Recommendations for running trainers for an overpronator

[PorridgeIsYummy]

Hi,

I used to love running but I found that I kept having muscle pulls (in my hamstring and hip area mostly) and this eventually made me stop. Someone suggested this might be because I haven't got the right trainers for my gait. I am an overpronator; I haven't had my fair analysed but my shoes all wear on the inside and that's apparently a way to tell.

I've been having a look at trainers for overpronators and I'm quite surprised by the high prices. Is it worth paying that kind of money? And which trainers would you recommend?

I would recommend getting gait analysis done, and also chatting to the staff in a proper running shop, as they ought to know a lot about trainers.

All the major brands will have models which have stability soles. Do you want a road shoe? Lots of cushioning? My favourite brand is Mizuno, also Asics and Hoka. But any of the running trainers (not general use ones) by any of the major brands will be fine, and some will just feel 'right'. Previous season's colours are often heavily discounted - especially if they're about to bring out an upgrade.

I think having good trainers does make a difference, but they are not a magic bullet that will fix all your running woes. I find that doing a Pilates class helps with running, and injury avoidance.

Do you have a Sweatshop near you? If they still do it (had mine done years ago), they can analyse your gait and make recommendations based on that. I used to get pins and needles in my feet when running but they managed to sort me out! Definitely worth a try, I'd say.

I am “the worst overpronator I’ve ever seen” according to one running shop. I always go for Saucony Progrid Stabil CS or whatever the latest version is

You tend to overpronate because of underlying weakness and instability in you hips and core. You need to strengthen your glutes and core otherwise you risk injury when running

Definitely get your gait analysed. All brands make styles for overpronators, but will be different in other ways - some will be wider than others, some foot shapes will be more straight/curved than others, some will have the arch further back/forward.

The right/wrong shoes will make or break how much you enjoy running. Go and get analysed! Up and Running, Sweatshop and Run and Become are all good places to go.

Thanks everyone! Veterinari, that's interesting. I didn't know about the corelation between weak glutes/core and overpronation. It makes sense though, as I used to have this recurrent hip pain after running.

Posted too soon -
I am an overpronator with wide feet. I used to wear New Balance 860w, but they changed the shape slightly and they just don’t fit well anymore. I wear Brooks Adrenaline now. l’ve tried Saucony, but they are too straight for my “banana shaped “ feet. Same for Innov8. Nike and Mizuni are just too narrow.

My best friend is a podiatrist and runner! We spend a lot of time talking about this!

They're worth it, in that they reduce your chance of injury and they are cheaper than physio/ podiatrists/specialist insoles that you can end up paying for if injured. They don't guarantee you'll never be injured again.

There is no substitute for going to a specialist running shop and trying on lots of different pairs, because gait isn't just about the lateral motion of the foot, and it's better to get a specialist's opinion. I would be wary of going from recommendations from an online forum because everyone's feet are different and if you buy an inappropriate pair it's three times as expensive - pay for the first pair, potentially get injured, still have to buy the right pair.

Merrell, Saucony, New Balance and Asics are all reputable brands. Be cautious of unfamiliar brands sold at apparently massive discounts. Don't forget to go up a size.

Another vote for Brooks Adrenaline.

Oh, that's so helpful, thanks! Yes, I'll go to a specialised shop. I didn't know you had to go up one size...

I overpronate. I used to get blisters on the inside of my feet when I wore Ascics. I had gait analysis at my local running shop (it was £10 but if you bought shoes they knocked £10 off the shoes). They recommended Brooks to me, absolutely brilliant. Not cheap but worth it and they last ages.

Agree with veterinari I'm an over-pronator too and my pain (and speed) have massively improved since I've done a lot of work on my body with heavy weights. I train more in the gym than on the road these days. Wrt to trainers, I run flat, or almost flat and again that has made a difference. I run in Merrells. DS2 also over pronates, runs in Merrells and when he had his gait analysis done the woman in the running shop said he was wearing absolutely the best shoes for his issues.

I overpronate too, when you get your gait analysed and find a pair that suits you make sure you note the name of the shoe. I don't particularly care about the colour or having the latest season shoe but if you go online with the name you can get great discount on last season.

I'm a fan of the Brookes Ravenna and ASICS in general. At the minute I'm wearing the asics tri Noosa which are great.

Would echo what Veterinari says. See a physio, they will be able to see whether it is your gait or a problem further up.

I have just got my first pair of brooks adrenaline after several pairs of saucony. Like them!

My overpronation defo improved as I got a stronger core going from the very corrective Sauncony Omni model then to the hurricanes.

I feel out the exercise habit for a bit and hips a by tight. Pilates and weights help everything!!

Seriously, see a physio and do some weight training - it will save you a LOT of pain in the long run

Yes, I do hear how important weight training is all the time. I just find gyms soooooooo boring though. This is why running appealed to me: being in the open air, the wind in my face, that kind of thing. But the frequent injuries really frustrate me.

I got into sport in my 40s after a life-time of zero interest in anything remotely sporty, and to my huge surprise I loved it. Now that I haven't run in months I am so worried I'll go back to being a couch potato. I don't want to be that person again. I do cycle to work, which keeps me active, but It doesn't give me that exhilaration running does!