Flat Feet

[Jim]

How many hikers here have flat feet? Do they bother you, and have you done anything about them. If you see this and have them, but they don't bother you, do you hike uphill a lot, or not very often? If you have no problems with them (and have them) are you on your feet a lot during the day, or not?

[big_load]

By "flat feet" do you mean collapsed arches? If so, I plead guilty, although my feet are pretty far from being flat. When it first occurred, I had some pain on distance runs that gradually worsened over time. Eventually I could hardly walk, although I could still work out on an elliptical trainer. Custom orthotics fixed me almost instantly. I set a half-marathon PR three weeks after limping into the podiatrist's office. Five years later, I still wear orthotics at all times (even around the house).

[fricknaley]

I do. I now wear firm inserts in my hiking shoes and the shoes I wear to work and about. I have periods at work when I'm on my feet continuously for hours. It took a little while to get used to them, now I can't live without 'em. I do a lot of uphill hiking too.

[Jeffshadows]

Same here; the biggest issue seems to be with instability in my ankle as a result, so the inserts definitely help. This is especially the case descending where, like others the world over, most of my missteps happen...