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Find the Best Running Shoes for Flat Feet

No, you don’t need more arch support. But here’s what you do need.

Flat-footed runners face a number of challenges in finding the right running shoe—not least of which is a glut of conflicting information on the topic. The internet and your local running store will likely urge you to buy a shoe with more arch support. Experts in the field of sports injury will instruct you to do the opposite. So who do you trust? Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer—the optimal shoe for you largely depends on your gait cycle, range of motion, and individual foot, among other factors. But there are a couple of features to look for in running shoes that may help make your low arches feel more supported and comfortable—and a couple of shoes that have been known to work well for flat-footed runners. Read on for our picks and buying advice.

Cushion for Days

Beast 18

Brooks

$259.95


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Best Classic Stability

860v9

New Balance

$140


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Wide Foot Favourite

Arahi 3

Hoka One One

$219.95


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Best for Overpronators

Gel-kayano 26

Asics – $260


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Best Crowd Pleaser

Dyad 10

Brooks

$229.95


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THE TWO KINDS OF FLAT FEET​​

Some runners have anatomically flat feet, and other runners have what’s known as “collapsed arches,” which are flat because of a muscle weakness. Although the two types can look very similar, how you approach buying shoes for them varies widely, says Dr. Kimberly Davis of the RunLab, an Austin, Texas-based clinic that assesses running biomechanics and offers physical therapy and training.

Dr. Davis says that when it comes to shopping for a shoe for a flat-footed runner with collapsed arches due to muscle weakness, you can add arch support until the foot gets stronger and can support its own arch. But with an anatomically flat foot, arch support just sends stress up into the knee where it can lead to knee problems. That’s why it’s important to know what type of flat foot you have before you settle on a shoe—and take into account not just your foot but your entire body, including knees, hips, and range of motion.

On Overpronation and Arch Support

Runners with flat feet tend to overpronate, which is when the arches of the foot roll inward after landing. (However, this isn’t true across the board—there are plenty of flat-footed runners who are biomechanically sound and efficient, and don’t experience any overpronation.) Up until recently, the running industry steered overpronators toward stability shoes to control this motion. Gradually, all that is starting to change with the realization that stability features don’t do much to correct the natural cycle of the foot, though some runners prefer having them. Dr. Davis says people with flat feet often have really flexible feet that never get rigid for the push-off. “The footwear industry tries to solve that by putting an arch support in there to give them an arch or create suppination in the foot,” she says. “But that foot is structurally built that way, it’s not something you can solve with a shoe.”

A Full-Contact Midsole

Jay Dicharry, author of “Anatomy for Runners” and director of the REP Lab in Bend, Oregon, agrees arch support can be detrimental because the arch is by nature dynamic, and having extra structure there can stop your foot from moving. Dicharry says flat-footed runners should put more focus on seeking out a shoe with a straight “last,” which is the mold that dictates the shape of the shoe. A straight-lasted shoe has a wider midfoot base and less of a cut-in, a profile that has fallen by the wayside in favor of hourglass-shaped shoes. Most current shoes don’t provide much of a solid support surface for flat-footed runners, he says. “The problem is all these hourglass shoe shapes look nice on the wall, but when someone with a flat foot puts weight on one, part of their foot is bearing weight on the fabric upper,” he says. “The upper doesn’t work as a midsole for foot support. Feet do well when they’re on an even surface.”

Flat Feet Are Just One Aspect Among Many

The truth is most running shoes will work for most runners; however, if the shoes you’re using aren’t comfortable immediately or if you’re experiencing any pain while running, you should try a different pair. Get your movement pattern analyzed, whether at a clinic like the RunLab or even a running store that offers gait analysis. Once you have more information about your feet and movement patterns, you can provide all that information to a running store to find the best shoe for you. Don’t be afraid to take a shoe out for a test run following assessment before purchasing anything.

How We Picked These Shoes

Every shoe here has been evaluated and vetted by our team of test editors. We research the market, survey user reviews, speak with product managers and shoe fitters, and use our own experience running in these shoes to determine the best options for flat feet. Most models have been tested by our staff, and those that haven’t have been carefully chosen based on their value, comfort, and performance.

BROOKS Dyad 10

Pros

  • Wide at the forefoot
  • Soft cushion

Cons

  • Can feel bulky

The Dyad has a spacious fit and wider platform, which gives flat-footed runners a straighter last for more contact in the midsole. Dual Arch Pods at the midfoot are designed to provide stability without interfering with a neutral stride; the shoe’s soft feel is intended to adapt to different feet. Injury-prone and injured runners have also found that this shoe has enough space to accommodate orthotics.


$219.95

Brooks Dyad 10 


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BROOKS beast 18

Pros

  • Soft cushion
  • Long-distance shoe
  • Wide at the forefoot

Cons

  • Might feel too beefy for shorter distances

Runners who like soft cushioning in a heavy-duty distance shoe have long been fans of the Beast and Ariel (the women’s version). The shoe has a wider platform with extra midfoot support and some added stability features, which many of our wider-footed test runners have appreciated. It also sits on a straighter last, which can help some flat-footed runners make more contact with the midsole instead of the upper.


$259.95

Brooks Beast 18


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Brooks Adrenaline GTS 20

Pros

  • Lighter mesh upper
  • Smoother ride than previous versions

Cons

  • Doesn’t excel for speed workouts

This latest version of the Adrenaline, one of our longtime favourite stability shoes, uses guide rails to prevent pronation without hampering neutral runners. We recommend it as a shoe for the flat-footed simply because it’s a shoe that works for lots of different types of runners, largely due to firm but not-too-firm cushioning through the midsole and a smooth ride.


$229.95

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 20


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Saucony Echelon 7

Pros

  • Wider through the midsole and forefoot
  • Durable

Runners with flat feet or low arches have had a lot of luck with the Echelon. A neutral shoe with little arch support and a wider platform through the midsole and forefoot, the Echelon provides plush cushioning and the durability to handle high-volume training and long kilometres.


$229.99

Saucony Echelon 7


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Saucony Freedom ISO 2

Pros

  • Comfortable, breathable upper
  • Soft, flexible ride

The Freedom ISO is a bolder-looking neutral shoe with lots of bouncy cushioning underfoot and a stretchy, unstructured upper that gives your forefoot plenty of space to breathe and stretch. Saucony describes the fit as a dynamic one that adapts to the runner’s foot shape and motion—our runners found it to be quite comfortable, with a soft, flexible ride. A new ISOKNIT upper on the 2 makes the shoe even cozier than before.


$199.99

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 20


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Saucony Guide 13

Pros

  • Smooth ride
  • Durable, bouncy midsole

Cons

  • Not as much support as the Omni

Built for comfort and cushion at the expense of a little extra weight, the Guide 13 is a somewhat burly shoe with moderate stability features. At the midsole, a TPU frame combats overpronation without being too obtrusive, and lots of bouncy foam keeps you rolling through your stride.


$199.99

Saucony Guide 13


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New Balance 880v9

Pros

  • Soft cushioning
  • Breathable upper

Runners with lower to flat arches should check out New Balance’s 800 series, which are engineered on a largely unsculpted last and offered in a variety of widths. Shoes in the 880 series provide plush neutral cushioning and a responsive ride. The latest model runs slightly smaller but has a more breathable upper than its predecessor, the 880v8.


$140

New Balance 880v9


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New Balance 860v10

Pros

  • Nice mix of cushion and responsiveness
  • Medial post to offset pronation

Cons

  • Could feel overbuilt for neutral runners

The 860 provides more stability than the 880, so if you’re a runner accustomed to more stability features, you might prefer this model. The shoe has lots of cushioning and support through the midsole, including a dual-density “medial post” designed to offset overpronation.


$200

New Balance 860v10


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Asics Gel-Kayano 26

Pros

  • Firm midsole
  • Works for many different types of runners
  • Smooth ride

The Kayano has long been a favourite with our flat-footed testers for its dual-density midsole and firmer foam through the arch. Make no mistake, this is a stability shoe designed to correct overpronation—but one that works for a lot of people. The ride feel is smooth, with layers of plush cushioning underfoot.


$260

Asics Gel-Kayano 26


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Asics GT-4000

Pros

  • Lots of midsole support
  • Broader, straighter last

Asics describes the GT-4000 as its “flat-foot hero.” The shoe sits on a longer support piece and a straighter last than the brand’s other shoes. Other features include a broader base intended to disperse shock over a larger surface area, and a lightweight midsole designed for lots of support and cushioning.


$230

Asics GT-4000


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Hoka One One Gaviota 2

Pros

  • Tons of cushion underneath

Cons

  • Some runners felt these ran too wide

Like most (if not all) Hokas, the Gaviota is fully cushioned by a thick slab of lightweight EVA foam and rubber. It’s a stability shoe, with denser midsole cushioning designed to guide your foot into place as you move through your stride. Flatter-footed runners tend to love Hoka shoes—not just for that added support but also for that fail-safe blend of protective cushioning and responsiveness.


$269.95

Hoka One One Gaviota 2


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Hoka One One Arahi 3

Pros

  • Firm cushion
  • Lots of stability

Cons

  • Might feel too wide for some runners

The Arahi is proof that a stability shoe can still feel lightweight and responsive, as opposed to bulky or clunky. With an open construction and roomy forefoot section, this iteration of the shoe brings a lot of comfort and cushion to runners of all foot types—especially runners with slightly wider feet.


$219.95

Hoka One One Arahi 3


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Nike Air Zoom Structure 22

Pros

  • Pronation-fighting stability wedges
  • Our test team liked the style

Cons

  • Stiffer at the heel than previous iterations

For flat-footed runners who prefer Nike’s style, the Air Zoom Structure 22 is a favourite. The shoe has lots of cushion and added stability tech through the midsole, including foam wedges at the ankle designed to smooth transitions and cut down on overpronation. A heel counter holds the foot in place, as does a close-fitting upper made from engineered mesh.


$200

Nike Air Zoom Structure 22


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Altra Provision 3.5

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Very roomy toebox

At the core of Altra’s philosophy is a dedication to creating running shoes with an enlarged toe box, so the foot can expand and toes can fan out, and a zero or very low drop from heel to toe. For many runners, this widened shape, plus a straighter last, works well for flat and wide feet. The Provision is Altra’s moderately cushioned shoe with a widened heel and guide rails for stability. Runners with all foot shapes have found it to be comfortable and supportive enough to give up their orthotics.


$120

Altra Provision 3.5


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