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High Arches and Achilles Tendonitis.

What a combination…

Can you run with this condition?

Possible…

But you must take some precautions as described in the FAQ section.

Also, using a dead packed out shoe will cause you nightmares.

So, here are 6 Best Running Shoes for High Arches and Achilles Tendonitis in [current_year].

I think Hoka One One Bondi 6 Running Shoes is the best one but there are 5 more to choose from.

Our Top Picks

For Women:

✅ Asics Gel nimbus 20 Running Shoes

“Good heel stability for Achilles Tendonitis. Gender specific cushioining for arch support”

For Men:

✅ Hoka One One Bondi 6 Running Shoes

“Excellent arch support for high arches and very good heel stability for Achilles Tendonitis”

Best Running Shoes for High Arches and Achilles Tendonitis in [current_year]

Editor Rating:
(4.8)

Hoka One One Bondi 6 is our top choice for runners with high arches and suffering from Achilles Tendonitis.

It not only feels like a pillow underfoot but also provides:

  • arch support
  • cushioning
  • Heel Stability

The 3D puff print frame is very lightweight and provides you with a secured fit.

This running shoe comes with an Ortholite insole. It provides you with additional cushioning and arches support.

This provides you with a very comfortable in-shoe experience.

Also, it comes with an early-stage meta rocker. This provides your foot with stability and helps you with an accurate roll.

This improves your gait cycle and provides ample support to your heels and ankles.

The lightness of this running shoe is due to the EVA midsole, which is both durable and lightweight.

The out-sole is made from blown rubber and provides you with an excellent grip on the roads.

Also, the engineered mesh provides you with good breathability and keeps you cool and dry.

+ POSITIVES
  •   Good for people with high arch and Achilles Tendonitis
  •   Great for metatarsalgia
  •   Comfortable and lightweight
  •   Out-sole has more durability zones than Bondi 4
  •   True to size
  •   Improved heel support
 NEGATIVES
  •   Not a looker
  •   Not a budget running shoe
Editor Rating:
(4.7)
ASICS Women's GEL-Nimbus 20 Running Shoe

The fore foot and the rear foot comes with gel technology.

They are perfect for any kind of shock absorption.

Also, the rear foot cushioning gives you more stability and you don’t accidentally end up slipping on the ground. 

It comes with a gender specific cushioning.

For women’s shoes it comes with a low density top layer on the mid-sole.

This provides you with better performance and compression.

Also, an extra height of 3 mm mid-sole on women’s models helps relieve Achilles tendon of any discomfort.

The upper has FLUIDFIT technology which is a multi-directional stretchable mesh.

This gives you a very comfortable and glove like fit and it adapts itself with each stride.

 

+ POSITIVES
  •   Great shoe for people with high arches and Achilles Tendonitis
  •   Gel cushioning for shock absorption
  •   Customized mid-sole height in women’s shoes to give relief to Achilles Tendonitis.
  •   Good for people with pronation
  •   Wider toe box
 NEGATIVES
  •   Sole seem to be a bit inflexible
  •   Pricey
Editor Rating:
(4.5)
New Balance Women's w990v4 Running Shoe

These USA made shoes are a blend of leather and synthetic materials.

The upper is made from engineered mesh and is very breathable.

They will always keep you feet cool and dry.

Also, the heel are has a lot of cushioning and provides you with a lot of stability, crucial for people suffering with Achilles Tendonitis. 

This low drop shoe comes with proper arch support and you will have a very comfortable in-shoe experience. 

New Balance has improved the padding throughout the shoe. This makes them very comfortable.

The EVA core mid-sole comes with a ENCAP PU ring and this makes the shock absorption even better.

Also, due to EVA foam, this running shoe is very lightweight.

The rubber out-sole provides you  with good grip on the roads and you will get a more stabilized running experience.

+ POSITIVES
  •   Good arch support
  •   Roomy toe-box
  •   Plush cushioning
  •   Improved cushioning for more comfort.
  •   Provides you with ample stability
 NEGATIVES
  •   Get dirty easily due to the suede material
  •   Some users said that the quality is not as good as the previous versions
Editor Rating:
(4.5)
Brooks Men's Ravenna 9

Brooks Ravenna 9 is a lightweight flexible running shoes which is very responsive.

It is a stability running shoe and will help you with overpronation.

The upper has air mesh and provides you with good breathility and controls accumulation of moisture.

It comes with traditional lace up closure. The plush collar and tongue will help you to stabilize your feet and will give you a better in-shoe experience.

The mid-sole is made from BioMoGo DNA. Which makes it very responsive and lightweight.

The out-sole is made from  blown rubber and provides you with a very good grip on the roads.

This also make these shoes very durable.

+ POSITIVES
  •   Very cushy and responsive
  •   Stability shoes good for overpronation
  •   Abrasion-resistant HPR Plus rubber out-sole makes it very durable.
  •   Light weight
 NEGATIVES
  •   Support seems to be a bit less that previous versions
  •   Inside of the shoe is not as durable and may show early signs of wear and tear.
Editor Rating:
(4.2)
Nike Men's Air Zoom Pegasus 35 Running Shoe

It comes with full-length Zoom Air Unit. This provides you with a smooth and responsive ride.

You get a very smooth transition from heel to toe due to the beveled heel.

Heel collar rakes away from the foot. This gives you a lot of comfort around the Achilles Tendon.

The bottom eyelet has been moved up to open the fore foot flex zone. 

This provides you with an optimal fit.

The upper has engineered mesh and keeps you feet cool and dry for a longer period of time.

Out-sole has durable rubber placed strategically.

This gives you a strong grip on the ground and prevents you from accidentally slipping or tripping.

Comes with decent arch support but you can also use your favorite orthotics if you want to.

 

+ POSITIVES
  •   Great shock absorption
  •   Great cushioning and support.
  •   Good for multi-sport like cross training and walking.
  •   Great breathability.
 NEGATIVES
  •   Toe box is narrower than previous version
  •   May show early signs of wear and tear
Editor Rating:
(4.0)
Mizuno Women's Wave Rider 22 Running Shoe

If you have high arches with Achilles Tendonitis, then you must have good shock absorption at heels and support around your ankles.

Also, you would need proper arch support.

Mizuno Wave Rider 22 gives you just that. 

The proprietary wave technology at the heels provides you with ample shock absorption.

You feet will be securely held at place by the padded tongue and the collar.

Also, it comes with premium sockliner which will give you ample amount of support.

What else?

They are removable in case you want to use them with your favorite orthotics.

Overall a good running shoe for exactly your feet’s need.

+ POSITIVES
  •   Good for long runs including marathons
  •   More wiggle room for your toes
  •   Lightweight
  •   Good arch support
  •   Suited for multi-sport and training
 NEGATIVES
  •   May be 1/2 to 1 size smaller. Order accordingly
  •   The road runner logo seems stiffer

Evaluation Criteria For Best Running Shoes For High Arches and Achilles Tendonitis

High Arches with Achilles Tendonitis is a pretty uncomfortable condition.

With a high arch your feet is not capable of absorbing the shock and may have underpronation.

Also, since you have a Achilles Tendon injury, you get limited support and stability from your feet.

As a result you are more prone to running injuries as you body will be out of balance.

Also, other parts of your body will try to make up for this and you may end up with more severe condition than you actually started with in the first place.

If you are running with these foot problem then choosing the perfect running shoes will be your best bet.

Here are some more guides you may be interested in:

 

Arch Support

This is the most important thing for both of your feet conditions.

If you don’t have proper arch support, your high arches will be stressed out more.

It will be painful and in severe cases you may end up having a stress fracture.

Also, if you overpronate or underpronate, you will put extra stress on your feet and Achilles.

If there is enough support from the shoes, this stress will distributed and your feet will not get fatigued or injured.

All the above shoes comes with good arch support.

However, if you don’t want to spend so much on a running shoe right away, try to use orthotics.

They will provide you will the much needed support.

If needed consult your doctor to get one prescribed for you.

Heel Cushioning

Any kind of stress on your heels will cause more stress to you Achilles.

This is especially a problem if you are a heel striker.

The more cushioning the heel provides, the better it is for for your Achilles.

The above shoes that we have recommended, provides you with all the heel cushioning you need.

Some have wave technology, some have gel or some have TPU band for the heels.

Overall, all of them are perfect for providing with heel cushioning.

Heel Drop

Research suggests that, if your heels are elevated to a certain level, then you may feel significantly less discomfort.

For you a low drop shoe can worsen the condition. Stick to shoes which has heels. Anything above 8 mm will be good for you.

 

FAQs

Q) How do I know if I have a high arch?

A: There are a number of ways to find out if you have a high arch or not.

First, you can visit your physician and ask him to do an arch evaluation.

In such case you may ask him to suggest a running shoe.

But its going to cost you some money.

However, if you want to go for a way cheaper alternative, then do the wet color paper test.

Steps

Wet your feet.

Keep a colored paper in front of you on the ground or a hard surface.

Stand on it.

If you get a very thin or no impression of the side of the foot, then you have a high arched feet.

Here is what you should be looking for:

Choose the right shoes for your feet July 2018

Image curtsy Best Play Gear.

Q) Is arch support needed for high arched feet?

A:  Runners with high arches have to bear most of their body weight on their forefoot and heel.

They have no support from the rest of the feet. Due to this additional stress they often end up in pain.

However, that is very easily manageable.

You just have to add some extra arch support under your feet. You can do this in two ways.

First, buy any of the shoes listed above.

Second use orthotic inserts with your existing shoe if they are compatible.

Your shoes are compatible if you can remove the insoles.

But remember, once you put the orthotics inside your shoes, you shoes will feel tighter and you may end up buying a bigger pair of shoes.

So, I feel, its better to buy a new pair of shoes in the the first place. 

Q) Can running shoes for high arches prevent overpronation or supination?

A: It is possible for a runner with high arches to supinate.

In that case, when your feet land on the ground, it rolls outward.

Not all runners with high arches will have supination but will do.

In that case, cushioning and support is what is needed from the running shoe.

Asics Gel Nimbus 20 Running Shoes does a fantastic job with that.

On the other extreme, if you have a high arch you can also overpronate.

In that case, your feet roll inward. This also can cause significant stress to your running.

All the arch-supporting shoes like Hoka One One Bondi 6 Running Shoes will be the best.

Q) Is running with high arches a good thing?

A: If you are running without any arch-support, then running with high arches is not a good thing.

Since, most of your body weight will be borne by your forefoot and heels, you will end up in pain.

However, if you are using a running shoe or insert with arch support then you can reap all the benefits of running.

Q) Is barefoot running good for high arches?

A: It can strengthen your foot but if you have Achilles Tendonitis, then you need something with heels.

Otherwise you will end up worsening your condition.

But if you just have high arches, then bare foot running in zero drop shoes with arch support can be a good idea.

Q) What running shoe has the best arch support?

A: Choosing only a single running shoe for arch support is difficult.

There are a host of running shoes that can provide you with arch support.

However, if you want to zero in on only one running shoe then Brooks Ghost 11 is the best running shoe for arch support.

Q) Can you Overpronate and have high arches?

A: Yes it is possible. In that case it means that you have weak ankles.

This may give you more trouble as may have to deal with ankle pain and achillies tendonitis.

Q) Are high arches good for running?

A: High arches are not good for running. They can give rise to several problems including stress fracture.

if you want to run with high arches, your running shoes must be perfect.

Here are some articles that may help you out:

Q) What causes Achilles tendonitis?

A: Achilles Tendon at the back of our feet is used for running, walking, jumping and all the activities related to feet.

If you put too much pressure on your tendons, they get inflamed and painful.

This condition is called Achilles Tendonitis.

Here are some common reasons:

  • Overpronation
  • Body weight
  • Wearing high heels
  • Weak calf muscles
  • Climbing stairs
  • Suddenly increasing the intensity of workout

Q) How to check if you have Achilles Tendonitis?

A: Look out for these symptoms:

  • Pain, soreness, or stiffness in the morning
  • Severe pain after exercise
  • The skin near the Achilles area is sensitive
  • Swelling in the Achilles area

Q) How long does it take to recover from Achilles Tendonitis?

A: Once you have injured yourself, it takes sometime to recover from this condition.

If you take proper rest, then it will take somewhere around 4-6 weeks to reduce the pain.

However, to fully recover it may take 4-6 months in total.

But you will have to give your body proper rest and should not keep on running.

Q) Can I keep running with Achilles Tendonitis?

A: Continuing to run with damaged tendons will worsen your condition.

First of all give yourself some rest. Once the pain reduces, start your running session.

However, make it less rigorous. Also, change your running shoe if needed.

This is more true if you are used to running in zero drop running shoes.

Q) How to deal with Achilles Tendonitis?

A: If you, unfortunately, end up having Achilles Tendonitis, then follow these tips:

R.I.C.E Therapy

This is one of the most effective ways to reduce your Achilles Tendonitis.

R.I.C.E is the short form of Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.

So, first, start with Rest.

At this stage, you will avoid putting any pressure on your feet for a couple of days.

You can as well use crutches to completely remove pressure from your feet.

Once the pain comes down, move onto the second step, Ice.

Put some ice in a bag and put it on the affected area.

It will be painful as the cold from the ice will penetrate the area.

Do it for 15-20 min or until the area is cold.

Then wrap that area up with an athletic tape or crepe bandage to provide light compression to the area.

This will reduce the swelling and keep your feet in one place.

Then you will need to place your leg at an elevated level above your chest.

Doing this on a regular basis will help you to recover faster.

Use a more cushioned running shoe

If your running shoe has less cushioning or is packed out, replacing it with a more cushioned running shoe will definitely take off stress from Achilles Tendonitis.

Here is an entire article about best cushioned running shoes.

Also, remember to replace your running shoe at regular intervals.

Here is what you need to do:

 Choose the right shoes for your feet July 2018

 Heel To Toe drop should be at least 8 mm

If you are having issues with your Achilles Tendonitis, then using a low drop shoe will not help.

You need a running shoe which has a heel to toe drop of at least 8 mm.

If it is less than that, it will worsen your condition and in such case you may end up peranently damaging your tendons

Conclusion

Running with high arches is a feat in itself. The situation complicates if you have Achilles tendonitis.

In such cases, your feet will not be able to take any stress from running and you will end up in excruciating pain.

If you still want to run, make sure you have first taken all the precautions described above.

Once those are in place, either use a specialized running shoe from the above list or use some orthotic inserts.

In the above list, Hoka One One Bondi 6 Running Shoes is the best running shoe. However, check the rest to be aware of all your options.

Madhusree Basu

Madhusree Basu

Author, Admin

Blogger and a fitness enthusiast. She loves running and Yoga and everything in between. She started running to manage her weight and to eat to her heart’s content. A true foodie at heart she shares whatever knowledge she has gained throughout the years about weight management and fitness.