7 Best Walking Shoes For Flat Feet in 2023
Flat feet (also known as pes planus or pes valgus) are characterized by low arches: feet lay flat on the ground. In this guide, we cover the best walking shoes for flat feet along with an in-depth overview of what you need to know if you have flat feet.
Having tested over a dozen walking shoes recommended for flat feet, we have singled out the best options in different categories. If you have flat and wide feet, or if you want a shoe that feels like a feather, or are you not planning to spend over $90? We chose the excellent option for each of these cases.
Disclaimer: This guide was created for educational purposes and tends in no way to offer medical advice or diagnosis.
Best overall walking shoes for flat feet
What makes it the best?
Pros
- Excellent stability without being intrusive
- Ideal for easy miles
- Specifically designed for heel strikers
- Outstanding breathability
- Comfortable and cushioned
- Availability in narrow and wide sizes
- Capable of handling tempo paces
- Not expensive at all
Cons
- The engineered mesh upper lacks durability
- Lacks cushion for forefoot strikers
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Walking shoes for flat feet with the best cushioning
What makes it the best?
Pros
- Highly breathable
- Outstandingly durable
- Tons of cushioning
- Super plush ride
- Very supportive for flat feet
- Really wide platform
- Comfortable in-shoe feel
- Adds height to wearers
Cons
- Heavier than average
- Not so flexible
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Walking shoes for flat feel with the best durability
What makes it the best?
The best durable walking shoe for flat feet has a lot of ground to cover. We looked for a well-built shoe with enough support and cushioning to make walking comfortable for people with flat feet. After testing the ASICS Gel Kayano 29 both in the lab and on our feet, we realized that it gave us everything we wanted, and then some!
We found it to be a true marvel, exceeding our already steep expectations every step of the way.
The Kayano line has always provided a ton of support and this one isn’t any different. As we thoroughly tested it on the streets, we found its arch support to be reliable as ever. What really surprised us, though, was the amount of comfort we felt with it. It felt like it gave us the best of both worlds with a one-two punch of support and comfort. We took a deeper look into this by pressing our durometer to its outsole (5 times for improved accuracy), and got a softness of 21.0 HA which shows that it is 23.9% softer than the average walking shoe, showing just how well it pampers feet.
The great thing about the ASICS Gel Kayano 29’s build is that it’s ready to eat miles. We performed extensive testing with it on foot, both on long walks and hard runs. We found that despite all we’ve done with it, its outsole didn’t show any signs of giving in. We measured it with our caliper at 4.1 mm, which is a whole 141.2% thicker than that of the average walking shoe. Combining that with an outsole hardness of 83.5 HC (16.1% harder than the average), it’s definitely one that can take a lot of beatings.
Another supportive feature is its heel counter. We systematically pushed and prodded it, and we gave it a rating of 4 out of 5 on our scale (with 5 as the stiffest). This stiff heel counter translates into a secure fit that’s great for surefooted strides.
While the ASICS Gel Kayano 29’s build lets it eat miles, it can’t handle the heat. We performed our breathability test in it by pumping smoke into its interior. The result: some smoke particles were able to escape but only from the front portion of its upper. As such, we can’t recommend it for those planning to walk in hot and humid locations.
Pros
- Exceptionally cushioned
- Impressively stable with 4D Guidance System
- Lighter than it seems
- Top-notch breathability
- Effective maximalist design
- Superior durability and comfort
- Ideal for high-mileage runners
- Ultra-plush FF Blast+ foam
- Amazing build quality
Cons
- Actual drop exceeds stated measurement
- Midsole might require a break-in period
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Best walking shoes for flat feel for hiking
What makes it the best?
On the hunt for the best walking shoe for flat-footers that love to hike, we looked for a shoe that provides an insane amount of support and security. From thoroughly testing the Salomon XA Pro 3D V8 in the lab and on trails, we found that it is perfect for this purpose. What really convinced us is its full set of supportive features combined with solid security features.
As we hiked on the trails, we found its underfoot support more than generous! We looked deeper into this in our lab by cutting it up and measuring its stack height. At the heel, we got a measurement of 35.0 mm which is high for a trail running shoe (32.8 mm on average) and even higher than walking shoes (30.9 mm on average).
We never felt anxious about uneven grounds when we hiked with the Salomon XA Pro 3D V8, as its stiff build gave us lots of security. We measured its flexibility by bending it to a 90-degree angle using our force gauge to measure the force it exerts to return to a neutral position. Its flexibility of 44.7N shows that it is 31.5% stiffer than the average trail running shoe and 132.8% stiffer than the average walking shoe. This figure translates to comfort for flat footers and more security regarding ankle twisting.
The Salomon XA Pro 3D V8 also provides the best of the best when it comes to protection. We found its toe bumper to be tanklike, driving through sticks and stones with ease. It also has a chassis underneath that removes any fears of stepping on sharp rocks. Plus, we found that its traction is extremely reliable, gripping on several surfaces well.
We cannot recommend it to those looking for any semblance of softness. We tested the hardness of its midsole with our durometer, yielding a softness of 36.9 HA which is 33.7% harder than that of the average walking shoe’s midsole.
Pros
- Highly stable and supportive
- Great for hiking and backpacking
- Grippy on various surfaces
- Durable construction
- Versatile: trail-to-road
- Lots of foot protection
- Generously padded inside
- Breathable mesh
- Quick and easy lacing
Cons
- Stiff and bulky for running
- High heel-to-toe drop
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Best walking shoes for wide and flat feet
What makes it the best?
Pros
- Exceptionally stable
- Effective GuideRails technology
- Ideal for heel strikers
- Superior build quality
- Responsive DNA Loft v3 foam
- Durable and grippy outsole
- Comfortable and breathable upper
- Good volume in the upper for those with wide feet
Cons
- High weight can lead to leg fatigue
- Not versatile for faster paces or longer distances.
- Becomes too firm in cold weather
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Best lightweight walking shoes for flat feet
What makes it the best?
Pros
- Fits true to size
- Balanced cushioning
- Lightweight for stability shoes
- Good lockdown
- Stable platform
- Fun to run in
- Very comfortable
- Improved lacing
Cons
- Grip is not reliable
- Durability problems
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Best budget walking shoes for flat feet
What makes it the best?
Pros
- Arch support for flat feet
- Plush underfoot
- Firm and stable platform
- Smooth heel-to-toes
- Excellent fit
- Exceptional durability
- Surprisingly light
- Great traction
- Machine washable
Cons
- Flimsy heel counter (use a shoehorn)
- Laces need a double knot
- Warm for summer
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Comparison of the 7 best walking shoes for flat feet
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Do you need shoes for flat feet?
Yes, if you have flat feet.
There are two types of flat feet: rigid and flexible. Rigid is handled with surgery, because the arch of the foot is always missing, whether it’s a weight- or non weight-bearing condition. Flexible flat feet miss the arch only when weight bearing. When feet are elevated, arch is visible. This type of flat feet is the focus of this guide.
Symptoms of flat feet
Flat feet is tightly related to severe overpronation: feet rolling inwards during walking.
Aside from the obvious visual representation, possible symptoms of flat feet are:
- Painful or achy feet
- Leg and back pain
- Swelling on the inner side of your feet
- Feet get tired easily
Discover your arch type
If, based on the graph above, you’re still not sure about your arch type, you can do a quick wet test to find out. You should: wet the sole of your foot (ideally both of them, one at a time), then stand on a piece of paper while allowing the moisture from your feet to sink into the paper, and step off.
Look at the shape of your footprint and compare it to the ones shown below.
It is easy to notice the difference between these types: flat arch simply leaves the biggest wet footprint, without a distinctive curve between forefoot and the heel.
If you’re not confident about this test or feel your feet need more attention, consult a podiatrist. They look at your barefoot movement, pronation, tibia rotation, and heel deviation - which gives them a complete picture of your feet.
6 Features of walking shoes for flat feet
1. Arch support
- Makes the movement more comfortable
- This study has shown that oxygen consumption during walking is decreased when a suitable arch support for flat feet is used.
- Wearing arch support insoles can be beneficial for uphill and downhill walking exercises in persons with flatfoot because the results of this study showed that oxygen uptake was effectively decreased during uphill and downhill walking, and there was less rectus femoris muscle fatigue (one of the quadriceps muscles) during downhill walking (as shown here).
2. Stability for overpronation
- Stability features are needed to support the foot and distribute weight evenly. Stability for overpronators is explained in detail in our guide for overpronation shoes.
3. Stiff heel counter
- Heel support is needed so the heel is stable and the foot doesn’t roll inward.
- Look for a stiff heel counter and padded heel (for comfort).
- You should look for a snug fit in the heel area.
4. Firm midfoot
- Choose shoes that are more on the firm than on the soft side. Your feet need stability. This means you shouldn’t be able to twist (torsional flexion) the shoe easily, only to a degree.
5. Wide-fit shoes
- People with flat feet tend to choose wide models most often.
- Shoe should not squish (on top) or squeeze (from sides) the toes.
6. Removable insole
- This feature comes in handy when you decide to buy a pair of insoles for flat feet.
Average price of walking shoes for flat feet
When looking at the average MSRP (manufacturer's suggested retail price), we can see that walking shoes are more expensive than the other shoes. However, those prices are tagged when shoes appear on the market. You can always look for good deals (discounts). If you’re looking for tips on finding good deals, check our guide for buying cheap shoes.
Also, per our database, 21% of walking shoes are for flat feet.
FAQ about flat feet
What causes flat feet?
Flat feet might be hereditary or acquired. For the latter, they happen as a consequence of obesity, aging, pregnancy, or specific health conditions.
According to this study, the main factors that contribute to an acquired flat foot are excessive tension in the triceps surae (consists of two muscles and forms the main mass of the calf), obesity, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, or ligamentous laxity in the spring ligament, plantar fascia, or other supporting plantar ligaments.
Weakness of the muscular, ligamentous, or bony arch supporting structures will lead to collapse of the arch. Basically there’s too little support for the arch or too much arch flattening effect. Acquired flat foot most often happens due to the combination of too much force flattening the arch in the face of too little support for the arch.
Does flexible flatfoot require treatment?
As shown in this study, the arches of flatfoot (and also normal foot) are obviously influenced when walking down the stairs. The plantar data were significantly increased. This goes to prove that it’s necessary to wear orthotic insoles for flexible flatfoot in order to prevent further deformation.
This study has also shown that using a foot insole improved foot alignment and decreased energy consumption in people with flat feet.
Can walking barefoot fix flat feet?
There is no evidence that would support this. People think that, for this to happen, muscles need to get stronger by walking barefoot. This study has shown that with strengthening the muscles the arch height doesn’t change, and this study has shown that stronger muscles don’t mean higher arch.
How we test walking shoes
We take pride in producing full-on transparent reviews that discuss what we personally like or dislike in shoes depending on their use. The lengths we go to accomplish this start with us buying walking shoes using our own money. We follow this simple rule very strictly because we do not want to give ourselves, as well as our readers, any reason to be biased or to find us with favorites.
We then proceed with wear testing the shoes. The flat footers among us testers are given time to shine to walk, stand, and even lightly jog or work out in these walking shoes. This is to gain realistic experiences with the walking shoes.
Furthermore, we subject the shoes to different sets of lab tests. We collect data regarding the shoes' breathability, water tightness, flexibility, and more. For flat footers, of course, we are after the walking shoe's support. Therefore, we use our durometer and digital force gauge in determining the midsole's firmness and the shoe's stiffness.
