Your arches won't usually dictate the kind of shoes you need... it is one guideline, but not always a great one. Were you fitted for these shoes by a running store?

I recently bought a pair of Mizunos as well, and I have to say that before you give them up try and run in them for a couple of weeks.

I was brutally dissapointed when I first tried mine, I thought "great I've just spent loads of money on a pair of shoes that make my feet hurt even MORE than before??" but after a little over a weeks worth of running in them my feet and shoes have adapted to each other and now they're wonderful, no pain in the knees at all (and belive me I used to get ALOT of pain).

I was told in the store that I overpronate as well and that is why they recommended the Mizuno shoes for me. (Apparantly they're supposed to be a wee bit better at this pronation thing than the other makes - atleast that's what they told me :) )

I don't know if this helps, but try them a few times before you chuck them - the first times I ran in mine I felt I was all over the place too, but they do adjust :)

I have always found that any inkling of overpronation and you're given a stability shoe. Its gotten too easy for the salesperson - they always ask what you used to wear - pause as if to think and then say "why don't we try the new version of the same frickin' shoe you've been running in for the last 10 years and compounding injuries on? Rocket science.

what does your footstirke look like? If you midfoot strike you need less of the shoe's transition from heel to toe - (where the overpronation takes place). I now have a midfoot strike after developing shin splints and the like over the years and have since moved to neutrals after almost every respectable running store tried to put me in stability trainers. One shop asked me how my footstrike was and recommended a neutral trainer. Got those and the legs and feet are great. BTW they are Mizunos as well.

I dread shoe shopping. too many options - just like Canadian cell phone plans.

[quote=vanjames]I have always found that any inkling of overpronation and you're given a stability shoe. Its gotten too easy for the salesperson - they always ask what you used to wear - pause as if to think and then say "why don't we try the new version of the same frickin' shoe you've been running in for the last 10 years and compounding injuries on? Rocket science.

what does your footstirke look like? If you midfoot strike you need less of the shoe's transition from heel to toe - (where the overpronation takes place). I now have a midfoot strike after developing shin splints and the like over the years and have since moved to neutrals after almost every respectable running store tried to put me in stability trainers. One shop asked me how my footstrike was and recommended a neutral trainer. Got those and the legs and feet are great. BTW they are Mizunos as well.

I dread shoe shopping. too many options - just like Canadian cell phone plans.
[/quote]

i moved to neutrals too...definitely a change for the better for me

Find a store that watches you run, and knows what they are watching. To me this is like bike fit -- just a major key in performance, enjoyment, and comfort for the sport.

I have an awesome running guy who will tell me not only what pairs look good, but what pairs look better than the other comparable pair. He can tell all the little details of my stride that I didn't even know. So worth the time! (I'd share him, but I don't think you are close to southern California ;))

Neutral refers to how your foot and ankle roll through your stride, arch height is how high that middle-inner part of your foot is. Arch height often corresponds with a particular biomechanic movement, but is not the only factor in determining someone's stride.

I have gone to roadrunnersports here in California - they were ok in my experience. It will depend on who helps you and their knowledge. Where in Colorado? Perhaps others in the area will have a shop recommendation for you.