How We Tested The Best Walking Shoes For Flat Feet
We selected walking shoes after examining current research about flat feet and interviewing a podiatrist. The podiatrist we spoke to highlighted which walking shoe features benefit flat feet, and also recommended specific brands and shoe models.
Overall, we tested 12 pairs of walking shoesten mens pairs and two womens pairs. One male tester with flat feet tested all of the mens shoes on walks at home, and one female tester whos an avid walker tested all of the womens shoes. Each pair of shoes was tested on three or more walks, ranging in length from 2.5 to 5 miles. Most walks were done on sidewalks and roads, with a few test walks on trails.
After each walk, our tester rated each shoe for different factors: cushioning, responsiveness, upper comfort, fit, lateral stability and support, blister protection, and value.
One limitation to our testing is that we only had one flat-footed tester. It would have been helpful to utilize multiple testers with flat feet to compare their walking experiences and findings.
Best Dress Shoes For Flat Feet Men: Birchbury Brenston
Dress shoes and comfort go together like peanut butter and American cheese. They just dont mix until you try Birchburys Breston shoes. Theyre the comfiest dress shoes for flat feet men you will find. You wouldnt know by looking at them, but they feel almost more like a sneaker than they do a dress shoe.
Brestons have the classic, patent leather look but dont have the usual elfish toebox that can squeeze the life out of flat feet. A reinforced insole soothes broken arches, and this beauty was designed to be just as comfortable with reinforcements removed.
Add a soft, flexible leather and a cushioned sole, and you have yourself a new work-time favorite and possibly your next best shoes for flat feet men.
Shoe type: Dress | Sizes available: 7-16 | Colors: Black, Brown
New Balance Womens 928 V3
Price: $$
If youre looking for a shoe with lots of cushioning thats available in a range of sizes, New Balance Womens 928 V3 is a great option.
In addition to offering sizes from 613, this shoe comes in narrow, standard, wide, extra-wide, and XX-wide, making it easy to find your best fit.
The shoe features a ROLLBAR stability post system, which works to control rearfoot movement for enhanced support, and its designed with Walking Strike Path outsole technology to guide your foot through its walking gait cycle with motion control and stability.
Plus, the shoe includes a cushioned midsole that absorbs impact and offers compression resistance, and the removable polyurethane foam footbed is designed for extra durability and comfort.
While it isnt the most stylish of shoes, your feet will be thanking you for prioritizing a good fit.
Size range: 613, with narrow, wide, extra-wide, and XX-wide sizes available
Available colors: black, gray, and white with blue
Pros
Price: $$
Choosing comfortable shoes for traveling can be challenging.
On one hand, you want to make sure that your shoes are comfortable enough for all-day wear, but on the other hand, you dont want a bulky shoe that takes up precious suitcase space.
OOFOS OOmg Low Shoe is a great solution, as its easy to slip on and off , goes with a variety of outfits, and is extra cushioned to keep your feet comfortable.
Size range: 512
Price: $$$
Size range: 511, wide sizes available
Pros
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Saucony Mens Grid Omni Walker
For men with flat feet, decent arch support matters more than the fashion statement of a shoe persona.
So as boring as some of us may think they look, Saucony Mens Omni Walker are quite a big deal because they provide high arch support that give your collapsed arch a raise.
The pair features a soft, flexible leather upper, which doesnt feel too stiff in the beginning and generally takes a short time to break in.
The upper is only somewhat breathable. So if youre going to walk under extremely hot weather, you just might have sweaty feet to clean if you wear these.
In addition to the midfoot bridge and insole that provides arch support, these shoes include SRC crash pads in the heel area for comfort and shock absorption.
These walking shoes have a coarse lining. And while its okay to wear them without socks, its best to wear moisture wicking socks before putting the shoes on.
With Saucony Mens Grid Omni Walker, you dont have to go a size or half up or down. They run true to size and therefore hold very well.
Best Walking Shoes: New Balance 1540v3 Sneaker
Designed to correct overpronation with its stabilizing and supportive fit, the New Balance 1540v3 is built with a unique RollBar posting system. It helps fix your gait pattern for a more comfortable stride.
“New Balance is a long-standing fan favorite in the podiatry world,” Dr. Perkins said. “This style is a great shoe with motion control for overpronation. Wide options are also available.”
Based on over 800 reviews on Zappos, 58% of reviewers gave the New Balance 1540v3 Sneaker 5 out of 5 stars.
“I am flat-footed, and pair of shoes helped me survive a 12- to 13-hour shift without giving me feet and leg pains,” one reviewer reported. “Cannot go wrong with New Balance’s motion control shoes!”
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Best Womens Walking Shoes For Training
- Weight: 8.6 oz.
- Materials: Upper advanced mesh knit with foam and rubber dual-density midsole
- Support: Moderate support
- Pros: Great ankle support, extremely lightweight, very comfortable for how low profile the footbed is, no break-in period, easy to clean
- Cons: Difficult to get on and off because of the high top, ankle support causes slight blisters for some
- Best for: All forms of exercise
When you first open the box of Lululemons new Chargefeel, you see the words, run, jump, HIIT, sprint, box, lunge, kick, chill, squat, skip and dance. Thats exactly what these shoes can do, and then some. We declare them the best all-in-one walking shoes to take you around the block, to the gym, and much more. Lululemons recently debuted female-first trainer are made with dual-density cushioning to provide just the right amount of bounce and comfort without removing the agile support for lateral training work.
The upper material is constructed from breathable mesh that hugs your foot and ankle ever so slightly while contributing to a better, more custom fit with stretch and ventilation. Your foot is supported and secured without compromising cushion and energy return. These sneakers are best for women with narrow to neutral feet and provide a second-skin feel and extra support.
Walking Shoes For Women With Plantar Fasciitis
If you suffer from plantar fasciitis, Fla-based podiatrist Dr. Grace Torres-Hodges says its especially important to choose styles with ample cushioning and rearfoot support including features like deep heel cups, firm heel counters, and flared heels. The best walking shoes for plantar fasciitis are explicitly designed for comfort and recovery.
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Look For Walking Shoes With Stability And Control
Without proper support, your feet and legs have to work harder therefore, you may have less control over your movement. There are 18 muscles in the bottom of the foot, which will fatigue just like any other muscle in your body, Dr. Gennett explains. The key to finding the best walking shoes is to find a pair with the right balance between shoes with the right cushion and amount of control.
What Are The Absolute Best Walking Shoes For Flat Feet
Sufferers of flat-footedness everywhere understand the pain and strife we go through trying to find the best walking shoes for flat feet. Whether you were born with this condition, or it has developed over time, its important that you find the right footwear to prevent further discomfort or complications. Did you know that in addition to flat feet, 90% of us also suffer from overpronation? This is when your foot leans inward towards the arch, which comes with its own set of problems.
Shopping for shoes that only have extra support in the arch isnt necessarily enough. Were more susceptible to twisted ankles and unsafe postures that lead to bad knees and bad backs, so the shoes we live in must provide adequate motion control and stability as well, similar to shoes to are designed to treat or prevent plantar fasciitis. Id like to share with you some of my recommendations.
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Our Top Picks For Shoes For Flat Feet
- 1Best Slippers for Flat FeetVionic Gemma Slippers
- Best Stylish Sneaker for Flat FeetSimasa SneakerVionic
- Best Flats for Flat FeetThe StarlingBirdies
- Best Slip on Shoe for Flat Feet No Chill SneakerDr. Scholl’s
- Best Loafer for Flat FeetAdiline Loafer Naturalizer
- Best Bootie for Flat FeetAmara BootieDr. Scholl’s
- Best Running Shoe for Flat FeetAriel ’20 SneakersBrooks
- Best Boots for Flat FeetCervinia Valley Winter BootTimberland
- Best Sports Sandal for Flat FeetHurricane XLT2 SandalTeva
- Best Sandal for Flat FeetArizona Soft Footbed SandalBirkenstock
- Cushioned insole
Looking for a little more height? These microsuede boots will give you a lift while also complying with our experts heel recommendation via a 2-inch wedge. Youll also find a cushioned insole that relives tired feet and provides support for all-day wear.
Your ideal pair will firmly cup the heel and offer sturdy arch support, says Dr. Pinker. The toe box should provide ample room, and the shank, or middle part of the shoe, should be somewhat flexiblenot too rigid, but not too flimsy.
Shop Nike Infinity Run
What To Look for in Shoes for Flat Feet
According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, supportive shoes that are designed for stability and motion control can be beneficial for flat-footed runners. Stability running shoes are designed to support the arch of the foot with ample cushioning. For example, the Nike React Infinity Run Flyknit shoe is designed with Nike React foam, which feels smooth, bouncy and supportive underfoot. Nike React technology is 11 percent softer and offers 13 percent more energy return than Nikes previous technology, while also being more durable and more lightweight.
Alternatively, motion-control running shoes offer arch support in the midsole as well as additional heel cup support to keep the foot from rolling inward during each step. A 2015 study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that running in shoes with motion control was associated with a significantly lower overall injury risk among recreational runners with overpronated feet. Additionally, a 2020 study in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy found that motion-control shoes may reduce the risk of pronation-related running injuries, but they did not influence the risk of other running-related injuries.
Consult with your doctor, though, before you select a shoe to make sure youre making the best decisions for your needs. When youre shopping, its key to try a variety of options in the store, too, to find the right fit.
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What Does It Mean To Have Flat Feet
If you have flat feet, it means your heel lies at an outward angle, the arches have collapsed, and the forefoot or toes rotate outward, says John G. Kennedy, M.D., chief of foot and ankle surgery at NYU Langone Health. This reduces the ability of the foot to absorb shock, either with a heel strike or a midfoot strike, resulting in an increased risk of injury.
Flat feet can also cause instability of the foot bones, which then puts more stress on ligaments, tendons, and muscles, explains Scott Spencer, D.P.M., associate professor at Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine. These structures try to stabilize the foot, and as a result, they can get injured or damaged in the process, he says. One thing to keep in mind is that having flat feet isnt necessarily bad. There are many people with flat feet that have no problems at all.
If you have flat feet and experience discomfort, it might show up in the form of shin splints, pain in the posterior tibial tendon , Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, midfoot arthritis, or ankle or knee joint conditions, according to Kennedy and Spencer.
Those with flat feel will need supportive shoes that help stabilize the feet. Kennedy says to look for sneakers with a well-cushioned arch, a wide toe box, and a strong heel to help hold the foot in place. The materials in the shoe are extremely important for promoting good foot function and for dealing with the increased forces runners put on their feet, he says.
Best Shoes For Flat Feet Men To Stay Comfortable In 2023
Theres no denying having flat feet sucks. The only thing that sucks more than having flat feet is shopping for flat feet. Take it from a guy with some of the flattest, widest feet aroundits hard to find the best shoes.
If youre still here, you too must have rage-inducingly flat feet. You might have found one or two pairs that work, and youre scared to deviate, but that isnt how those looking for the best shoes for flat feet need to live.
Who says we cant have the same fulfilling shoe experiences as other guys? It might sound too good to be true, but we put together a guide that will give you the help you need. Dont just settle for wearing one pair to death. Make sure you find the best types of shoes for every occasion.
Trust me when I say that it can get better. Check out our guide, peruse some of the best shoes for flat feet men, and enjoy living life like one of the lucky, normal footed people.
Best Overall Shoes For Flat Feet Men:
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Most Womens Walking Shoes For Overpronation
- Weight: 8.01 oz.
- Materials: FSC-certified TENCEL , SwiftFoam midsole, ZQ merino wool heel lining, Sweetfoam insole, FSC-certified natural rubber outsole
- Support: Neutral
- Pros: The supportive eucalyptus fiber is extremely breathable to keep the air flowing, flared heel counter helps balance the foamy comfort
- Cons: The thick foam is better for neutral to high arches, not flat feet
- Best for: Walking around a city, light runs, power walking, warm weather
Former Glee star Lea Michele is among many celebrities who love Allbirds for running errands and everyday walks. However, its Tree Flyers are best for those who prioritize sustainability and support. These shoes are comfortable, responsibly made, and available in various colors. They feature uppers made of ethically sourced and renewable eucalyptus tree fibers and plush insoles composed of castor oil and merino wool.
One important element is the new midsole, which is incredibly lightweight, clocking in as 30% lighter than SweetFoam, to provide a serious amount of cushioning, stability, support, and bounce. The flared external heel gives even more support while the toe spring eases the gaits transition between the back of the foot to the front, making these great for brisk power walking. Also, thanks to the pleasant breathability of the eucalyptus tree fiber, your foot will be kept cool all day long.
Skechers Performance Mens Go Walk 3 Slip
Just when we thought that the Go Walk 2 was the final model in the Skechers Go Walk series, the brand releases a third edition to keep up with their mission to design the most comfortable walking shoes for flat feet and overpronation.
Performance Mens Go Walk 3 features a breathable mesh and textile upper, which keeps your feet sweat free as you walk.
These slip-on walking shoes are easy to wear. And provided you order the right size, they should be a good fit.
The midsole cushioning not only cuddles your feet for a comfortable landing from every foot strike. It also helps to absorb shock from those steps so there is less impact making contact with your feet.
Skechers Performance Go Walk 3 feature non-marking soles, so they dont leave traces of spots behind as you walk.
Because the outsole is thick and slip resistant, expect better grip, traction, and stability even if you walk on wet, oily, or slippery floors.
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The Best Walking Shoes For Pain
The Orthofeet orthopedic walking shoes are designed specifically for anyone dealing with foot-related pain. The shoe features with a wide toe box and knitted fabric stretchy material that eases pressure on bunions and hammertoes, while the orthotic insole reduces strain. Furthermore, the smooth interior lining and extra padding help minimize any sensitivity associated with diabetes or arthritis while its lightweight sole offers multiple layers of cushioning for anatomical arch support.
- Available colors: 3
- Available sizes: 5 – 12
Glowing review: I LOVE these shoes!! I wished I had found them years ago – I could have avoided alot of pain & injury. I have flat feet, over pronation, & peripheral neuropathy and these shoes allow me to workout without pain.”
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