Affordable sandals for overpronators.

[eatatmidnight]

I am in need of sandals for the summer. I have been described as an overpronator and need something that won't make my feet hurt. Are there any affordable options out there?

 

[ncbyrne]

I have no answer, but may I ask, what is an overpronator?

 

[labdogs42]

I am an overpronator (I walk on the outside edges of my feet, if that makes any sense). I like my Tevas and Keen sandals. Of course, they aren't cheap, but they hold up a lot better than other sandals for me. My feet are also wide, so I have a really hard time finding shoes that fit! I also love my crocs, too. They don't offer a ton of support, but they are comfortable and I can wear them all day at Disney without a problem.

 

[Imzadi]

They make orthotics for dress shoes, cut smaller so they do not take up the whole shoe area as regular orthotics. Could you use one of those glued down into your sandals?

I no longer wear sandals because of the need for orthotics. I'd rather have hot feet all day than ones that are aching at the end of a day.

 

[eatatmidnight]

I have no answer, but may I ask, what is an overpronator?

That is a good question. Overpronate may also be called flat footed. It is when you really have no arch or when your arch flattens when weight is applied. It causes the ankle to turn in and messes with the alignment of the ankle, knee and hip.

 

[KelNottAt]

I am an overpronator (I walk on the outside edges of my feet, if that makes any sense).

I think what you describe is supination. (bearing weight on the outside of the foot)

Pronation is bearing weight on the inside of the foot.

 

[eatatmidnight]

They make orthotics for dress shoes, cut smaller so they do not take up the whole shoe area as regular orthotics. Could you use one of those glued down into your sandals?

I may be able to try that. I currently wear the SuperFeet blue insoles, but could check to see if they make something that would work. I wonder if Birkenstock sandals have a good enough arch to help. But they can be pricey.

 

[Todd&Copper]

I had to look up overpronation and it looks like it means flat feet/fallen arches:

Over Pronation

Over-pronation, or flat feet, is a common biomechanical problem that occurs in the walking process when a person's arch collapses upon weight bearing. This motion can cause extreme stress or inflammation on the plantar fascia, potentially causing severe discomfort and leading to other foot problems.
Cause
Over-pronation is very prominent in people who have flexible, flat feet. The framework of the foot begins to collapse, causing the foot to flatten and adding stress to other parts of the foot. As a result, over-pronation, often leads to Plantar Fasciitis, Heel Spurs, Metatarsalgia, Post-tib Tendonitis and/or Bunions.
There are many causes of flat feet. Obesity, pregnancy or repetitive pounding on a hard surface can weaken the arch leading to over-pronation. Often people with flat feet do not experience discomfort immediately, and some never suffer from any discomfort at all. However, when symptoms develop and become painful, walking becomes awkward and causes increased strain on the feet and calves.
Treatment and Prevention
Over-Pronation can be treated conservatively (non-surgical treatments) with over-the-counter orthotics.
These orthotics should be designed with appropriate arch support and medial rearfoot posting to prevent the over-pronation.
Footwear should also be examined to ensure there is a proper fit. Footwear with a firm heel counter is often recommended for extra support and stability. Improperly fitting footwear can lead to additional foot problems.
If the problem persists, consult your foot doctor.


From: http://www.foot.com/info/cond_over_pronation.jsp

 

[mickeymaker2003]

I am a Birkenstock girl. They can be pricey, but I have found decent prices on ebay and the clearance racks at the shoe store. Make sure you get fit for the rigth size/width in person and try different styles of whatever you decide you like. Birkenstocks primarily come in narrow width (filled in footprint symbol) and wider width (outline footprint symbol). Many of their dressier styles are only available in narrow width. You also might want to check into the ones with a soft footbed. The cork is underneath a layer of cusioning so there isn't much of a break in period. I've also seen Birks/Betulas (made by Birkenstock) at Sam's Club.

Good luck on your search.

 

[NY Disney fan]

I have severe flat feet and suffere from overpronation, I also suffer from post-tib tendonitis. I wear crocs which I can wear all day with no problems. Everything else: I wear orthodics and I love the WalkFit orthodic. I wear it everyday. Merrell shoes are great (they make sandals). Keens is another brand.

I could never wear Birkenstocks as they look as flat as my feet. I would die in those.

 

[pilgrimage]

SAS sandals work well for me. They are often on ebay
for 20% of retail.

 

[jocotter]

I have that problem and Chaco Sandals are good for it. I love them.

 

[leeshiebean]

I think I might check out Birkenstocks for my overpronating feet. My feet fit into the rare group of those with naturally high arches until I stand and put weight on my feet. The arches are so flexible that my feet completely flatten (hence 'flexible flatfoot'). I've been running lately (training for the Disney Princess half marathon in March!) and my arches hurt often as I'm only wearing flip flops this summer. My running shoes are the only support my arches get. My question to those with Birkenstocks is this: will a shoe salesperson be able to fit my foot correctly to the right style (medium arch, high arch) sandal? Or did you go to a specialty store?

 

[Va-bear]

My husband and I both wear Keens (you could call us Keen FREAKS) and got started on them as they were recommmended for folks w/pronation problems. My husbands problem is quite severe - recently, had reconstructive surgery for his plantar facciitus (sp?) He has prescription orthotics, etc. The only shoe he feels good in is the Keen - so much so, that he doesnt even use his orthotics in them, where he does need them in his $120 work shoes and his $130 dollar exercise shoes.

They do cost a lot, but they have lasted longer than any shoe I've ever owned, even with constant use. I LIVE in my Keen sandals all summer. My first pair was used daily for 4 years and then they were passed down to my son (they are brown- unisex styling...) and he's worn them all summer too. We both are considered 'hard' on our shoes (I being large framed and a 'heavy' walker, he being a VERY active young fellow.). I only got rid of the brown ones because he needed some sandals and I finally had an excuse to get one of the very cute colors they make now and didnt 5 years ago!

I found great deals on Ebay and buy most of ours that way now. You can always go to a store to find out the shoe/fit/size you need and then find themon Ebay.

Anyway, lecture over! Good luck w/ finding good shoes!

 

[Va-bear]

I think I might check out Birkenstocks for my overpronating feet. My feet fit into the rare group of those with naturally high arches until I stand and put weight on my feet. The arches are so flexible that my feet completely flatten (hence 'flexible flatfoot'). I've been running lately (training for the Disney Princess half marathon in March!) and my arches hurt often as I'm only wearing flip flops this summer. My running shoes are the only support my arches get. My question to those with Birkenstocks is this: will a shoe salesperson be able to fit my foot correctly to the right style (medium arch, high arch) sandal? Or did you go to a specialty store?

Wanted to let you know to maybe try the Chaco line. When DH and I were looking we both said "ouch!!! These things have high arches!" .... which was NOT for me. (My feet are as flat as pancakes....always were and dont cause me any trouble....DH's 'fell' at some point in his life and cause him TONS). I hope you can find something good.

 

[leeshiebean]

My husband and I both wear Keens (you could call us Keen FREAKS) and got started on them as they were recommmended for folks w/pronation problems.
They do cost a lot, but they have lasted longer than any shoe I've ever owned, even with constant use. I LIVE in my Keen sandals all summer.

Actually, I will second that. I do own a pair of Keens and I adore them. They are so comfortable and super fun because they're bright green.
Unfortunately they're not the type of shoe I can get away with at work or on an everyday basis (again, being bright green, and frankly they're kind of dirty because I love mud puddles when I hike) so I will check out the Birks and Chaco sandals. Actually, I might as well check out some casual looking Keens while I'm at it. Thanks for the idea

 

[Poppo]

I recommend Merrell, it may not cheap but it worth every cents of yours. This shoes was a godsend when I had to walk a lot. Really comfortable and breathable, don't feel any smell out of my shoes.

 

[ACS228]

I love love love my orthaheel wave flip flops! They are a little pricy at $60 but they are the only flip flops that I can wear all day without pain. I even wore them to Disney and I could never wear anything but sneakers there!
I also bought their temp slide for a dressier option. I got both pair from a website called Brightlife direct because they offer free shipping. They do have a "breaking in" period which is explained in the included booklet but once you are used to them, they are great!

 

[dgbg100106]

If you search for the Crocs RX site, they sell Crocs made for people that suffer from Overpronation and PF, which I suffer from. I have found some relief from them and I use my inserts inside my Crocs when they bother me.

 

[Allison-Wonderland]

Check out Marshalls, I got a pair of Merrells on clearance for $29! They have good prices regularly on Merrells, too.