Outdoorsy "sandal" for high arched feet with supination and plantar fasciitis?

January 10, 2011 1:30 PM

Could someone out there give me a recommendation for an outdoorsy ("active wear"?) sandal make and model for high arches and supination?

Most people's (like 80% of the population I believe) feet pronate (ankles buckle in). Mine supinate (buckle out)... I've been looking around, and while some Chacos say they have high arches, they also say designed for pronators.

Any recommendations for this type of sandal (e.g., Chacos, Tevas, Keens) that fulfill both requirements? I suppose at least getting high arch support is better than nothing. Though with Chacos, my experience from several years ago is blistering at around where the front strap goes into the sole on the outside... maybe things have changed?

I have plantar fasciitis in one foot as well, and it's somewhat painful to go a long time barefoot.

posted by schmoppa to Health & Fitness (7 answers total)

I am also a supinator with very high arches (to the point that I can't go barefoot really at all; inside I wear birkenstock sandals - sexy, I know) and I'm on my third pair of Chacos. I always size up 1/2 a size for the exact reason you mentioned. That seems to alleviate the friction.
posted by Siena at 2:29 PM on January 10, 2011

Chacos and I would suggest direct contacting them about their recommended cobler who can work with your orthotics being integrated to the sandal. They have excellent customer service. I have had mine for years.
posted by jadepearl at 2:31 PM on January 10, 2011 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: @siena, yeah I've got a pair of the high-arch birkenstocks... I primarily would wear them inside. They were great at first, but they piss me off how much the straps have stretched... so much so they are practically dangerous to wear. I know I could punch another hole... Thanks for the tip regarding the Chaco half-size up. Also, I believe I have pretty wide feet.

@jadepearl, thanks for the heads-up regarding getting them custom made. did that cost extra?
posted by schmoppa at 3:31 PM on January 10, 2011

I have the exact same thing, and haven't been able to go barefoot for some time. I've found that Merrell's work really well for me. Specifically, these.

Good luck.
posted by Gusaroo at 5:22 PM on January 10, 2011

Oops. Sorry, I linked to the women's sandals, but Merrell has similar sandals for men.
posted by Gusaroo at 5:24 PM on January 10, 2011

I'm not sure if they make "outdoorsy" versions, but I like Naot sandals. (They are related to Teva somehow, I think.)
posted by callmejay at 6:20 PM on January 10, 2011

It costs extra and I am not sure that it is still done but they were the only shoe company I knew that would work with a cobbler to give you a truly custom fit for your foot issues.
posted by jadepearl at 9:49 PM on January 10, 2011