The Monday Shakeout: Best Racing Shoes that Can Handle Orthotics?
By Matthew Klein
This week we talk about whether super racing shoes and orthotics mix. While most do not (we explain why below), there are still some options out there for those that feel most comfortable or prefer to run with their orthotics. We want to remind you that racing shoes are not typically designed with orthotics in mind but as always we will try to provide some guidance on finding a solution.
Orthotics are additional inserts that most commonly add additional stiffness in ways that may create stability, facilitate certain motions or attempt to restrict others. They are most commonly used to provide arch support or medial stability for the foot but can be used for a far greater variety of things. They are commonly prescribed for various injuries, are an extra add-on sale that many companies will do (often unnecessarily) or are a way to make certain aspects of the shoe fit better for the individual. Orthotics do have certain requirements and not all shoes are made to take orthotics. In fact, many are designed without a thought to them at all. They require the insole of the shoe (also called the footbed) to be removable so the orthotic can replace it. Having both the insole and orthotic in the together often does not work as there will not be enough room in the shoe for both.
On top of that, orthotics generally take up more volume and space than insoles. For that reason, the shoe being used with the orthotic must have a higher volume upper to accommodate both the orthotic and the foot! Finally, there should generally not be additional stability elements like posts, wedges or guidance aspects that create excessive movement biases as that may either counteract or exacerbate/overdo the impacts of the orthotic. For example, super soft midsoles may not work well with an orthotic as the orthotic will attempt to provide stability that is offset by the super soft sole. Or other times it may compensate for it.
Super racing shoes are maximal stack height shoes meant for faster running that feature extremely soft and resilient midsole foams, extremely stiff plates (typically carbon fiber) and large aggressive geometries (rockers, narrow platforms, etc). As they are not meant for daily wear, super shoes are typically aggressive, with lower volume fits meant to create more security with less and/or lighter materials. To save weight, most super shoes feature thin glued in or non-removable insoles/sockliners. They also feature high levels of stiffness, usually from plates meant to facilitate motion under certain speeds and/or stabilize the super soft foams. Unlike normal daily training shoes, these faster more aggressive racing shoes are not designed to take or work with orthotics.
As noted, many of the requirements for utilizing an orthotic with a shoe conflict with the design of the super shoes. However, in the case that the super shoe features a removable insole/sockliner, adding an orthotic is certainly an option. Those who decide to do this need to know it may change the function of the shoe and/or make the shoe far stiffer than it normally is. We know more stiffness is not necessarily better as different people respond best to unique levels of stiffness or flexibility (Mcleod et al., 2020). So if this is of interest to you, we highly encourage you to try the following options with your orthotic and testing them BEFORE committing to them. Unless you are highly experienced with this, that means going for at least a full run with them prior to workouts or racing. In the case you are still interested, here are several options that may work for you.
*Note: Super shoes that feature a drop in insole, like the On Cloudboom Strike, will not work with an orthotic despite the ability to remove the insole. The insole features a large percentage of the shoe's super foam, so taking it out would definitely change the function of the shoe.
Super Racing Shoes That May Be Able to Handle Orthotics
On Cloudboom Echo 3
(Firmer rockered ride with room to add insole)
Hoka Cielo X1
(One of the roomiest Hokas happens to also be their super shoe.)
New Balance Supercomp Elite v4
(Generous room in the shoe helps provide ample space for an orthotic. Softer, relaxed option)
Faster / Super Trainers That May Be Able to Handle Orthotics
(We do recommend a half size up on these models to have more room to fit an orthotic)
ASICS Superblast 2
Mizuno Wave Neo Vista
Puma Deviate Nitro 3
Saucony Endorphin Speed 4
Conclusion
While we have tried to compile this list to be helpful, how an orthotic may interact with the shoe and you may vary. I (Matt) have tested all these shoes with an over-the-counter superfeet orthotic and they were all able to take it. Whether it felt comfortable with all of them was variable, but I don't typically run with orthotics (but will test anything for the sake of sharing helpful information). This is a reminder that each shoe will react differently to an orthotic and we encourage you to test them out prior to using them for racing. Regardless they can take one and we hope this helps open some options for you that you may not have previously been aware of.
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NEXT: Best Half Marathon to Marathon Slower Options