Running with flat feet can be frustrating, difficult, and downright painful, but it doesn’t have to be.  With the proper pair of shoes, it’s possible to alleviate most of the issues that accompany flat-footedness. Also known as “fallen” or “low” arches, the main problem with this condition is that it affects one of a runner’s most crucial components. Arches act as a natural shock absorber, helping to soften the blow during the foot strike phase. Without the arch’s support, impact is allowed to vibrate through your feet and legs, thus resulting in a higher risk of injury. More often than not, flat footed runners are also overpronators, which means that the feet roll inward upon foot strike and require a shoe with ample support, but it’s important to note that this isn’t always the case. If you’re unsure, it’s probably best to consult a running specialty store in your area, as they’ll be able to analyze your gait and determine whether you overpronate, underpronate (also known as supination), or have a neutral stride.

With that in mind, we’ve included options for all three types of foot motion, although the majority will be best suited for overpronators.If you have flat feet, running without the proper shoe support system can lead to injuries. Normally, the foot arch helps absorb the shock of the foot striking the ground while running, but for flat-footed runners, the arches collapse when their feet hit the ground. As a result, flat-footed runners are more likely to get injuries. Choosing the correct shoes can greatly help your form, however, so check out the top 10 running shoes for flat feet. When the foot strikes the ground with flat feet and the arch collapses, the ankle twists inward and knee overcompensates while running. Flat-footed runners tend to overpronate, which means the feet roll inwards too much when running. As a result, flat-footed runners need stability features, which help stabilize the feet and prevent extra rolling movements. People with very flat feet who severely overpronate can benefit from motion-control shoes, which restrict extra motion of the feet.

Support is also important for flat-footed runners, as their arches do not offer sufficient cushioning. Motion control shoes can help runners with extremely flat feet and a high level of overpronation. , include the Saucony Progrid Hurricane 15, Mizuno Wave Inspire 9, Brooks Adrenaline GTS 13, Brooks Ravenna 4 and Asics Gel-Kayano 19. recommends Mizuno Wave Alchemy 12 as the lightest motion-control running shoe available. For individuals with an arch that may collapse while running, shoes designed with layers of polyurethane material in the arch create more support and stability. nike basketball shoes white and blackStability shoes can correct overpronation by limiting excess motion of the foot, helping flat-footed runners move more efficiently. mountain bike shoes review australia

Stability shoes tend to be less bulky than motion-control shoes. , are Adidas Adistar Boost, New Balance 870v3 and Nike Lunarglide 5. Shoes with stability or motion control features tend to offer plenty of arch and foot support, as overpronators are usually flat-footed or overweight runners. If you have extremely flat feet, consider adding arch support inserts in your running shoes. Make sure your shoes do not become too tight after you add the inserts, however, as your toes should still have a little wiggle room so you don't get blisters.top comfort running shoes 2014 Gain 2 pounds per weekwomens running shoes trends Gain 1.5 pounds per weekbest shoe brands wiki Gain 1 pound per weeknike training shoes for running

Gain 0.5 pound per week Maintain my current weight Lose 0.5 pound per week Lose 1 pound per week Lose 1.5 pounds per week Lose 2 pounds per week The Best Shoes for Flat Feet The Best Women's Walking Shoes for Flat Feet Top 10 Jogging Shoes for Men The Best Cross Trainers for Flat Feet Running With Fallen Arches What is the Best Running Shoe for a Flat Foot With a Pronation? Arch-Building Exercises for Flat Feet Good Basketball Shoes for Flat Feet 5 Things You Need to Know About Underpronation The Best Arch Support Walking Shoes The Best Walking and Jogging Shoes The Degrees of Overpronation in Running 5 Things You Need to Know About Arch Support Running Hurts the Inside of My Foot The Best Shock Absorber Running Shoes Proper Foot Placement When Walking Walking Shoes Vs. Cross-Training Shoes How Fixing Your Feet Can Improve Your Workout The Best New Balance Shoes for Flat Feet

What Is the Difference Between Cross-Trainer And Running Sneakers?Home Running Shoes for Flat Feet The Top 3 Best Running Shoes For Flat Feet Running Shoes for Flat FeetTwelve years ago, the U.S. Navy's physical therapists took one look at Milo Prodanovich's feet and concluded it was impossible for him to run. Given his incredibly flat feet and the prevailing wisdom at the time, their appraisal was understandable. Flat feet were viewed as the scourge of able-bodied folk, and no feet were flatter than Prodanovich's. "My feet are so flat," says Prodanovich, "that they leave suction-cup marks on the road when I walk." warmup Quote of the Day, motivation, and inspiration — every morning rundown Advice on training, nutrition, shoes, and more — every evening Keep this field blank Enter your email address You may unsubscribe at any time. By the time the navy told Prodanovich he shouldn't be running, he had already been doing so for 13 years, logging between 30 and 50 miles a week.

Prodanovich ran through his stint with the navy, and is still at it, feet as flat as ever. Moral of the story: Flat feet don't necessarily preclude you from running. But they can cause you some trouble if you're not careful. "You can't just look at a flat-footed person and say, Gee, you're going to have problems running,' " says Lloyd Smith, D.P.M., a Newton, Mass., sports podiatrist and past president of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine. "A lot of people who run, and run very successfully, have flat feet. Yet we do know that people with flat feet have a greater chance of getting injured than people with normal-arched feet." Try taking the Wet Test. Wet your feet and then stand on a flat, dry surface that will leave an imprint of your foot. When you look at the imprint, you should find that you have one of the following foot types. Description: Flat feet have a low arch and leave a nearly complete imprint; there's little inward curve where the arch should be.

Foot characteristics: This imprint usually indicates an overpronated foot that strikes on the outside of the heel and rolls inward excessively. Over time, this can cause many different kinds of overuse injuries. Runners with flat feet often need motion-control or stability shoes. Description: Normal feet have a normal-sized arch and leave an imprint that has a flare but shows the forefoot and heel connected by a wide band. Foot characteristics: A normal foot lands on the outside of the heel, then rolls inward (pronates) slightly to absorb shock. Runners with a normal foot and normal weight are usually considered biomechanically efficient and don't require motion-control shoes. Description: High-arched feet leave an imprint showing a very narrow band connecting the forefoot and heel. Foot characteristics: A curved, high-arched foot is generally termed a supinated or underpronated foot. This type of foot usually doesn't pronate enough, so it's not an effective shock absorber.

Runners with high-arched feet often need shoes with superior cushioning. Fortunately, genuine flat feet, such as those beauties sported by Prodanovich, are actually quite rare. "Most runners who think they have flat feet actually have low-arched feet," says Richard Schuster, D.P.M., a semi-retired podiatrist living in Florida. "Their arches may be very low, but there is an arch there." The good news is that having low-arched feet is not necessarily a handicap, either. Schuster estimates that one-third of the populace have flat feet or low-arched feet, one-third have normal-arched feet, and one-third have high-arched feet. Given a choice between low and high arches, Schuster would choose low-arched feet every time. Low-arched feet are more flexible; rigid, high arches are more likely to produce muscle strains and pulls. Low-arched feet also absorb the shock of running better than high-arched feet, simply because more of the foot spreads across the ground. "Runners with low-arched feet generally don't have to worry," says Schuster.

"The runner with high-arched feet is usually the one with more problems. This is a highly complex situation, but generally a low-arched foot is a fairly strong foot. A lot of runners probably have low-arched feet and don't even know it." Many running injuries begin with the feet no surprise, since they are the first part of your body to absorb running's shock. Running on true flat feet is akin to running on Jell-O. Flat feet tend to overpronate. This often causes the legs to collapse inward with each footfall. Left unchecked, this can lead to overuse injuries ranging from shin splints to aches and pains in the ankles, knees, hips and lower back. "If your foot is flat and you don't have proper support, all the problems that occur can be the result of your feet," says Joe Ellis, D.P.M., coauthor of Running Injury-Free (Rodale Press, Inc., 1994). "It's hard to be specific about the type of injuries flat feet cause because they can cause all sorts of things." Low arch or no arch, there are certain precautions you can take to lessen the risk of injury: