What contains over 52 bones, 66 joints, 38 muscles, over 200 ligaments, and has the ability to propel humanity through life? If you guessed your feet, you’re absolutely correct. Feet are the foundation of our body, so it comes to no surprise that they’re often one of the most neglected areas as well. Men and women average 8,000 – 10,000 steps daily, so when pain hits it’s important that it’s corrected quickly and effectively. The foot has two basic jobs: to offer stability and mobility. Orthopedic prescribed stability shoes help, but they tend to be bulky, heavy, and expensive. Fortunately, there are options to avoiding the annoying aspects while benefiting from fashionable corrective footwear. These top rated walking shoes for overpronators are a good start to healing and regaining control of your foundation.
Best Walking Shoes for Overpronators
1. Brooks Addiction Walkers
Men's
Women's
The Brooks Addiction Walker may be rather plain in its appearance with a plain color throughout the leather uppers – either white black or brown – but there is something about the shape that makes them stand out as something a bit more solid and supportive. The thick sole is said to be “loaded with support”, which sounds rather promising for overpronators, and there is also a dual density post for progression pronation control and plenty of cushioning for shock absorption. While only 62% of Zappo’s females customers appreciated this arch support for overpronation – these shoes being available in male and female sizes – many more loved the fit of these everyday walking shoes and highlighted their comfort levels.
2. New Balance 928 Walking Shoe
Men's
Women's
Because of this desire to focus on aiding overpronation and finding the right shape and fit to keep problematic feet comfortable for a long time, there is a trend in orthotic shoes for arch support where buyers – both male and female – are faced with these thick, plain shoes with a clear emphasis on the shape of the sole and the contours within. The New Balance 928 Walking Shoes have the added benefit of a few more color choices that the Brooks offering but the main focus is the use of motion control for “utmost stability and cushioning for maximum overpronators”. The combination of stabilizing Rollbar technology and Abzorb cushioning means that this a comfortable shoe that buyers can wear for long periods and some have said that they have even corrected their gait.
3. Saucony Omni Walking Shoe
Men's
Women's
The Saucony Omni Walking Shoe takes on a similar approach of focusing on shape over style as it is the shape of the sole that stands out most to buyers over any other feature on this black or white walking shoe. Also, there is little to tell the male and female versions apart other than the size option. This shape immediately makes his product seem like a great choice for overpronators because of the strong midfoot support bridge and many happy buyers talk about the ongoing support that the shoe provides. Most satisfied buyers, however, prefer to talk about the ability to wear these shoes over long periods of time due to the soft uppers, the flexibility of the shoe and the cushioning across the EVA sole.
Not all walking shoes for overpronation have to look like orthotic shoes – some are much sleeker and sportier.
4. ASICS Foundation 13
Men's
Women's
While the Saucony, New Balance and Brooks options mentioned above have the sense of a supportive basic shoe that could be used for every day wear around the workplace, these ASICS Foundation 13 shoes look more like your average sports shoe than something orthotic for overpronation. Furthermore, both the male and female options have a choice of colorful detailing for a little more style. This is sold as a “stable ride for the overpronator” thanks to the shape of the toe box, heel and the high quality arch support – all of which buyers have greatly appreciated – but there are other interesting comfort features to help such as the breathable mesh upper, anti-odor sockliner, gel cushioning and light weight of 11oz.
5. Vionic With Orthaheel Technology Walker
The final model of arch supporting shoe for overpronation to be looked at here is the Vionic With Orthaheel Technology walker – another of the sportier, better-looking shoes that do not just focus on a thick, supportive heel. The support is definitely there, with the biomechanical orthotic footbed, thermoplastic heel counter and cushioning around the collar and tongue, and Vionic claim that these shoes are clinical proven to help foot complaints that overpronators commonly experience.
Buyers have mentioned great support for their fallen arches and relief for Plantar Fasciitis. What makes these walking shoes even better is that there are plenty of other features on board that add to the shoes function in sportier environments, such as the breathable lining, traction on the TPR outsole and light weight.
I had a silastic Swanson implant in my foot 1 year ago and still have trouble with bunion. I also wear orthotics for I have poor pronation of arch. I have been wearing New Balance 928 with roller bar which arn’t to bad,but I was wondering if there is another sneaker out there that would be good for
my inner ward probation. I gladly appreciate any advice you can give
I’d recommend the Brooks Beast for Women…. I’m a big guy (240# 5/11″) and have had total reconstruction of my right foot because of torn post tibial tendon tears (2x) and and achilles tear… I’ve been wearing the beast for 20+ years and have found I don’t even need my orthotic, although there’s plenty of room there if needed (they have removable inserts.
Brooks Beast were my go to running shoes while deployed in Afghanistan. Don’t quite handle walking on gravel as well as Keen Voyager Hiking shoes yet I still preferred the Brooks for relative comfort while in the shoes no less than 13 hours a day.
I recommend Brooks Addiction for women – the other shoe that Bill is suggesting is Brooks Ariel for women (Brooks Beast is the men’s version). Both shoes by Brooks are excellent motion control shoes for severe overpronators. I have only been able to wear two types of shoes for the past 15 years (yep – with wedding attire and all).
My “dress” shoe is Drew Phoenix Plus – which is a black ankle bootie. These shoes work with my custom orthotics to help keep my ankles in a better position. They are expensive but if you have severe over-pronation, I would recommend these shoes. I used to wear Brooks Ariel but switched to Brooks Addiction about 5 years ago.
While your points are valid, you neglected to mention several things in your review that would have been helpful.
1. Does it have a wide toe box, and is the shoe deep–many people who overpronate have bunions, or orthotics that take up some room, thus the need for a roomy toe box and deep heel.
2. Is the last straight or curved?
3. Is the insole removable? If not, does it provide adequate arch support? Many manufacturers do not provide adequate arch support for flat feet, or overpronators.
4. Is the upper cushioned and is the lacing designed for adjustment? The extra hole at the ankle end of the lacing isn’t just there for looks. Different lacing patterns can adjust the fit and feel of the shoe.
5. Although stability and foot control are important for flat feet and overpronation, shoes such as New Balance 928 are not always an answer. The rollbar in the 928 has been found to cause significant heel pain, particularly for those patients with plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is another common concurrent ailment for those with flat feet/overpronation.
6. It is always helpful to know the original intent of the manufacturer. New Balance shoes have long been noted for their stability and ability to “house” custom made orthotics. Thus, customers seeking an insole that is very cushioned or supportive will be disappointed with the thin, non-cushioned insole in NB shoes because the manufacturer realizes that most customers will remove them.
7. Does the shoe come in true wide widths, particularly in women’s sizes? This can be hard to evaluate, but if the manufacturer has only 1 or 2 wide widths for women, say an E and a EE, then the answer would be a no. To imagine that close to 20-30 million potential women customers with wide feet are going to fit into 1, or even 2 wide widths is ludicrous. Unfortunately, most manufacturers are ludicrous, and most women with foot pain are unaware that they are actually wearing shoes with the incorrect width.
Thank you for your time..
Hi am a post man, and for the last few years I’ve been suffering with, over pronation feet (high arches) I get pain from calf’s to the soles of my feet but more so on the right foot, I’ve been to a doctor and I’ve had my feet molded and got a pair of aesthetics which help a bit but I just can’t seem to find a pair of shoes/ boots that help make it more comfortable, I do an average of 20km, 25,000 steps a day, i know the proper footwear can be very expensive too and I can’t afford to pay out £100 every three months etc for footwear for work, that’s why I need to find the right footwear that will last the duration of my day to day life I’d be great full if you would have any advice.
Usually with high arches, you would be underpronating. Anyway I agree the top branded shoes can be expensive. I would suggest that you go for a budget shoe with a removable insole. You can get a good quality insole as per the arch height you require and replace it with insole that came with the shoe. Good luck! Always best to get doctors advise before taking any decision!
Hi, I’m middle aged and have stage 2 PTTD, and I currently wear Mizuno shoes with custom orthotics in them. They’re good and provide decent motion control and support. But as I was hoping to significantly slow down the inevitable progression of the pttd, can you recommend a women’s walking shoe with MAXIMUM MOTION CONTROL and SUPPORT/STABILITY that can be worn for long periods of standing/ walking with my custom orthotics? I’m hoping to travel to Europe next year for the first time, and would like to be able to walk around and see as many sights as possible without doing further damage or experiencing a lot of pain. Thank you.
I suppose this is too late for your Europe trip, but I have been wearing custom orthotics for years due to severe overpronation, and I have found the Brooks Addiction to be the best shoe for me. Nothing else helps as much with my arch pain. Hope you found something helpful to wear to Europe!