Overpronation is the term for when an individual’s feet lean in too much toward center when they’re running, walking, or even just standing still. This is a common problem for people with flat feet and people with both conditions need the same things from their shoes. Namely, they need shoes with good support, especially in the midfoot area and around the ankle.
You may also see this condition referred to as pes planus or flexible flatfoot. Some people are naturally inclined to overpronate from birth while others develop it over time. It can also result from injury, inflammation, or damage to the tendons of the foot or ankles. Ironically, this means that playing high-impact sports like basketball can cause overpronation.
There’s an easy test you can do to check if you overpronate. Check the wear and tear on a pair of shoes you’ve been wearing for a little while. If there is more wear along the inside of the sole than on the outside, odds are you overpronate and need to improve your shoe game.
Wearing the wrong shoes can be a big problem for an overpronator. Not only can it be very uncomfortable but people with this condition are more susceptible to certain injuries, including shin splints, plantar fasciitis, iliotibial band syndrome, Achilles tendonitis, and chronic lower back pain.
Finding the right shoe can help to prevent these further injuries and keep you comfortable while you’re playing. That can sometimes be a tall order, though. While there are hundreds of basketball shoes on the market, the majority of the best basketball shoes are designed for average feet and won’t provide the right support. The most important things to look for in shoes as an overpronator are:
- A well-fitted toe box that controls excess movement
- Durable materials that maintain their shape as you wear in the shoe
- Cushioning that balances softness with stability
- Medial support and firm cushioning in the midsole to help keep your joints in alignment
- Reinforced heel counters that increase stability and reduce slippage
Shoes that have these features, combined with the right set of orthotic inserts, will let even severe overpronators continue to play the game they love in comfort.
Now that you know what you’re looking for, check out the list of shoes below. All of them have been thoroughly tested by our team and are rated among the best basketball sneakers to prevent overpronation.
