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If you’re part of the flat feet club — whether due to injury or plain-old genetics — understanding the features that go into the best walking shoes for flat feet is essential for preventing pain and avoiding foot problems down the line.
“Fallen arches, another name for flat feet, is a common disorder in which the foot arch hits the ground when standing, either fully or partially,” says Dr. Miguel Cunha, DPM, a podiatric surgery specialist and founder of Gotham Footcare in Manhattan. “This disorder may develop over time due to weak arches, injury, or health issues such as diabetes, obesity, or arthritis; or it may be congenital, meaning it exists from birth.”
Anatomically speaking, the structure of the foot is the primary distinction between a person with flat feet and someone with a conventional arch. “When standing, a typical arch — the inner portion of the foot — is slightly elevated, which aids in equally transferring body weight throughout the foot. Ligaments and tendons support this arch, preserving its structural integrity,” Dr. Cunha says. “On the other hand, in people with flat feet, the arch collapses and the entire foot comes into contact with the ground.”
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Fallen arches often cause overpronation, or when the foot excessively rolls inward during walking or running, which contributes to more strain and pain in the legs, ankles, and feet. That’s just one reason why it’s important for people with flat feet to prioritize quality footwear. “By definition, those with flat feet need increased arch support,” says Dr. Tim Oldani, DPM, FACFAS. That means striking a balance between a shoe with enough support to avoid overpronation and foot pain, according to Dr. Elizabeth Daughtry, DPM.
Here, our podiatrists explain exactly what to look for in walking shoes for flat feet, and the best picks to buy whether you’re looking for something that’ll propel you through daily power walks, a sneaker comfortable enough to wear to work every day, or a travel shoe you can stash in your luggage to explore a new city on foot. Many of these options aren’t only podiatrist-approved, but are also personally tested by our writer, who has congenital flat feet. Keep scrolling for the 11 best walking shoes for flat feet.
Materials: Mesh upper
Special features: High heel-to-toe drop, stability to reduce overpronation, extra cushioning
Amazon’s Choice
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Asics Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.4/5 stars
What testers say: “This shoe delivers great support, light and comfortable. For someone who has back issues, I never notice them when wearing these shoes. I use them while coaching on the football field, running up and down the field. I also overpronate, and these give me stability and extra cushioning while walking, running, or doing physical activities. I would recommend purchasing these shoes to anyone.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $58
Materials: Suede and leather
Special features: Removable footbed with arch support, orthotic-friendly, APMA-accepted
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
What testers say: “These fit well and are attractive in the mottled gray finish with bronzy/coppery band across the foot. I love tie sneakers since my feet are different sizes and I can adjust the fit. The arch support in these feels moderate rather than excellent but sufficient for me, and I require good arch support. The abundant interior padding at the tongue, heel, and top edge is great. The bouncy soles help a lot with overall foot support, for walking or wearing all day long.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $199.95
Materials: Recycled materials
Special features: Maximum cushioning, maximum stability to prevent overpronation, available in wide width, APMA-approved
Zappos Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
What testers say: “If you spend eight to 12 hours a day on your feet then you need these. I also have bunions and flat feet and these relieve pain tremendously. I work at a high-volume hospital and I can get through my work day comfortably. I’ve also noticed a little lower back pain relief as well. I was worried about spending so much money and not getting results, but you get what you pay for. These are worth the investment.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $174.95
Materials: Leather, suede and mesh upper or synthetic material
Special features: Arch support, midsole and heel cushioning
New Balance Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
What testers say: “One of the most comfortable sneakers I’ve ever worn. I had this model 1906R on all day and night straight from a festival all the way through a night show and my feet did not hurt and I have flat feet. Easily one of my top favorite shoe purchases.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $154.99
Materials: Synthetic
Special features: Removable anatomical orthotic insoles for arch support, wide toe box, available in four different widths
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
What testers say: “I experienced immediate relief of my plantar fasciitis when wearing the Coral Stretch Knit shoes and had more energy throughout the day. Best purchase I’ve made!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $119.95
Materials: Breathable mesh upper
Special features: Extra stability to prevent overpronation, anatomical arch support, good cushioning
Zappos Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
When testing these plantar fasciitis-friendly walking shoes, we especially appreciated the spacious toe box that allows your toes to move freely, plus the deep heel cup and extra cushioning for an excellent ride and control for flat feet. Hoka’s signature EVA foam-cushioned footbed and anatomical arch support hold the plantar fascia and prevent it from collapsing to minimize fatigue and pain, says Dr. Cunha.
What testers say: “I have flat feet and overpronate. These shoes are perfect for my feet. They fit my feet just right and have just the right amount of cushion as well (not too much and not too little) and it doesn’t weigh that much for a stability shoe. My shoe size is normally an 11.5 D (each one of my feet is 10.7 inches long), however, with these I find the 11 to be just the right size for me.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $140
Materials: Recycled materials
Special features: Extra cushioning, arch support, available in four different widths, APMA-accepted
What testers say: “Super happy with my Adrenaline GTS 23’s! They were comfortable right from the start. I wear them for outdoor power walking and at-home strength training videos. I struggle with plantar fasciitis, overpronation, and weak ankles. They are very supportive sneakers, with a nice amount of cushion.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $140
Materials: Recycled materials
Special features: Extra stability and cushioning, available in two widths, high heel-to-toe drop
Saucony Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.6/5 stars
What testers say: “I’m a pronator and flat footer and these shoes are something special. Great stability as other brands but its light weight makes the difference vs. other shoes.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $140
Materials: Stretch knit upper
Special features: Extra stability to prevent overpronation, maximum gel cushioning
Asics Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.4/5 stars
The Asics Gel Kayano, as its name implies, boasts gel cushioning that softens the blow of every step during long walks, leisurely jogs, or long-distance runs. “Cushioning is a key factor for people with flat feet because the majority of the bottom of the foot is intact with the ground,” says Dr. Daughtry. “Heel strike, midstance, and propulsion can create stress throughout the entire foot, especially when walking or running as the repetitive ‘pounding’ of the foot on the ground reinforces significant stress on the joints, tendons and ligaments.”
What testers say: “I bought these as I am in a marathon build and wanted some extra cushion. Additionally, I am an over-pronator and wanted some support. These shoes are wonderfully cushioned and supportive and make doing long runs much more comfortable. I used to wear a different brand of shoe for long runs and the bottoms of my feet would hurt by the ends of the runs. This hasn’t happened at all since switching to these.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $160
Materials: Synthetic, engineered mesh and textile upper
Special features: Extra cushioning, gait stabilization, available in three different widths
New Balance Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
What testers say: “I ordered these in the extra wide version and they fit perfectly even though my feet are not very wide. Very breathable upper and quite light too. The Fuelcell midsole in the Walker Elite is not as soft as the one in SC Trainer v2 or something like Invincible 3 but is perfectly supportive and responsive for daily walks. The tongue is semi-gusseted, and it’s attached to a layer of mesh from the two sides. There is enough cushioning for your heel but no pinching.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $139.99
Materials: Leather
Special features: Maximum support, available in four different widths, slip-resistant sole
What testers say: “I really like these shoes. The comfort is definitely there after being on my feet for 12 hours. Easy to clean as well. It’s a 10/10 for me. I would recommend these for healthcare workers and students in clinical. I would recommend you size up at least half a size.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $130
What to Look for in the Best Walking Shoes for Flat Feet
To guarantee the best possible comfort, support, and stability in the best walking shoes for flat feet, look for the following components:
- Arch support: Good arch support is essential because it helps reduce pain by providing your collapsed arches with the necessary reinforcement. “Shoes with integrated arch support can lessen the pressure on the ligaments and tendons in the foot and help with the equal distribution of weight,” Dr. Cunha says. Good arch support can be found in two forms: Either within the actual insole of the shoe, providing maximum contact through the arch, or within the outer sole of the shoe, with a heavier, sturdier outsole that limits your foot from flattening when walking, Dr. Oldani explains.
- Motion control: People with flat feet can benefit from motion control features because they help stabilize the foot and prevent overpronation, which can cause pain and even injury, Dr. Cunha says. “To encourage correct alignment and stop the foot from rolling inward too much, look for shoes with supportive elements like strong heel counters and reinforced midsoles.”
- Wide shoes: A wide-fitting shoe or a wide-width shoe will have the same length as a regular-sized shoe but with a wider toe box and forefoot. Due to the lack of medial arch, most people with flat feet tend to have a wider foot structure, Dr. Daughtry says. Plus, people with flat feet need more space in their shoes’ toe box and midfoot area to allow for the natural splaying of the foot. Choosing shoes with a wider fit will give your toes enough room to spread out, which can help prevent pain, blisters, and common foot problems such as bunions, hammer toes, neuromas, and ingrown toenails. In fact, “most of the problems with our feet — particularly for women and runners — stem because our shoes don’t have a wide enough forefoot,” Dr. Cunha says. To determine whether the forefront is wide enough, Dr. Cunha shares a foolproof trick: “Trace your foot onto a piece of paper at the end of the day when your feet are most swollen; then, place the shoe over the tracing of the foot. If the tracing of the foot is wider than the periphery of the shoe, your shoes are too narrow.”
- Cushioning: Ample cushioning adds comfort and helps reduce fatigue when you’re on your feet for hours. “Cushioning is necessary to reduce impact and make walking comfortable, particularly for people with flat feet who might put more strain on their feet while walking,” Dr. Cunha says. “To lessen the impact on the feet and lower limbs, look for shoes with enough cushioning in the heel and midsole sections.”
- Heel-to-toe drop: Heel-to-toe drop refers to the difference between the height of the shoe’s heel and the area under the ball of the foot. A low heel-to-toe drop is under seven millimeters, while a high drop is generally over seven millimeters, Dr. Oldani says. Both Dr. Oldani and Dr. Cunha recommend a higher heel-to-toe drop for those with flat feet, as it will ease pressure on the calf muscles and Achilles tendon.
- Rigid shank and heel counter: If you can bend your sneaker in half, that’s a tell-tale sign you should look into buying new shoes. The shank, which is a piece in the midsole of the shoe, provides support and stability when you walk. “The shank is the actual structure of the shoe and should be rigid to hold up and support the arch,” Dr. Cunha says. In addition to a stiffer shoe, you’ll also want to look for a rigid heel counter — that means you shouldn’t be able to compress the heel of the shoe. “There should be a good bit of padding called an ankle collar, which is intended to cushion the ankle and the Achilles tendon, and support the heel.”
How We Chose the Best Walking Shoes for Flat Feet
For more than 75 years, Footwear News has been the shoe authority. Our coverage spans top industry news, retail trends, head-to-toe fashion, athletic and outdoor analysis and more. Footwear News’ global network of editors has carefully curated all product selections featured using our expansive brand knowledge and thorough research to find quality, long-lasting items.
We spoke to three top podiatrists on the features to look for in the best walking shoes for flat feet and asked them to share the go-to shoes they recommend to their patients with flat feet. We also researched countless styles from popular brands, including New Balance, Naot, HOKA, and more, as well as read hundreds of customer reviews to help narrow down our picks. Last but not least, our writer, who has flat feet, tested a few pairs herself and included the ones she recommends for all-day comfort. Learn more about us here.
Meet the Experts
Elizabeth Daughtry, DPM, is a board-certified podiatrist based in North Carolina. She’s on the executive board of the North Carolina Foot and Ankle Society and of the American Association for Women Podiatrists.
Miguel Cunha, DPM, is a Podiatric Surgery Specialist and founder of Gotham Footcare in Manhattan. Cunha has years of experience as a foot and ankle surgeon, treating issues ranging from minor ailments to full-on reconstructive procedures.
Timothy Oldani, DPM, FACFAS, is a podiatrist based in Missouri and an associate in the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. He specializes in treating chronic wounds in people with diabetes.
Meet the Author
April Benshosan is a health journalist and editor who’s interviewed countless doctors and other medical professionals throughout her career. She has congenital flat feet and knows the struggle of finding a quality pair of walking shoes that offer good arch support without feeling invasive or causing pain by the end of the day. She’s super dedicated to arming people with the information they need to make informed decisions about their health. Her work has been published in both print and digital outlets, including Women’s Health, SHAPE, VeryWell Fit, Health.com, LIVESTRONG.com, and more.
