The Best Running Shoes For Flat Feet In 2023

What Are Flat Feet?

Flat feet, otherwise known as fallen arches, are a prevalent condition that affects numerous individuals. Having flat feet indicates that the arches of your feet are lower than the average level or non-existent.

Flat feet have been shown in some studies to possess certain advantages. These advantages encompass enhanced shock absorption and improved balance. In addition, having flat feet signifies that your feet possess increased flexibility and adaptability to a variety of surfaces and activities.

Discomfort or pain may be experienced by certain individuals with flat feet, particularly when standing or engaging in physical activity for extended periods of time. However, the good news is that appropriate footwear and exercises aimed at enhancing foot and ankle strength are usually effective in alleviating the discomfort associated with flat feet.

Importance Of Choosing The Right Running Shoes For Flat Feet

All of us want to enjoy our runs, and wearing appropriate footwear can help ease discomfort and avoid injuries, enabling us to focus on our enjoyment.

To prevent strain on your feet and legs, it is important to choose running shoes for flat feet that offer support, stability, cushioning, and protection from impact. These shoes should help prevent overpronation, which occurs when your foot excessively rolls inward during running.

In addition to preventing pain and injuries, the correct footwear can also enhance your performance capacity.

When provided with appropriate support and cushioning, one is able to enhance their running form and stride, resulting in increased efficiency and enjoyment during runs.

Investing in the correct running shoes can significantly alter your running experience by allowing for greater comfort and confidence, ultimately enhancing the enjoyment of all the advantages running provides.

Best Features In Running Shoes For Flat Feet

It’s crucial to keep a few important features in mind when searching for the ideal running shoe for flat feet.

To begin with, let’s talk about arch support. As you are aware, individuals with flat feet do not possess the inherent arch that provides their feet with the necessary structure and support. Hence, it is crucial to seek shoes that either come with built-in arch support or feature detachable insoles that can offer the additional lift required.

Now, we will discuss stability and motion control. Individuals with flat feet tend to overpronate or roll their feet inward, which can be unpredictable. To address this, shoes equipped with stability or motion control features can help correct this issue and provide the much-needed support and stability that flat feet require.

Running can pose challenges for anyone’s feet, particularly for those with flat arches. Therefore, it is important to search for shoes that provide sufficient cushioning in order to absorb shock and minimize the impact.

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21

If you have flat feet and are in search of an excellent running shoe, it is crucial not to overlook the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21. This shoe is highly regarded as one of the top choices for individuals with flat feet who enjoy running.

This shoe has a built-in GuideRails system that aids in maintaining proper alignment of the foot and knee by supporting the arch and reducing overpronation. It offers stability and motion control, making it ideal for preventing excessive inward rolling of the foot during the gait cycle.

The shoe has BioMoGo DNA technology that offers ample cushioning, which can conform to the individual stride of any runner. This is advantageous as it ensures personalized comfort and protection for anyone wearing the shoe.

Just because your foot lacks an arch doesn’t imply that your toes do not require sufficient space. The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21 shoe has a generous toe box that promotes natural toe splay, which is advantageous as it diminishes the likelihood of blisters and other foot injuries.

Asics Gel-Kayano 28

The Asics Gel-Kayano 28 is another great option for individuals with flat feet when it comes to selecting a high-quality running shoe.

The Dynamic DuoMax Support System of this shoe is beneficial in reducing overpronation as well. It offers crucial support to the arch of the foot, which is indispensable in the absence of one.

If you have flat feet, it is crucial for your shoe to possess adequate stability and motion control, which are both offered by the Trusstic System of this footwear.

While individuals with flat feet may have some ability to absorb impact, incorporating extra impact absorption can only be beneficial. The cushioning and shock absorption offered by Asics’ Gel technology in this shoe surpasses that of other options.

The Asics Gel-Kayano 28 is constructed with materials that are durable and able to endure long periods of use, ensuring your comfort remains consistent, even during extended runs and high-volume months.

Saucony Guide 14

The Saucony Guide 14 is a popular choice among road runners, and individuals with flat feet should consider this shoe as their top choice. In addition to offering support for archless feet, it also delivers a comfortable fit.

By including a 3D-engineered fascia band in its design, this shoe ensures that the arch receives support while you cover the distance, preventing any post-run pain and granting maximum stability for your feet.

Saucony excels at producing a comfortable shoe that offers the ideal level of comfort and impressive durability with their PWRRUN cushioning technology. This comfort remains intact even after covering long distances. Besides, the responsiveness they deliver will undoubtedly thrill you, exceeding your expectations beyond just comfort and durability.

If you are in need of a shoe with strong grip, then this shoe is the right choice for you! The Guide 14 is equipped with a rubber outsole featuring a Tri-Flex design, which offers excellent grip and traction. This design ensures stability for the foot on all types of surfaces.

The shoe’s capability to conform to your foot is made possible by its FORMFIT technology. This ensures that your feet will experience a cozy and supportive sensation, which is essential for a properly fitted shoe.

Joomra Women’s Minimalist Trail Running Barefoot Shoes

If you don’t have additional money to spend on a running shoe for flat feet, the Joomra Minimalist Trail Running Barefoot Shoes are a great alternative that is more affordable. These shoes provide ample arch support with removable insoles, and the breathable knitted material is ideal for running in hot weather. Although the grippy rubber outsoles are specifically designed for trail running, this shoe’s quick response may not be suitable for individuals who require more support than what minimal shoes can offer.

New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam X 860v13

If you’re out running, you require a shoe that provides ample cushioning and support. The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 Running Shoe offers both through its lightweight foam midsole and blown rubber outsole. This blend ensures optimal comfort and aids in decreasing overpronation with its supportive medial post. Additionally, it incorporates reflective accents into the design, ensuring your safety and visibility during nighttime runs. Oh, and by the way, Reese Witherspoon wore these sneakers.

Gravity Defyer G-Defy XLR8 Run

If you are searching for a shoe that your podiatrist would approve of, the Gravity Defyer Women’s G-Defy XLR8 Run is an ideal choice. This shoe is specifically made to provide excellent arch support and foot stabilization. What sets it apart is that it includes a set of podiatrist-grade CorrectiveFit orthotic insoles. These insoles, made from lightweight foam, aid in aligning the body correctly and alleviating the discomfort caused by conditions such as plantar fasciitis.

Orthofeet Coral Stretch Knit Shoe

Bunions, a painful condition wherein the big toe joint becomes misaligned, can frequently be caused by flat feet. To tackle this problem, Orthofeet created the Coral Stretch Knit shoe, which also targets 20 other foot conditions that result in discomfort, such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and hammer toes. The shoe’s upper is non-restrictive, the wide toe box offers ample space for bunions, and the incorporated orthotic insoles furnish additional arch support to alleviate foot or heel pain.

Hoka Clifton 9

If you are susceptible to shin splints, it is important to have a shoe that is both lightweight and flexible, allowing your feet to move naturally. However, it should still provide protection and cushioning. Among Hoka’s shoe options, the Hoka Clifton 9 is an excellent choice. This shoe is equipped with Hoka’s EVA foam midsole, which effectively lessens the impact on your shins when you take each step. Additionally, the shoe includes an extended heel crash pad, making landings more forgiving and considerably less painful.

Brooks Ghost 15 Women’s Road-Running Shoes

Supination, which is also known as under pronation, happens when the foot rolls outward during walking or running. Like overpronation, this can cause discomfort and strain in the foot, knee, and ankle. The Brooks Ghost 15 Neutral Running Shoe offers excellent support for supinators with its DNA Loft cushioning in the midsole and a flexible soft-blown rubber outsole. This cushioning extends beyond the heel to absorb shock and alleviate pain. We found that these shoes felt lighter compared to the Brooks Adrenaline and also allowed for more lateral movement.

Mizuno Women’s Wave Rider 18 Running Shoes

In order to address overpronation, it is important to use a shoe that is specifically designed to distribute the force exerted by your body weight and alleviate strain on the arch. This is why individuals with overpronated flat feet prefer the Mizuno Wave Inspire 18 Running Shoe, as it effectively fulfills these requirements. The shoe’s wedged heel and distinctive cushion design provide additional stability, and the U4ic midsole ensures exceptional shock absorption. Additionally, the utilization of eco-friendly materials, such as recycled polyethylene terephthalate, in the shoe’s construction is an added benefit for environmentally conscious runners.

What to Know About Running Shoes for Flat Feet

Arch Support

In the opinion of Dr. Garcia, it is best for individuals with flat feet to have moderate arch support. If the support is too high, the foot will be forced into an outward position, whereas low arches may lead to strain on the heel and ankles.

He stated that the objective of arch support is to maintain the feet in a normal and neutral alignment in order to prevent pain in the feet, knees, hips, and back. He further highlighted that neutral alignment not only relieves foot pain but also safeguards against issues in other joints such as ankles, knees, and hips.

Heel to Toe Drop

The heel-to-toe drop is a factor frequently mentioned in running shoe reviews, which refers to the height difference between the heel and forefront of the shoe. Dr. Garcia emphasizes that this measurement is crucial for running shoes as it determines the location of impact during each step and plays a significant role in pain reduction.

He states that there is a correlation between the height of the heel-to-toe drop (also referred to as stack height) and the amount of stress exerted on your feet. Decreasing the heel-to-toe drop enhances stability by ensuring a more even allocation of weight. Some shoes even have no heel-to-toe drop, giving the sensation of walking barefoot.

Stability

Stability in running shoes is primarily achieved by combining arch support with cushioning. Adequate stability in a running shoe is important as it helps minimize the occurrence of overpronation, the inward rolling of the feet, which may lead to discomfort and potential injury.

Lacey advises the use of a shoe that has an incorporated arch, whereas Dr. Garcia suggests seeking out a shoe with sufficient cushioning, particularly in the midsole and heel.

Fit

Regardless of the type of shoe you choose, ensuring a proper fit is crucial. Initially, shoes equipped with arch support and other stability elements may feel snug. Adhere to the brand’s sizing instructions and expect to allocate a few days for breaking in your new footwear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes flat feet?
Pes planus, also known as flat feet, can result from factors such as obesity, diabetes, engaging in high-impact sports such as basketball, running, or soccer, or experiencing an injury.
Can flat feet be corrected?
Surgery is the usual approach for correcting flat feet, typically performed on child patients.
Do flat feet runners need arch support?
Dr. Garcia claims that arch support is essential for runners who have flat feet due to the strain that this condition puts on the tendons located underneath the foot. This strain can result in discomfort. “Footwear that provides arch support evenly spreads pressure across the foot, thereby reducing pain and maintaining the appropriate alignment of the feet, ankles, knees, hips, and back during running.”
Do people with flat feet run faster?
There is no indication that individuals with flat feet have a higher running speed. In fact, research has shown that those with flat feet generally show lower performance in athletic assessments when compared to individuals without flat feet.