If you have flat feet, you are among the 30% of individuals with fallen arches. Unfortunately, this condition can make it difficult for runners since they develop foot pain from the motion involved in running. Thankfully, you can alleviate this situation by getting a pair of the best sneakers for flat feet.
This post explores the shoe models suitable for flat-footed runners and the factors to keep in mind when making your choice.
Let's get started!
1. Brooks Beast 20 Running Shoe
- THIS MEN'S SHOE IS FOR: The Beast ’20 is perfect for runners who want to turn up the dial on support, cushioning, and comfort. Runners who prefer a little extra space in the forefoot may find these...
- SUPER-SOFT CUSHIONING: The DNA LOFT cushioning provides a soft, luxurious feeling underfoot without losing responsiveness or durability.
- ENHANCED FIT: Enjoy comfort front to back with a spacious yet secure fit thanks to an engineered-mesh upper and conformable embroidered saddle.
- NEW LOOK: Embroidered saddle and eyestay create a modern look and strategic structure.
- HOLISTIC SUPPORT: We've shifted our focus beyond the feet to the most injury-prone part of a runner's body: the knees. GuideRails support keeps you moving comfortably by keeping excess movement in...
First place on our list of the best running shoes for flat feet is the Brooks Beast 20, designed for flat-footed runners looking for extra support, comfort, and cushioning. These shoes provide additional room in the forefoot area to ensure you can move about with enough stability.
It also features DNA LOFT cushioning, which is super soft to provide a luxurious feel for your feet to keep you nice and cozy as you run. It also ensures that you have the responsiveness you need from the shoe to make quick movements without losing energy.
You can also enjoy a secure fit with these shoes since they feature an engineered mesh that stretches to contour to the shape of your foot. As a result, this shoe is both spacious and well-fitting.
Every part of your feet from the front to the back will be comfortably wrapped inside the Brooks Beast 21 to ensure there are minimal chances of this shoe falling off.
The embroidered saddle combines with the eyestay to enhance the appearance of this shoe into a modern style that will leave you looking stylish on the track.
2. ASICS Women's Gel Kayano 26 Running Shoes
- SpevaFoam 45 Lasting - Employs 45 degree full length SpevaFoam 45 lasting material for a soft platform feel and improved comfort.
- I.G.S (Impact Guidance System) Technology - ASICS design philosophy that employs linked componentry to enhance the foot's natural gait from heel strike to toe-off.
- FlyteFoam Lyte Technology - ASICS lightest weight midsole formulation that provides continuous cushion thanks to organic nano fibers.
- FlyteFoam Propel Technology - ASICS energetic foam formulation that provides supreme bounce thanks to a unique elastomer compound.
- Dynamic DuoMax Support System - This evolution of DuoMax system enhances stability and support, with reduced weight and increased platform support.
The second best sneakers for flat feet are the ASICS Women's Gel Running Shoes which feature an Impact Guidance System, a technology that links various components to improve the natural motion of your feet. It also comes with a full-length SpevaFoam, which delivers a soft feel that makes these shoes more comfortable to wear.
In addition, these shoes have a rubber outsole which increases traction and grip to increase your level of stability. As a result, you will feel balanced enough to run for miles without losing your footing.
The cushioned midsole inside this shoe is made with FlyteFoam Lyte Technology which is lightweight to ensure there isn't unnecessary weight pulling your foot down as you run.
The ASICS foam formulation technology ensures that you get the responsiveness you need from a running shoe. As such, each step you take in this pair will have an additional bounce which can help keep you going for the best performance.
This lightweight shoe has enhanced platform support which improves your stability thanks to the Dynamic DuoMax Support System. It's safe to say that these are among the best running shoes for runners with flat feet.
3. Brooks Women's Transcend 6 Running Shoe
- THIS WOMEN'S SHOE IS FOR: Runners who need support and love all the bells and whistles. This shoe combines our best cushioning with seriously innovative GuideRails support. The result is a shoe that...
- SUPER-SOFT CUSHIONING: The DNA LOFT cushioning provides a soft, luxurious feeling underfoot without losing responsiveness or durability.
- MAXIMUM COMFORT: New OrthoLite sockliner provides premium step-in comfort.
- PLUSH FIT: The plush feel of an internal stretch bootie surrounds your foot and moves and expands with your stride. The engineered mesh upper and 3D Fit Print technology only enhance the fit.
- HOLISTIC SUPPORT: We've shifted our focus beyond the feet to the most injury-prone part of a runner's body: the knees. GuideRails support keeps you moving comfortably by keeping excess movement in...
The Brooks Women's Transcend Running Shoe is also among the best sneakers for flat feet athletes. It's designed to provide the arch support necessary to relieve foot pain in people with overpronation. It combines the use of GuideRails and cushioning to ensure you don't experience any discomfort even if you have collapsed arches.
This shoe will deliver the comfort you need thanks to the soft DNA LOFT cushioning, which delivers a responsive and cozy feel for each foot. As a result, you'll enjoy a smooth and cozy ride when wearing this pair to any running session. With an OrthoLite Sockliner, you will experience premium quality comfort, which can keep you motivated to keep moving.
The bootie is made from plush material which stretches to engulf your foot while expanding with each stride you take. As a result, the engineered mesh upper will supply a secure fit that will even help you forget that you have any shoes on for an explosive output.
4. Saucony Women's Guide 13
- New PWRRUN cushioning provides just-right softness that's responsive enough to tackle as many miles as you wish
- The new medial TPU guidance frame quickly and quietly guides each foot through its natural gait cycle for the smoothest feel yet
- FORMFIT surrounds the foot with a made-for-me feel that can accommodate a wide range of foot shapes comfortably
- Shoe Category: Stability
- Offset: 8mm (32.5/24.5)
Next, we have the Saucony Guide 13, a pair of well-cushioned running shoes that are a great choice for flat-footed runners. It comes with PWRRUN cushioning designed to provide a responsive performance that can keep you comfortable enough to run a mile at a time without giving up.
These shoes also have a medial TPU guidance frame which can lead each foot in its natural motion for a smooth and steady run. As such, the Saucony Guide 13 is among the best footwear for those with pronation issues. The FORMFIT upper is made to hug the foot for a snug fit that contours to your exact foot shape to ensure it fits you appropriately.
This stability shoe is light and won't make you feel weighed down as you wear them to the tracks. The sleek design of this shoe is constructed from the inside out to ensure you get a stylish shoe without compromising on comfort.
5. New Balance Fresh Foam Running Shoe
- Made for Runners: With impressive softness for your daily runs, these cushioned running shoes are designed specifically for those who love to run. A molded sockliner adds to the luxuriously soft feel
- Fierce Footwear: The Fresh Foam Evare has a fierce exterior that fits your active lifestyle. Bold looks and comfy construction help these running shoes perform on both the fashion and function fronts
- Cutting-Edge Comfort: These comfortable running shoes deliver soft support with Fresh Foam midsole cushioning and additional stack height which offers even more cushioning underfoot
- Sleek Style: Lightweight engineered mesh uppers with no-sew overlays add a breathable fit and fast feel to these sleek New Balance running shoes
- Durable Design: A Ground Contact EVA outsole on these lightweight running shoes provides durable support to help you run with comfort and confidence on a variety of surfaces
The last shoe on our list of the best sneakers for flat feet is the New Balance Fresh Foam Running Shoe, specially designed for runners who need extra cushioning and support in their shoes. It's impressively soft and will keep you feeling comfortable enough for your daily runs. The molded sockliner adds a luxurious feel to keep you cozy when wearing these sneakers.
The fierce exterior of the Fresh Foam New Balance footwear is made to match your active lifestyle. It gives a bold and confident appearance to the wearer, making it a stylish and functional option. The Fresh Foam midsole delivers a plush and shock-absorbing layer to ensure there is minimal pressure and stress to your feet.
This shoe also features a higher stack height for support and is designed to be lightweight to avoid placing additional strain on your flat feet. The engineered mesh upper provides a breathable layer of material that can provide a snug and breathable fit. The durable EVA outsole is light and offers long-lasting support to ensure you can run without slipping on any surface.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Sneakers for Flat Feet
1. Types of Running Shoes for Flat Feet
Athletic running shoes can be categorized into three primary groups: cushioned, stability, and motion control.
- Cushioned Shoes
Also known as neutral shoes, these are made for runners with rigid and high arched feet. Runners with this foot type are often described as supinators. Neutral shoes come with a cushioned midsole strategically padded with soft foam material like EVA at the heel and arch areas.
- Stability Shoes
These shoes can provide varying degrees of stability and are great for people whose arches can collapse while running. Such a runner is referred to as a pronator and requires arch support during movement.
These shoes are great for flat-footed individuals and feature two or three layers of material in the arch and heel areas for adding support to the pronated foot. Unfortunately, the polyurethane material adds to the weight of the shoe in contrast to those that use an EVA midsole.
- Motion Control Shoes
These shoes are suited to runners with overpronation, and that's why they are designed to deliver maximum stability and are the ideal pick among running shoes for flat-footed people. Motion-control shoes feature an additional stabilizer in the heel counter edge to provide perfect balance and control.
The outsole is typically made from carbon or blown rubber. Carbon rubber soles are heavy, stiff, and durable, while the blown rubber outsoles are flexible and lightweight for optimal cushioning rather than stability.
2. Arch Support
Arch support is probably the first essential factor to consider when choosing the best sneakers for flat feet. Since the arches of flat feet collapse naturally or when you stand, you'll need shoes that can prevent this from happening. This means you want shoes with a stable base that can support your arches from falling.
The best shoes for flat feet should offer optimal arch support under your feet to prevent your soles from stretching out and getting inflamed. In doing so, you will avoid any foot pain that could develop from running with shoes with no arch support.
3. Shock Absorption
Another feature your running shoes must have impacts absorption. As you run on hard surfaces like race tracks or the road, your feet will be subjected to continuous impact from each stride you make. When you have flat feet, the shock from each step can cause your arches to collapse further, which can increase the amount of pain you'll feel.
As such, you want shoes that are fitted with enough cushioning to absorb the shock so that it's not transferred to your feet. Unfortunately, too much cushioning will compromise the arch support you get. So, you should find a compromise so that you have ample cushioning and support to prevent exposing your feet to unwanted discomfort.
4. Heel Support
The heels are another area that needs support for people with flat feet. Runners with pronation or overpronation will benefit from shoes that provide a heel cupping system or any other form of heel support.
A heel support system can help prevent the inward rolling that takes place when flat-footed runners are in motion. When the heels have a supportive base, they'll be kept in place to ensure you maintain an ergonomic stance and gait as you run. This is important since it helps reduce the pain you get from overpronation.
5. Multi-Directional Support
It's also vital for the best shoes for flat feet to be flexible. They should deliver a supportive structure that covers your feet from multiple angles. The primary factor affecting this type of support is the upper material that makes up the top and sides of the shoe.
You should choose a shoe with a flexible upper that can deliver a snug fit that contours to the shape of your feet. As the material pushes against your feet from every direction, you'll experience better freedom of movement, which can improve your performance.
6. Breathability
Another feature found in the best shoes for flat feet is breathability. This means that the upper material should allow heat and moisture to escape to keep a cool, dry environment for your feet. Shoes with an engineered mesh upper will deliver the breathability you need.
As you wear breathable shoes, you can say goodbye to the accumulation of sweat and heat inside the shoe, which can cause discomfort. This means that your feet will remain comfortable enough for you to keep going even as you get sweaty during the run.
7. Durability
The last factor to keep in consideration is whether the shoe is durable or not. Unfortunately, running shoes will need replacement on a regular basis since the cushioning and support they provide wears out with time and continued use. However, this doesn't mean that you should invest in shoes that only last about a month.
As such, you'll want shoes made with high-quality materials to ensure that the shock absorption and support capabilities will last longer. As a rule of thumb, you can divide 75,000 by your body weight measurement, which will give you the number of miles to run before it's necessary to buy a new pair.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the best running shoes for flat feet?
The best sneakers for flat feet are the Brooks Beast 20 Running Shoes.
2. How do I choose shoes for flat feet?
When choosing flat feet shoes, the features you consider include arch support, shock absorption, breathability, and durability.
3. Can flat feet be corrected?
Yes, you can correct flat feet with simple exercises like calf raises, heel stretches, and toe raises which you can do at home. However, results will be gradual rather than instantaneous.
Image source: marathonhandbook.com
