Having flatfeet can make it difficult to find the right footwear, making shoe shopping an exercise in patience. "Flatfeet, also known as pes planus, is a condition where the arches of the feet collapse, resulting in the entire sole coming into complete or near-complete contact with the ground," says Dr. Gregory Alvarez, a podiatry specialist at Ankle & Foot Centers of America in Georgia.
Flatfeet is fairly common, with one study suggesting that as many as 26% of adults are flat-footed. But having flatfeet poses challenges other people don’t have to face. Choose the wrong shoes, and you can be left dealing with foot pain or other issues due to poor support. .
"In some cases, flatfeet can develop or be made worse by shoe choices," says Dr. Milica McDowell, an orthopedic physical therapist. Essentially, it’s crucial to find the right footwear when you have flatfeet.
Here’s where things get complicated. Some popular shoes don’t provide the level of support the people with flatfeet need, making it tricky to find the right footwear. I should know — as a woman with flatfeet, I can attest to the struggle of finding shoes that are both cute and supportive.
But quality — and stylish — shoes for flatfeet do exist. To find them, we consulted with podiatrists, physical therapists and foot surgeons to learn about important factors to consider in these shoes. From there, we assessed more than 75 pairs of shoes and tested ones that offered superior fit and arch support, with a wide range of sizes and widths. These are our favorites, based on expert input and rigorous testing.
Finding the right pair of shoes is a personal endeavor, so it will depend on your needs, wants, budget and overall preferences. However, if you have flatfeet, certain features may be more important to look for.
Arch support: Brent Wells, a chiropractic physician says that for people with flatfeet, arch support is especially beneficial. "Look for footwear that either comes with built-in support or allows you to use custom orthotics," he suggests.
Cushioning: "Good cushioning absorbs shock and reduces the impact on joints, knees, hips and the lower back," says Wells. He recommends choosing a shoe with foam insoles and moderate or maximum cushioning.
Stability: Over-pronation is commonly seen in flatfooters, so look for a shoe with more stability, such as a larger and more rigid heel and a firmer midsole. McDowell recommends looking for a shoe with pronation control, which should help lift the arch and prevent the foot from rolling inward with each step.
Wide toe box: Shoes that are too tight in the forefoot can cause various foot problems such as bunions, hammertoes or neuropathy. Choosing a shoe with a wider toe box is critical, particularly for those with flatfeet. "An ideal shoe should allow you to wiggle your toes while wearing them," McDowell says.
Heel features: Finally, pay attention to the height, comfort and stability of the heel. "Make sure that the shoe has a firm heel counter with a deepened heel cup," says Chirag Patel, a board-certified podiatrist. These features will help with over-pronation and heel pain, and cushioning can help reduce impact.
In order to find the best shoes for flatfeet, we consulted with a panel of footwear experts — podiatrists, physical therapists and orthopedic foot surgeons — for guidance on what to look for in a shoe. After that, we took their recommendations and insight into our own evaluations of more than 75 different shoes from popular footwear brands.
During our evaluation, we focused on arch support, stability features, fit, cushioning and materials used. We also considered cost, style and sizes available to determine our top picks. Finally, we prioritized APMA-approved shoes and doctor-recommended brands, ultimately testing all of the shoes we included on this list.
According to Alvarez, one of the easiest ways to determine your arch shape is by doing what's known as the "wet test." It's very easy to do at home, just wet the bottom of your foot and step on a piece of paper. "If you see a complete footprint without any curve on the inner side, you likely have flatfeet," says Alvarez.
Another at-home method is to just check yourself out in the mirror, says McDowell. Stand parallel to a mirror with the big toe side of your foot facing the mirror, she explains. Look at your foot and note whether you can see an arch. "The less arch you see, the flatter the foot."
You can also look at a pair of shoes you wear frequently, says Dr. Patel. "Look for uneven wear patterns such as the inside sole of the shoe being more worn out."
Arch shape can be classified in one of three ways: normal (neutral foot), high (cavus foot) and low (flatfoot).
"Flatfeet are relatively common and can be considered a normal variation of foot structure," says Alvarez. "However, they can lead to problems such as foot pain, particularly in the heel and arch, as well as issues with the ankles, knees, hips and lower back due to altered biomechanics."
Christynne Helfrich, a physical therapist, adds that some people with flatfeet don't experience any issues while others can develop injuries, particularly over time and with age. "Types of pain can include shin splints, plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis as some of the tendons get irritated due to excessive rubbing from improper mechanics," she says.
The best shoes for flatfeet should be comfortable, supportive and offer good stability and arch support. "Look for shoes with a firm midsole, a supportive heel counter and enough cushioning to absorb shock," says Alvarez.
It's important to note that "good arch support" isn't the same thing as "high arch support." The specific amount of arch support needed may vary by person, however, high arch support typically isn't recommended.
Spielfogel explains that arches that are too high can overcorrect the problem and result in additional pain or injury. He recommends those with flatfeet look for shoes with moderate arch support and stability.
Dr. Gregoy Alvarez, DPM, FACFAS, a podiatry specialist with the Ankle & Foot Centers of America
Dr. Milica McDowell, DPT, an orthopedic physical therapist and VP of operations at Gait Happens
Jerick Sobie, board-certified pedorthist and co-owner of Lucky Feet Shoes
Dr. William Spielfogel, board-certified podiatrist and chief of the Department of Podiatry and Orthopedic Surgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital
Dr. Paul J. Carroll, DPM, board-certified podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon
Dr. Bruce Pinker, DPM, a board-certified podiatrist and foot surgeon
Dr. Brent Wells, an Anchorage chiropractor and founder of Better Health Chiropractic & Physical Rehab
Dr. Chirag Patel, board-certified podiatrist and CEO of New Horizons Foot and Ankle Associates, PLLC
Christynne Helfrich, PT, DPT, OCS, a physical therapist at Hinge Health
