[Alan]

Such places do exist – google ‘walking gait assessment’ or ‘sport orthotics’ and you’ll find so much choice you’re liable to end up more confused than you were when you started.

However, a bit of basic self-assessment never hurts. Check that you walk with your feet pointing in a straight line rather than splayed outwards or pointing inwards. This (called pronation) puts all manner of unhelpful torsional stress on your legs, knees, hips and lower back and is easy to correct; just keep it in mind when you walk that feet should point straight ahead.

Insoles can help (I use footreviver ones) but nothing helps quite so much as making sure yourself that you’re walking right.

Beyond that basic self-assessment, if you still have issues then you may need to get checked over. That may cost, which is another benefit of doing the self-assessment first.

[Alan]

I’ve had several pairs of Salomon Quest 4D’s, non of which have been very waterproof or very grippy – they too have a Contagrip® sole. They are however, very comfortable.

[Alan]

I’ve had plantar fasciitis and know how excruciatingly painful and debilitating it is. I went for the (expensive) high-arch custom orthotics route, but it didn’t help much.

What really did help me was simply to loosen the laces on my boots along the upper above the arch (but tight at the ankle) so my feet could flex back and forth to their natural arched shape when walking. I found that the tight lacing was permanently flattening my feet to the point where it was putting a strain on the plantar fascia ligament underneath, causing the problem.

Try walking around the house/office barefoot when you can. If the pain subsides or doesn’t get any worse, then it’s a good bet that tight lacing will be the culprit.

[Author]

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