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A root canal without a local anesthetic is preferable to trying on shoes when you have flat feet. I have flat feet, and finding a cool-looking shoe that won't make me scream in pain is a long and exhausting experience. That is, until I did a deep dive and found fantastic walking shoes for men and women with flat feet, among other issues like shoes for plantar fasciitis that cradle the foot, shoes for standing all day, and even running shoes for flat feet. Best of all, these shoes look great too!
Mishansha designs active footwear for men, women, and children. Their snazzily designed walking shoes come in 17 colors. The combination of built-in arch support, breathable uppers, and non-slip soles has garnered over 1,000 five-star ratings on Amazon.
After skimming the over 24,000 five-star ratings, you wonder why HKR is still an under-the-radar brand. Almost every review raves about how this cushy shoe relieves foot pain. In addition to the built-in arch support, it has memory foam insoles, so it’s a good shoe for standing all day.
Vionic Shoes was developed in part by podiatrist Dr. Phillip Vasyli. Their shoes are designed for people with foot issues, and many of their shoes and sneakers, like this pair, have the American Podiatric Medical Association (AMPA) seal of approval. This classically styled suede or leather and mesh sneaker has a podiatrist-designed removable orthotic insole. This sneaker uses the brand’s Vio Motion technology, which combines stability, deep heel cup, flexibility, and thick cushioning for ease of movement.
This lightweight Saucony shoe provides stability and protection on trail runs and throughout daily life. They’re available in neutral or vivid shades, and made from vegan materials designed to be debris-resistant. The grippy 5 mm lugs help prevent slippage to keep you safe, as well.
Kuru is a problem-solving footwear company. They have a shoe to combat any foot issue you may have. Their Quantum 2.0 is their cushiest and most stable shoe for flat feet. It has a stable outsole, arch support insole, a wide base, and a wide-toe box. Each pair of shoes has a warranty, and the company gives you up to six months to return them. Shopping tip: Kuru also made our list of the best shoes for plantar fasciitis and the best walking shoes.
Rykӓ is a women-owned company that creates active footwear designed for women’s foot shape and muscle movement. Their Sublime Walking sneaker looks like a snazzy cross-trainer. It’s designed with a narrow heel, roomier toe box, and anatomical insole with extra arch and heel support.
Therapeutic footwear company Drew Shoe has designed a shoe that cradles the foot. This walking shoe has a tempered steel shank that supports the arch and stabilizes the foot. Recommended for plantar fasciitis, this shoe has a built-in heel cushion, rubber rocker outsole, and removable footbed.
Propét’s mission is to create footwear in widths from AA to 4E for men and women. With its racing stripes, this mesh knit walking shoe has the sporty lines of a cross trainer. Its interior provides arch support while alleviating the stress and pain of plantar fasciitis. The removable insole allows you to use a custom orthotic in the shoe if needed.
Dr. Sutera mentioned that flat feet can cause a misalignment in the lower limbs, creating knee and back pain. If this is the case for you, or you’ve damaged your knees through sport or work, a walking shoe like Gravity Defyer’s Mighty Walk can assist in alleviating stress with the integrated VersoShock technology used to create this shoe.
Brooks is known for its running shoes, but they also make supportive shoes. Reviewers rave about the arch support and comfort of this running shoe that doubles as a walking shoe. It has built-in arch support, and the shoe uses the GuideRails® Holistic Support system to help protect your knees.
Puma's active footwear is legendary. When they designed the ForeverRun Nitro Knit running shoes, they created a shoe that protects the foot against pronation while cushioning it against foot strikes via their RUNGUIDE. It’s an internal density guide rail that keeps the foot aligned and centered when running or walking. Puma’s website also offers a 30-day test run on this sneaker. Give it a whirl, and if you’re not happy after 30 days, return them and get your money back.
Ortho Feet designed this flat-foot walking shoe with a roomy toe box. They added an arch booster that, in conjunction with the built-in arch support, assists in realigning the foot when standing or walking. It has a rubber outsole for increased stability when walking. This comfort shoe was even awarded the APMA Seal of Approval.
When you spend a lot of time standing or walking, it makes sense to look for a walking shoe for flat feet that offers maximum comfort and stability. New Balance designed this shoe with a wide toe box, and the brand’s ROLLBAR® construction; its motion control and stability last for its life. They paired it with their Ndurance™ outsole. Its rubber can hold up to anything in the critical areas of the tread.
The Oofos Sport LS Low Shoe looks like a chic running sneaker. Under the hood, it’s all about protection, stability, and comfort. Its top is made with four-way stretch fabric, and the lacings create a midfoot lock that provides lateral stability and forefoot mobility. All of these things work together to keep the foot balanced and protected. The insole uses Oofos patented tech that absorbs foot strikes and gives support while reducing stress on ankles, knees, and other joints.
This is a unisex activewear shoe that is your workout buddy. The X-shaped torsion plate on the shoe’s sole provides stability and flexibility, allowing you to run, hit the gym, or just wear them as an everyday walking shoe. The thick EVA midsole, foam insole, and arch support reduce stress on the foot. The 3D mesh upper allows the foot to breathe, whether working out, running, or walking.
Nortiv8 Cloud Walker sneakers replace three shoes: a walking shoe, a running shoe, and a gym shoe.
If you like being active in all weather, Klaw has your back. Their 528 leather walking shoe is waterproof. In addition to its arch support, it has a wide toe box, forefoot rocker, and a deep heel cup for added stability.
Merrell created a hybrid walking and hiking shoe that easily handles any terrain and weather. The Wrapt Mid Waterproof high-top sneaker/boot is part of their barefoot collection because the rubber sole mimics the shape of a foot. The bellows tongue of this sneaker is designed to keep debris, tiny rocks, and dirt away out of the shoe. If you are dealing with plantar fasciitis, reviewers rave over the wide toe box, arch support, and comfort of the interior cushioning.
When you think of slip-on sneakers, the first brand that comes to mind is Skechers. While they have sneakers for every sport, they’re known worldwide for their comfortable slip-ins. They have so many that narrowing the choice to just one for this article was hard. The Grand Select 2 is a vegan slip-in sneaker with pillowy heel cushioning, a mesh upper with stretch laces, and an AMPA-accepted sneaker.
Slip-in sneakers have been around for years, but Skechers infused comfort, arch support, and lots of style into the design. The Delora looks like a driving moc, but has all the comfiness of a walking shoe. It is 100% vegan and has a knit mesh upper, removable arch support, and lightweight, responsive cushioning for all-day wear.
Skechers slip-ins offer all-day comfort and support and can be worn with jeans or skirts.
Designed specifically for guys with wide feet, FitVille doesn’t cut back on style. These walking shoes have a cool, retro 80s look. Made with an extra-wide toe box, a rubber outsole, and lots of cushioning, they can be worn all day long.
Naturalizer is known for creating fashionable shoes with built-in arch support. Their designs range from trendy to the classic white sneaker. This wide-width walking shoe has snazzy lines and a plush insole with antimicrobial properties. It comes in leather or knit fabric.
On started as a Swiss-based athletic clothing and footwear company in 2010. Tennis legend Roger Federer is an investor, and there’s a collection named after him. This running shoe has a wide base for added stability, a deep-cushioned heel cup, a very springy, cushioned midsole, and a supportive insole that can be replaced with a custom orthotic.
New Jersey-based Aetrex is a shoe brand that’s all about comfort and stability. The company creates custom orthotics and has shoes and sneakers for foot issues like arch pain, flat feet, plantar fasciitis, and metatarsalgia. Their footwear is approved by the AMPA. The Chase sneaker is machine washable and uses antimicrobial materials. Aetrex offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re unhappy with the sneaker. The arch support works with the built-in orthotics and cushioning to stabilize the foot while keeping it aligned.
Running shoe brand Hoka was born in 2009, and StockX considers it the fastest-growing sneaker brand. They make gear (including footwear) for athletes, even ultra-marathoners, and are also beloved by anyone who’s on their feet for hours at a time. This shoe has been awarded the AMPA seal of acceptance. It uses the brand’s J-Frame™ tech to stabilize the foot during movement.
I have had flat feet all my life, and I personally road-tested many of the brands mentioned in this article. I also checked in with my flat-footed friends and relatives on what shoes worked best for them and grilled them on what features they liked and hated. Dr. Sutera was kind enough to share her expertise as a podiatrist and foot surgeon. I asked her a multitude of questions, and she patiently answered them. There were certain design features that I specifically looked for when searching for supportive shoes.
Some shoes claim to be “supportive,” but they lack arch support. Any shoe designed for flat feet must have built-in arch support. I considered shoes with support and those whose supportive insoles could be swapped out for a custom orthotic.
When your arch touches the floor, standing and walking for long periods can be agonizing. I only chose shoes that were extremely cushioned. I picked shoes with cushioning on the metatarsal pads and a deeply cushioned midsole and innersole.
Many people with flat feet also pronate to compensate. I chose walking and running shoes designed to keep the foot aligned.
Another factor in the footwear chosen was the shoe’s ability to stabilize the foot. This is especially important when playing sports.
No one wants squished toes or painful heels. In addition to being extremely picky about cushioning, I looked at toe box width, heel cups, and material that stretches with your movement.
If you have flat feet, you may also have plantar fasciitis, bad knees, or other foot issues. I combed through what’s on the market and found shoes that address multiple issues.
Whether you’re working on your feet all day, taking a jog around the park, or running errands, you want a shoe that will withstand all sorts of weather and stresses and basically not fall apart after wearing it for a few months. The shoes in this article are made with material that breathes, have been tested for wear, and are designed to last for a long time. The outsoles all have grippy treads to help stabilize the foot. They’re sturdy and durable, meant to be worn on hard surfaces like concrete, city roads, and hilly trails.
Last, but not least, I considered how the shoe is styled. I opted for shoes for flat feet that delivered top-notch protection and served up trendy looks. For more on stylish sneakers, read our round-up on the best designer sneakers.
Flat feet need more arch support than feet with an arch. When shopping, look for shoes specifically designed for flat feet. A shoe with an arch helps to stabilize the foot, and Dr. Sutera explains that “stabilizing the arch helps block overpronation or an over-flattening of the arch.”
Dr. Sutera suggests looking for shoes with arch support and metatarsal pads. Shoes should have raised padding on the tops of the insoles, as it helps elevate and neutralize the inside of the mid-foot. Sutera says, “This is important because if the arch is abnormally flat or pronated, many problems can occur or be made worse, such as bunions, tendinitis, fasciitis, back, hip, and knee pain.” The metatarsal pads cushion and take pressure off the metatarsal joints of the forefoot.
Sutera feels that those with wide, flat feet should opt for sneakers and shoes that use mesh, as they have a bit more “give” in their fabric for a more comfortable fit. She also suggests looking for sneakers that have adjustable straps, as they “can help accommodate any individual’s wide feet and potentially sensitive areas such as bunions, hammertoes, and arthritic joints.” Avoid tight shoes with a narrow cut or a pointy or stiff toe box. While they’re fashionable, they’re going to be uncomfortable to wear.
In addition to looking for a shoe with arch support, Sutera advises looking for shoes with deep-seated heel cups and very cushy soles. The cushion should be on top of the more rigid or contoured sole. Sutera says, “The rigid sole provides extra control, while the cushion gives comfort.” She suggests looking at sneakers and shoes from Vionic. “They have all those features in their VIO MOTION technology built into the shoes.”
Dr. Sutera noted that people with flat feet tend to wear down shoes faster than someone with a neutral or higher arch. Replace your shoes often, monitor for signs of wear, and look for shoes that have a durable sole.
Always follow the brand's instructions before cleaning any walking shoe or sneaker. That information can be found on a brand’s website, as an insert card in the shoe box, sometimes in a care tag on the shoe, or all three places. Some walking shoes or sneakers can be tossed into a washing machine, while others can only be spot-cleaned.
I asked New York City-based podiatrist Jackie Sutera, DPM what causes flat feet. Dr. Sutera is board-certified in foot surgery and a fellow of the American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons. She specializes in the prevention and treatment of foot pathology. Dr. Sutera is also a member of Vionic’s Innovation Lab Experts. Dr. Sutera mentioned that flat feet can sometimes be caused by an injury, wear and tear on the foot (fallen arches), or due to some disease processes. But for the most part, flat feet are a genetic trait. If your mom, dad, or grandparents had flat feet, this is likely why your feet are flat.
A flat foot has an arch that can touch the ground, which can cause biomechanical issues and lower limb misalignment. According to Dr. Sutera, the lower limb misalignment “can also cause a misalignment to the knees, hips, and back, in addition to an abnormal gait pattern.”
I asked Dr. Sutera for tips on finding the perfect fitting shoe for flat feet (I have a vested interest), and she kindly explained what to consider when shoe shopping. “Every shoe company cuts its shoes differently.” Shoe companies use a mold called a “last.” The last determines how a shoe will fit a foot. Some lasts run narrow or short, so you may need to go up or down a size when trying on shoes, depending on the brand. Sutera continued, “You may need to try different sizes and widths to see which feels and fits the best. The shoe shouldn’t feel too tight or too loose. It should be just right. Make sure there’s enough room in the toe box so that toes can lay flat.”
Flat feet are a condition in which the arch comes in contact with the ground. It can be an inherited condition or a result of work, medical issues, or accidents. When flat feet are caused by the latter, they are called fallen arches.
The body is misaligned, so flat feet can cause lower back pain. Dr. Sutera enumerates the other common issues caused by flat feet like “hammertoes, calluses, corns, pain, shin splints, bunions, arthritis, bone spurs, and foot instability.” She continues to explain “a rare and severe breakdown of the foot and the ‘collapse of the arch’ can be caused by a neuroarthropathy disease like diabetic Charcot Foot.”
Dr. Sutera pointed out that flatter feet need more stability in their shoes and often benefit from more rigidity to hold up the arch. Stabilizing the arch helps block "overpronation" or over-flattening of the arch.
Just as there are walking shoes for flat feet, there are running shoes for flat feet. You’ll find a few of them mentioned in this article. Running shoes for flat feet have a few special details built into them. These features are used for comfort and support. Dr. Sutera says to look for running shoes that have arch support, more structure, and security in their shoes. She explains, “People with flat feet should look for running shoes with motion control. This helps to hold the foot in and secure it while running.” Other must-have features are deep heel cups, sturdy outsoles, and cushioned insoles.
Dr. Sutera suggests wearing Vionic’s Walk Max Lace Up Sneaker. She states,”It has cushioning balanced with support and stability. The sneaker has a lightweight midsole rebound technology to enhance your walking motion, and Super Critical Foam (Vionic's lightest midsole) is nitrogen-infused, offering the highest rebound.”
Shoes designed for flat feet have arch support, stability, and cushioning. These features alleviate discomfort, prevent injury, and promote proper foot alignment. When wearing supportive shoes, walking and standing for long periods of time no longer cause discomfort.
Shoes that provide support, stability, and comfort would benefit both men and women with flat feet. Dr. Sutera reminds you to “look for styles with deep-seated heel cups and added cushion on top of the more rigid or contoured sole. The rigid sole provides extra control, and the cushion provides comfort.”
Dr. Sutera mentions that shoes for flat feet have the same features (deep-seated heel cups, added cushioning, arch support, rigid or contoured sole) as shoes used for plantar fasciitis. She says, “Feet are the foundation of the skeleton. Supporting and stabilizing the feet helps the body from the ground up.”
Shoes for flat feet alleviate the flat arch issue by creating support under the arch, and providing additional cushioning under the metatarsal pads for continuous comfort.
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