Our guide to the best walking shoes for flat feet, based on testing hundreds of shoes and working with a whole lot of walkers. We provide recommendations from a variety of brands to help you find the best fit.
While having flat feet does not mean there is anything wrong with your foot structure, it can lead to pain in the ankles, knees and hips if you don’t have enough support in your walking shoes. With every step that your foot is collapsing downward, it’s creating tension up the leg. So we’ve got some ideas to help!
And trust me it does help! After years of fighting with my husband to change to running shoes for flat feet, he magically was able to run more without knee pain. It’s almost like I’m a running coach with decades of experience helping folks. Ha!
Before we hop into the details on shoes, let’s get a few things out of the way. Do you even need to look at different shoes?
What are Flat Fleet?
Flat feet, also known as fallen arches, occur when the entire sole of the foot touches the ground. Studies show that around 27% of the population has flat feet, and that walkers with flat feet tend to overpronate.
Overpronation occurs when the foot rolls inward after landing, which can strain your knees and hips and potentially lead to injury.
Each time the foot rolls inward it can pull tendons, ligaments, and joints out of alignment. In other words, what’s happening at your foot could be the reason for aches and pains up the chain!
When looking for shoes, we are thinking about arch support or shoes with stability features that will help to prevent that inward roll. BONUS you should absolutely be doing strength exercises for flat feet and not just relying on shoes to correct any pain!
Best Walking Shoes for Flat Feet
As noted, our goal is to provide a variety of brands in this list because we know that different styles simple fit different feet better based on width, total support and overall style. But all have been tested and approved by our team over many miles.
Best Overall For Walking Workouts – Hoka Arahi 8
The Hoka Arahi 8 is stable, comfortable, and cushioned – everything you expect and love from Hoka while still offering your flat feet comfort and support.
Hoka moved from J-Frame to H-Frame stability technology, which added support not only on the medial side, but on the lateral side as well. This keeps the shoe solidly under your entire foot, which is great news for overpronators.
There is also 3mm more stack height from the previous model, helping keep the foot aligned while walking or standing. That said, it doesn’t feel heavy or overly-corrective.
The Arahi 8 features dual-density compression-molded EVA foam that they claim offers “structured support without the bulk.”
In short, these are supportive and corrective without really feeling like an orthopedic shoe.
- Weight: 9.8 oz Men’s, 7.7 oz Women’s
- Stack Height: 39 mm Men’s, 37 mm
- Heel Drop: 8 mm
- Available in six colors
- Available in wide and extra wide
- Available on hoka.com for $150.00
- Check out our full review of the Hoka Arahi 8.
Best for Plantar Fasciitis Issues – Kuru Atom 2
The Kuru Atom 2 is a specialty shoe that doesn’t look like one, and this shoe can go with you all day. Whether you’re hitting your daily steps on a long walk or just running errands all over town.
It’s supportive without being overly bulky, and while the unique “heel cupping” design does take a bit of getting used to, these shoes break in fast and will quickly become a go-to for walks.
The built-in arch support is key for walkers with flat feet, helping prevent overpronation. The KURUSOLE technology flexes with each step to dynamically support your arch and reduce strain on your natural foot structure.
The heel cup also helps keep your foot aligned correctly. This is what the brand has really become known for and why they have so many podiatrist recommendations. You’ll notice it feels slightly different at first as you get used to that cupping and then you’ll notice it really helping to resolve foot pain.
The shoe’s midsole cushioning is triple-layered with high-rebound foam that reduces impact stress on joints and supports the midfoot.
- Heel toe drop: 10mm
- Weight: 13.1 oz Men’s, 11.4 oz Women’s
- Stack Height: 28mm
- Available in Wide
- Available in 4 colors
- Available from kurufootwear.com for $165
- Read our full review of the Kuru Atom 2.
Max Cushioned Neutral Option – Brooks Ghost Max 3
The Brooks Ghost Max 3 has been a popular shoe through all of its iterations, whether for running or walking. But the newest model vastly improved a number of features, including the look of the shoe!
It’s cushioned and comfortable, and though chunky, really offers some benefits for flat-footed walkers.
The shoe has a wider outsole and a broad midsole that help provide a helpfully stable base for flat-footed walkers needing a solid platform.
The sidewalls and guidance line helps curb that inward motion without feeling overly corrective, This is a neutral shoe, not a stability shoe which is important as not everyone loves the stiffness of some stability shoes. The a higher stack height combined with nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 foam means it’s very comfy.
In addition, the Ghost Max 3 employs rocker geometry that guides the foot from heelt-to-toe, compensating for the gait issue created by flat feet.
The removable insole is an added bonus, allowing those who prefer custom orthotics an easy way to make the swap.
- Heel toe drop: 6 mm
- Weight: 9.7 oz women’s, 10.8 oz men’s
- Stack: 39 mm
- Available in 9 colors
- Available in Wide and Extra Wide in select colorways
- Available from Brooksrunning.com for $150
- Check out our full review of the Brooks Ghost Max 3.
Traditional Stability Shoe – Brooks Glycerin GTS 22
The Brooks Glycerin GTS 22 is a popular shoe for both running and walking, and many find it to be a great cross between comfortable and supportive.
If you’re walking with flat feet, the shoe’s cushioning, medial support, and stability will be key to keeping you comfortable and injury free as you log your steps. In fact, GTS stands for Go-To-Support, clever.
The Glycerin GTS 22 has a responsive midsole made from nitrogren-infused DNA Loftv3 foam, and a softer rearfoot that helps absorb heel impact during walks. It’s going to feel like a cushioned shoe, but you’ll also be aware of the stability components.
The higher 10mm heel-to-toe drop will offer both comfort and support for fallen arches, and the shoe’s GuideRails sidewalls help with alignment and flat feet.
- Weight: 10.2 oz Men’s, 9.1 oz Women’s
- Heel Drop: 10 mm
- Available in 9 colors
- Available in Medium, Wide and Extra Wide (wide and extra wide widths available in select colors)
- Also available as the very popular Glycerin GTS for stability lovers
- Available on www.brooks.com for $165
- Check out our full review of the Brooks Glycerin 22
Firmer Cushioned Option – Asics GT-2000 14
The Asics GT-2000 14 is marketed as a shoe for those with a neutral footstrike pattern, but it’s lightweight stability, cushioning, and supportive design makes it feel tailored to walkers with flat feet.’
Our testers found this to be on the firmer side, which for some of you is exactly what you want. Instead of a big plush shoe that you sink in to, this is lighter and going to feel more like a daily shoe.
The shoe contains Asics’ patented 3D Guidance System which was created to deliver adaptive stability. This lets flat-footed walkers have the control their stride needs without feeling too stuff.
The shape of the GT-2000’s midsole also helps prevent additional foot collapse during a natural stride.
Heel impact is lessened by the PureGEL in the heel, and the FF BLAST PLUS foam in the midsole helps ease the weight transition from heel to toe.
A big bonus with this shoe is that it is lighter than many other stability shoes, allowing walkers to feel grounded while being supported on their way.
- Weight: 8.3 oz Women’s, 9.7 oz Men’s
- Stack Height: 35.5 mm
- Heel drop: 8mm
- Available in 17 colors for Women’s and 13 for Men’s
- Not available in wide
- Available from Asics.com for $140
- Check out our full review of the Asics GT 2000.
Stylish Option – On Cloudflyer 5
The On Cloudflyer 5 is a supportive shoe that isn’t too soft. Whether you’re out for a walk or just spending the day on your feet, you’ll find some help for those flat feet.
It has a wider base that’s designed to limit inward rotation, which is key for people with flat feet and collapsed arches. The lateral stability also reduces the risk of an ankle roll due to overpronation.
The shoe also has a secure heel counter that locks your foot in place, further helping to prevent overpronation. This also aids in alignment as your foot rolls from heel to toe.
On’s Cloudflyer 5 employs dual-density Helion foam that is firmer in the heel and softer in the forefoot, resulting in a firm and structured feel underfoot.
And honestly, we tend to always love On for coming up with shoes that we think look stylish for day to day wear.
- Weight: 8.8 oz Women’s, 10.6 oz Men’s
- Heel drop: 9 mm
- Stack height: 31 mm
- 5 colors available
- Not available in wide
- Available from on.com for $170
- Check out our full review of the On Cloudflyer 5.
Designed Just for Women – Ryka Devotion X Max
You may have never heard of Ryka shoes, but we think that’s just because they’ve been flying under the radar. Our testing has us convinced that needs to change.
It’s the first athletic shoe company solely dedicated to women, and the shoes are designed to fit a woman’s unique foot shape, muscle movement, and build. So especially if you feel like overall fit has been an issue, these should be top of your list.
They have a wider forefoot and a narrower heel, which provides a secure fit perfect for flat feet. The neutral arch support and contoured insole also offers relief for flat feet without feeling too rigid.
The shoes feature RE-ZORB midsole foam that helps absorb heel impact and reduces stress on flat-footed walkers.
- Weight: 8.6 oz Women’s only
- Heel drop: 10 mm
- Available in 14 colors
- Available in wide for specific colors
- Available from Ryka.com for $90
- Check out our full review of the Ryka Devotion X Max.
Best for Arch Support – Skechers Arch Fit
The Sketchers Arch Fit contour to your arch and distribute weight evenly across the foot, delivering all-day comfort and support. If you’ve previously used orthotics to create support in the arch, this shoe might do that for you.
Sketchers worked with podiatrists to create their Arch Fit insole system, and in this case, 20 years of data really paid off for anyone with flat feet. The shoes are supportive and wide with a stable platform and lots of cushioning.
We know that Skecher’s may not be top of your list, but truly we have tested a number of Skechers over the years and come away impressed each time. They really have thought through the needs of the foot and created cushioning that feels good for many miles.
- Weight: 12 oz Men’s, 11 oz Women’s
- Stack Height: 36 mm
- Heel Drop: 8.6 mm
- Available in 5 colors
- Available in medium. wide and extra wide
- Available on Skechers.com starting at $100
- Check out our full review of the Sketchers Arch Fit.
Best Wide Toebox – Topo Aura
Feel like you want your toes to have a little more room to spread out? Time to consider a wide toebox shoe and no, that doesn’t have to mean zero drop or a lack of cushion.
The Topo Aura is a max cushioned stability shoe that firmly holds your foot in place without any heel slip or sinking into the foam. It’s a max comfort shoe that’s great for long days on your feet.
Topo Athletics shoes typically feature a wider, more anatomical toe box. Meaning it doesn’t come to a point, like say a cowboy boot or a high heel, but stays wider to accommodate your forefoot width.
The light pronation support from Topo’s Y-Frame Guidance System. The technology behind this shoe’s smooth and stable ride isn’t too firm or intense. The wider frame pieces on the sole of the shoe create a durable, supportive frame to uphold the cushy foam.
- Heel toe drop: 5mm
- Weight: 9.1 oz women’s/10.9oz men’s
- Stack Height: 38mm
- Not available in wide
- Available in three colors for women and three colors for men
- Available at REI and RunningWarehouse.com for $165
- Check out our full review of the Topo Aura
Longest Lasting Option – Mount to Coast P1
Our favorite thing about the Mount to Coast P1 is that it feels as good on mile ten as it did when we first slipped it on. There’s no pinching and no pressure – it basically feels like you’re not wearing shoes at all.
People with flat feet are going to love the P1’s arch support, cushioning and stability combined in these lightweight and stylish shoes.
The P1 does something unique with their arch support, too. Instead of using a firm foam under the arch, they employ a 3D Archrail. This flexible structure is not just under the midfoot, but the forefoot too, which helps support your arch from the front.
For people with flat feet, this means help naturally preventing your foot from collapsing inward as you stride. It will do this without forcing your foot into an unnatural shape for flat feet, which should feel really nice.
One of the big features of Mount To Coast is that their shoes are designed to last longer than any other brand currently on the market. These should carry you 800-1000 miles compared to 300-500 for many others.
- Weight: 9.9 oz Men’s and Women’s
- Heel Drop: 10 mm
- Not available in wide
- Available in 3 Colors
- Available from Running Warehouse for $160
- Check out our full review of the Mount to Coast P1.
All right walkers, we hope this gave you some new ideas to get the right shoe on your feet. Remember that most of the shoes we recommend are from a lot of testing!! But you should still try them on yourself and if needed take advantage of the 30 day return policy that most offer.
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