Q: I was told that I pronate and that I need a shoe with good stability for walking. I am not sure exactly what to look for; do you have any suggestions on where to start?
A: Almost every athletic shoe company makes shoes for over-pronators. Brooks is a great company for finding a shoe that fits your foot and will decrease the pronation when you walk or run. Within the Brooks line, you may want to try on the Beast (men) or the Ariel (women) - the most supportive. Next would be the Addiction IV and then the Adrenaline and then the Vapor. These are all running shoes that may be ok for you to walk in. As far as walking shoes, I would recommend the Addiction Walker. All of these shoes with the exception of the Vapor come in widths.
Features to look for when looking for a stability or motion control shoe:
· Firmness along the medial aspect of the midsole (arch side of the shoe). A dual-density midsole means that the rear part of the shoe (usually gray in color) will be firmer to control pronation and the front part of the shoe (usually white in color) is softer for toe-off
· A shoe with a broader base of support
· A shoe with a higher midsole wrap along the arch (should not be cut away)
There are many things that go into making a shoe supportive. It is best to visit a local specialty account (see store finder on the home page) in your area and get properly fit.
Carolyn R. Varndell
Having a strong interest in both medicine and sports Carolyn is a Certified Athletic Trainer and Board Certified Pedorthist.
