what's a flat-footed hiker to do...?

[lilygrrrl1]

just got home from a great hike in PA/NJ area (despite ernesto dumping all day saturday), and have a quick question.

is there any help for the incredibly flat footed hiker?

can anyone suggest special insoles...or brands of shoes/boots that might be better suited to the hiker WITHOUT any discernible arch?!?

thanks all.
krinkles

[Earl Grey]

You could go to a orthopedist and get some custom made for your foot. It will cost more but will be infinetly better.

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

My brother-in-law is a distance runner with flat feet. He uses the sports model insole from Flat Foot.

[Blissful]

Eventually you will have problems over the long run if you don't get some support. Shin splints, hip and knee problems, etc. I was having issues. I'm getting use to Superfeet insoles right now. Not the green ones (which can be tough on flat footers from what the guy at REI told me) but the blue middle-of-the road. At first my arches hurt like crazy but I am slowly getting used to them. I think they will work out very good.

Has anyone though had issues with the blue Superfeet tearing up Gortex lining? They say don't use them with Gortex, but the blue is the only one that works for me and I have Gortex boots.

[Spock]

Dear Flatfoot,
This may seem radical, but forget orthotics. Try a pair of Nike Free Trail 5.0s. They will strengthen the plantar fasciisti - the tendons under your feet, and restore the strength of the many small muscles and tendons that have atrophied because of overprotective footwear. Your balance will improve, your "flat" feet will develop stronger arches. And your feet will shorten as the arches recover. If your feet are flat because your arches have actually collapsed, the process of recovery may be a little uncomfortable at first. However, the remedial effect of these shoes is remarkable, and your feet will thank you.
Again, let me caution you against special insoles or shoes with built-in arch support. That is the reason you are having the problem in the first place. You have worn shoes that provided arch support for too long and at some point wore shoes in which the support broke down, leaving your weakened arches unsupported.

[the goat]

my feet are completely flat and somewhat narrower than most too. i've never had any of the issues detailed above. i use montrail boots & trail runners and also salomon trail runners & rarely have had a problem. i carry a heavy pack too.

btw, the worst foot pain i've ever had on the trail (probably in my life for that matter) was after putting some new superfeet insoles in my boots and hiking all day. superfeet are absolutely worthless, in my experience.

[MedicineMan]

my orthopod told me during my plantar fascitis crisis that a flat footed person will seldom get plantar fascitis, but that they will eventually get hip or knee problems, so act on this now and prevent the future.

[Sly]

Anyone ever try WalkFit orthotics?

http://walkfit.com/

I've aways been tempted.

[bigcranky]

Like Mr. Goat, I have flat, narrow, low-volume feet. Montrail shoes fit me reasonably well, as do some of the Salomons. However, the only way for me to be comfortable on the trail is to use the green Superfeet insoles -- they provide the arch support I need.

Every foot is different. You might try some different insoles before dropping the big bucks on custom orthotics, though.

[TOW]

My feet are as flat as a honed board. I just wear a boot that has no arch whatsoever in it, I've also wore boots that are slightly curved sloping the fron of the foot down. Vasque makes excellent boots for us flat footed beasts..........One of the upswings of being flat footed is that I hardly get blisters.

[MOWGLI]

what's a flat-footed hiker to do...?

Take up swimming?

On a more serious note... go see a Podiatrist. Everyone's feet are different. Plus, the way that you walk (pronate) might be causing you issues.

[the goat]

One of the upswings of being flat footed is that I hardly get blisters.

i've never gotten a blister on the trail, no one believes it, but it's true!

[Footslogger]

btw, the worst foot pain i've ever had on the trail (probably in my life for that matter) was after putting some new superfeet insoles in my boots and hiking all day. superfeet are absolutely worthless, in my experience.

=================================

SuperFeet are not designed to be used by people with Pes Planis (Flat Feet). SuperFeet have a relatively high and firmly formed arch that will cause bruising and irritation for a flat footed hiker. By definition, someone with flat feet has little or no natural arch in the mid foot so all that added support is unecessary and actually counter productive. Hikers with flat feet need to focus on comfort rather than arch support. Some footwear may work right out of the box and some might need some added padding or space filling.

SuperFeet are designed to support the arch and hold the foot in place so that the heel plant stays firm and the stride is stable. In addition to a stable stride, the SuperFeet aid in limiting elongation that is caused by the settling of the arch within the shoe/boot. That, along with swelling, is a primary cause of the so-called foot growth during a distance hike.

I used to fit footwear for hikers and have had success with all types of feet and inserts. SuperFeet have their application (I use them personally) but they aren't for everyone and definitely NOT for the flat footed hiker.

'Slogger

[sirbingo]

I have flat feet but I don't over pronate...I actually supinate. What's up with that?

[Footslogger]

I have flat feet but I don't over pronate...I actually supinate. What's up with that?

===============================

Pronation/supination is a function of the alignment of the bones of the foot (primarily the Talus bone) with the Tibia and the developmental effect that has/had on the associated ligaments, muscles and tendons. Being flatfooted is not synomous with pronation.

'Slogger

[sirbingo]

Thanks Slogger!

[c.coyle]

just got home from a great hike in PA/NJ area (despite ernesto dumping all day saturday), and have a quick question.

is there any help for the incredibly flat footed hiker?

can anyone suggest special insoles...or brands of shoes/boots that might be better suited to the hiker WITHOUT any discernible arch?!?

thanks all.
krinkles

Are you having pain or other symptoms? Are shoes with pronounced arches giving you problems?

Spock seems pretty sure of himself, but I understand that biomechanical problems, such as overpronation, can cause flat feet in adults. Orthotics are a widely accepted treatment for overpronation.

If you're having persistent problems, don't listen to us, consult with a podiatrist.

[boarstone]

Anyone ever try WalkFit orthotics?

http://walkfit.com/

I've aways been tempted.

Sly: I ordered the walkfit insert for my flat feet. I've worn arch supports all of 42 years. About 3 yrs. ago on a hike, my left arch(what I had left) "fell, broke etc". I was wearing a SOLO boot from a Europe manufacturer. I blame the boot/poor fit. After a Dr. visit and a orthopedic, I didn't get any help or answer. So I ordered the walkfit, followed the directions to a T, which one MUST do to prevent sore feet as you adjust to them. I wear a ortho insert from the Podiatrist and the walkfit insert and so far(knock-on-wood) I can now day hike compared to 2 months ago. I just did a 7 miler in the "100 mile" section of the AT up here and did okay. My ankles hurt more than my feet the next day. Each person needs to try what they THINK may work. Not always the same for all. I tried many different combinations and probably will try more. It may be too if ones arch(s) have been injured beyond repair, hiking will be halted. I know my days are numbered because of it.

[Litefoot]

Custom orthotics are the best choice in my opinion because they're specifically made for your feet. I thru-hiked in custom orthotics and had no problems with my feet, ankles, knees, or hips (except for a couple of small blisters). If your feet are properly supported, everything is lined up the way it should be from your feet to your hips.

A cheaper alternative are Shock Doctors (http://www.ems.com/catalog/product_detail_square.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=8455 24442588876&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574488808463& bmUID=1157687193481). Not quite as good as my custom orthotics but still pretty good. The only problem I had with them is that they raise my heels a little higher in my shoes than my custom ones do. This results in some friction when I'm hiking up hills. This will lead to blisters eventually if I don't use mole skin. It might have just been the shoes that I was using, so I don't know if others will have this problem.

I tried the WalkFits a few times, but they felt like the arch support was right in the middle of my foot instead of off to the side where it needed to be. It felt like walking on tennis balls. However, even though they don't feel right to me, I kept getting the feeling that they just might work if I wore them a while, so my feet could get used to them. I paid $15 for mine, so they might be worth a try.

As someone else said, a visit to a podiatrist is probably a good idea.

By the way, I had Plantar Fasciitis which is what motivated me to go to a podiatrist.

[highway]

A very good pair of sandals. It worked for my damaged feet where nothing else would and I tried most everything until I stumbled upon using them