I recently found out that I actually have extremely narrow feet, which may explain a miriad of issues I've had for a while.
According to a brannock, I'm size 12 in men's (or 14 women's) with a 2A width. I'm also flat footed and overpronate pretty bad. I've gotten custom orthotic insoles that mostly help with the flatness and overpronation, but I think I still need more support from the shoe itself.

At the moment, I've got a pair of Saucony Rides because I can tighten them, but I still feel movement inside my shoe and because it's a neutral shoe, I don't get much support.

The only shoe I can find that's actually my size is an Adidas, but that's also a neutral shoe, so I don't think it'd be much better.

I've been to several shoe stores around the DFW, called every place I could find that carries running shoes, and I've spoken to almost every podiatrist, orthopedic clinic, and orthopedic shoe store in DFW and nobody has a clue.

Do y'all know of anything?
I'm looking for running shoes I can also box in.

Where do you live?

If there is a Fleet Feet around, they can help fit you to the right shoe.

Also, you don't really want to do anything other than run in running shoes. I'd look for something different in a boxing shoe. You will tear up your running shoes real quick if box in them.

Have you been to Luke's Locker? They usually have a pretty big selection. Scheel's has Salomon, and some of their models are usually a little more narrow, but I'm not sure about stability.

Yeah, I'll second the opinion of not boxing in running shoes. It'll tear the shoes and possibly your ankles up (depending on the stack height of the running shoe). You can probably find either a cheap wrestling shoe, or even cross-training shoe or cheap racing flat that won't stress your ankles out when moving laterally/backward.

I've been to Fleet Feet and after doing the whole foot scan thing, they told me they didn't carry anything I could use and didn't know of any manufacturers who make what I need.

I've been to Luke's Locker and tried on a ton. That's where I got these Saucony Rides actually, but they're still not ideal.
I called Scheels and asked if they carried narrows and was told no.

What kind of shoes do you wear in everyday life?

FWIW I've never seen narrow shoes anywhere, but there are definitely brands that are more narrow than others.

I've been wearing combat boots or running shoes. Those boots fit really poorly, but I work a desk job so thankfully it's not been too big of an issue, though they're uncomfortably roomy.

dgray271 said:

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I've gotten insoles that mostly help with the flatness and overpronation, but I think I still need more support from the shoe itself.

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Not a runner but as a lifter I've focused on foot health by actually strengthening the foot versus finding shoes that cater to my deficiencies. May not solve your problem but maybe something to consider. Surely a podiatrist has recommended this?

I've been to 3 and they've all just given me orthotics (although one of them didn't even tell me I have narrow feet).

What exercises would you recommend for strengthening my feet?

A neutral shoe is best paired with a well made custom orthotic when there is a big need. The orthotic should be the main driver and the shoe should pair well with it. Has anyone made you a custom orthotic? If so, are they the 3/4 hard plastic ones made by a podiatrist?

Again, not a runner or a doctor but makes logical sense to attack a weakness by strengthening. I would think strong feet would benefit everyone, especially runners. Not going to get strong feet if you're constantly in a custom orthotic that just puts a bandaid on your foot pronation. In addition, I would always recommend some kind of barefoot walking/jogging throughout your day. Always start out gradually and slow.

While strengthening the feet is almost always a good idea it doesn't always solve the problem for those with structural issues that drives overpronation.

Someone might be have a significant hyper mobility in their feet that may need orthotics temporarily or long term to put them in a different biomechanical position so that they can strengthen from or more optimal position.

For those with tibial varum (bow legged) strengthening the feet while good doesn't put the foot in a better position.

Custom orthotics should be used sparingly but they have definitely have a place for some people with overpronation issues.

I've been given pretty hard and sturdy custom orthotics. They do pretty well holding my shape, I think, but my foot likes to turn out, especially towards the end of a run when I'm getting tired.

My podiatrist also recommended a stability shoe, but all the ones he knew about didn't come in my size.

dgray271 said:

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I've been to Fleet Feet and after doing the whole foot scan thing, they told me they didn't carry anything I could use and didn't know of any manufacturers who make what I need.

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Damn man, what's wrong with your feet?!

Like I said, extremely narrow but pretty long feet. Fleet Feet don't even carry narrows (B width), let alone 2As.

Also, I would like to get boxing shoes, but I've yet to even find a pair of B width boxing shoes online and there is nowhere in DFW to try on boxing shoes anyway.

You try the Brooks Ghosts?

Or any of the below on this list?
https://www.solereview.com/best-running-shoes-for-narrow-feet/

Can you post a picture of your feet? I know odd request. Have you tried looking at options on Zappos? They have a great return policy in case they don't work and you can find narrower sizes.

I know for a fact I tried Brooks Adrenaline GTS and Adidas Freshfoam 880. I had tried the Freshfoam with a different pair of orthotics and it didn't do enough to prevent my ankle from caving in and over a few days, it stretched out (though I've not tried with my new orthotics). The Brooks were too wide.

I also tried various Brooks, Hoka, On Cloud, and Saucony shoes at Luke's Locker. I also tried the Nike Metcon at my podiatrist's recommendation. All of them weren't tight enough around my heel, which kept slipping out. I could tighten a Saucony Ride enough not fall off my foot, but I still feel space around a lot of my foot, especially the heel.

I've tried Zappos, but they don't carry anything in my size. I even called customer support to verify. The same goes for Amazon.

I don't have a premium account so I can't post a picture, but here's my Fleet Feet scan: https://my.volumental.com/en/fleet_feet_rics/5c5bdb6c-f04f-4274-accc-eeaedadeb00b/?utm_medium=myvemail

Update: I just went to REI and tried on a pair of Salomons and had the same issue.

Something that I think is a big issue is that my orthotics are elevating my heel (and this is after having my doctor file it down), so the grips on all these running shoes keep trying to grab onto me halfway up the bulb of my foot.

So on top of needing an extremely narrow and long shoe, it needs a deep heel.

You can play around with different lacing patterns of pulling the laces forward rather than up to hold the heel better in the shoe so it doesn't piston out which happens with orthotics. If that doesn't work a custom shoe might be in your future.

If you're referring to the runners loop, I've tried that on every shoe. If there are other lacing methods you recommend, I'd gladly try them.

I've looked into custom running shoes and the only thing I've found is a single local cobbler claiming he could make me a pair of leather running shoes starting at $1000, but that's a lot of money I don't have to spend right now (I've already spent about $2000 on this crap already in the last 3 months).

Do you know of any custom running shoe makers?

https://www.apisfootwear.com/custom

Thank you.
Their website only shows walking shoes, so I've emailed their support to see if they have any models of running shoes I can custom order.

I saw that. I wish you well. Maybe if that doesn't work science can provide you new feet one day.

I called their customer support and they do in fact only make walking shoes, not running shoes

Lol. Maybe I should cut mine off and get those artificial legs that are apparently an unfair advantage in track and field. Idk how that affects martial arts tbh but I've never seen a disabled martial artist in the UFC.

I can't speak as to the quality of the shoes, but Zappos has new balance 1540v3, fresh foam x 1080v12, and fresh foam x 880v13 in womens size 13 2a. Going from the scan you posted those would fit, no?

I've tried size 13 women's before and they're just barely too short so my big toe keeps bumping against the inside so they become painful.

Tex117 said:

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You try the Brooks Ghosts?

Or any of the below on this list?
https://www.solereview.com/best-running-shoes-for-narrow-feet/

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Ghosts are neutrals. I wear them for everyday wear and am as neutral/supinator as you can get with an arch you can drive a truck under. They used my foot as a model for the St. Louis Arch. Unless they make a narrow width in Ghost (which they may), I can't see it as being a good shoe for narrows. My last pair was regular (I think my current one is wide) and it fit fine on my wide foot.

Hyperbole aside, OP: what stores have you been to? In my experience, they put folks with flat feet WAY TOO OFTEN in stability shoes, so your story here is puzzling (not suspect, just that it doesn't match what I've seen). The problem is that flat feet does not always mean over pronation. In your case, it appears that it does.

I don't have a specific recommendation since I'm the opposite of you: wide, neutral, high arch, etc. But I DO recommend Lukes. Run On (or whatever it is called this week) is a second. I'd avoid the chains. There may be some good people there, but you'll do better at one of these places.

Big update:
I went back to a Luke's Locker after speaking with an employee who had tried me in several shoes before. The one in Dallas has a guy who makes custom orthotics and he actually just took off the thick layer of padding my orthotics had and replaced it with a much thinner layer of vinyl. After that, my shoes fit fine and I don't even feel any sliding around, especially in the heel, which was the problem.

While in the future I may invest in stability shoes, my current Rides seem fine and I'm not having any of the issues I was. It's only been a couple of days, but I just ran 4 miles without an issue.

So I guess problem solved? At least for running shoes. Not really sure about boxing shoes, but one step at a time.

If you found something that works, I would suggest buying quite a few pairs in the event they're discontinued and you can't find them anymore.

Glad to hear you found something that's working for you!

Are you legitimately boxing or just training with a bag? I don't quite understand the boxing shoe need.

I'm legitimately boxing. I don't compete, but I do sparring.
Generally boxing shoes protect your ankles and are more lightweight so you can do lateral movements more easily and have as little weight on your feet as possible.

I've been boxing in running shoes for a while so it's fine, but ideally, I would be using shoes meant for the sport.

Yeah that makes a lot of sense if you're bouncing around like the Italian Stallion.

Have you ever tried a pair of converse all stars? Typically those are pretty narrow and not much to them.