By Rehan Iqbal
As a 54-year-old guy who values comfort and support, finding the perfect walking shoes to alleviate overpronation has become a priority for me. Overpronation is a common problem that causes your feet roll inward excessively, causing pain and discomfort. My wife and I both experience this sad state of affairs, along with various and sundry other foot maladies.
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In our quest to find the best walking shoes for pronation correction, both my wife and I have researched and tested various brands. In this article, I will share our top choices and provide detailed insights into each shoe's features, pros, and cons.
What Does Overpronation Feel Like & Who Gets It?
Overpronation is a term that describes your walking gait. When you overpronate, with your feet rolling inward, it can cause a range of discomfort and pain in the feet, ankles, knees, and other areas of the body. When your feet roll inward too much, it can cause other problems, such as plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and knee problems.
It’s important to understand that if you have low arches or flat feet (pes planus), you’re more likely to experience overpronation, but it is not impossible to overpronate, even if you don‘t have flat feet.
Wearing shoes that don’t provide good support, don’t fit right, allow your feet to move around too much or are just worn out or of poor quality can cause overpronation. That’s why finding the right pair of walking shoes is very important in providing proper support, stability, and cushioning no matter what sort of feet you have!
Good Walking Shoes for Overpronators Can Make a Big Difference
The right walking shoes can help correct your foot alignment and make a big difference in the amount of discomfort you feel due to overpronation. Good walking shoes provide solid arch support, along with stability features, and cushioning. All of these features work together to help control the foot's pronation motion and maintain proper alignment.
A well-designed pair of walking shoes can help reduce the risk of foot injuries, enhance walking efficiency, and promote overall foot health. With this in mind, let's explore some of the best choices in shoes for overpronation that we have personally tried and found appealing.
Best Walking Shoes for Overpronation
1. Saucony Omni Walking Shoe
Men's
Women's
The Saucony Omni Walker 3 is an exceptional walking shoe that surprised us with its comfort and support. Made with synthetic and mesh materials, it offers a durable upper with full-grain leather, ensuring longevity. The PWRRUN+ midsole technology provides springy, bouncy and flexible support. This innovative midsole is incredibly light weight and provides excellent cushioning and shock absorption for a comfortable walking experience. The non-slip outsole instills confidence on various surfaces.
On the downside, these shoes do tend to run a bit small and narrow, so ordering a half-size up might be necessary. Another slight negative is that the provided shoestrings, which are hard to loosen and tighten. Replacing them with round or heavier-duty flat laces would greatly improve the overall experience.
Not all walking shoes for overpronation have to look like orthotic shoes – some are much sleeker and sportier.
2. Skechers GoWalk Arch Fit
Men's
Women's
For walking shoes that are comfortable right out of the box, you can’t go wrong with Skechers Gowalk Arch Fit walking shoes. These shoes are suitable for walking, light jogging, workouts, and casual occasions.
Unlike some of the other choices, GoWalk has no problems with the closure system. The adjustable lace-up front gives a very comfortable fit.
These walking shoes are also a literally “cool” choice. They feature excellent breathability with athletic mesh uppers that keep your feet cool and ventilated. The Air-Cooled Arch Fit insole provides excellent cushioning and arch support, along with moisture-wicking properties.
I wore these all throughout my European vacation and they came through with exceptional traction, support, and comfort. I was able to keep up with my tour group all day, every day in perfect comfort.
3. Brooks Addiction Walkers
Men's
Women's
If you’ve had a lot of trouble finding comfortable and supportive shoes, you may have met your match with the Brooks Addiction 2. This is especially true if you have wide feet, as I do. These walking shoes have plenty of room in the toe box.
These high quality walking shoes are designed with maximum support in mind. Featuring an Extended Progressive Diagonal Rollbar (PDRB) to control excessive pronation, along with BioMoGo DNA cushioning that adapts to your stride, Brooks Addiction 2 provides a personalized and comfortable walking experience. The non-slip sole ensures safety on a variety of surfaces.
On the downside, the uppers of these shoes seem to wear out a bit more quickly than those of other genuine leather walking shoes. It might be that a little more attention to leather care would help prevent this problem.
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.
4. Orthofeet Sprint Men's
Men's
If arch support and pain relief are your main priorities, you should definitely consider these shoes . Sprint's cushioning and arch support are really excellent and beneficial for a wide variety of foot ailments. For example, if you need excellent arch support and relief from conditions like plantar fasciitis, the Orthofeet Sprint Men's walking shoe is a fantastic choice.
On the downside, I did find both available closure systems a bit problematic in terms of motion control. The OrthoFeet tie-less system allows for easy fastening and unfastening, catering to a perfect fit initially, but the non-binding fit can get out-of -control because the shoe tends to widen over time.
The lace-up option has a hook and loop feature that can provide slip-on convenience, but it may not always work as advertised. Additionally, the laces of this shoe are very long and can pose a tripping hazard.
5. Vionic With Orthaheel Technology Walker
One of the more popular 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.
Women's
6. New Balance 928V3 Walking Shoe
Men's
Women's
The New Balance 928v3 Walking Shoes offer a combination of style, comfort, and support. With a leather upper and a rubber sole, these shoes not only look great but also provide durability. The genuine rubber outsole provides a very secure, no-slip quality on wet surfaces.
Because they can be a bit stiff at first, these shoes may need to be broken in by using them as formal/professional shoes in situations where minimal walking or movement is required at first. In black, brown and white, these high quality shoes are more than suitable for office wear or formal occasions.
These walking shoes have a nicely accommodating wide fit with plenty of room in the toe box. The ABZORB midsole absorbs impact and reduces stress on joints, and the ROLLBAR stability post system controls rear-foot movement for enhanced support.
7. Propet Stability Walker Walking Sneakers
Men's
Even though I do have wide feet, I have owned and enjoyed several pairs of Propet shoes over the years. Propet shoes generally tend to have a slightly narrower fit, but ordering a half size up can counter that problem.
These Stability Walkers offer enhanced stability due to their supportive, removable footbed and rigid heel counter. I don’t find them quite as cushy as some other brands of walking shoes, they fit well and provide comfort. Ordering a half size up gives room for extra thick socks, as well.
The uppers of these walking shoes are very flexible uppers , and the toe box is roomy, so I haven’t had any problem with painful friction. The throat of the shoe (ankle area) is narrow and provides a secure fit, ankle stability, and overall comfort.
8. Hoka Arahi 6
Men's
Women's
These Hoka Arahi 6 shoes are a perfect choice in a fun, lightweight, all synthetic women‘s sneaker! My wife, who sometimes has arthritis pain in her big toe, finds the necessary support in these shoes without having to sacrifice fun. These “kicks” are available in four pretty colors, including the baked shell coral which she loves.
She also likes the comfy cushioning and stable fit these pretty summer shoes provide. We will definitely be purchasing them again.
9. Gravity Defyer Pain Relief
Women's
For work shoes, my wife is also extremely satisfied with these Gravity Defyer Pain Relief walking shoes. For her job, she has to spend 6-8 hours a day standing and walking on concrete floors. This is very hard on her bunions and big toe arthritis, so finding wide-width shoes that provide all-day comfort and impact protection is a real challenge.
The main caveat in purchasing these shoes is that you must remember to order a half size up because they do run small. My wife purchased her usual size 8 at first, but she had to exchange it for size 8.5. After wearing these to work for a week, she is very satisfied with these sneakers.
It would be a stretch to say that wearing these shoes provides a pain-free work experience for her, but they do help a whole lot. These lightweight, all synthetic shoes have a front-rolling sole that really reduces stress on the feet. The mesh upper is durable, flexible and breathable.
As an added bonus, you get a second pair of CorrectiveFit orthotic insoles so that you can replace the originals and get twice as much wear for your purchase!
10. On CloudVenture Sneakers
Men's
Women's
Sadly, these shoes have couple of problems. As far as fit and support goes, they are very light weight and very supportive, so they might be ideal for serious walkers or runners who wear them mostly (or exclusively) on the track or as gym shoes.
CloudVenture Sneakers have very firm soles, great support, and a solid fit, but the deep grooves and air pockets in the soles can be problematic for everyday wear. They pick up every rock and bit of debris (including dog waste) that you happen to step on, and it’s hard to get them clean.
They might be good for activities such as walking in an amusement park that has clean, well-maintained, all concrete walking surfaces. You could use them as an exclusively indoor shoe, but be aware that if you come indoors with rocks stuck between the grooves in the soles, you could damage hard floors, and you have a greater risk of slipping.
Again, sadly, there are other downsides to these shoes. For example, if you opt for the waterproof shoe, the upper is very stiff and can be quite uncomfortable. Also, the shoelaces don’t like to stay tied so they pose a tripping hazard, get dirty and broken and need to be replaced pretty soon after purchasing the shoes.
Can Wearing The Right Shoes Cure Overpronation?
While wearing the right shoes can help manage overpronation, it is essential to note that it is just one component of a comprehensive approach. Other interventions may include exercises to strengthen the muscles of the feet and legs, orthotic inserts, and physical therapy. In severe cases, a healthcare professional may recommend custom-made orthotics or other specialized treatments.
If you suspect that you have overpronation or are experiencing related symptoms, it is advisable to consult with a podiatrist or healthcare professional who can assess your condition accurately and provide appropriate recommendations for management, which may include suitable footwear options.
Proper footwear plays a crucial role in addressing overpronation. Shoes designed specifically for overpronators often offer supportive features such as motion control, stability, and arch support. These shoes are typically designed with a firm midsole to limit excessive inward rolling of the foot and provide stability. Additionally, they often have a supportive arch that helps to maintain proper alignment and reduce stress on the foot's soft tissues.
Finding the best walking shoes for overpronation is crucial for individuals seeking comfort, support, and relief from foot conditions. Depending on your specific needs, foot shape, and preferences, any of the shoes reviewed here can make a significant difference in your walking experience. Remember to prioritize comfort, support, and fit when choosing your ideal walking shoes.
Reference:
Walking: Select the Right Shoes
https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/sites/default/files/2022-09/fn603_0.pdf
Why Is It Important to Wear Good Walking Shoes?
https://www.maine.gov/mdot/challengeme/topics/docs/2019/may/Why-Is-It-Important-to-Wear-Good-Walking-Shoes.pdf
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!
I recently purchased New Balance sneakers but experiencing foot discomfort. My last sneakers were worn so I guess adjustment is in order. I over pronate and am now wondering if these sneakers are not for me. I inserted my orthotics made by Podiatrist. I am hurting after wearing for four hours today and wore them yesterday also. Should I return them, I usually have good luck with NB or maybe need to adjust and wear only a bit each day?