides supporting your feet as you walk or run, it also heals them. That makes for a worthwhile shoe to look into!
Pros
- Offers relief for moderate to severe overpronation.
- Has forefoot flex grooves for a flexible shoe.
- Contains N2 low-to-the-ground cushioning for corrective work.
Cons
- Toebox is too roomy, so not as stable.
Opinion
New Balance Women’s running shoe proved to be ideal for me, since I have a moderately-severe case of overpronation. Slipping them on, I felt instant relief from the forefoot flex grooves, and the cushioning, while minimal, helps correct my stride in the process. My only gripe is that the toebox is too spacious, which tends to make my toes slip and slide inside of the shoe as I am running.
Light and secured, Saucony Women’s Hurricane 16 running shoe is neither too clunky nor too loose, thereby making it a solid candidate for wearing the next time you are up on your feet. Aside from that, it has newly-added flex grooves, along with a distinctive mesh upper, to ensure that your feet moves around with ease, all the while staying cool and dry, respectively.
Pros
- Light and secured for all activities.
- Has newly-added flex grooves.
- Consists of a mesh upper for breathability.
Cons
- Can make the feet ache after a while.
Opinion
Saucony Women’s Hurricane 16 running shoe was so light that I felt like I was walking on clouds! Loved the flex grooves and mesh upper, which helped keep me comfortable even during a long, sweaty run. I have also used it for walking, but unfortunately, it has made my feet ache after using them for too long, which is a downside to it.
ASICS Women’s GEL-Nimbus 16 running shoe aims for an all-around excellent shoe experience, as seen through its numerous features. From its lace-up FluidFit mesh upper to its supportive heel-clutching system, this particular brand item is sure to keep you not only comfortable, but also stabilized even through the toughest of terrains. It also assists in correcting overpronation, particularly through its 2.49-inch shaft drop, so that you can keep on doing what you love and healing the process.
Pros
- Has a lace-up FluidFit mesh upper.
- Consists of a supportive heel-clutching system.
- Has a gait-enhancing Impact Guidance System.
Cons
- Tends to have less cushion than expected.
Opinion
Upon receiving the ASICS Women’s GEL-Nimbus 16 running shoe, I slipped them on and was out the door in no time. So far, I have found it to be pretty good at helping with my overpronation, as it has a gait-enhancing Impact Guidance System for correcting my stride every time. Not only that, but also I feel more stable having the heel-clutching system, so that I do not slip on wet surfaces as much anymore. My only issue is that there could be more cushion, for I think my feet needs it to feel more comfortable.
Winner of the Roundup
Overall, the winner of this roundup goes to Saucony Men's Omni 13 Running Shoe (#3). With all-around features (breathability, flexibility, durability), it is the ultimate shoe for helping with overpronation. It is worth the investment, should you go for it!
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References
https://help-en-us.nike.com/app/answer/article/pronation-overpronation-supination/a_id/879
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