And I thought these running shoes were suppoesd to help me STOP clomping!

June 7, 2009 3:04 PM

Running Filter: I'm a clomper with flat feet. Arch/stability support + a flexible arch: Are these contradictory features?

I clomp if I get tired when running. I'm a completely recreational jogger, and really do it more for the sake of one of my dogs, who needs a good several mile run to help him settle down.

Thanks to misplacing my running shoes one morning and jogging a lot farther than I thought possible in an old pair of cross-trainers, I've found that having a flexible arch (whereas the 'arch support' shoes have an arch that's as stiff as a board) seems to help me roll from heel to toe... whereas the super duper New Balance stability support / arch support shoes that were SUPPOSED to help me with my bad feet do the exact opposite.

I've tried running in bare feet just a little bit to see what it felt like, and it was uncomfortable -- the arches of my feet cramped up and made it almost impossible to walk for the next couple of days. I'm assuming, based on that experiment, that I still need good arch support.

As an inexperienced runner without access to a really good running shoe store (nor the money to spend at one), is there a good way to find a shoe that will meet these needs? I like New Balance a lot because they keep my heel from shifting around. None of the other major brands seem to accomplish this feat, but the New Balance shoes all seem to have very stiff arch areas. Advice?

posted by SpecialK to health & fitness (6 comments total)

Don't worry about shoes. Start picking up pencils with your toes. Marbles and pennies too. Lots of articles like this are showing up. Now for arches, the best thing would be ballet classes, but that is likely too complicated and expensive.
posted by sammyo at 3:28 PM on June 7 [2 favorites has favorites]

Hi. I am a runner with extremely flat feet. I suggest you to try the Mizuno Wave Inspire 5 (review on link).

The Wave Inspire 5 is a stability shoe that does not have a medial post (the stiff arch area). Instead they use Mizuno's wave: literally a plastic wave that runs from the arch to the heel, providing at the same time the cushioning, the stability and the torsional control. All with helping reduce the weight, as compared to a full-foam midsole.

I recommend you to try them, it is a very nice ride.
posted by madeinitaly at 4:19 PM on June 7

I'm also a runner with very flat feet and a collapsible arch (and bunions). I have had luck with plain old stability shoes + the blue superfeet arch insoles. I'm running about 30 miles per week right now and generally go up to 45 during the summer, so I use about 4 pairs of shoes per year.

Anyway, I just went in for a shoe consult and was recommended the following shoes. Hopefully this list will help you too: Adidas Sequence, Saucony Omni, New Balance 769 (I currently use the 768's), and the Mizuno Inspire (which sadly, I cannot use ever since model 2 came out because their "improved" last somehow annoyed my peroneal tendon). At any rate, I find that the additional arch support is what really makes the difference and I would never consider running without them.

I recommend ordering two different pairs from a site with a great return policy (maybe roadrunnersports.com or similar), and keeping the pair that works for you. Then keep an eye out for them to go on sale and buy a bunch. I tend to buy about 4 pairs for about half off as soon as they get discontinued because I HATE finding new shoes and I don't always tolerate the model updates very well.
posted by smalls at 5:55 PM on June 7

Switching from shoes to barefoot is probably gonna be tough at first, if only because you'll need to strengthen your feet somewhat slowly. There's a new book, Born to Run, which kinda lays out the argument in favor of minimal shoes if you're combating foot problems. Plus it's a good read.

If you want to experiment with a more minimalist shoe, I really dig the NB 790. It's got enough protection for any normal surfaces, but isn't really arch support-y. It seems like my local big box sporting goods place clear 'em out periodically pretty cheap if you're not in a hurry.
posted by ph00dz at 6:15 PM on June 7

If you have flat feet running barefoot is likely to lead to plantar fasciitis or other woes. I wouldn't do it. A shoe with good arch support is going to be felt in your arch. What is that lump under my arch? For flat feet you want at least a stability shoe and probably a motion control show, and likely additional arch support in the form of a good footbed or perhaps even orthotics.
posted by caddis at 7:52 AM on June 8

The pain you had from running with bare feet probably indicates some sort of muscular dysfunction. Why find shoes to run on a low grade injury? You didn't mention earning a living off this.

I've seen several friends with flat or collapsed arches make significant progress in a few weeks by rubbing their arches on one of these a few times a day and having their partner or a professional massage the fascia on the bottom of the foot as well as the calf muscles.
posted by zentrification at 8:14 AM on June 8