If your feet have naturally high arches, you can find yourself facing some challenges with your gait and running style.
The owners of high arches shouldn’t forget how your arch height affects your running shoe choice and injury risk. It`s really important to choose the right shoes for your high arches to maximize your running potential, and most importantly, to prevent feet pain or discomfort because high arches can cause a number of undesirable side effects, including bony injuries such as stress fractures and shin splints, arch and leg stiffness, ankle strain, pain in the balls of the feet and ligament rupture.
The correct running shoes will give you the support your arches need and provide your feel great comfort, regardless of whether you're a sprinter or a long distance runner.
What Is Your Arch Type?
When looking for running shoes, draw attention that most running stores will recommend looking at the height of your arch to identify what kind of shoes you need. So before buying good CrossFit shoes for yourself, you need necessarily to determine your exact arch type and confirm that you really have Cavus foot.
One of the most widespread and simplest tests to define your arch type is a wet test. Wet one of your feet and step on a brown piece of cardboard. Stand on the leg in such a way that your entire body weight is put on your feet during the test. Then step off, look down at your footprint carefully and compare it with this arch type guide to know your arch type:
You can also watch the wet test here.
What Criteria Should You Draw Attention To When Selecting the Best High Arch Running Shoes?
There are some key factors that you have to bear in mind when choosing the right CrossFit shoes for high arches. Pick the shoes for running drawing attention to such key features:
The appropriate amount of support. When you have high arches, more weight will be placed on your heel and the balls of your feet because the center of the foot is much higher. That`s why high arches need a different kind of support compared with flat or medium feet. If you want to choose the right running shoes, you should look for the shoes that will provide the center of your foot the right height of insole to carry it while holding the body`s weight.
The type of cushioning. Your forefoot and heel must also have the right cushioning. But here your choice will depend on not only your arch type but also on pronation or the way the foot rolls. Underpronation means that your foot rolls inward, overpronation means it rolls outward. If your foot doesn't roll overly inward or outward, you have neutral pronation. High-arched feet don`t need a great amount of cushioning since it has a little support in the arch. High-arched feet commonly ensure little shock absorption, so your feet appreciate the shoes with the additional padding.
Enough comfort. Your running shoes need to be comfortable. The appropriate high arch support is one thing, but feeling comfortable during the intense training is what you really need. Choose the running shoes that fit you best and try to buy the shoes at the end of the day as your feet normally swell a bit during the day`s activities so at the end of the day they will be at their largest size. This helps you to pick the running shoes that are too small.
Breathability. Of course, the breathability of your running shoes shouldn't be overlooked. Especially today when current technologies allow designing the shoes with breathable and lightweight materials. It`s important to choose the shoes with decent airflow and ventilation to provide your feet maximum comfort while you're running.
Flexibility. The important component that cannot be ignored by runners is the flexibility of the model. The flexibility in CrossFit shoes helps compensate the stiffness of the high-arched feet. Remember, the mesh or syntactic upper gives your footwear additional flexibility. Besides, the midsole and outsole should be also flexible and allow your foot to move naturally.
Stability. Don't forget if you have high arches, your feet don't have much contact in the center. Thus, a perfect running model should fill this gap and provide you this necessary stability. Choose the shoes with s steady running platform and a good traction with sturdy, well-designed outsole.
Shoe`s shape. When picking the running shoes, the shoe's shape or last shape needs also to be considered. Try to choose the shoes that have a curved last because this structure allows you to have a more neutral running experience. But if you choose a slip last, it will be also a great option as this design can provide your feet with extra cushioning, flexibility and comfort.
The Best High Arch Running Shoes for 2017
ASICS Gel-Venture 5
The ASICS Gel-Venture 5 is ideal if you're looking for super-comfortable running shoes. This model is considered as one of the best womens running shoes for high arches as well as mens running shoes with arch support. This sneaker features the breathable mesh and synthetic upper and removable foam cushioned insole. The outsole has a Trail Specific pattern that makes them the perfect shoe for hard pavement and the cross-country marathons.
Via Amazon.com
New Balance 890v4
The New Balance 890v4 fits you perfectly if you have high arches. Such model works great on gravel, track or road in, no matter, wet or dry conditions. These shoes are designed for normal workouts and speed work for track marathons. The midsole of the sneakers includes REVlite foam that will cushion the feel while you're running. They also have the ABSORB crash pad to keep the feet comfortable and collect all the shock.
Via Amazon.com
Brooks Glycerin 14
The Brooks Glycerin 14 is designed for people who have high arches as it does not interfere them too much, giving you the right amount of cushioning. This shoe has the wonderful traction that allows you to run in any weather. Created out of Super DNA material, they protect your heels and balls of the feet and the Cush Pod gives you a smooth heel to toe transition.
Via Amazon.com
Conclusion
With modern technological developments, running shoes became more advanced than before. So even if you have high-arched feet, that isn`t a great trouble now, the main thing is to find the perfect model that allows you to reduce the risk of injury and feel comfortable during the training.
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