Bit niche - Shoe recommendations for skater boy with hyper mobility & flat feet

[Havingkittens]

I wasn't sure what topic to put this under as it's sort of to do with kids health, but very concerned with style! My son is 12 and really getting into his own "personal style", which revolves around skateboarding & music, so he's not one to wear running shoes/trainers as part of his out of school wardrobe. He's always had flat feet and pronated ankles so we do already try to make sure he has decent shoes, but he's now been told by his podiatrist that he has hyper mobility too. She said he shouldn't wear thick inflexible soles, such as dunks and obviously most Vans have bugger all support. Just wondering if anyone else has kids or teens that are into skate fashion that have found good footwear with flexible shock absorbing soles that still look cool. High tops have been recommended for ankle support.

What about something like this https://thefitville.uk/products/fitville-mens-titantoe-high-top-composite-toe-sr-sneakers-v1

Can’t he get proper insoles and then put them in his shoe of choice?

Thank you OneGiddyRubyViewer but they're not really his style.

Bizee he has orthotics, but she also said he needs to take her other recommendations on board too. He does wear them with his Vans, but only for skating, or if he's not walking much. He needs the other factors when on his feet for a long time. The insoles are for arch support, but if the sole is still rigid, or thin, then they only help so much.

I have the exact same set of problems. Has the podiatrist also given any physio recommendations? I can keep a lot of my issues at bay by doing particular stretches and strengthening exercises daily.

Following to see if others have good shoe recommendations. I love my air force ones, they're more supportive than dunks but the soles are also rigid.

The only trainers I own that my podiatrist agreed on (apart from my running trainers) were Adidas falcons.

Most skater style shoes with the thick soles won’t be suitable for him. And he doesn’t like sporty ones/ can be picky. It’s up to him if he wants to suffer for fashion.

insoles are a halfway point.

He maybe just needs to suck it up and wear something that isn’t his style on longer days, then stick to vans and insoles on shorter ones

Something like these Etnies might fit the bill? The majority of the brand is very 'skater' but some of their shoes are a bit lighter and more flexible.

www.schuh.co.uk/mens/etnies-scout-grey-trainers/3410377560/

I have EDS and I live in my Coverse Run Star Hike. at this product that I found on google.com RSH
And Run Star Motion
RSM
*Links are AUD.

You can get other colours of course and low-rise shoes, but the high-rise are better for ankle rollers. I buy elastic laces from Temu/Amazon/Ali Express and change up the colours and styles and you don’t need to worry about doing up the laces ever again.

Agreed. That's kind of our strategy for the most part. The hyper mobility is a new diagnosis, so some of the shoes we thought were ok for longer days are less so now because of the more rigid sole, such as Air Jordans/dunks, so just doing a bit of research to see what other options we have.

Thank you. That google link doesn't work, unfortunately. He loves those crazy looking Converse, but they do look a bit like a recipe for a twisted ankle!

Interested to know about the elastic laces as he's rubbish with laces, but I wondered if the elastic provides too much "give" as the podiatrist was very insistent on firmly done up laces.

Yes, we have a sheet of exercises. I took in a pair of Adidas trainers that were similar to AF1s to show her. I got them because they had good support at the back of the ankle, but she said the sole was too rigid. Luckily I only got them the day before so I've returned them.

@Havingkittens The inner soles of both of those Converse are not your traditional flat as pancake Converse soles, but rather, very supportive, hiking boot-type ones, or I wouldn’t be able to walk from one side of the kitchen to the other.
As for the laces, I buy several pairs at a time and swap them out as soon as they start to loosen up. BTW, I leave them undone at the top. The little lugs keep them from popping through the holes and nobody has ever noticed. (Your DS doesn’t have to, btw.). I find the flat laces provide much more support than the cylindrical ones, as well.) Oh and there are plenty of places in the UK to find them - Just look up Converse Run Star Hike or Run Star Motion and you’ll find plenty. (More than here, that’s for sure. Just don’t tell DS that this was recommended by a klutzy 53 y/o nurse.) (My 19 y/o DS has some RSMs though…)

Christ those converse are hideous

vans ultra range. I’ve found Nike SB range quite comfy much for flexible than vans

@OneGiddyRubyViewer - Yes, those ones are not my cup of tea either. There’s something very “Space Jam” about them. I wouldn’t wear them either, but boys seem to like them.

Either way, both shoes come in lots of colourways and the Run Star Hikes, like mine below in different fabrics also - not sure about the Space Jam boots and they both have fabulously supportive soles, which you don’t get with normal Converse sneakers.

BTW ones I have are rather sedate dark, grey-green leather, more traditional looking high tops. The white laces come with the shoes and the red laces I added to my grubby, old ones. (I have had them for at least three years. I just scrub the white bits with a magic eraser when they get really scuffed up.) I find the slightly heavier sole helps with proprioception and the inner sole is extremely supportive.
@Havingkittens Below are the laces I have described (the red ones) done up all fancy by my DS who has spent way too much time on TikTok. (DS is also hypermobile, btw)

Oooh, I forgot - Chuck 70’s also have good arch support and cushioning.

I promise I’m not working for Converse at all. I’m a nurse and have no irons in that fire. They look like the OG high tops, but I found the others more comfy.

Thank you. Oh, and I'm in my mid 50's so my son knows that older ladies can be cool too 😉