A Buyer’s Guide To The Best Sneakers For Flat Feet
Contents
- Top 10 Best Sneakers for Flat Feet
- What Types of Shoe for Flat Feet are There?
- Support Shoes
- Stability Shoes
- Motion Control Shoes
- What Brands Should You Trust?
- Adidas
- Nike
- New Balance
- ASICS
- Top 5 Sneakers for Flat Feet
- ASICS Women’s Running Shoe
- Orthofeet Monterey Bay Men’s Sneakers
- Giotto Athletic Running Sneakers
- Orthofeet Sprint Men’s Sneakers
- Xelero Women’s Walking Shoe
- Next 5 Best Sneakers for Flat Feet
- Mizuno Women’s Running Shoes
- Vanskelin Men’s Sneakers
- JARLIF Women’s Athletic Sneakers
- JARLIF Women’s Athletic Gym Air Sneakers
- On Men’s Cloudster Sneakers
- Buying Guide: How To Find the Right Sneakers For You
- Conclusion
- Sources
Most adult feet have an arch, so the middle of the sole doesn’t press flat against the ground when you stand.
If you have flat feet, though, you lack the natural support that the normal foot structure gives.
It’s a common foot shape. Estimates vary widely, and some reports say about 30% of people have flat feet.
According to MedlinePlus, most people with flat feet have no pain at all. Some adults get tired or achy feet, or pain on the outside of the ankle.
Flat feet can also cause you to wear your shoes out faster.
Top 10 Best Sneakers for Flat Feet
Painless, flexible flat feet usually need no treatment.
If your flat feet do ache, supportive shoes, arch supports and calf stretches are common first steps. That matters even more when you exercise.
Think about it. If your feet are hurting from just standing, imagine what they would feel like if you tried to work out without the proper support.
We’re going to help you learn everything you need to know about finding the best sneakers for flat feet so you can walk, run, and work out more comfortably. If you have ongoing foot pain, or your child does, see a doctor.
What Types of Shoe for Flat Feet are There?
While we’re discussing the best sneakers for flat feet, it’s important to understand that there isn’t just one type of sneaker.
Different types offer different benefits to their users. Therefore, you need to know what each type is and what it offers you.
Support Shoes
These are the most basic form of sneakers for flat feet. These are the shoes that you see on the shelf at the store labeled with “added support”.
While they aren’t the type of shoes that offer the most for flat feet, they’re a step up from the flat shoes such as flip flops and sandals that most of us wear during the summer.
Stability Shoes
These shoes are great for flat feet due to the way you stand if you have flat feet. Many people with flat feet stand and walk with their feet and ankles rolling inward (overpronation), which Cleveland Clinic notes can cause ankle pain.
These types of shoes help to promote stability through proper arch support.
Luckily, these types of shoes aren’t hard to find. In fact, most running or walking shoe brands have a line of their own stability shoes or at least one pair.
Motion Control Shoes
While these shoes aren’t as high-tech as their name suggests, they’re essential if you’re a runner who deals with the problems of your feet turning in or pronating.
These go a little beyond what stability shoes offer in terms of support.
The main thing that these shoes depend on is a medial post of dual density foam.
To break that down into simpler terms, though, the midsole of these shoes has denser, harder foam right below the arch to offer extra support.
Finding these and telling them apart from a regular stability shoe isn’t difficult either.
On many motion control shoes, the denser foam under the arch is a different color (often gray) on the inner side of the midsole.
What Brands Should You Trust?
When it comes to arch support shoes, we know that those $2 flip flops won’t cut it. But where should you look?
Luckily, like anything else we buy, shoes are divided by brands and these brands all hold themselves to different standards.
To protect your arches, though, you need quality sneakers. These are some of the best brands you can choose from.
Adidas
As we go through these brands, Adidas is just one of the names that you’ll recognize. Adidas has been around for a while, as it was founded in Germany in 1949.
Since then, it has branched out into a wide variety of products in an array of styles. So, you’ll be able to find the shoe that fits you the best – both in size and style.
Their line doesn’t skimp on comfort either. With both their regular sneakers and running shoes, you’ll be able to find anything you may need.
Even their sneakers for flat feet will offer you plenty of options in design and size.
Nike
Nike is another brand that you’ve heard of. They’re known for doing all types of sportswear – from shoes to clothes and more.
This brand was founded later than Adidas, starting in 1964 in Oregon as Blue Ribbon Sports.
Like Adidas, though, Nike is well-known for offering both their male and female customers a wide variety of options.
No matter what kind of shoes you need to fit your feet best and suit your needs, Nike is here to help.
New Balance
New Balance is the oldest on our list so far. It was started in 1906 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Since then, they’ve dedicated everything to creating one of the best and most diverse lines for their customers.
Once again, you can turn to New Balance as one of the best brands in the business.
ASICS
ASICS is a Japanese company whose roots go back to 1949, when Onitsuka Co. was founded, making it older than Nike.
In fact, Nike started out as a U.S. distributor of Onitsuka Tiger shoes, the brand that later became part of ASICS.
When it comes to comfort and support, though, ASICS is still one of the best. ASICS is actually an acronym for anima sana in corpore sano which means “healthy soul in a healthy body”.
By looking at their products, we can see that they take this title seriously.
Top 5 Sneakers for Flat Feet
Now that we’ve gone over some of the brands and types of shoes that you can find, let’s take a look at some of the best products available on the market.
These shoes incorporate some of the brands we went over and all the qualities you’re looking for!
ASICS Women’s Running Shoe
The first sneaker on our list is the ASICS Women’s GEL-Venture 5 Running Shoe.
It has been sold in several widths and many color schemes, so check current sizes and colors before you buy.
The upper is made of durable synthetic materials.
The GEL cushioning and arch support make it a comfortable everyday option.
Orthofeet Monterey Bay Men’s Sneakers
These men’s shoes are slightly simpler since they come in white and black rather than a variety of colors schemes and designs.
Check the current size and width options, since some buyers find the fit runs small.
The rubber sole in this shoe offers orthotic support with anatomical arch support and even gel heel-seat forms.
It’s also designed with a wide toe box, to reduce pressure on that part of your foot, which helps if you have bunions or hammertoes.
It’s a comfortable, well-cushioned choice, though no shoe can fix every type of foot, knee or back pain.
Giotto Athletic Running Sneakers
One of the great things about these shoes is that they’re made for both men and women.
They’re incredibly lightweight and breathable as well, so they’ll keep your feet cool while you run.
The use of a thick comfortable insole ensures more than just good arch support but adds support for the heel as well.
These shoes are also flexible, so they should offer a comfortable fit no matter what size you choose.
The outsole is designed for good grip while you run.
Orthofeet Sprint Men’s Sneakers
These shoes are great for anyone looking for a little extra support.
The orthotic insole in this is the key to their support.
Like the other examples we’ve looked at, it gives an extra push of support to the heel and arch, which can help limit how far the feet roll inward.
Xelero Women’s Walking Shoe
This leather and mesh shoe is both extremely comfortable and supportive.
The design is simple.
The XRS Technology is the key here. Not only does it support you as you stand, but it works to provide support as you move as well.
This is because the shoe works with you as your center of gravity moves, allowing you to continue moving forward.
Next 5 Best Sneakers for Flat Feet
Sometimes the top 5 in general aren’t the best for you and that’s okay! There are far more beyond just that.
To keep you from having to search for other shoes on your own, though, we decided to list five more options for you here.
Mizuno Women’s Running Shoes
Vanskelin Men’s Sneakers
JARLIF Women’s Athletic Sneakers
JARLIF Women’s Athletic Gym Air Sneakers
On Men’s Cloudster Sneakers
Buying Guide: How To Find the Right Sneakers For You
There are a couple of things to remember from what we’ve gone over to make sure you have the best shoes available.
First, look for a shoe with arch support or stability features. If you use custom orthotics, make sure they fit inside.
If you can’t tell, you can talk to someone at the company or a sales associate if they’re available and they should be able to give you the information you need.
Then, you should make sure to look at the brand. If it’s one of the brands we mentioned above; great!
If it isn’t, though, don’t discount it right away.
Rather, take a close look at the quality of the shoe. Try it on if you’re buying in person.
Some brands that didn’t make our list of the best can still surprise you with their quality.
Conclusion
In the end, buying the best sneakers for flat feet doesn’t have to be difficult.
Choose a supportive pair that fits well, and see a doctor or podiatrist if foot pain doesn’t improve.
You’ll be ready to go with comfortable and supportive shoes in no time.
Sources
- Flat feet, MedlinePlus
- Flat Feet (Pes Planus): Types, Symptoms & Treatment, Cleveland Clinic
