Your Questions About Sandals With Arch Support For Flat Feet
Robert asks…
In your experience, what is the best sports sandal out there for guys with flat feet?
Me: 22 year old male with hella flat feet (size 12.5). ie. arches are non existent.
I live in the Sac. valley where it gets to be basically over 100 everyday in the summer months and I’m a pretty outdoorsy guy. So I’ve inevitably been wearing sandals a lot. I currently have a pair of Reef Fanning (love them) flip flops, but after finally going to the podiatrist and getting a nasty talking to I’ve started thinking about what to save up for.
I’m looking for more a sports sandal for the support, etc.
I’ve taken a liking to the Teva Tanza (http://www.teva.com/ProductDetails.aspx?g=m&categoryID=422&productID=4141&model=Tanza), but apparently they fall apart REALLY fast.
I’m also interested in the discontinued Timberland Trailway (http://www.shoes.com/Shopping/ProductDetails.aspx?p=19708&pg=1011317).
…but of course I have no clue what these even do in regards to flat feet.
What should I look for? And anyone have any specific recommendations?
MonroyPro answers:
I love my Teva’s. I have had several pairs and have never had them fall apart. I have even back packed in them.
I would call Teva or Keen (another great brand) explain your support issues and ask them which they would recommend.
Http://www.teva.com/
http://www.keenfootwear.com/
One final suggestion. If there is an REI store in your area, go visit them. Their employees are knowledgeable and helpful. They can steer you in the right direction.
Donna asks…
I need a pair of outdoor sandals, recommendations?
Alright so I’m 14, and as the title says, I need a good pair of sandals for my “expeditions” so to speak.
I do alot of fishing, so I get my feet wet alot, and with tennis shoes, it takes too long for my feet to dry, and I often get the dreaded sower shoe smell. I need something that can get wet and possibly has anti-microbial fibers to stop the stink. I also do alot of hiking, so something with alot of support and comfort. I am slightly flat-footed, but it doesn’t hinder me that much from buying shoes with high- arch-supports. I cant really spend that much either but I would really like something that is gonna last.
Any help would be appreciated-
Thanks–
kaleb
MonroyPro answers:
I need, I want, and it has to be affordable….hmmmm your dreaming again kid.
Shoes that are multi sport and have all those features won’t be found in the walmart sandal isle your gonna have to break out the wallet for some extra cash.There are many brands of multi sport shoes on the market, many that are seasonally marketed and somewhat of a novelty beware of those. Do your homework read the reviews of suggested products. Keen sandals are a top maker and many copy their designs I have a pair for hiking into the deep creek drainage behind lake arrowhead in california. Here is a link to REI with several suggested models and brands,
http://www.rei.com/search?query=sandles&button.x=83&button.y=18
Ruth asks…
I just got a job, and my Dad wanted to get Scholls for my feet. But I have a different view on foot support?
I recently got a job as a bagger (courtesy clerk) at a grocery store. My Dad wants me to get shoes that will ensure that I do not hurt my joints. Scholls, for example, though I am not sure if I spelled that correctly. But I am not sure if that might be the best thing to do?
I was told to wear tennis shoes with socks to the zoo, since I would be walking a lot. But I wore ankle-strapped sandals, (Not the cardboard kind, they have some support and are covered in suede.) yet my feet did not hurt at all. Those who did wear tennis shoes though, complained of their feet being terribly sore. Similar to today, while I was getting an orientation at work, I work flats and my feet were far from sore, yet the girl who wore tennis shoes complained of aching feet.
I will mostly be standing, on concrete floor. Would “supported” shoes help? Because I understand that concrete is an unnatural place to stand, compared with standing on soil all day.
Any tips from “barefooters?” Or those who know the feet quite well? What kind of shoes would be best for me?
(For a little history, from going barefoot more often and wear shoes that are more natural for my feet, I have little to no foot pain and my arches have gotten better. Compared to my sister who wears shoes recommended by relatives to avoid bad arches and joint pain, but now suffers from feet pain and joint pain.)
MonroyPro answers:
Clogs are very popular with people who are on their feet all day because they are very sculpted to give total foot support. Surprisingly popular with surgeons.
Paul asks…
Opinions on barefoot running? Improving foot pain?
I just read an article on Yahoo about these new barefoot running shoes! My husband runs 4-5 miles a day, wearing traditional running shoes, and closed toed shoes to work. He complains that his feet hurt, and has recently started sticking arch supports in his shoes. This worries me, because I don’t believe feet belong in restrictive shoes, and I especially don’t believe that feet are meant to have all these special supports. I think his shoes are the the main source of his problems. I run too, and I may look like a nut job, but I wear Teva sandals (the kind with the strap around the ankle so they don’t fall of my feet). I wear the same sandals to work, which I walk to and from. In fact, I wear sandals year round, everywhere I go. In the winter, I just put socks on. I have worn sandals since I was 3, and before that age, my mom didn’t bother buying me shoes, she just let me run around barefoot or in socks. I have 0 feet, back, leg, joint problems. It worries me that my husband, who is only a year older than I am (22) is having feet problems this young. I’ve tries explaining that for thousands of years people wore flat sandals or boots in the winter, and they didn’t have issues with their feet until an advanced age. He tells me technology trumphs tradition. I tell him the proof is in the pudding, my feet don’t hurt, I wear sandals everywhere, his feet do hurt, and he wears all these fancy support shoes. But nonetheless, seeing this article piqued my interest. His birthday is coming up, and I might get him a pair, since his old running shoes are wearing out.
What do you think? Do you think it might help his feet some if he runs in shoes that mimic the natural running action, and allows the toes to flex for balance and the feet to grip the ground like they should? Do any of you use these? Are they durable for running? They really grabbed my attention, so I’m super curious on peoples opinions 
MonroyPro answers:
I have been considering taking the plunge and trying a barefoot or natural running shoe for a while now, but a few things are holding me back.
First of all, there is no real proof that running barefoot or in Vibrams or Newtons is better for you. Barefoot style running shoes may be better for some people, worse for others.
Next, you may have to change the way your run. Part of it will come naturally as the body will quickly adapt a forefoot strike in order to protect the ankle, but there will still be an adjustment period for heel-strikers.
Finally, you can’t simply make the switch. It could take up to a year before you fully make the transition from shod to unshod. Unused muscles have to build up strength, so you will have to decrease your mileage and speed and for the first few weeks you will have to run just a bit in the new shoes and most of your time in the new ones.
Someday soon I will break down and try it, but I know that even having the dedication to stick with it and transition properly it may not be for me. Everyone is different.
You need to do a lot more research on this if you want to have the ammunition required to talk your husband into trying it, and he will need to stick with it and build up properly or he will wind up with more problems then he has now.
George asks…
Soccer related foot and ankle pains..help?
I recently started playing soccer, and my metatarsals and ankle and heel bone are really starting to hurt. I tried doing my daily run today, but i started out and immediately stopped because the pain was too great, but i just kept going and dealt with the pain throughout the 1 1/2 mile run.
Idk what it is, so I really would like some “diagnostics”.
I’m flat footed and have been since i was born if that helps. I usually just walk around barefoot or in Rainbows sandals, Soccer cleats, or “boston’ Birkenstocks and Boots. So i don’t really use like, good arch support sneakers..i hate them
So help. when i press down on each foot, especially my right foot, right above my big toe, where that bone is, it hurts EXTREMELY bad. In latin class i squealed because i pressed it (this is when i first found out it hurt) and yeah so idk what to do.
help me figure out whats wrong with my feet!
i run everyday for about 1 1/2 miles, swim from beginning of summer to october, and soccer season just started so that everyday for an hour 1/2. I also jump rope super fast barefoot…with tiny jumps bouncing on my heels
Sorry this is so long (:
help ): and ty (:
Like right now i went for my run, came back, took a shower and im sitting now, and my calcaneus (heel bone) is on fire. helpppppp!!!
MonroyPro answers:
First of all- do you remember doing anything to your ankle? – Rolled it?, Jammed it?, Step on something?
Second- when do you experience most of your pain? – Like when you first step out of bed in the morning or when you stand up after sitting for awhile?
Third- Did you ever have pain before in your arch? Like before you started playing soccer again.
If you remember doing something to it, I would start with icing and advil. If there is any swelling put an ace wrap on to get that out. Keep it elevated when you are sitting. If it doesn’t start to feel better go to a doctor.
If you have pain when you first stand, that runs along the bottom of your foot you probably have plantar fascitis. Which is when the sheath around the tendons that run along your dorsal aspect of the foot becomes inflammed. Much like tendonitis. This can be helped with arch support, advil and ice massage (take a paper cup and fill with water, let freeze then tear the sides down and massage arch with it for 5 mintues before exercise).
If you never had problems before you may have drop arch, or your navicular has dropped due to the ligaments strain. Usually due to an injury but can happen from overuse.
Hope this helps, let me know if you need more info. If this doesn’t help seeing a sports med doctor will help.
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