#Best arch support shoes men plus

Using all this information, plus my own knowledge of the running shoe market, I narrowed the list down to the pairs below. I also asked the experts quoted above for their picks, incorporated feedback from RW editors, and relied on research from the original version of this article, written by Caitlin Giddings. To choose the arch support shoes included below, I searched across major running brands’ websites to find support-oriented shoes, talked with brand reps to get info on new and notable models, and consulted past RW shoe reviews. How We Selected The Best Arch Support Running Shoes Good arch support can be found in both neutral and stability shoes, but finding the right shoe for you might take a few test runs. “However, nothing can replace going to a reputable running store and getting fit with shoe gear by a knowledgeable staff person,” he says. He also finds that New Balance shoes work well for “hard-to-fit” runners, due to the brand’s wide range of sizes and widths. Halloran recommends the Asics Gel-Kayano for those seeking a stability shoe, and the Brooks Ghost, a longtime neutral favorite that works for a wide range of runners. No matter your arch height or pronation style, the most important thing to look for in any dedicated running is a good fit that feels supportive and comfortable. While the evidence that stability shoes prevent injury isn’t conclusive, a study from a 2016 issue of the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that overpronating runners who wore motion-control shoes suffered fewer injuries over the course of six months than those who wore neutral shoes. Also known as “motion control” sneakers, stability shoes use guide rails, medial posts, and other features built into the midsole to lightly correct that inward roll before it can cause injury. For this group, stability shoes can often help. Runners with flexible or low arches (flatter feet) are more likely to overpronate.

Medium-arched runners also tend to do well with a neutral shoe. Because their arches tend to flatten and rise to absorb the shock of landing and taking off, high-arched runners tend to benefit more from neutral shoes that provide built-in stability, says Halloran. Runners with high arches tend to supinate, or roll outward, mid-stride. If you’re not sure what kind of arch you have, this simple test can help. There are three types of arches based on height-low (flat feet), medium (normal), and high. However, we can give some general advice on what to look for, based on your arch height, form, and foot flexibility.

No single shoe model or type of shoe works for all runners who share a foot type or running style. In fact, most runners need shoes with good arch support, says Halloran, (though that could mean using a “neutral” shoe). Another indicator you might need more support: If you find excessive wear on the inner side of your running shoes.īut even if you don’t experience pain while running, arch support is still important. If you’re dealing with any of the issues above, you should consider getting more arch support, says Lobkova. “If the alignment is off or shock is inadequately absorbed, certain tendons or ligaments get overworked, leading to overuse injuries.”īy keeping your body in alignment as you run, proper arch support shoes can help alleviate a wide range of overuse issues, including conditions like plantar fasciitis, shin splints, Achilles tendonitis, posterior tibial tendonitis, medial knee pain, lower back pain, and heel pain, says Lobkova. “All that shock at heel contact needs to be adequately transferred up the chain to the ankles, knees, hips, and back,” she says.

Add in the fact that each running step generates an impact force around three times your body weight, and you have a recipe for injury, says surgical podiatrist Dr. Overpronation doesn’t just cause issues for your feet-it throws your whole body alignment out of whack. How Arch Support HelpsĪrch support counters overpronation, or the tendency for your foot to roll inward ( or “pronate”) too much during your stride. Halloran, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S., an Austin, Texas-based podiatry specialist. Paul Nasri, P.T., D.P.T., C.O.M.T., a physical therapist and owner of The Game Plan Physical Therapy in New York City and Daniel T. Nelya Lobkova, D.P.M., a surgical podiatrist based in New York City Dr. Janine Ferrigno-Taddeo, D.P.M., a New Jersey-based podiatry specialist and expert consultant at Aetrex Dr. To get reliable info on the science behind arch support, I included input from multiple podiatrists and a physical therapist: Dr. I’ve written more about running shoes than any other category, and have firsthand experience testing models from a range of brands. Show more The Expert: I became a runner in middle school and have covered running and outdoor gear for years, both on-staff at Runner’s World and as a freelance journalist.

Best arch support shoes men