“Do I need motion control shoes?”
Whether you prefer calming walks through the park or high-intensity and high-impact workouts, motion control shoes are guaranteed to offer you the right type of support and make a world of difference in terms of comfort. Now, that doesn’t mean that you need to break the bank, though.
Right off the bat, motion control shoes aren’t meant for anyone.
They’re specifically designed to offer more structure, comfort, and protection to people who suffer from overpronation and plantar fasciitis. They’re much stiffer than your average Nikes and they’re created to keep your feet aligned with the rest of your body.
Rather than focusing on features such as breathability, flexibility, and shock absorption, motion control shoes are more concerned with arch, ankle, and heel support.
Not to mention that many go even further with roll bars to prevent your feet from rolling; or torsional stability to add some stiffness around the areas that need more support.
When you suffer from overpronation and plantar fasciitis, the right footwear can alleviate pressure, reduce pain, and battle some other symptoms you might be experiencing (like shin splints, knee pain, and strains).
Motion control shoes are the way to go, and we’re bringing you a few tips and tricks to ensure you don’t waste your money on the wrong ones.
What to keep an eye on when shopping for motion control shoes?
Before we go further, we need to establish the difference between stability shoes and motion control shoes.
When you’re searching for suitable footwear for overpronation and plantar fasciitis, know that you can get great support with both stability and motion control shoes. Keep in mind though, that it all depends on the severity of your condition.
Stability shoes are softer and lighter, and they aren’t as stiff, which means they’re better for slight overpronation. Motion control shoes, however, offer a bunch of different features that are designed to alleviate the pressure and pain of overpronation and plantar fasciitis.
With that out of the way, make sure you keep an eye out for these features when you’re shopping for comfortable, snug, and protective shoes.
First things first, opt for shoes that are stable, stiff, and supportive enough to control motion and prevent too much movement.
Furthermore, sneakers aren’t always comfortable. You might have a tough time trying to find sneakers that speak to your condition and offer you enough comfort, flexibility, breathability, and padding.
On top of that, don’t forget to check the size and the fit of the sneakers you’ve got your eye on. Whether you’re working with wide or narrow feet, you’re going to be much more comfortable once you start paying attention to these things.
Of course, we can’t forget about the balance between cost and durability, either.
When you’re spending a considerable amount of money on motion control shoes, you might as well wear them for years to come, right? Worry not, we’ve prepared a few of our favorite picks to make your quest for the perfect footwear that much easier!
What are the best motion control shoes on offer?
1. HOKA Arahi 6 Running Sneakers
We can’t seem to make a sneaker wishlist without adding HOKA sneakers.
This brand’s been known to create comfortable, functional, and practical footwear that promises to keep you going through the day. Their HOKA Arahi 6 Running Sneakers aren’t any different. A few of the features we need to talk about are EVA J-Frame, a padded tongue and heel collar, and the pull tab.
After you try these bad boys on, you’re going to understand what we’re talking about – these sneakers are snug because of the EVA foam that wraps around your arches, comfortable because of the added padding, and easy to slip on and off without pain because of the pull tabs on the back.
Now, you might need to start saving right away because they’re fairly expensive, but they’re definitely worth the money.
2. Brooks Adrenaline GTS 18 Sneakers
Brooks happens to be one of those brands that never disappoint. When you’re someone who suffers from sensitive feet, overpronation, and plantar fasciitis, you understand the struggle of spending too much money on footwear that’s “sort of comfortable” and “kind of doesn’t hurt your feet.”
However, with Brooks sneakers, you don’t have to worry about making a mistake because everything they come out with turns to gold. We’re being a little dramatic here, but that’s because the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 18 Sneakers are a dream come true!
They aren’t going to drag you down because they’re lightweight and breathable. They also aren’t going to cause you discomfort while you’re running and walking, either, because they’re snug and stiff around the right areas. They’re equipped with solid arch and ankle support, too.
What’s not to adore?!
3. New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 V12 Running Shoes
OK, can we get a round of applause for these sneakers because they’re perfect for severe overpronation?
When you check out what’s available online or on the market in general, you might notice that most brands focus on “slight overpronation” or “solid arch and ankle support.” However, they almost always forget to offer something to people who are on the other end of the extreme.
Worry not, New Balance seems to have thought of everything with these sneakers! They feature an EVA-based layer that keeps your arches secured, a stiff and sturdy frame to ensure as little movement as possible, and a considerable amount of cushioning for comfort.
We do, however, need to mention that they’re heavier than some of the other sneakers we mentioned beforehand. Granted that you’re searching for lightweight, delicate footwear, these sneakers might not be right for you.
4. Saucony Omni 16 Running Shoes
We’re keeping up with awesome, affordable sneakers that are guaranteed to catch everyone’s attention. More often than not, motion control shoes can rub you the wrong way, slow you down, and affect your workouts.
Because of that, people tend to opt for stability shoes even when they’re suffering from severe overpronation and plantar fasciitis. However, Saucony Omni 16 Running Shoes don’t come with the same problems because they’re plush and padded for comfort.
They’re more breathable and lightweight than some of the other brands we mentioned beforehand. Moreover, they’re flexible which means they’re guaranteed to move with your feet – and, they offer plenty of bounce back!
Not to mention that they’re budget friendly even though they’re beaming with features that are perfect for anyone’s feet.
5. Altra Provision 6 Running Shoes
Now, the Saucony sneakers might have sparked your attention with the promise to keep you comfortable at all times. But, the Altra Provision 6 Running Shoes come with extreme support and solidity you just don’t see with other brands.
They’re reinforced with guard rails that are responsible for providing you with enough arch and ankle support and Ego midsoles that promise to keep you grounded throughout the day. They’re padded, too – you can count on cushioned heel collars and Innerflex grooves.
They are also made with fine, feathery fabrics designed to keep you fresh and dry regardless of what you’re doing. Actually, reviewers agree that Provision sneakers remind them of neutral shoes rather than motion control or stability ones.
6. Asics Gel-Kayano Sneakers
OK, these are the most popular and most prominent sneakers made by Asics. As a matter of fact, the Kayano version’s been remade twenty-seven times. Sure, you might think that means that they weren’t perfect from the get-go, but Asics wanted to keep up with new trends and technologies.
Because of that, the Asics Gel-Kayano Sneakers are perfect motion control sneakers because they offer more than enough padding, structure, and support.
When you’re wearing the Gel-Kayano sneakers, you don’t have to worry about rolling your ankles, hurting your arches, or experiencing pain while running, walking, or working out. They were designed to absorb shock, meet everyone’s gait differences, and provide you with more stability than any other sneaker.
7. Nike React Infinity 3 Running Shoes
Who doesn’t know and adore Nike sneakers? Nike managed to build a name that screams “high-quality, high-performance sneakers” which means you’re happy to try them out without overthinking and overanalyzing the features.
However, the Nike React Infinity 3 Running Shoes are a little different from your average motion control shoes. Before you bite the bullet and get them because they’re a name brand, know that they’re not meant for people with severe overpronation and plantar fasciitis.
They’re built with higher arches and horseshoe-shape guide rails to appease overpronators, but they kept the signature Nike design to ensure they’re appropriate for neutral runners, too.
Whether or not that’s something that might sway you another way, these sneakers are by no means “bad.” They’re firm enough to ensure you can go about your day without fear of rolling your ankle, we can say that much. And, they’re easy on the eye which might be something you’re searching for.
At the end of the day, you can’t go wrong with sneakers that provide you with enough structure, balance, and comfort to ease the pressure of overpronation and plantar fasciitis. Good luck!
