Shoes for lateral support?

jennifermaria

jennifermaria

Cathlete
Hi Cathe,

You mentioned in the running shoes thread that running shoes aren't appropriate for lateral based activities, because they don't provide enough support. I have to admit, I am guilty of using my old running shoes for step and kickboxing workouts (bad, I know!), and I'd like to get shoes that are specifically designed for such workouts indoors, but don't know which ones to go with...

Any recommendations? I know for running shoes, I always go to a running store and get looked at so I can have them find the right shoe for me, but it's far easier to find experts in running who can give you good recommendations on shoes than it is to find an expert in... step, for example, who can give you appropriate recommendations.

So, I am turning to you :).

Thanks!
Jennifer

PS Just a little info on my feet: not sure about my arch, but I do know that the running store said I tend to turn my feet in (as a result, the soles of my shoes end up getting really worn on the inside rim, but not as much on the outside), and I have wider feet than most women, so they sometimes give me a men's shoe (which worked WONDERFULLY, although the last time I went back, I found out that Asics now makes wider widths on their women's shoes, so I was able to wear a women's running shoe for the first time--yay!).
 
I spent a lot of time trying to find a good aerobics shoe in a "real" store, and had NO luck at all. I finally just ordered some Ryka N-Guage shoes (true aerobics shoes, so you'll get the cushioning and lateral support that you want/need) from Zappos, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE them!!!!! Zappos is great, as they have free shipping for both delivery and returns, so if you are unsure of a size, just order 2 knowing you'll ship the other back. Their customer service is FANTASTIC, and when I returned a pair that didn't fit a while back, my account was credited incredibly fast - it was amazing.

I seem to need a bit more room in the toe box, and these are great - narrow in the heel, so you aren't slipping out of them, but plenty of room in the toe box area. Super comfy, and great support. I really LOVE them.

m.
 
I agree! I bought a new pair of New Balance but they don't even compare to the Ryka shoe. Very supportive with alot of cushion. Most definitely a difference than any other aerobic shoe I've tried. BTW, this is the first time buying Ryka and I'm impressed.
 
i was just browsing when i saw the question and the answer. i was looking for an aerobic show but i couldnt find the right one so thanks, my husband is going to chaina in another 3 weeks so he will buy it for me there.
thanks again u were very helpfull

sharona:)
 
HI there,

I just got a pair of Affirm-XT by Ryka and they are finally the perfect fit for me with tons of support for lateral movement and they have a lower ankle than the N-Gage shoes, the high ankles bothered me a lot. I got them from Sierra Trading Post and they were a lot cheaper there than anywhere else. Hope that helps:)

Nicole
 
I just bought my second pair of Ryka N-Gage Studio shoes. My feet were hurting, so that's how I knew I needed new ones. Thing is, they still hurt! Now I do work at a hospital 2-3 days per week and stand on my feet a lot, so maybe that is why. But I am starting to wonder if it's my aerobic shoes and I am doing too much bouncing cardio, on top of spending a lot of time on my feet at work. It's really driving me crazy. Has anyone here had similar trouble with sore feet? My feet are basically sore in the arch and heel. I find I spend a lot of time streching my feet while at work, like standing on my tip toes, then lifting up my toes. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
 
I just bought my second pair of Ryka N-Gage Studio shoes. My feet were hurting, so that's how I knew I needed new ones. Thing is, they still hurt! Now I do work at a hospital 2-3 days per week and stand on my feet a lot, so maybe that is why. But I am starting to wonder if it's my aerobic shoes and I am doing too much bouncing cardio, on top of spending a lot of time on my feet at work. It's really driving me crazy. Has anyone here had similar trouble with sore feet? My feet are basically sore in the arch and heel. I find I spend a lot of time streching my feet while at work, like standing on my tip toes, then lifting up my toes. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
 
I've had various foot problems over the years and just recently went to a podiatrist ... wish I went years ago ... my pain's not completely gone but I certainly recieved great releif immediately after he made some custom orthotics (temporary ones while the pain heals and I go for a recheck in a month). I'd highly recommend getting a referral to one!
 
Well, I've tried both Ryka and New Balance, and so far the New Balance has worked better. I think the Ryka were a half-size too big, but everybody I talked to said, "Oh, they fit small, buy a half-size larger than you normally do." I wish I'd gone with my gut and bought my regular size. If I had, I don't think I would have had so many problems with them. My soles "burned" terribly with the Ryka to the point where I had to stop my workout, whereas with the New Balance, I get a little soreness in my soles when I'm doing an intricate workout like Rhythmic Step; otherwise, the soreness isn't too bad.
 
I tried the Ryka's about a year or so ago and I hated them. They made my feet hurt to the point of stopping stretching out the aches. I didn't have any problems like this with other pairs.

I went back to New Balance as they seem to be the best fit so far. However, I think New Balnace has changed the fit and lately I've noticed that they don't have the same support as they once use it. I've tried several different pairs and I'm still not fully happy.

I'm always on the search for a great pair, but they don't make many cardio/studio shoes. It so limited.
 
Atiman -

I didn't like my Rika's either. I had the same problems as you.

I found it ironic that in a company that claimed to make shoes to specifically fit women's feet, they had virtually nothing to fit those of us with wide feet.

I continue to be a New Balance girl. Certainly not as "glamorous" as the Rika's, but still a decent shoe at a decent price.

I did buy a pair of Freddy ITAs which have worked out pretty well, and they fit my wide foot wonderfully, although it's even a little loose up front. Wouldn't buy them again though.

Susan L.G.
 
Which New Balance shoes do you ladies use? Are these just studio/aerobics shoes? I don't want cross trainers.
 
I have a pair of New Balance 608s and two pairs of 620s. I'm not sure if they're cross trainers or just "studio" shoes.

Susan L.G.
 
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