What shoe to wear with orthotics?

Can anyone please advise?  I used to wear Adidas Supernova motion control which were brilliant for my overpronation.  The new season (now a couple of seasons ago) shoe was dreadful; nothing like its predecessors! 

 To cut a long story short, I now have orthotics (rigid, half length) for my shoes that I wear both during the day and in my running shoes.  However, I now need to buy a new pair of running shoes that takes account of the orthotics - no point in me getting a motion control pair, as this is what the orthotics now deal with, but when I look at the cushioning shoes, they seem to lean towards those who need no control at all; almost towards those with high arches.  Equally, it seems that a stability shoe would be overcorrecting my overpronation too much with the orthotics. 

Can anyone guide me to a decent ladies' long distance running shoe that might fit?!

Thanks!

Comments

  • I don't know if my case is similar to yours, but I have achilles tendonitis and was referred to a podiatrist who fit me up with a moulded rigid half length orthotic for my day shoes.  For my trainers, however, he said that I wouldn't need the same support (possibly because of the suport built into the trainer), so he cut me to size one of the green 'superfeet' orthotics and replaced the trainer's insole with the superfeet one, meaning that there was no change to the comfort of the trainer but that my feet were adequately supported.

    The trainer I have is a Saucony Omni 6 for stability.  Obviously, I don't know whether it would be as good for you.  The trainer itself was recommended by the podiatrist - perhaps yours can do the same?

  • Hi Moo,

    I was in a very similar situation to you and was prescribed orthotics by my physio, so I went to a specialist running shop with my orthotics - they were really helpful and, a dozen try-ons later, I had a pair of shoes that were suitable to wear with my orthotics. So I would say the best thing to do is to pay a visit to your local running shop, orthotics (and credit card!) in hand =)
  • I got orthotics as was having really bad problems with my feet, I am still wearing the same trainers though? Nike Structure Triax? I must say some days it feels like one foot has a high heel??
  • fat facefat face ✭✭✭

    I've got half length rigid orthotics and find that they work quite well with Asics Nimbus which is a neutral cushioning shoe.

    I used to use New Balance 854 which was a mild stability shoe, but like you I presumed that the orthotics were providing me with the stability that I needed, and using both seemed to over correct.

  • I have rigid full length orthoticswhich, while I was wearing them, I put successfully into a pair of neutral Saucony ProGrid Triumph 4s.  One of my orthotics has a significant heel rise on it and it pushes me out of a more shallow shoe.  image
  • I have half length orthotics and run in Mizuno Wave Nirvana 4's. They feel fine. Incidentally, for a little extra comfort, you can take out the insole as it's really thin, put your orthotic in and then put the insole over the top.

     I visited a sports pod recently who  wants me to try out Brooks next time - possibly these http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/review/reviewProductReviews.asp?rpn=8707∏=Brooks-Dyad-4&rcn=13&rgn=1&v=5&sp=#4743 

  • I've worn Asics Cumulus with my orthotics for the best part of eight years now.  They're nice and deep - specifically designed to take orthotics, and are neutral enough not to counter the effect of the prescription in your insole.

     On a slightly different note, shouldn't all runners be using more flexible sports orthotics in their shoes?  I have rigid half length ones for day wear and then full length more soft ones for running.

    Good luck, anyway.

  • rjb...  I have wondered that myself...  Rigid orthotics took away love for my running.  I hate them.

    Have done without them for a while now after changing the way I run instead (looked into 'POSE' running, did the exrcises, started from scratch...).  I should have done that a lot sooner.  Enjoying it again now and can run in really unstructured shoes.

  • alehousealehouse ✭✭✭

    When I was prescribed orthotics (rigid, carbon fibre) they were specifically designed by the podiatrist to fit into a specific runing shoe, and I stick to the same shoe (Asics 2000 series or Kayano): these shoes are already designed for over-pronators but the podiatrist felt I needed additional correction. I have had the orthotics adjusted over the last 6 or 7 years I have worn them and always speak with him before buying the next lot of shoes. He was a runner, which is helpful.

    For several years the orthotics did the job they were designed for (lots of metatarsal problems) and prevented injury to this area: however, and it is a big however, the orthotics are designed to keep the feet rigid, and after four of five years of wear (several different pairs) I started having problems with my shins. After various consultants failed to identify what had caused the shin problems (stress fractures in both shins) I saw a sports masseuse who noted that due to the constant repetitive planting of the fooot, with little sideways movement, my ankles had become so stiff that the shins were absorbing all the shock, with disastrous consequences. Too late for me, but it is VITAL that orthotics wearers carry out lots of flexibility work on their ankles, calves and, indeed, hamstrings (her advice, not mine). The only time that she has seen similar stiffness in ankles/tightness in calf etc has been with long distance cyclists who spend days in the saddle (she was masseuse to Postal team in the Tour de France for 6 years).

    Some where on the RW site there is a debate about orthotics, and also a link to appropriate exercises.

    E-mail me if you wish!

    Progress is rarely a straight line. There are always bumps in the road, but you can make the choice to keep looking ahead.
  • Interesting perspective alehouse.

    I already felt that after a year of wearing orthotics certain parts of my legs were getting weaker.  Changing from heel striking to midfoot running has made the world of difference to me.  Fingers crossed I stay injury free.

  • alehousealehouse ✭✭✭
    Fingers cross we ALL stay injury free!
    Progress is rarely a straight line. There are always bumps in the road, but you can make the choice to keep looking ahead.
  • Thanks everyone - this is all really useful to me.  Interesting, Alehouse, about keeping ankles flexible and loose - I'm already noticing that my ankles and lower shins are stiffer than usual.  Having said that, I'm having ongoing physio for my lower leg anyway, so it may all be part of the same problem! 

     RJB - I spoke to my podiatrist before I got these half length rigid orthotics.  He said that there were two sides to the camp re orthotics - those that favoured the softer, more flexible orthotics and those that favoured the rigid ones.  He didn't want to criticise those that favoured the flexy ones; he just personally sat on the rigid side of the fence. 

     I'm going to head off to the specialist running shop this week and see what they say there - don't think I could convince my physio or podiatrist to come with me!!  I definitely need to find a shoe that's got plenty of heel cover so that my foot doesn't feel pushed out...  Will let you know what I end up with!

  • alehousealehouse ✭✭✭
    The Moo...Make sure that your shop knows what they are talking about: I went to a local "specialist" who tried to sell me something else and said the podiatrist was wrong...that is, until I told them who the podiatrist was, and then there was a quick shuffling of feet etc!
    Progress is rarely a straight line. There are always bumps in the road, but you can make the choice to keep looking ahead.
  • Yeah, I've experienced the same problem... The owner is brilliant, but I'm not convinced by the summer Uni students who just don't seem to understand me sometimes (I get that a lot, mind you)!!!  If I'm doubting them, I'll make sure I find someone else who "gets it"....
  • Hi

    I wear half foot orthotics - rigid from Rebound in Settle. Always served me well. I have worn New Balance 1221's since and followed them through as they have been updated. They went to 1222's and now 1223's/ Never a prob. They are slight stability but not motion control. I like you needed something extra even with orthotics.

    Out of interest - any ideas about trail shoes??? When i do xcountry i get away with Inov8 mudclaws with my orthotics in but the races are 5-6 miles and generally muddy. However, if i do any road in them i struggle as there in no support in them at all. I'm currently doing lots of off road running with a mile run on road to get to the trails. I also intend to race more trail races. What compares to a mild stability shoe but is a trail shoe?? New Balance factory outlet have suggested their 908's and i have some on order. They didn't have the 1110's which had more stability in. What does anyone else where as a trail shoe with a little bit of support in????

  • I'm looking for some trail shoes that will suit orthotics too.  If I find anything, I'll let you know!

     Went to my specialist running shop.  They didn't have a single size 4 neutral cushioning shoe in stock.  Couldn't believe it!  Have narrowed it down to Nike Pegasus Air 2007 or Asics Gel Nimbus (but not sure if IX or X)....

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