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Hiking shoes for overpronators

PostPosted: Thu Jan 10, 2013 12:09 pm
by visentin
Hi,
Does anyone know a mountaineering boot manufacturer producing shoes for overpronators (and possibly underpronators), in other words people with flat feet ? (small or non existent plantar arch)
Well, this is a bit my case, which led me to purchase overpronator running shoes, which I find great. Many running shoes manufacturers (for example Asics) do and it's getting more and more popular in this domain, so I was wondering if and which hiking boot manufacturers launched a range of products fulfilling this requirements. My current shoes are standard insole, despite I feel very well in them my ankles and plantar arch tend to feel soar after long hikes when I have not walked for a long time.
My question is valid for low hiking shoes (not covering ankles) as well as high boots (typical mountain shoes covering the ankle)
Thanks for the advice !

Re: Hiking shoes for overpronators

PostPosted: Thu Jan 10, 2013 2:49 pm
by reboyles
I'm not aware of any mountain boot company that specifically builds a boot for high or low arches unless you get into individual custom built boots like ice skaters use. Some brands of boots do run wide and some narrow so actually trying them on is the best way to get a good fit. Getting a custom insole would be the best way to get a good fit for your feet. Many ski and running shoe shops can make a custom insole that is relatively inexpensive (as compared to getting a custom boot built) and they are easy to swap if you wear them out or need a better fit.

Bob

Re: Hiking shoes for overpronators

PostPosted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 7:57 am
by visentin
Thanks for the advice.
I might try the insole solution, however for running shoes I gave it a try already and I don't believe much in it. It's about the whole shoe construction, not the only sole, at least for running.
For hiking probably the insoles make more sense, perhaps this is why there is no single range of products that include pronation.
However for my case, the high mountain boots I have are close to their end of life (worse, the more I use them the smallest they feel ! I can't explain that) so this is why I am looking for a whole mountaineering boot.
The low hiking boots which I use mainly for day hikes on maintained trails are quite new, what's more I use in them insoles initially bought for the running shoes (ironman gel insoles, far too heavy for running but great for walking)
I just had a look at the thread about trail-running shoes with rubber soles, the La Sportiva sound fine, but these are rather low shoes like I have.
I might go to some specialized shop where someone competent recommend me a proper boot after analyzing my feet.

Re: Hiking shoes for overpronators

PostPosted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 8:08 am
by visentin

Re: Hiking shoes for overpronators

PostPosted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 8:20 am
by visentin

Re: Hiking shoes for overpronators

PostPosted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 2:42 am
by mek4life
Hi I'm an avid climber, 5-10k runner, and also an extreme overpronator

From my experience of gazing online for countless hours through various mountaineering boots, I'm pretty confident that there isn't any specific manufacturer who cater for overpronator vs. underpronator. The only consensus people seem to have are for serious climbing/mountaineering: wide feet - Scarpa, long feet - LaSportiva

I personally think underpronation/overpronation in hiking/climbing boots doesn't matter at all, AT ALL. In running it matters a lot because you're mostly running in flat surface and are doing 2-3 strikes per second. If you're a slight over/under pronator lactic acid will build up preferentially on one side and its gonna make you tired really quick.

In climbing/hiking or even trail running, the surface is not flat to begin with so it doesn't matter whether you're an over/underpronator - your footwork and balancing is more important.

Finally for the plantar problem, have you tried taping your foot? I found this works really well for me personally during long races
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pi-gX5P4GAo[/youtube]

Re: Hiking shoes for overpronators

PostPosted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 3:31 pm
by visentin
mek4life wrote:In climbing/hiking or even trail running, the surface is not flat to begin with so it doesn't matter whether you're an over/underpronator - your footwork and balancing is more important.

When we think of it, indeed it makes sense and sounds obvious...

Thanks everyone for all the advices. Seems that many forum threads here and there say more or less the same, and I've seen recommended many times Asolo Fugitive GTX for people having flat feet. I see that there is even a submodel called "wide fit", which is my case, so I might give it a try. Especially since it is rather my high mountaineering boots I need to replace, and the previous was also Asolo - they lasted a decade.