If you’re an avid runner, power walker, or just someone that walks a lot, you may have flat feet. If so, then the question of whether a zero drop shoe is good for flat feet might be one of your biggest questions.
Some people that have flat feet have to deal with foot pain. Others say they just have to worry about more serious injuries such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, or other common injuries that are seen in runners and walkers who opt for zero drop shoes.
So what’s the deal here? Is a zero drop shoe good for flat feet?
To answer this question , we have to ask another question.
What exactly is a zero drop shoe? After all, the definition of zero drop might be a bit confusing.
The definition of a zero drop shoe is a shoe where the heel sits at the same height as the forefoot. 0mm difference. In some cases, some companies define their shoes in comparison to the height of other brands. This can be confusing. Zero drop shoes are more commonly known as minimalist shoes, but not all minimalist shoes have a zero drop.
One thing that may not be immediately apparent when talking about a zero drop shoe is that it’s a relative term. It’s actually not saying anything about the actual thickness of the shoe in total, just the heel to forefoot comparison where the two sit on top of each other on an even playing field .
Now that we have a solid understanding of what a zero drop shoe actually is, let’s answer the question of whether or not it’s good for flat feet.
The short answer is: It depends.
To be fair, there’s really no hard and fast answer to this question. For one thing, there is no such thing as a shoe that’s good for everyone. Everyone has different feet, different stride lengths and different running styles. For example, some people may benefit from a zero drop shoe because they overpronate. But some people may not overpronate and could end up with a back or knee injury in the long run.
Other things to take into account include the inserts that you use in your shoes, your weight and how old you are.
Then there’s the fact that you can’t just throw any shoe on your feet and call it a zero drop shoe. It has to make sense for your gait, for what you are trying to accomplish.
In any case, here’s the list of some good things to remember when looking at zero drop shoes:
Don’t go out and buy a pair of zero drop shoes before you even have the chance to try them on in a store for yourself. Bring your own pair of trainers to the store and if you like what you see, then maybe you’ll want to save your money and buy them.
If you’ve got flat feet, then zero drop shoes may be just what your body needs.
Also know that people with flat feet could benefit from zero drop shoes in other sports, not just running. For example, many surfers start out their surfing careers in zero drop shoes and some snowboarders do as well.
It’s also worth mentioning that some people have flat feet because of weakened muscles in their arches. In this case, the solution is strengthening exercises to help those muscles.
When it comes to flat feet, it’s possible that a zero drop shoe could be your solution. It could also be the answer for someone else who has completely different issues with their feet from yours. So, essentially, the answer is that there’s no quick, simple answer to this question. However, zero drop shoes and flat feet can go together quite nicely.