5 Shoes that might help with your knee and foot problems


Do you all remember when I was going to physical therapy and my PT told me that I run with a flare ( and not a good flare). My right leg and knee flare out and I don't know how to control it. You would think it would be as easy as JUST DONT DO IT. But its not.  Sometimes I really think about it on my runs and I try to straighten it out but to be honest, unless you told me I was doing it, I would never know that's what I was doing.

So anyway, when I had the opportunity to go to a running seminar at my local running store, I went.
After the seminar I stuck around and got some individual attention from the owner. She watched me walk and run. I didn't even have to tell her what my problem was because she spotted it right away.

In an effort to keep my knee straight when I run, she suggested a shoe with more of a rocking motion, something that can help with my initial "push off".  She had me try on several pairs that she thought would work for me. She had me run up and down the sidewalk outside of her shop. At this point I was letting the shoe decision entirely up to her. Which shoes did she think helped my form the best?

So, we decided on what pair she thought was best. I was actually surprised that the price was reasonable to.   I wore these new shoes around the house all weekend, and then took them for a 4 mile run that Monday.  After the first mile, I just wasn't feeling the comfort in these shoes. They were feeling a little too narrow for me and by mile 3 I knew a blister was starting to form.

My initial thought on these shoes was that they weren't going to work for me. They just didn't make me excited to want to lace them up and go run. I felt bad at first and thought that maybe I should give them another try but honestly, if I didn't like them after 4 miles, I didn't see the need to get them any more dirty than I had already got them if I was going to return them anyway.

So, they went back to the store and I did find another pair I am currently trying out.

If you find yourself in the same situation as me and have one foot or knee that flares out more, you might want to try one of these shoes that gives you a better lift off and therefore puts your knee in a straighter position.

1. Brooks Ghost

2. Altra Torin

3. Altra Paradigm

4. Adidas Energy Boost

5. Saucony Ride

After speaking with a shoe brand representative who is also a medical student studying in bio mechanics, he told me that this type of shoe can help with my problem but it would merely just be a band-aid for what is really wrong. He suggested that my flare out had something to do with a pelvic problem. Since then I had got X-rays done in that area and everything is fine so I don't really know what my flare problem is stemming from, but I hope the shoes do help straighten it out.   ~M

Anyone else have a problem with their knee or foot flaring out?  have you found a pair of shoes that help your running form?



37 comments:

  1. I don't flare, but I know someone who does...I almost think it's a hip/pelvic stability problem that goes down to the knee and foot. I'll pass along your suggestions!

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    1. I was told it was a pelvic problem too but I've had x-rays done and was told I was fine. I don't know what my problem is now!

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  2. I don't have the same problem but am glad you found a good solution. I also just go to my running store and let them tell me what to buy after they watch me walk. It's worked well so far!

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  3. I don't think I do that, but I just started running in some new shoes that you mentioned, the Saucony Ride, and they're comfortable for me. Thanks for sharing what you learned - I like posts like this!

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    1. Glad you like the rides! I've always had luck with Sauconys.

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  4. The Brooks Ghost are my absolute favorite. I own three pairs of them. I bought the Energy Boost a few months ago, tried them out and ended up returning them.

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    1. What didn't you like about the Energy Boost?

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    2. They made me feel like I was running on the outside of my foot. It was the weirdest feeling and by the end of my run I had bad arch pain, which I had never experienced before :/

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  5. I have no idea what I do wrong when I run, but I'm sure my form is a hot mess! I do run in Altra Torins though and I love them!

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    1. Which Altra Torins do you have April? I've been running in the new Torins for a few weeks now.

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  6. I know my running form isn't ideal either. I've scheduled a run analysis in a few weeks and I wonder if they will tell me to switch shoes as well. Happ #FridayFive

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    1. I'll be anxious to hear about your analysis and what shoes they suggest for you. Keep us updated!

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  7. I was told by my PT that I run like a "runway" model...over exaggerated one foot directly in front of the other (not on purpose of course). I had to completely retrain my gait and you're right, it's not easy. Hope you've found shoes that work for you!

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    1. I've never heard anyone say they run like that . You are right, it's very hard to retrain your body to do something different than what it naturally wants to do.

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  8. I just started running in the Brooks Ghost and really love them. I don't have a flare but I have about a million other issues :) Good luck, I hope your new shoes help but I agree, you have to find the root of the problem so you don't have to mask it forever!!

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  9. I'm in the process of learning a new gait and it's not easy. When I start zoning out during a run, my form goes back to what's natural for me. My LRS has a "proper running form" class and I'm thinking of signing up. If the form's going to help along with my new shoes, I've got to get used to it.

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    1. I should probably take one of those classes next time they are offered at the LRS.

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  10. I hope the new shoes workout better! I over pronate so have to use shoes that help with that.

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    1. I actually have another new pair to test out coming in the mail! I hope I get them soon!

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  11. Great post! I'm going to a running seminar on Wednesday and plan to buy some new runners then! I occasionally get that knee problem! Love my Brooks, they've been the best... Though I wish I could have something less bulky. Maybe I'll find something on Wednesday!

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    1. I actually haven't tried the Brooks yet. My mom has them and loves them though!

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  12. Its crazy the difference a pair of shoes make... & they are all individual, that's for sure.

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  13. I don't do this so unfortunately I can't offer any help. Maybe take a couple slow runs just to focus on form and have someone out there with you behind you watching to see if it keeps happening? Maybe also do more yoga and hip stretches/strength exercises? Good luck!

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  14. This post rings SO true!
    For every different foot type there are different shoes that can do exactly as you say and help with knee, foot and even shin & leg pains.
    A lot of newer runners or runners breaking into different and longer distances. Have what I call chronic pains, they think they have runners knee or weak ankles ect.. But the truth is they really likely don't, one they are either under trained and pushing too hard before their bodies are ready, and then most likely in the wrong shoes and even if they get another pair, they still get the wrong kind for their body/feet because they don't get an analysis done to figure it all out. I tell people all the time just because a person can pay $130 for a popular running shoe doesn't mean it's the greatest shoe for them.

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  15. It is definitely time for me to get new shoes fitted to me. I have a bit of a wacky stride, developed from years of correcting issues. I"m doing the best I have at the moment, but there is always room for improvement! I'm just a hard fit because my foot shape tells you one thing, my running stride tells you another, and then I have orthotics. I am such a mess.

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  16. This is a great post, and lots of great info; thanks for sharing! I have to admit, though, that I'm cracking up over here...thinking about you running "with flare." Cue the images of one of my favorite films ever - "Office Space." :) Hope you have a great weekend!

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  17. It's amazing how much a shoe can help (and hurt) you!! I don't flare when I run (or wing out, as we say in the horse industry), but I do have a high Q angle and overpronate, especially on my right foot. After getting properly fitted, I started with Brooks Adrenalines and loved them from first run. After a few months, I noticed they started bothering my ankle a bit. Turns out, with increased training and strength my gait had improved and I was able to step down in support to the Brooks Ravenna. With both shoes, I've always paired them with rigid OTC orthotic insoles, too. I've been in the Ravennas for over a year and half now. Will get refitted when I need to update my shoe collection this winter.

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  18. Running mechanics are so hard to correct! I think I have the opposite issue with sometimes kicking in. I hadn't thought about trying these shoes, but will look into it.

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    1. Maybe the rolling motion of thee shoes will help your knee that kicks inward too.

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  19. My right knee hasn't been the same since my pregnancy and I wondered why until I saw this. Perhaps my choice of shoes isn't helping.

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    1. Hopefully one of these shoes will help your knee. Of course the shoes are only "helping" your problem, not fixing it.

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  20. I work the Adidas Boost for over a year and I *loved* them. They are lightweight and felt great on my feet. The only drawback was that they were kind of expensive, even more than the Newton's I'm currently in. I was wearing Newton's prior to that and recently went back to them after a redesign. I feel like I get the "push off" your talking about with them.

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  21. I've been wearing Altra Torins after reading a great post from April @ RunTheGreatWideSomewhere (who posted above). They are amazing! Took me a few weeks and extra stretching to get used to the zero drop, but they made an immediate difference for me. Really improved my form. No more back or hip pains. And the room for my forefoot and toes is great. I can't say enough good things about them. (Thanks, April!!!)

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  22. so interesting to read about this. i don't have these issues but this is great information for someone who might!

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  23. That's too bad that they can't seem to find the reason you are running with flare. I hope the shoes help fix the problem! I look forward to hearing how the new shoes are working out.

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