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I love to rock a pair of slides with a paper-thin sole as much as the next girl, but my feet and ankles are certainly not amused by it. As chic as they are, shoes that are completely flat are one of the worst options from a comfort and health perspective. Shoes with arch support, on the other hand, not only feel better to walk in, but they also ease and prevent injuries like Achilles’ tendonitis (which has my own ankles barking), plantar fasciitis, posterior tibial tendonitis, bunions and arthritis, according to podiatrist Dr. Priya Parthasarathy.
And in the long term, a pair of shoes with arch support can ward off fatigue and chronic pain in almost every part of your body, from your feet to your knees and right up to your spine. Sure, ‘arch support’ is not the sexiest term on Earth and may sound like something only your mother would care about, but think about it: your feet have arches, so why shouldn’t your shoes? For some reason, we tend to gloss over the importance of foot health, giving our tootsies far less attention than we do things like our teeth and eyes — even though eight in 10 people suffer from foot pain, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association.
So what should you look out for in a shoe to make sure your arches are getting the right support? “The shoe should not be able to fold completely in half,” advises Parthasarathy. “Ideally it should have a removable insole and a firm, supportive heel counter.” She recommends considering the type of activity you’ll be doing in those shoes, too — in other words, if you plan to run, invest in running shoes with great arch support as opposed to casual lifestyle sneakers that do. And nothing as flat as a board.
Here are seven pairs of shoes — all available at Target — that provide enough arch support for various activities, like running, all-day walking and simply looking stylish on your next date night.
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Dr. Scholl’s is synonymous with comfort, and these slip-on sneakers don’t disappoint. They have insoles specially designed with anatomical contouring so they conform to your feet and their arches. They’re also lightweight and padded, which eases pain and fatigue.
Podiatrists love ASICS running shoes for their ample cushioning and shock absorption. This pair has excellent arch support, a special sock liner to absorb sweat and a lightweight, breathable mesh upper.
These rugged Universal Thread boots with a two-inch block heel and curved sole for arch support have lots of traction for all-day walking — and their memory foam insole takes comfort to the next level.
Yes, ballet flats can have arch support! This pair of Dearfoams proves it, with a molded rubber outsole that absorbs shock, a firm heel and an extra cushy insole.
The contoured footbed of these clogs reminds us of a certain famous clog — except this pair by Universal Thread is only $20. The footbed is spacious enough for even wide feet.
When a shoe is dubbed a “comfort thong,” you know this isn’t your average flip flop. The Alpine Swiss Thong has actual arch support in their EVA soles, and their upper is made of flexible fabric to prevent blisters.
Journee Collection shoes do a great job of combining style with comfort (yes, comfort shoes have come a long way). Comfort foam, a round toe and a slight heel make this pair of loafers easy to wear.
