Can you pronate with high arches?

Question

I have always been a little confused with the relationship between high arches and stability shoes. I clearly have high arches, but have always been advised to go into stability shoes. Looking at wear patterns on my shoes (wear slightly more on the outside), I worry that I should in fact be in something more neutral. This would be more 'normal' for those with high arches I assume.

Does anyone else have high arches and pronate? With high arches, does one assume they should have a shoe with a high arch or does this increase the rigidity of the foot? Should there be support under the arch or best with nothing? I also assume you need a more curved last?

I wouldn't worry so much but plantar fasciitis (and the odd bout of ITB) has caused me lots of grief and not sure what's the cause.

Thanks very much.

Answer 1

im a pronating, high arched, pigeon toe... i would suggest orthotics if you are serious about running. honestly, if you have multiple foot problems shoes will only ease pain, but they won't increase preformance.

you definitely need CUSTOM MOLDED orthotics. don't go to stores like good feet. see a board-certified podiatrist and stay away from anyone who encourages surgery.

Answer 2

i have medium/high arches and i overpronate. i have to have orthodics, and if you do, you can bascially put it in a neutral shoe, and run in that. personally, i love asics shoes. if you can't buy orthodics, you can temporarily tape your arches (sort of like bandaging them), but you have to tape them every single time you run.

What type of runner are you?

- overpronator- outside edge of your heel hits the ground first and your foot continues foward and come toward the arch and push off with your. Most ppl are overpronatros. Normally, ppl w/ flat feet/low arches overpronate. If you wear out your heel easily (like me) then you're an overpronator.

- Supinator (underpronator)- Your heel hits the ground first, but instead of coming toward your arch, you keep going on the outside of your foot and you push off using your 4th and 5th toes. Only 1% of runners are supinators. Supinators have very high arches.

- normal (neutral)- heel hits first and you roll toward the center of your foot.

What type of shoe should I purchase?

Neutral shoes

For neutral & supinators.

Slight stability shoes-

For overpronators who have a slight inward roll with their foot strike. The EVA helps stablize the overpronating in the middle of your shoe. So if you try to twist it, it should be semi-stiff.

Moderate stability shoes-

When overpronaters run inward a LOT. These shoes have more EVA

Motion control shoes-

For Pronators who severely run inward. It has the highest amount of stablitiy These are the heaviest (by couple ounces) of all shoes.