True Support: The 10 Best Shoes For High Arches
Contents
- Top 10 Best Shoes For High Arches
- What Is a High-Arched Foot?
- Buyer’s Guide
- Best Shoes for High Arches
- KEEN Women’s Newport H2 Sandal
- Rockport Women’s World Tour Classic Walking Shoe
- New Balance Men’s M890v4 Running Shoe
- Neat Feat Men’s Zori Sport Flip Flop
- Orthofeet Asheville Orthopedic Slippers
- Brooks Women’s Glycerin 14
- Footminders BALTRA Unisex Sandals
- Dunham Men’s Blair Slip-On
- Telic Unisex Arch Support Flip Flop
- Nike Women’s Air Zoom Running Shoe
- Tips for Dealing with High Arches
- If None Of That Works…
- Conclusion
- Sources
When your feet aren’t like everyone else’s, it can be frustrating trying to find shoes that are comfortable yet still stylish.
If you have high arches, you’re not alone. Estimates vary, and some put it as high as 20% of the population. That means there are plenty of supportive shoes to choose from.
High arches put extra pressure on the heel and ball of the foot, so cushioning and support matter. Shoes can ease discomfort, but they don’t treat the cause.
To find the best shoes for high arches, be sure to read through my complete guide and save yourself some valuable time and unnecessary discomfort.
Top 10 Best Shoes For High Arches
What Is a High-Arched Foot?
Otherwise referred to as cavus foot (pes cavus), a high-arched foot has an arch that sits higher than usual.
This places extra weight on the ball and heel of the foot during standing and walking.
It can create pain and instability for the person and can develop at any age. You may also experience it in one foot or both.
Many people are simply born with high arches. Others develop them because of a neuromuscular condition such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy, or after a stroke or injury.
Because high arches can be an early sign of a nerve or muscle condition, Cleveland Clinic advises having new or worsening foot pain checked by a clinician.
High-arched feet can be so painful that many will refrain from their favorite activities so they won’t have to experience the discomfort.
Some symptoms may also be present in someone with a high-arched foot:
- Hammertoes or claw toes
- Calluses found on the ball, side or heel of the foot
- Instability which can lead to ankle sprains
- Pain during standing and walking
Buyer’s Guide
When you’re ready to pick out a new pair of shoes, there are several things you’ll want to watch for.
First, pick a shoe with extra cushioning. A higher arch will require more cushion for the foot to be comfortable, so don’t skimp in this area.
You’ll also want to make sure that your heel is locked into your shoe, but it shouldn’t be so tight that you can’t wiggle your toes.
Leave roughly a finger’s width of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. Feet swell during the day and after exercise.
When you wear a shoe with laces, you’ll want to tie them tight enough that your foot can’t move around, but not so tight that the circulation gets cut off.
A high-top style might give more support through the ankle to provide additional stability as well.
If you combine this with a wider sole, you should be able to prevent a lot of pain.
Finally, you must have a shoe that breathes. It’s essential not to let your foot overheat, especially during exercise.
You’ll want to look for a shoe made of mesh or other breathable fabrics.
Supportive shoes often cost more than basic ones. Good cushioning can make walking more comfortable, but persistent pain still needs a professional evaluation.
Best Shoes for High Arches
This whole process can surely be overwhelming and many people don’t know where to start. Shopping around for the right shoe to work with your foot can be downright exhausting.
To narrow it down, here is my list of 10 shoes with cushioning or arch support worth trying. Models and features change, so check the current product details before you buy.
KEEN Women’s Newport H2 Sandal
KEEN sandals are a leader in providing comfort in every shoe they make and this option is perfect for those summer months.
These sandals include a compression-molded EVA midsole for comfort.
It also provides Cleansport NXT and a breathable mesh lining for natural odor control.
The sole will conform to your foot’s personalized shape to provide the comfort you won’t find in another sandal.
Finally, enjoy the razor-siped outsole and 3mm lugs for amazing traction wherever you go and a water-resistant leather upper so you can enjoy outdoors no matter what the weather.
KEEN sandals aren’t just for wearing in the summer either. Many people enjoy wearing theirs with socks, believe it or not.
Considering these sandals are built for everything athletic, they would also make for a great option when you go hiking or exploring a nearby trail.
Rockport Women’s World Tour Classic Walking Shoe
Enjoy walking again with this lightweight leather, padded tongue, and collar that’s designed to provide the ultimate in comfort.
The San Crispino heel keeps you from becoming unstable while you’re walking.
It also has an EVA footbed and walking platform construction to give the higher arch support you need.
Any active woman will appreciate the durable traction sole that makes it easy to walk on any surface.
The Strobel construction also gives the forefoot good flexibility.
What I really love about this shoe is that it can be used for walking, but it also looks great with a pair of jeans to wear casually.
Even though it gives the appearance that it wouldn’t be a comfortable shoe, the inside tells a completely different story.
New Balance Men’s M890v4 Running Shoe
New Balance shoes are a leader in comfort and this is a great choice if you want to maintain an active lifestyle despite your high arches.
This lightweight running shoe features a one-piece FantomFit upper that has an REVlite foam midsole and ABZORB shock-absorbing cushioning. It’s the ultimate in comfort.
It has an 8mm heel-to-toe drop and a cushioned ride.
It’s a solid option if you want a cushioned neutral running shoe.
Neat Feat Men’s Zori Sport Flip Flop
If you’re a man that doesn’t want to sacrifice style for comfort, this flip flop is what you’ve been looking for.
Zori is derived from traditional Japanese footwear.
This sport version is designed to get wet and dry easily.
The heel measures approximately 1” and the platform measures 0.5”. The contoured footbed adds arch support, which many people with high arches find more comfortable than a flat flip flop.
Orthofeet Asheville Orthopedic Slippers
Slippers are shoes too!
If you want to be comfortable walking around your home, this is the pair for you.
The contoured orthotic insole offers anatomical arch support and a deep heel-seat to mold into the contours of your foot.
The lightweight sole with air cushioning will soften your step and add a little spring as well. You’ll achieve the optimal stability while enhancing natural foot motions.
Thankfully, this pair also comes with a wide toe box to eliminate any pressure on bunions or hammer toes.
Orthofeet markets this slipper to people with conditions such as diabetes, arthritis and neuropathy. If you have diabetes or nerve damage in your feet, ask your doctor or podiatrist which footwear is right for you.
Brooks Women’s Glycerin 14
This sneaker provides excellent support for a high arch and is ideal for running or walking.
They consist of a comfortable upper that uses 3D Fit Print overlays to reduce the weight, mainly from the heel.
They even offer narrow sizes down to a 2A so you can fit your exact width.
Footminders BALTRA Unisex Sandals
This rubber pair of sandals is anatomically molded to support foot arches and provide maximum comfort.
Don’t walk on flat sandals anymore, use these around the house, at the park or even for a trip to the beach.
The deep heel cups cradle your feet and help to keep you balanced.
The molded footbed may feel more comfortable than a flat sandal.
Dunham Men’s Blair Slip-On
When you need a dress shoe, consider this option from Dunham.
This shoe features a stability shank which is embedded into the midsole.
It features a cushioned, supportive footbed.
Perfect for the office or when you need to dress up. There’s no reason to be uncomfortable with this pair of shoes.
Check The Best Price Here
Telic Unisex Arch Support Flip Flop
This lightweight and ergonomic flip flop contours to your foot while providing the support you need.
The slightly negative heel takes the weight off the ball of the foot to ease pressure on the forefoot.
Nike Women’s Air Zoom Running Shoe
Nike has always been a leader in the athletic shoe department, and this version shows why.
Its cushioning makes it a comfortable option for runners with high arches.
They would also be great for walking and are lightweight.
Tips for Dealing with High Arches
If your feet ache after a long day, these home steps can bring short-term comfort:
- Rest – get off your feet and take a break
- Ice – apply for no longer than 20 minutes at a time
- Compression – helps prevent and reduce swelling
- Elevation – also a great way to reduce swelling
This is called the RICE method. It can ease minor aches and swelling, but severe, sudden or lasting pain should be checked by a doctor.
Aside from carefully choosing a comfortable pair of shoes, there are several other options available if you want to alleviate the symptoms of having high arches.
You can have a custom set of orthotics designed to fit inside your regular shoe. This will give most any pair of shoes that you love, the support that you need.
A podiatrist or orthotist usually takes a mold or scan of your foot.
It can get a little pricey if you go this route as insurances don’t always cover the use of orthotics.
You might also be interested in trying out an over the counter support first.
While this might be a cheaper option, there’s no guarantee it will work for you. It won’t be customized to your foot, so it could create more of a problem for you.
A doctor may also suggest a foot or ankle brace to make each step more stable, and physical therapy to strengthen and stretch the muscles.
If you also suffer from foot drop, where you don’t lift your toes properly, this will work to alleviate issues with that as well.
If None Of That Works…
That hasn’t helped? See a foot and ankle specialist. For severe or worsening deformity, surgeons may recommend procedures such as bone realignment, tendon transfers or joint fusion.
Only a qualified doctor will know what treatment is best for your condition, so don’t be afraid to call them.
Conclusion
I hope this guide helps you find more comfortable footwear.
Choose the best shoes for high arches, and then try some of the other remedies that have been highlighted.
The right shoes and good foot care can make walking more comfortable. If pain continues, a clinician can find the cause and recommend treatment.
Sources
- High Arch Feet (Pes Cavus): Causes, Symptoms & Treatment, Cleveland Clinic
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease, MedlinePlus
