Orthodics in racing flats?

Orthotics or orthosese.

Get a light weight orthotic (foam, soft plastic) for your flats. I have a soft plastic orthotic that has minimal weight. I really can't notice a difference between having it in my flats and not having it. And in the longer races, 1/2 to full, my arches will hurt badly if I don't have the orthotic.

Any arches in ANY shoes have always bothered my feet. The problem is not that you need orthotics, it's that you need to get rid of the arch protrusions, and don't get any shoes that have depressions under the balls of your feet.

I have high arches and anything pushing into my arches, especially while running, would be quite annoying.

Barefoot is the best, but doesn't give enough protection from things like rocks and glass.

What I like best are the mid 70's racing shoes, nylon uppers, thin firm soles, minimal higher heels 1/4", hard rubber under heels, and light weight.

A friend of mine tried orthotics for awhile. They threw his stride off and he was always having trouble with the, besides they made his feet weaker. He finally got rid of them and ran better.

claremontmuddscripps