Your doctor may call it Pes Cavus. It’s when the arch of a foot is unusually high. High arches put stress on the section of the foot between the ankle and toes known as the metatarsus. In fact, highly arched feet can lead to pain, instability and several other problems.
Do High Arches Cause Problems?
- Plantar fasciitis The major symptom is burning or stabbing pain majorly in the heel but can be experienced all along the entire foot.
- Metatarsalgia This can manifest as a sharp, shooting pain in the ball of the foot. It may feel like a pebble in your shoe.
- Claw toes This is when the toes buckle in and curl downward in a claw-like formation. This can lead to severe corns and calluses.
- Hammertoes This is a deformity where the toe is permanently bent in the middle joint. The affected toe may be flexible at first but will soon become rigid and require surgery.
- Instability of the feet and ankles High arches can cause tilting of the heels. This can lead to instability of the ankles.
The Reviews:
Listed below are five boots that we believe might be of good help to your high arched feet issue. Go through the reviews and read them thoroughly to figure out which one of them would best suit your work needs.
1. Wolverine Men’s Raider Steel-Toe 6″ Work Boot
Wolverine was established in Rockford, Michigan in 1883 and has since become an iconic American brand that blends only the best materials with craftsmanship that never goes out of style.
Wolverine boots are made to stand up to the roughest of environments and deliver long-lasting comfort. These days, Wolverine is at the front of the industry with a tireless commitment to innovations and improvements.
Features and Benefits:
The heel is a sensible one and a quarter inch for better support and stability. The conveniently removable full-cushion Wolverine Multishox insole delivers long-lasting comfort and support. It has a secure grip due to a slip, oil and abrasion-resistant Multishox lugged rubber outsole. The CK mesh lining is breathable.
What We Like:
- They break in easily.
- The inserts are of good quality.
- The cushioned interior is very comfortable.
- They are lightweight.
What We Don’t:
- The eyelets are rather weak.
- The traction is not the best.
2. Carhartt Men’s 6″ Energy Waterproof Composite Toe CME6355 Industrial Boot
This boot conveys a sort of freshness to an old yet timeless concept, good quality work footwear. An exceptional fit, comfort, and form are all hallmarks of these innovative boots. The state of the art Carhartt footbed along with Insite Technology provides a whole new and innovative level of comfort and fit.
Features and Benefits:
The patented AX Suede aids in the reduction of foot slip, offering long-lasting comfort. The construction is oil, chemical, and slip-resistant for safety. The breathable patented Storm Defender membrane makes sure that the feet will stay both cool and dry by promoting airflow and circulation. These boots provide secondary protection from incidental contact with electrical circuits of 18,000 volts or less in dry conditions.
What We Like:
- The toe box is wide.
- The boots are very supportive.
- The fit is true to size.
- The boots are comfortable.
What We Don’t:
- There is no impact or compression protection.
3. Timberland PRO Men’s Titan 6″ Safety-Toe Boot
These premium leather boots are part of Timberland’s PRO series. These lightweight work boots are filled with features that you require on the job.
These include Electrical Hazard protection that will keep you safe from open circuits plus a rebound heel insert for firm cushioning and reliable energy return. What’s more, they are oil-resistant, abrasion-resistant, slip-resistant and supremely comfortable.
Features and Benefits:
This is a lace-up leather boot that comes with a PowerFit comfort system that features a comfortably padded collar and a TiTAN safety toe. The lining is breathable and moisture-wicking for added comfort.
The Ortholite footbed with Dryz Intellitemp X-Static technology is ideal for both moisture management and temperature regulation. The Timberland Pro Rubber slip-resistant outsole can prevent slips and falls.
What We Like:
- The boots are breathable.
- The good cushioning makes them comfortable.
- There is a good deal of stability.
- The boots are warm.
What We Don’t:
- They wear out a bit quickly.
4. KEEN Utility Men’s Pittsburgh Steel Toe Work Boot
KEEN has selectively chosen leather uppers that were engineered to last. Of course, if you are wearing any pair of work boots daily, they won’t stay scuff and dirt-free for very long.
To handle that day to day wear and tear, particularly on lighter color leathers, it is recommended that you use a leather cleaner and conditioner. They can be found at most footwear dealers and shoe repair shops.
Features and Benefits:
The large toe box allows your toes to breath and spread out. The asymmetrical toe protection is specifically made to fit both the left and right foot. The internal support mechanism is anatomically designed to deliver great arch support and cradle the natural contours of the foot.
The most natural and snug fit in the heel plus a more spacious and intuitive toe box leads to a unique type of work shoe. The waterproof and breathable membrane allows vapor out without letting water in.
What We Like:
- The boots are rugged and durable.
- The boots are waterproof.
- They are very comfortable.
- There are many safety features.
What We Don’t:
- The locking lace hooks don’t always work right.
- They tend to overheat.
5. Thorogood Men’s American Heritage 6″ MAXwear Wedge Safety Toe Boot
Thorogood has intensely focused on craftsmanship as well as innovation. and comfort. Meanwhile, they continue to recognize the prime importance of footwear to a person’s livelihood and achieving what needs to be done.
To further accommodate the needs of the consumer, Thorogood now offers extended sizes and metatarsal guards plus a wide range of styles.
Features and Benefits:
These boots are manufactured with electric shock-resisting soles and heels that are capable of standing up to an application of 18,000 volts at 60 Hz for 1 minute with no current flow or leakage current above 1.0 milliamperes under dry conditions.
Also included is a conveniently removable Ultimate Shock Absorption footbed upon a Poron comfort cushion insole. The is outsole is slip-resistant for safety.
What We Like:
- The soles are slip and oil resistant.
- The insole is shock absorbing.
- It is non conducting.
- The Goodyear welt construction is durable.
What We Don’t:
- The boots are not waterproof.
How Do You Know If You Have High Arches?
Here’s how you can check to see whether or not you have high arches. All you have to do is stand on a big piece of paper with wet feet. Let the moisture from your feet to seep into the paper. You should then remove your feet from the paper.
Should you have a high arch, the imprint left behind on the paper will show only the front and heel of your foot and nothing in between. Should there be only the thinnest of imprint between the two extremities of your feet, then you have a moderately high arch.
Are High Arched Feet Bad?
The above-listed ailments come with some nastily painful symptoms. There is also foot drop to worry about. This is when the muscles in the feet and ankle weaken resulting in dragging the foot while walking. Abnormally high arches cannot absorb the shock of landing with each step.
Do I Need Arch Support For High Arches?
People with high arches may need a little extra cushioning. Arch support insoles may also aid in distributing the impact of each step. Off-the-shelf arch supports are frequently the primary solution that persons with high arches utilize for self-treatment.
You can find many such items in the foot care section of your local drug store. Some people find custom made arch supports very helpful. A pedorthist can help you decide what is right for you.
Can High Arches Cause Lower Back Pain?
Whether you have arches that are high or fallen, you might be more apt to developing back pain. The slightest alternation in your foot can cause you to walk or stand unnaturally.
With high arches, you also have that problem with shock absorption, which can transmit shockwaves all through your body and cause pain and damage.
Overpronation or supination can both lead to chronic back pain. Only a podiatrist can tell you if your back pain is due to your feet but this will be a most likely diagnosis.
Can High Arches Cause Heel Pain?
When a person with high arches walks the heel and ball of the foot come down harder than the rest of the foot. This can put a lot of stress on these parts of the feet. Some people try to overcompensate by wearing high heeled shoes. All this does is put more stress on the ball of the foot. The heel of a shoe should be no more than two inches.
Do High Arches Cause Knee Pain?
When the feet roll outwards, the person’s weight is no longer evenly distributed throughout the entire foot as it should while at rest. This leads to supination. Supination is the movement of locking the foot into acting as a rigid lever during push off while walking or running.
Also called under pronation it means an insufficient inward roll of the foot on landing. The ballet dancer’s foot is a perfect example. The foot is very rigid and moves like something between a lever, an axle, and a pogo stick. This won’t be good if you’re doing ordinary running or walking.
Without the natural shock absorption forces of impact pass through the knees, hips, and spine. Feet that don’t have a natural mode of movement may cause the knees to overcompensate and that can lead to severe knee pain.
Is It Better To Have High Arches Or Flat Feet?
High arches and flat feet can both cause problems. Flat feet are when there is not enough arch in the foot whereas high arches are when the foot has too much of an arch. In both occurrences, the foot is not being held in neutral and this leads to an unnecessarily large amount of stress throughout the feet and lower limbs often along with pain and inflammation.
There is also the concealed problem of rotation of the foot resulting from such conditions that can compound problems with pain. The leading problem with high arched feet is that they are overly rigid and do not deliver enough shock absorption upon landing due to the inability of the arch to flatten properly.
Can You Fix High Arches?
If your high arches cause you trouble there are several things you can use to reduce the damage:
- Orthotic devices This is an artificial support that goes into your shoe. You can have them custom made or premade.
- Foot pads Foot pads made of felt, foam or silicone can relieve pain and pressure when worn in your shoes.
- Night splints These will stretch your calf and the arch of your foot while you sleep. It will also relieve plantar fasciitis.
- Special walking shoes Some walking shoes come with special features that would be accommodating for people with high arches. A wide toe box and supportive insoles are things to look for.
- Icing To reduce inflammation and pain you can use an ice pack on your feet for twenty minutes at a time. Soaking your feet in cold water also helps.
- Over the counter pain medication A simple anti-inflammatory drug may be all you need to get through the night.
High Arch Foot Exercises
You can deal with high arches by doing strengthening exercises on the feet. These exercises are simple. There’s no need for a gym or even a barre. You can do these at home while watching television. Splaying your toes for a count of five can strengthen the muscles.
You can add a rubber band to create some dynamic tension. You can do the equivalent of weight training on your feet by using them to pick up towels. After a while, you can work up to picking up marbles with your feet.
If you’re looking to control flexibility you can do a few reps of raising, pointing and curling your toes. Stretching the big toe will reduce pain. Rolling a golf ball with the feet also reduces pain.
Is Walking Barefoot Good For High Arches?
Walking barefoot on sand is a recommended way to strengthen and stretch the calves and feet. The soft sand makes walking more of a workout. You just go somewhere that has a lot of sand and walk around barefoot for a while, for a longer time each visit.
Do not overextend the muscles in the feet and calves. You should perhaps do this exercise early in the morning or after sunset when the sand is not very hot.
Studies have shown that barefoot running does reduce cases of pronation of runners. This is something that causes a lot of pain for people who have high arches. If being completely barefoot is not an option, minimalist footwear can be a solution.
Are Flat Shoes Bad For High Arches?
Flats have no arch support and put pressure on the heels. Flip-flops also have no arch support and force your toes to curl up. Mules, flat or heeled, have no ankle support.
Conclusion
While flat feet are notorious for causing problems, the opposite end of the spectrum should not be ignored. Arches that are too high can lead to pain in the knees, hips, and back. If you strengthen your feet and get shoes with suitable arch support, however, that need not be the bane of your existence.
References:
- https://10unbiased.com/best-steel-toe-boots
- https://www.workersland.com/most-comfortable-work-boots
- https://www.bootratings.com/keen-utility-mens-pittsburgh-work-boot-review
- https://www.myworkwear.org/top-10-best-thorogood-work-boots
- https://www.healthline.com/health/high-arches
- https://uihc.org/health-topics/high-arches-you-dont-have-live-pain
- https://www.foothealthfacts.org/conditions/cavus-foot-(high-arched-foot)
- https://www.verywellfit.com/help-for-high-arches-3975558
- https://www.spectrumfootclinics.ie/blog/foot-posture-cause-of-low-back-pain
- https://profoot.co/article/high-arch-foot-pain
- https://advance-physicaltherapy.com/2016/high-arches-giving-knee-pain
- https://www.mandurahphysiotherapy.com.au/high-foot-arch
- https://www.podiatrytoday.com/how-treat-high-arched-cavus-foot
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320964.php
- https://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/blog/june-2019/are-barefoot-shoes-good-for-high-arches
- https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/ss/slideshow-worst-shoes-for-your-feet
- https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001261.htm
- https://www.huffpost.com