Best shoes to limit overpronation?

Brooks Beast, but without getting into the minimalism business, seriously consider whether limiting "over"-pronation is right for you. I would find the shoe that is most comfortable for you, regardless of where it falls in the stability spectrum. At least find a good local running store and talk to them there (or go to a couple and compare the advice and selections).

Overpronation is normal and natual for you due to your biomechanics. You don't need a special shoe to 'correct' the issue because there is nothing to correct.

I broke my ankle and it never healed right so I overpronate more than normal. I have found the brooks racer st the winning choice. Its light, low to the ground, and posted.

J.O. wrote:

Overpronation is normal and natual for you due to your biomechanics. You don't need a special shoe to 'correct' the issue because there is nothing to correct.

I appreciate that you're trying to help, but I respectfully disagree. Basically, I want to do *better* than what is "normal and natural" for me by improving my times!

One route to doing so (not the only, and probably not the most important) is to increase the efficiency of my running motion - my legs are all over the place, and sometimes even bang into each other (foot into opposing calf), so we're not talking about minor issues here where the question of what is most efficient becomes debatable.

And yes, I know that reducing the overpronation will not magically fix all this, but I view it as one piece of the puzzle (along with strengthening various muscles, improving flexibility, and doing form drills).

nike victory or matumbo

I'll say it again, your feet are supposed to 'overpronate' that is your NATURAL running style, your NATURAL biomechanics. Don't interfere with it, live with it. Any attempts to 'correct' the issue will reduce your efficiency.

J.O. wrote:

I'll say it again, your feet are supposed to 'overpronate' that is your NATURAL running style, your NATURAL biomechanics. Don't interfere with it, live with it. Any attempts to 'correct' the issue will reduce your efficiency.

Right ... so I just accept that my foot will bang into my calf as I run because that is what is "natural"?

Also, I assume you don't train at all. I mean, whatever times you can run without training, those are your NATURAL times, and any attempt to alter them will only reduce your performance.

Thanks, but no thanks.

ok not one person has responded on here seriously...

i work at a running shoe store and these are some good options:

Brooks Adrenaline or Asics 2160. those 2 are the most supportive. if you like neither the nike structure triax is another good option.

Thank you to the helpful posters, especially "hoala" and the person who suggested the Brooks Beast.

J.O. is giving you a serious reply.

My opinion is that some shoes cause overpronation. I don't see what is wrong in avoiding those shoes. For me, they are generally shoes with soft heels combined with a cut away arch. I can't think of any models right now but I think that is a pretty good generality. I think that the only reason a post works is just because it is harder foam in the heel, not some special mechanical design.

what do you think people without shoes years ago had naturally to absorb impact? They had their achilles heel and arch, in order to prevent injuries, the muscles stretch and bend to absorb impacting energy from a natural fore-foot/mid-foot strike of the foot.

-paraphrased from Harvard professor Daniel Lieberman

(if you strike the ground first with your heel, forget all that i said and just go with brooks beast or orthotics)

with a pronation inward because of the arch muscle in your foot absorbing the impact energy

Some people on here are ridiculous.

I also work at a running store, and depending on the intensity of your overpronation, I'd agree with the Brooks Adrenaline.

Other shoes to consider would be the Mizuno Inspire, Nike Structure Triax, Reebok Road Supreme...just to name a few!

Thanks bluejayxcrunner. I've worn the Nike Structure before, but will check out the Brooks Adrenaline and, especially, Brooks Beast.

As for the poster who paraphrased Dan Lieberman - we have no idea how much people ran in prehistory, or how often they might have gotten injured from running, so that's not really a convincing argument against running shoes. Having said that, I recognize that the hard evidence for running shoes reducing injury is equally lacking.

I laugh at the guys saying overpronation is OK. Almost by its very definition, OVERpronation is not good. We all pronate, that is good and natural. Some pronate more than others and their bodies can handle it; other's, not so much. Not every locomotion-system will self-correct and work effectively without some foot support, just as not all eyes will self-correct without glasses. Look at how much variation there is in human body shape and size, it just can't be that *every* human being runs most effectively without shoes. I just don't buy it. Majority, perhaps...but everyone??? No way. I say give the guy a break.

I'll second the shoe guys' choices...but recognize that the Brooks Beast is a pretty hefty load to carry.

Having said all that, however, I do believe that you should be running with as little support in your shoe as you can get away with. You should be looking into why you overpronate, and work on exercises that will help to strengthen those areas. It maybe that you can work your way away from pronation control shoes at some point. Who knows.

One million internets awarded to you, sir. I couldn't have said it better myself, so I will quote you, in the hopes that people re-read what you wrote.

Mizuno Wave Alchemy 10 is excellent and lightweight.

I'm a mizuno guy, myself. Although I am neutral, so I don't venture into the stability shoes. I"ve found that the Inspire sells really well in terms of stability!

lucKY2b wrote:

You should be looking into why you overpronate, and work on exercises that will help to strengthen those areas. It maybe that you can work your way away from pronation control shoes at some point. Who knows.

I agree completely. I got my stride analyzed, and saw a PT specializing in distance runners who evaluated where I'm weak/stiff/unbalanced. From that, I have a set of exercises that I'm going to work into my strength training which I hope will improve things. The shoes are just one component of many, and arguably less important than the other aspects.