The best walking shoes for overpronation need the following features:
- Resistance to Twist from front to back (longitudinally) called stability or motion control
- Support to the foot arch to resist the foot turning inwards excessively mid-stride (overpronation)
- Heel support and positioning to protect and maintain foot alignment
- Cushioning to the heel and inner ball of the foot near the big toe
- Provision to enable different lacing methods for a better fit for the wearer
- Removable insoles to allow users to upgrade support
Of course, there are many other features that you will want that are not specific to overpronation but desirable for everyone.
What Are The Best Walking Shoes for Overpronation?
The best shoes for overpronation are ASICS GT-2000 7, ASICS Gel-Kayano 25, Saucony Omni Walker, Brooks Addiction Walker, New Balance 928v3, New Balance 1540v2, Orthofeet Orthotic Sneakers, Hoka One One Gaviota
This page concentrates on the best athletic shoes for exercise walking such as power walking, fitness walking, and regular walking exercise.
If you want to learn more about overpronation, what it is and what problems it can lead to, then skip past the reviews using the orange button directly below.
Links Disclosure: Some links on this page go to affiliate partners where, without cost to you, we may receive a small commission should you make a purchase.
The table below gives a quick view of the shoes reviewed in this article for men and women. Use the jump links in the table as well as in the reviews to jump up and down the page quickly and easily. Blue links are for men, pink for women.
Best Walking Shoes for Overpronation in 2020
Best Walking Shoes for Overpronators in 2020
Best Trail Walking Shoe for Overpronators
1. ASICS GT-2000 7 Trail Walker
Shoe Specifications | |
---|---|
Style: | Trail Walking Shoe |
Use: | Trail Walking & Road |
Men's Sizing: | 7 – 15 Half Sizes to 12.5 |
Women's Sizing: | 5 – 13 Half Sizes to 12.5 |
Widths: | Narrow, Medium, & Wide |
Upper: | Synthetic |
Cushion: | Good |
Sole: | Rubber |
Insole: | Removable |
Rating: | 92% |
Overview
This trail shoe is made by ASICS specifically for overpronators with a flat to normal arch type.
The Asics GT-2000 7 Trail shoe is similar to the GT-2000 7 road shoe but with higher durability, higher traction outsole to handle those uneven surfaces.
The Asics GT-2000 6 was a super popular shoe which has been improved in this version by some subtle changes to the shape of the upper to provide more room in the toe box area. The slightly wider and slightly higher toe box allows for a better fit and for the toes to spread out a little more which helps your foot spread out the forces in the push off stage of your gait.
The mesh material has also been improved to give a better fit across the top of your foot and base of the instep. The upper is loosened in areas where it does not affect stability to make the shoe more breathable.
The sole of the shoe is formed with a dual density foam which is less compressible under the inside of the midfoot and heel sections of the shoe to help reduce overpronation – a system ASICS call Dynamic Duomax.
Overall cushioning is maintained with a super soft foam sockliner which overlays the dual density body of the shoe, giving your foot a nice comfortable bed to rest on and also helping to reduce the shocks from the forces on the foot inherent in walking.
The shoe has a high impact rubber outsole layer on the bottom of the shoe which increases durability and molded to assist further in reducing over-pronation. This molding is called Space Trusstic which is essentially a plastic bridge under the arch of your foot which resists longitudinal torsion and gives the shoe extra stability.
The Ortholite sockliner or insole provides great moisture management in wicking away moisture and is removable if you wish to swap it out for a custom orthotic.
Sock absorption is assisted by the visible gel pod under the heel and another hidden under the forefoot. These gel pods soak up the forces and spread them out to reduce shock which is destructive to your joints and ligaments and bruises the soft pads in your foot.
Lastly, a vertical groove to the sole provides what ASICS call Guidance Line technology. It provides resistance if the shoe starts to twist as happens when you begin to overpronate.
Lots of features in this shoe make it the best power walking shoe for unstable surfaces as well as normal road walking. It is equally well suited to regular walking as well.
Similar to the non-trail version, the ASICS GT-2000 version 7 Trail shoe is lightweight and durable.
The excellent foam midsole and Impact Guidance technology helps give you cushioning whilst providing the support needed to resist overpronation.
Gel pods give you improved shock absorbance which you'll need when walking over rough surfaces.
The breathable uppers coupled with improved moisture wicking insoles help to keep your feet dry. The shoes are not waterproof though and intended only for light trail use.
ASICS GT-2000 7 – Features of Interest
Good Things
▲ Designed for Overpronators
▲ Spacious Toe Box
▲ Improved Shoe Last Shape
▲ Removable Insoles
▲ Support System
▲ Lots of Cushioning
Not So Good Things
▼ Slightly Short – Upsize 1/2
Best Lightweight Shoe for Power Walking Overpronators
2. ASICS Gel Kayano 25
Shoe Specifications | |
---|---|
Style: | Athletic Walking Shoe |
Use: | Power & Exercise Walking |
Men's Sizing: | 6 – 16 Half Sizes to 12.5 |
Women's Sizing: | 5 – 13 Half Sizes to 12.5 |
Men's Widths: | Medium – Extra Wide |
Widths: | Narrow – Wide |
Upper: | Synthetic |
Cushion: | Good |
Sole: | Rubber |
Insole: | Removable |
Rating: | 91% |
Overview
Sticking with the ASICS brand, for our second shoe, we have the excellent ASICS Gel-Kayano. Once again designed to assist overpronators but this time for those who prefer power walking and high-intensity exercise walking.
This shoe is another superb choice for a range of walking exercises. The running shoe shape suggests power walking and fitness walking is the main design idea but I use the shoe for my daily walks, (I don’t go power walking any more as the kids can’t keep up) and find it quite excellent. I am sure you will too!
The Jacquard mesh used for the uppers is really quite super. It’s a little elastic so adapts to your foot shape well without losing all benefits of lateral stability. The elasticated material gives yet holds to keep the shoe well positioned on your foot.
The Gel-Kayano has the same guidance technology in the sole as the GT-2000 Trail shoe to keep your gait on line and providing some structural integrity to the middle of the shoe that resists your overpronation.
FlyteFoamLyte is used in the rear section of the shoe which gives you excellent shock absorbing qualities, especially when combined with the gel pod under your heel.
Then there is the FlyteFoam propel that runs the full length of the shoe to provide the ultimate in cushioning with spring back which gives you a real spring in your step.
The back of the shoe has a rigid plastic heel counter which helps maintain the heel shape over time but more importantly, ensures your heel is positioned in a stable way through your stride which helps keep your gait online and also reduces rubbing that can occur from your foot slipping about in the shoe.
The shoe is lined with a seamless elastic sleeve that fits around your foot much like a sock and so relieves rubbing that can occur with uneven or lumpy seams.
The Ortholite insole is used in this shoe to provide moisture wicking and assist in keeping your feet dry. It is removable in case you need to fit custom orthotics.
The winning combination of the Duomax Support System (dual density foams to support and cushion), Impact Guidance System (the design of all these components and heel counter for better gait alignment), Guidance Trusstic System (strategically placed reinforcement in the outsole to counter overpronation) and Guidance Line technology (front to back contouring of the sole to assist gait all work to counter your pronation.
Thankfully this is a shoe that ASICS make in Medium, Wide and Extra Wide fittings for the men and Narrow, Medium, and Wide for women to suit the widest variety of foot shapes.
It is a great shoe and you can read my full review on this page if I have not yet convinced you.
The long-running model line of the Gel Kayano is designed for speed with support for overpronators.
With a responsive midsole that puts a spring back in your step and lightweight construction, you are set up to walk as far as you please without your shoes dragging you back.
A good flexible and breathable upper has a semi-rigid heel counter to give the shoe better stability and works with the Orthalite insole to keep your feet drier.
An excellent choice if your walking exercise is intense and you want a little help to counter your inward ankle rolling overpronation.
ASICS Gel Kayano 25 – Features of Interest
Good Things
▲ Designed for Overpronators
▲ Spacious Toe Box
▲ Improved Shoe Last Shape
▲ Support System
▲ Plenty of Cushioning
▲ Removable Insole
▲ For Higher Intensity Walkers
Not So Good Things
▼ Not a Lot
Best Stability Shoe for Overpronators
3. Saucony Grid Omni Walker
Shoe Specifications | |
---|---|
Style: | Stability Walking Shoe |
Use: | Regular Walking & Casual |
Men's Sizing: | 7 – 15 Half Sizes to 12.5 |
Women's Sizing: | 5 – 12 Half Sizes to 11.5 |
Widths: | Medium & Wide |
Upper: | Leather & Textile |
Cushion: | Good |
Sole: | Rubber |
Insole: | Removable |
Rating: | 86% |
Overview
The Saucony Omni Walker is a stability shoe for overpronators designed for walking and casual all-day wear.
The shoe is in the classic sneaker design and sports a number of features to help reduce overpronation.
The heel has a centering system which helps encourage a more central strike as your heel touches the ground and then disperses those forces.
The arch area has good support coming from the asymmetrical sole which is raised under the arch and coupled with the midsole contouring combines to ensure your arch is properly lifted.
There is good cushioning to the collar of the shoe and protection from the lacing system virtue of a padded tongue with extra eyelets at the very top of the shoe which gives lacing options.
The outsole is designed to enhance your gait virtue of the patented WalkTrac design which seeks to straighten your stride and in so doing gives better foot alignment as you walk.
A dedicated walking shoe which is suited to regular walking exercise of the moderate kind in contrast to the more strenuous exercise type that the two previous shoes are better suited to.
The insoles are removable for washing or to fit orthotics and the toe box is roomy in height and width to give your toes space.
Available in narrow, medium and wide fittings and half sizes, you should have no problem finding a good fit.
The Saucony is not as technologically advanced as some of the other shoes reviewed here but that is properly reflected in the price. For the money, the shoe offers a very good run for your money.
The biggest downside is the lack of colors and rather staid design which will put a few people off. We have a full review of this shoe over here.
A moderately cushioned shoe designed mainly to counter overpronation with stability bordering on motion control features.
A sturdier shoe than the super flexible athletic styles with leather uppers that are suitable for casual work wear.
These leather shoes are not ao great in the wet as the soft leather tends to get quickly soaked, but a good stable shoe of substance.
A great walking shoe for you if you have more serious overpronation issues.
Saucony Grid Omni Walker – Features of Interest
Good Things
▲ Very Supportive
▲ Made for Overpronators
▲ Decent Cushioning
▲ Removable Insoles
▲ Leather Uppers
▲ Stability Shoe
Not So Good Things
▼ Limited Color Styles
▼ Quite Heavy
Best Overpronators Walking Shoe from Brooks
4. Brooks Addiction Walker
Shoe Specifications | |
---|---|
Style: | Classic Walking Shoe |
Use: | Regular Walking & Casual |
Men's Sizing: | 7 – 15 Half Sizes to 12.5 |
Women's Sizing: | 5 – 12 Half Sizes to 11.5 |
Men's Widths: | Narrow to Extra Wide |
Women's Widths: | Narrow to Extra Wide |
Upper: | Leather |
Cushion: | Very Good |
Sole: | Rubber |
Insole: | Cushioned Removable |
Rating: | 88% |
Overview
Perhaps the most famous walking shoe for overpronators on the market today, the Brooks Addiction Walker deserves its accolade and is an excellent pair of shoes.
It is a class above the Saucony Omni Walker and at a price level above to match.
The Brooks Addiction Walker is another shoe made to serve your needs as an overpronator. It is a robustly supportive shoe which still manages to be really comfortable.
The leather uppers provide the shoe with stability that mesh and knit uppers cannot hope to match but obviously cannot provide as much breathability.
The stability of the shoe comes from the progressive diagonal rollbar in the midsole which beefs up the rigidity of the shoe greatly and ensures the maximum counter to your overpronation without forcing your gait.
Cushioning comes from its BioMoGo midsole which is a springy, cushioned foam that absorbs the forces and distributes them across the shoe very well to give a very comfortable step. The midsole, therefore, gives ample shock absorption.
The collar of the shoe is not as plushly cushioned as the Saucony or some others, which is not in itself a bad thing. The cushioning is adequate and some prefer the collar not to be over-cushioned finding it aggravating.
The soles do not have so many cutouts and flex directing contouring but are very slip resistant which makes the shoe very suitable for many types of work.
The shoe has removable insoles to accommodate orthotics.
The shoe is best for regular exercise, casual wear and to use for work and all day wear and is a motion control shoe.
The color choice is not extensive but the width fittings are with narrow, medium, wide and, extra wide sizing.
You can read more on this shoe in our dedicated full review here.
The classic walking shoes from Brooks that have been around for a long time and for good reason.
Overpronation is resisted by the progressive diagonal roll bar which gives the shoe structure and resists torsional twist.
These leather shoes are one of the best mid-priced walking shoes out there for overpronators and their design make them equally suited for walking exercise or for casual appointments.
An excellent Brooks shoe in loads of width fittings. Supportive and quite roomy.
Brooks Addiction Walker – Features of Interest
Good Things
▲ Made for Overpronators
▲ Motion Control Shoe
▲ Leather Uppers
▲ Very Comfortable
▲ Great Shock Absorbance
▲ Quality Shoe
▲ Well Cushioned
▲ Lots of Width Fittings
Not So Good Things
▼ Limited Colors
▼ Not for Power Walkers
Best Overpronators Walking Shoe from New Balance
5. New Balance 928v3
Shoe Specifications | |
---|---|
Style: | Classic Walking Shoe |
Use: | Regular Walking & Casual |
Men's Sizing: | 7 – 16 Half Sizes to 12.5 |
Women's Sizing: | 6 – 13 Half Sizes to 10.5 |
Men's Widths: | Narrow to Extra Extra Wide |
Women's Widths: | Medium to Extra Wide |
Upper: | Leather |
Cushion: | Good |
Sole: | Rubber |
Insole: | Removable |
Rating: | 82% |
Overview
Perhaps it was the success of the Brooks Addiction Walker that had New Balance pull out all the stops to produce the 928 which is now in its latest version the 928v3.
It is a shoe in many respects very similar to the Brooks. Quality leather uppers and design styling are instantly obvious visibly.
The shoe sports a rollbar to the midsole quite similar to the Brooks and features ABZORB as the foam used to provide cushioning, shock absorbing qualities and pressure distribution.
The 928v3 is another motion control shoe that is made specifically for regular walking exercise as well as casual and all day wear.
There is plenty of arch support for flat feet and the shoe liner is seamless to reduce the risk of rubbing and with the added benefit of odor-resistant treatment to counter trainer stench.
The outsole is durable and contoured to assist a better gait alignment and stabilize the foot better and the level of cushioning is a match for the Brooks.
The insoles provide another layer of cushioning but are pretty thin so it is as well they are removable to allow you to fit better quality custom orthotics.
The New Balance is available in several colors with width fittings for normal, medium, wide, extra wide and extra extra-wide to cater for everyone.
I have a full review of this shoe which you can read here.
Another classic walking shoe, this time from New Balance with plenty of sizing options.
The leather design suits casual wear, work environments as well as general walking exercise use.
This motion control shoe with rollbar technology to keep your gait straighter is specifically designed for overpronators.
Quite good if you want to fit moderate thickness orthotics.
New Balance 928v3 – Features of Interest
Good Things
▲ Great Cushioning
▲ Great Support
▲ Made for Overpronators
▲ New Balance's Answer to Brooks Addiction Walker
▲ Good Range of Width Fittings
▲ Leather Uppers
Not So Good Things
▼ Not many Colors
▼ Insoles Pretty Thin
Best New Balance Motion Control Shoe
6. New Balance 1540v2
Shoe Specifications | |
---|---|
Style: | Sporty Walking Shoe |
Use: | Regular Walking & Casual |
Men's Sizing: | 7 – 16 Half Sizes to 12.5 |
Women's Sizing: | 8 – 12 Half Sizes to 10.5 |
Widths: | Narrow – Extra Extra Wide |
Upper: | Synthetic |
Cushion: | Supportive |
Sole: | Rubber |
Insole: | Supportive Removable |
Rating: | 86% |
Overview
Perhaps the most supportive shoe from New Balance, the 1540v2 is purposely designed to correct, or at least reduce, overpronation.
New Balance has its own foam midsole marketed under the name ActevaLite which is a springy cushioned foam that is 24% lighter than normal EVA foam. So it is much on a par with other top brands who all have something similar.
The midsole is equipped with a rollbar to reduce torsional twist and reduce the tendency for your foot to turn too much mid-stride. Reducing flex in this way allows the force of weight from your body to counteract the turning force your foot tires to make and keeps the gait more stable.
It’s important since if the foot becomes too pronated, the alignment is such that it cannot recover as you move into the push-off stage of your stride, leaving the pressure distribution pattern skewed to the inside of the foot and big toe.
That, in turn, stresses a whole set of muscles and ligaments and changes your posture that can end up causing all sorts of problems over time.
One additional feature is the Encap midsole. The midsole has a soft core to its center to cushion your foot and a less soft section that surrounds it around the edges. So you have the soft cushioned feel underfoot and a supportive barrier to the edges, progressively resisting pressure as your foot tries to rotate.
The uppers are breathable mesh with synthetic reinforcement detailing and a well-designed lacing system with the eyelet strength boosted by the synthetic overlay.
The toe end of the shoe is reinforced to give better structure and at least a little toe stubbing protection.
The insoles are removable should you wish to use custom orthotics and there is enough room in the shoe to accommodate those if you go up one width.
The padded tongue gives enough protection to your instep with a loop formed with the Made in the USA decal to keep the tongue in place.
The collar is quite high at the back but is very well cushioned.
A wide range of width fittings from narrow to extra extra wide should have you covered but the color choice is limited as seems to be the trend for even the best walking shoes these days.
This shoe is a very comfortable and supportive shoe for the casual exercise walker but version 2 has seen a trimming in quality with the leather detailing replaced with a synthetic plastic material which is less durable. The mesh upper has also changed – for the better in that the material is more flexible with less open knit and for the worse as it marginally lessens durability.
The cushioning material to the collar also seems to be prone to deterioration with higher levels of use.
A very good shoe to reduce pain from Plantar Fasciitis reported by many users.
This motion control shoe is another for overpronators which attempts to keep your feet on line and to reduce the inward roll of your ankles mid-stride.
A sportier look than the 928v3, and made in the US for better quality and sizing consistency.
The reinforced fabric uppers provide a little more flexibility than leather but do make the shoe less suited for work environments that shun overtly athletic style shoes.
A good sporty looking shoe to help reduce overpronation.
New Balance 1540v2 – Features of Interest
Good Things
▲ Motion Control Shoe
▲ Rollbar Stability
▲ Wide Toe Box
▲ Very Supportive
▲ Widths up to Extra Extra Wide
Not So Good Things
▼ Few Colors
▼ Quite Heavy
Best Extra Depth Walking Shoes for Overpronators
7. Orthofeet Orthotic Sneakers
Shoe Specifications | |
---|---|
Style: | Orthotic Walking Shoe |
Use: | Regular & Casual Wear |
Men's Sizing: | 7 – 14 Half Sizes to 12.5 |
Women's Sizing: | 5 – 12 Half Sizes to 11.5 |
Widths: | Medium to Extra Extra Wide |
Upper: | Synthetic |
Cushion: | Good |
Sole: | Rubber |
Insole: | Cushioned Orthotic |
Rating: | 89% |
Overview
Orthofeet is a company set on providing solutions for people with foot problems, producing a range of shoes and styles to suit the type of intended use.
These sneakers are well designed with a quite straight last and plenty of room in the toe area to let your toes distribute pressure.
The shoe is criticized for being ‘ugly’ but I think this is more to do with the perception of the shoe before you even see it – because it is marketed as an orthotic shoe. All orthotic shoes look old and frumpy, right?
It might not be in the same design arena as Nike or ASICS but it looks okay. Anyway which is more important – looks or pain-free feet?
An excellent orthotic insole provides support to the arches to provide stability and counter overpronation. There is ample cushioning to the forefoot area for your toes.
At the heel, there are air pockets designed into the midsole to provide cushioning and a degree of shock absorbance but no gel inserts or plastic air-filled bags, so the shoe is gimmick-free.
If you are looking for a sound performer at a reasonable price then the shoe does offer performance without too much prettiness and if you are on your feet all day then you may find these to be a good deal.
For those that need a sports type shoe with a deeper toe box and more roomy fit around bunions or for wider feet, the Othofeet Verve are a great choice.
With lots of room available and an excellent orthotic insole, you have full scope to experiment with your own custom insoles to help control your gait.
Coming from a manufacturer that caters exclusively for people with foot issues, this shoe should be able to cope, or be adapted to cope, with most foot problems or problems originating with the feet.
An excellent and focussed sporty orthotic shoe.
Orthofeet Orthotic Sneakers – Features of Interest
Good Things
▲ Excellent Orthotic Insoles
▲ Good Support
▲ Good Cushioning
▲ Tackles many Foot Issues
▲ Extra Depth Shoe Last
▲ Seam Free Linings
Not So Good Things
▼ Not Very Pretty
▼ Orthotic Marketing Emphasis Off-Putting
Best Supportive Cushioned Shoe for Overpronators
8. Hoka One One Gaviota 2
Shoe Specifications | |
---|---|
Style: | Classic Walking Shoe |
Use: | Regular & Casual Wear |
Men's Sizing: | 8 – 18 Half Sizes to 12.5 |
Women's Sizing: | 8 – 18 Half Sizes to 12.5 |
Widths: | Medium |
Upper: | Leather & Synthetic |
Cushion: | Good |
Sole: | Rubber |
Insole: | Nike Cushion |
Rating: | 92% |
Overview
These are not the most cushioned shoes made by Hoka One One, but they are the most supportive.
If you are an overpronator then your problem is that your foot turns inwards too much when your weight is transferred from your heel to your midfoot. Usually, this rotation goes along with weak or flat foot arches.
A highly cushioned shoe means that the sole has to have some ‘give’ in it which means that as your foot turns inwards through pronation, the shoe will allow a certain amount of rotation in order to cushion the foot.
So the most highly cushioned shoes are not going to be the most supportive shoe. As with all things in life, there is a balance to be found.
For overpronators, the Gaviota has found that balance of good cushioning and excellent support.
The sole has a J-Frame design which acts to counter torsional twist from pronation. Stiffer materials are used to balance forces on heel strike – that is the rounded part of the J, and encourage better central force distribution at the heel.
The straight section of the J runs along the inside of the shoe towards the big toe. The less compressible foam in this area acts to counter too much pronation by providing progressively more resistance to the inner side of your foot as it begins to turn inwards.
The midsole has an excellent, lightweight foam composition which provides excellent shock absorbance and plenty of cushioning.
The heel end has extra cushioning to absorb impact forces. In the front part of the shoe, the foam is more responsive adding spring to the step as your foot pushes off.
This dual function midsole is also curved to guide the foot through its longitudinal roll from heel to toe which helps align your gait better and provide more responsiveness to the toes.
There is also a system to better position the heel and prevent slippage.
This dual-density midsole is marketed as ProFly.
Named Active Foot Frame, the design allows the heel to sink into and bed itself deeper into the midsole.
This heel cup sets the heel in position for better alignment of the foot through your stride.
Whether you walk or run, this high-quality premium shoe ticks all the boxes except for the toe box which I found to be a little narrow for my wide feet and restricted my toe spread a little. That is something I am willing to put up with for the other benefits this shoe offers.
I highly recommend this shoe unless you have particularly wide feet at the toes or have really bad overpronation.
If you are an overpronator then one of the motion control shoes above might be a better solution for you. The problem is the high level of cushioning in the Gaviota cannot also stop inward roll – maximize cushion and roll prevention suffers and vice versa.
If it is ultimate cushioning you are looking for then go for the Bondi 6, understanding the higher cushioning will mean much less counter to any overpronation.
A personal favorite because of the excellent cushioning that is sufficient without being excessive.
I really love the J-frame design which guides rather than forces your feet into a better alignment.
The overall square shape gives a bit more room in the midfoot. The heel positioning and stability of the shoe makes for good stability and the responsiveness and comfort is top notch. Nice flexible uppers too.
If you are not a serious overpronator then this would be my choice.
Hoka One One Gaviota 2 – Features of Interest
Good Things
▲ Perfect Balance of Cushioning & Support
▲ Good Midfoot Positioning System
▲ Rocker Sole for Better Toe Pressure Distribution
▲ Square Shoe Last
▲ Lightweight
▲ They Look Great
Not So Good Things
▼ Upsize 1/2 Size
▼ Can Squeak if You’re Unlucky
Do you overpronate when you walk? If you're not sure, a podiatrist or the staff of a good retailer that sells athletic shoes may be able to help you determine your level of pronation. An overpronator's feet tend to roll too much to the inside of the foot while striding, putting most of the pressure on the big and second toe and making it difficult for the ankle to stabilize the gait.
While overpronation is typically associated with flat arches (see: Best walking shoes for flat feet), other causes might include weakness or stiffness in muscles located in the lower leg, a “bow-legged” gait, or loose ligaments.
If you want to learn more about choosing the best walking shoes for overpronation, keep on reading this article. Below I've picked out a few shoe models which might be a good fit for your feet.
The Effects of Overpronation
Overpronators are more vulnerable to shin splints due to the increased rotation of the inner part of the shin bone, known as the tibia. This is especially true for people who have a fitness regimen that includes certain aerobatic activities like walking or running or work in fields that require them to be on their feet for several hours at a time.
Knee and hip pain is also an issue because an ankle that rolls too far inward can also cause alignment issues in other leg joints.
Overpronation reduces the foot's ability to distribute the “shock absorption” of walking and running, leading to a greater risk of bunions and bone fractures in the first and second toes. Severe overpronation can lead to an acceleration of the rate of bone deterioration in people with arthritis in the leg joints.
Motion Control Shoes
The wrong kind of shoe leads to most complaints of sore feet and exacerbation of an existing pronation issue. Shoes built for people with an underpronation issue (see my articles about good shoes for cavus feet and walking shoes for underpronation), for instance, can actually add to an overpronation problem and increase the risk of injury.
This leads to most of the complaints that an otherwise good pair of shoes did not work for someone with a pronation issue. For this reason, shoppers for a motion control shoe should talk to someone who is pretty knowledgeable about issues with pronation and the brands of shoes that might help before they make a choice.
A motion control shoe built for overpronators includes features that assist with stabilizing the ankle's tendency to roll inward such as a thicker midsole made of hard material. These shoes tend to be heavier and more durable than many “stripped-down” versions of athletic shoes.
With the most highly recommended motion control shoes, you can remove the insole to put in your customized insert or use the shoe with an orthotic device.
Other Treatment for Overpronation
You may have already tried several different pairs of motion control shoes and they just aren't doing it for you. This can be a frustrating experience, especially in cases where those shoes normally get consistently good reviews and even your podiatrist is scratching his head about why that shoe didn't work.
However, treatment of your overpronation may simply require considering options other than motion control shoes. In cases where overpronation may be caused by something other than flat feet, orthotics or exercises designed to strengthen the muscles and improve your gait used while walking may help.
Many fitness trainers are used to working with people who have issues with their range of motion and may be able to show you exercises with an inexpensive exercise band that can reduce overpronation. This can take a lot of patience because it usually takes several weeks to make real progress and build good pronation habits. These exercises are especially helpful for people whose overpronation is caused by muscles in the legs and ankles that need to be strengthened.
Here's a video with ankle mobility exercises for flat feet and overpronation:
Pronation issues caused by a bow-legged gait can sometimes be treated with orthotics like a leg brace. This is especially useful for young children who have trouble walking because their bones are still forming and it's easier to correct issues. If a child is under 4 years old, a bow-legged gait is normal though the child should be watched for signs of rickets or malnutrition that can affect the development of the leg, ankle and foot bones.
However, a child who is bow-legged past that age may have a condition known as Blount's disease or did not fully recover from a broken leg. The affected bone usually runs from the knee to the ankle and is curved outward to the point where the gait is affected. In older children or adult patients whose difficulties arose from trauma such as a broken bone or occupational health hazards, orthopedic braces may provide relief.
Surgery is another option for people who want to get rid of the cause of overpronation such as bow-legs, loose ligaments or ankle difficulties permanently, but this comes with the downside of extra recovery time.
If you have an overpronation issue, your podiatrist can help you determine which options are right for you. In most cases, good walking shoes for overpronation and a customized insert will give you the support you need to make your feet more comfortable (see: Comfortable shoes for walking and my article about long distance walking shoes).
When you have a job that requires you to be on your feet all day or your weekly fitness routine includes walking or running, you should not ignore pronation issues because your feet and legs will feel much better and be less prone to ailments ranging from bunions to painful shin splints if the problem is allowed to continue.
Other Posts You May Find Useful:
Shoes for Concrete Floors
Footwear for Long Distance Walking
Shoes for Overweight Men
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