Triathlon - Help! Can't seem to find the right shoes

Aloha,

I write this after spending a small fortune on running shoes over the past several months using advice from local running store staff.

Problem I keep running into is that I have a wide foot, high arches, I seriously under pronate/supinate, and I have a very hard heel strike (on the outside) as I weight 300 lbs (down from 350 about a year ago). I am currently walking/jogging at least 7 miles, three times a week (plus 1 hr bike rides and/or swims on non run days) and I am starting to have problems with my right heel (spurring), right achilles (previously bruised but not torn), and some blisters on the front pads of both of my feet.

Could use suggestions on running shoes with the most heel cushioning and that are not built up on the inside part of the heel. I have several pairs of shoes (including saucony, asics, and new balance that are all wearing on the outside from the heel to the front of the shoe) that are all built up on the inside part of the heel and I'm having difficulty finding running shoes that are built up on the outside part of the heel.

Hope you all can help.

Mahalo, Lapbander.

Aloha,

I write this after spending a small fortune on running shoes over the past several months using advice from local running store staff.

Problem I keep running into is that I have a wide foot, high arches, I seriously under pronate/supinate, and I have a very hard heel strike (on the outside) as I weight 300 lbs (down from 350 about a year ago). I am currently walking/jogging at least 7 miles, three times a week (plus 1 hr bike rides and/or swims on non run days) and I am starting to have problems with my right heel (spurring), right achilles (previously bruised but not torn), and some blisters on the front pads of both of my feet.

Could use suggestions on running shoes with the most heel cushioning and that are not built up on the inside part of the heel. I have several pairs of shoes (including saucony, asics, and new balance that are all wearing on the outside from the heel to the front of the shoe) that are all built up on the inside part of the heel and I'm having difficulty finding running shoes that are built up on the outside part of the heel.

Hope you all can help.

Mahalo, Lapbander.
http://www.roadrunnersports.com/cgi-bin/rrs/rrs/rrShoeChart.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0111506516.1128826621@@@@&BV_EngineID=ddaddekidfljibelgcgecfefdgg.0

http://www.roadrunnersports.com/cgi-bin/rrs/rrs/rrFitTips.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0111506516.1128826621@@@@&BV_EngineID=ddaddekidfljibelgcgecfefdgg.0

Look at New Balance as you can order wider width shoes

Thanks MHR,

Will check out the sites listed tonight.

Aloha.

Aloha,

I write this after spending a small fortune on running shoes over the past several months using advice from local running store staff.

Problem I keep running into is that I have a wide foot, high arches, I seriously under pronate/supinate, and I have a very hard heel strike (on the outside) as I weight 300 lbs (down from 350 about a year ago). I am currently walking/jogging at least 7 miles, three times a week (plus 1 hr bike rides and/or swims on non run days) and I am starting to have problems with my right heel (spurring), right achilles (previously bruised but not torn), and some blisters on the front pads of both of my feet.

Could use suggestions on running shoes with the most heel cushioning and that are not built up on the inside part of the heel. I have several pairs of shoes (including saucony, asics, and new balance that are all wearing on the outside from the heel to the front of the shoe) that are all built up on the inside part of the heel and I'm having difficulty finding running shoes that are built up on the outside part of the heel.

Hope you all can help.

Mahalo, Lapbander.
hi, also supinate, so i feel your pain; shoe manufacturers make very little along these lines. you need to have your running shop make sure that they are recommending shoes for heavier runners (less fluffy padding, more substance to the cushion.) i have tried the same manufacturers you have, and although they were good shoes, i have found adidas to be the runners that least forced me to the outside of my foot. you kind of just have to go and look at the lasts of a bunch of different shoes. as far as your foot problems, you might consider gel heel cups to alleviate the stress of your heel strike. the achilles is likely a flexibility issue, and you should try to keep your achilles stretched throughout the day, not just before your workout. blisters may be helped with better socks, but how is the toe box in your current shoes? if you are getting to much motion you may need to try something more fitted through the forefoot. good luck. i know i dread when my shoes wear out and i have to go struggle to find a new pair.

Step 1: orthothics. controversial, but they worked wonders for me. I also have wide toes, supinate, and I used to heel strike (that is a topic in itself). Then you can worry about getting shoes with a wide toebox without worrying as much. Having a narrow toebox tends to squish my toes, which tightens my plantar foot muscles which leads to increased supination and so on.

Unfortunately the normal wear pattern for shoes is the outer edge of the heel.

There is no reason, I repeat, no reason for your feet to blister. Wearing thin socks, I have run up to 40mi in a week without blistering despite that fact that I have smooth, callous-free girly sandal feet. I also have never had purple runners toenails (forefoot too tight).

Recently, I have tended to wear Brooks. My last pair was pretty awesome with lots of toe space.

For the calf problems, it sounds silly, but just do some single legged squats and balance exercises. Bodyweight alone should be sufficient. Supposedly it simply retrains the firing pattern of the muscles. Regardless, its my quick fix solution to make sure that muscles aren't working too hard. Every time I start having calf problems I hit the gym (or the living room floor) to retrain those wee little muscles and they return to their usual happy state.

A good shoe store will actually be able to help you a great deal. By "good", I mean that their service people can identify whether you pronate or supinate, know which brands' shoes are wider, narrower, etc.

A lot of people buy running shoes down at the mall, and are sold the latest flashy shoe from Nike or some other big name, with little to no understanding of shoe fit.

Talking to an local pedorithist, running group/coach, or trial and error should help you find a shoe store with the right sort of service people.

Good luck!

A good shoe store will actually be able to help you a great deal. By "good", I mean that their service people can identify whether you pronate or supinate, know which brands' shoes are wider, narrower, etc.

A lot of people buy running shoes down at the mall, and are sold the latest flashy shoe from Nike or some other big name, with little to no understanding of shoe fit.

Talking to an local pedorithist, running group/coach, or trial and error should help you find a shoe store with the right sort of service people.

Good luck!

bingo. a local store that i go to will videotape you on a treadmill then identify your running posture, then recomend a shoe from there.

I would also recommend heading to a running store, where they will spend some time with you to determine the best shoe for you. You will spend more money there; however, you will have the right shoe. After that you can start ordering the shoes online for a better price. My opinion is they will put you in a Brooks Beast, which is a shoe for bigger runners. Good luck...keep "tri" ing!

Sorry....here's a link to the Beast shoes.
http://www.roadrunnersports.com/cgi-bin/rrs/rrs/ProductPg.jsp?baseProdKey=RRBRK470&fromClearance=true&prfc=5&sc=CRM%2D02258&PartnerName=I%2Dsearch%20%28Froogle%29

Thank you all for the advice and for taking the time to help. I've picked up new socks, new insoles and a new pair of Asics neutral shoes (size11/4E) that were a half inch smaller than what I've been wearing lately. While I did find some "neutral" New Balance, Brooks and other Asics shoes that fit well, the Asics Gel Cumulus VII fit me like a glove. I've done over six hours of walking/jogging without any blisters or other heel or achilles problems. Again, Mahalo.