One thing I never thought of when I got my orthotics was whether or not they would work with my go to running shoes. Admittedly, I have quite the arsenal of sneakers, but my ASICS Gel-Pursues are my favorite, and I really didn’t want to have to give them up! Luckily, choosing the right shoe for orthotics is not too difficult. When you have custom orthotics made for your feet, you will want to look for a neutral shoe (avoid any shoe that says it’s great for pronators or supinators).
When you stop and think about it, it makes total sense. You are having an insert made to fit the exact specifications of your feet. If you have extra arch support in your orthotics, and then you put them in a stability shoe, you could wind up with TOO much arch support. You want a completely neutral shoe, so that the only modifications your foot will feel will be due to the orthotics.
I put my orthotics in the ASICS Gel-Pursues (after removing the foot bed) I put a layer of Spenco foam down (cut to the shape of my shoe) for extra comfort and shock absorption. It’s a thin layer, but just enough to make a difference. After the liner, I put on the orthotic, and then I’m good to go! Luckily, there are a number of great neutral shoes on the market. Many podiatrists recommend ASICS and Brooks as being brands that work well with custom orthotics. To get started, take a look at the Saucony Echelon or Brooks Dyad. Your podiatrist or physical therapist can also give you brand specific suggestions.
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