7 Best Running Shoes For High Arches in 2023

Jovana Subic
Jovana Subic on
7 Best Running Shoes For High Arches in 2023
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The high-arched feet, or cavus feet, have arches (soles) that are higher than normal. This leads to uneven pressure distribution in the feet, which might cause pain and balance issues. Not every high-arched condition should be treated, it depends on how you experience the symptoms, if at all.

The most suitable type of running shoes for high arches is neutral running shoes, those that don’t have any supportive elements (like stability and motion control shoes). We are fully aware that it is quite a selection since they make up 85% of all running shoes on the market. So we are here to come to your aid! We have tested over 100 pairs in our lab to select the top picks for high arches.

NOTE: If you’re experiencing severe pain caused by high arches, consult a physiotherapist or podiatrist instead of reading this guide. 

Disclaimer: The purpose of this guide is to educate, not to make any medical diagnosis or recommendation.

Best running shoes for high arches overall

What makes it the best?

 The Puma Deviate Nitro 2 is a perfect shoe for runners with high arches, with its cushioned forefoot and excellent fit. But its outstanding performance and versatility take it over the top as our best overall shoe for high-arched runners.

There are no issues in the fit department for the Deviate Nitro 2. It delivered a great fit with no rubbing or blistering as its padded upper gently hugged our feet in place.

Furthermore, we appreciated the ample amount of forefoot cushioning in this shoe. We measured the Deviate Nitro 2's forefoot stack height to be 1.9 mm taller and 32.7% softer than the average road running shoe, which certainly helped absorb the impact on our landings.

The generous cushioning and comfort of its midsole make the Deviate Nitro 2 a capable easy-run shoe, but it can also pick up the pace quite easily thanks to its carbon plate. That plate is less aggressive than other carbon-plated shoes, but it helps deliver a smooth and responsive ride that is a real joy to take on easy runs all the way up to speed sessions.

However, the Deviate Nitro 2 is a bit on the narrow side. We measured its toebox width at the widest part and at the big toe to be 1.6 mm and 1.3 mm narrower than average, respectively, so wide-footed runners should consider other options.

Pros

  • Great all-rounder
  • Super-smooth and responsive ride
  • Plush cushioning
  • Comfy upper
  • Grippy outsole
  • Above average durability
  • Fairly priced

Cons

  • Heavier than other similar shoes
  • Not many colors available
Full review of PUMA Deviate Nitro 2

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Men
Women
Any color
Ultra Blue Fire Orchid Puma Black (37680713)
Speed Green Cool Dark Gray (37680716)
Black (37680711)
Blue (37680709)
Orange (37680714)
Puma White Speed Green Cool Dark Gray (37680715)
Black (37680701)
Lime Squeeze/Puma Black (37680705)
More colors

Best daily training running shoes for high arches

ASICS Novablast 3
91
Superb!

What makes it the best?

After intensive lab and run trials, we chose the third version of ASICS’ Novablast as the best daily trainer among high-arch running shoes. It’s a well-rounded shoe that is all about comfort while providing us with a great combination of support and energy to face whatever run training we have for the day.

With soaring stack heights reaching 37.2 mm in the heel and 30.4 mm in the forefoot (vs. 33.2/24.3 mm average), the maximum cushion gave us immense comfort and just the right amount of spring to bounce forward. This carried us through easy paces and even tempo workouts when we wanted to pick up the pace.

Our feet felt great at any point in the run since we felt like we were running on clouds! We had to test its midsole softness in the lab and our durometer confirmed it to be 44.9% softer than average. 

With an outsole that’s 3.9% denser than average (as measured by our durometer), long miles wouldn’t leave a scratch or dent in the rubber - perfect for a no-fuss daily running companion.

We tested its breathability in the lab and got a score of 3, below the average of 3.7. Best to check other daily trainers for runners who prefer breezier shoes in the summer.

Pros

  • Super bouncy
  • Cushy feel for miles
  • Breathable
  • Light AF
  • Ready for cornering
  • Locks you in
  • Tongue stays in place
  • Grippy outsole
  • Mad durable
  • Sets the bar for a do-it-all shoe

Cons

  • For narrow-to-medium feet only
  • Stack heights higher than advertised
Full review of ASICS Novablast 3

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Men
Women
Any color
Black/Island Blue (1011B458004)
Midnight/Olive Oil (1011B458402)
Black/White (1011B458002)
Sheet Rock/Black (1011B458021)
Ocean Haze/Black (1011B458404)
Black/Dried Leaf Green (1011B458005)
Cream/Fawn (1012B288101)
White/Deep Ocean (1011B458100)
More colors

Best race running shoes for high arches

What makes it the best?

With outstanding lab and trial run ratings, we claim Metaspeed Sky+ is the best for racing among high-arch running shoes. We blazed through the streets without the burning feeling - a perfect harmony of blissful comfort and insane responsiveness.

With a 33.5 mm heel stack and a 30.8 mm forefoot stack (both above 33.2/24.3 mm average), this pair is in the max-cushioned range and we definitely felt the extra comfort in our runs. It felt easy on our legs even when we pushed our paces to the limit since the cushion absorbed much of the impact.

The heavenly comfort was balanced with energy that kept us lighting fast! Its pronounced rocker design promoted smooth forward strides and its stiff carbon plate launched us with ease. Backed up by our 90° bend test, it’s an astonishing 118% stiffer than average. This stiffness translated to a snappier ride - perfect for breaking PRs!

Wearing this pair felt like a breeze (literally!), scoring the highest rating of 5/5 on our breathability test in the lab. Every step felt light, carrying only 7.2 oz (205.0 g) vs. the average of 9.4 oz (267.0 g).

All these come at a cost of $250 - even more expensive than other carbon-plated shoes (averaging $204). We recommend looking elsewhere if budget is a priority.

Pros

  • Fast as hell
  • Buttery smooth transitions
  • Protective cushion
  • Comfy for long miles
  • Stable when cornering
  • Very very breathable
  • Heel lockdown is awesome
  • No more heel rubs
  • Fits just right!
  • Grippy on wet roads

Cons

  • Stiffer than before
  • Outsole lacks durability
  • Expensive
Full review of ASICS Metaspeed Sky+

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Unisex
Any color
Orange Pop/Island Blue (1013A115800)
Velvet Pine/Safety Yellow (1013A115300)
Black/New Leaf (1013A115001)
Diva Pink/White (1013A115700)
Hazard Green/Sky (1013A115301)

Best lightweight running shoes for high arches

What makes it the best?

The Endorphin Speed 3 is a featherlight shoe that has a highly cushioned forefoot and an amazing fit, which is why we've made it our top lightweight trainer for high arches.

The Endorphin Speed 3 is built for speed. With a weight of just 7.94 oz (225g), it is comfortably lighter than other speed shoes, which weigh 8.9 oz (251.7g) on average. And the Speed 3 certainly has the performance to back up its name. We felt a good amount of bounce and snap thanks to its nylon plate, which made it easy to pick up the pace.

And whether it's easy days or speed sessions, there's more than enough cushioning to keep our feet protected. We measured the heel stack to have 0.9 mm more than the average road running shoe, while the forefoot stack was a good 2.5 mm taller.

Meanwhile, the fit of the Speed 3 is fantastic. It follows the natural shape and size of the foot, while the stretchy upper and semi-gusseted tongue help provide a secure lockdown.

But the big drawback of the Speed 3 is the heel. We experienced some uncomfortable heel rub due to its minimal padding, so those with sensitive heels should look elsewhere.

Pros

  • Peppy all the way
  • Comfy for easy days
  • More stable than ever
  • Cushioned for long miles
  • Quick and smooth transitions
  • Lightweight
  • Airy as hell
  • Roomy toe box
  • Fit is amazing
  • Grippy on dry and wet roads

Cons

  • Rubs the heel
  • Not for narrow feet
  • No reflective details
Full review of Saucony Endorphin Speed 3

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Men
Women
Any color
Black/Goldstruck (S1075610)
White/Black (S2075611)
Red (S1075616)
White/Black/Vizi (S2075685)
Red Poppy (S2075616)
Concrete/ViZi (S2075627)
Agave Black (S2075625)
Night Lite (S2075665)
More colors

Best trail running shoes for high arches

Hoka Speedgoat 5
89
Great!

What makes it the best?

We found the Hoka Speedgoat 5 to be the best trail shoe for high-arched runners. As our lab and run tests have shown, this shoe is comfortably cushioned, with a fantastic fit, and a ton of traction on the trails.

The Speedgoat 5 doesn't have a massive midsole. Its heel and forefoot stack heights are 4.2 mm and 0.4 mm shorter, respectively, than the average trail shoe. But we felt that it still offered more than enough cushioning. Its midsole is an impressive 60% softer than usual, and it did a fantastic job of absorbing the impact from our test runs while providing immense comfort.

The Speedgoat 5 also has a flexible upper that offers an excellent locked-in fit. Thanks to its gusseted tongue with a butterfly design and its padded heel, our feet were kept securely in place during our runs.

Its outsole has a tacky grip, in large part due to the lugs not being spaced too far apart. That impressive grip kept us stuck to all kinds of terrain, from frozen surfaces to moderately muddy roads and loose off-trail ground.

However, the Speedgoat 5 does get significantly stiffer in the cold. After 20 minutes in the freezer, it became 85.8% more rigid than at room temperature and 6.5% stiffer than the average trail shoe in the cold. Those who need a more flexible trail shoe in frosty temperatures should look elsewhere.

Pros

  • Super grippy
  • Springy ride
  • Stable platform
  • Extra durable
  • High impact protection
  • Lightweight
  • Breathable
  • Secure fit
  • Excellent heel hold

Cons

  • Not for wide feet
  • Flared collar is not for everyone (style-wise)
Full review of Hoka Speedgoat 5

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Men
Women
Any color
Deep Lake/Ceramic (DLCR)
Stone Blue/Dark Citron (SBDCT)
Bellwether Blue/Cyclamen (BBCY)
Thyme/Fiesta (TFST)
Orange (PBAY)
Fiesta/Radiant Yellow (FRYL)
Blue (SBBK)
Impala/Flame (1123157IFLM)
More colors

Best value running shoes for high arches

Saucony Axon 2
88
Great!

What makes it the best?

With its terrific cushioning, stellar upper, and capable stability, the Saucony Axon 2 is a seriously good shoe for people with high arches. Add the fact that it only costs $100 and it's the clear value pick for high-arched runners.

With the average cost of road stability shoes at $138, the Axon 2 is decidedly a below-average shoe in terms of price. But it is easily above average in terms of midsole cushioning, with 2.1 mm more stack height in the heel and 3.3 mm more in the forefoot. That ample cushioning certainly aided us by reducing the harsh impact of the road on our runs.

The shoe's simple upper quality also far exceeds its price point. It's soft and plushly padded in the tongue and heel collar, giving the shoe a great fit. And it got a 4 out of 5 on our breathability test, where 5 is the most breathable, as the smoke that we pumped into the shoe easily escaped the mesh upper.

Stability is also a surprisingly strong attribute of this budget shoe. It got a 4 out of 5, with 5 being the stiffest, on both our torsional and lateral rigidity tests. And indeed, our feet remained nice and secure as the shoe ably resisted any unnecessary movements.

However, that stability comes at the expense of pliability. The Axon 2 is 31% stiffer than the average road running shoe based on our 90 degree bend test. So those looking for a shoe with a more fun and natural-feeling ride should look elsewhere.

Pros

  • Comfy for easy days
  • Seamless heel-to-toe transitions
  • Lighter than it seems
  • Soft, form-fitting upper
  • Breathable in warm weather
  • Tacky on dry and wet surfaces
  • Long-lasting
  • Great-value purchase

Cons

  • Firm for long miles and recovery days
  • Squeaky noise on pavement
  • Lacks bounce and energy return
Full review of Saucony Axon 2

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Men
Women
Any color
Black (S2073205)
Alloy/Topaz (S2073215)
Blue (S2073225)
Gold (S2073216)
Black (S1073214)

Running shoes for high arches with plush cushioning

What makes it the best?

The Gel Nimbus 25 is a great shoe for runners with high arches due to its massive midsole stack height. But aside from that, its comfortable upper and stable base makes it by far our top pick for running shoes with plush cushioning for high-arched feet.

The ASICS Gel Nimbus 25's cloud-like cushioning is out of this world. Its 38 mm heel stack and 30.2 mm forefoot stack are 4.8 mm and 4.6 mm taller than average, and its midsole is 24% softer, so there is amazing impact protection for long runs.

Not to be outdone by the plush underfoot cushioning, the upper is also immensely comfortable. There is a ton of padding around the ankle, while the revamped upper material is stretchy and supportive with a secure lockdown.

The Nimbus 25 is also quite stable for a shoe with such a high stack height. That's in part due to a wide base, where the midsole width in the forefoot and heel are 6.6 mm and 9 mm wider than average, respectively.

However, the Nimbus 25 can run a bit hot. We gave it a breathability score of 3 out of 5 as most of the smoke we pumped into it escaped through its tongue, which is 3.9 mm thinner than average. Those looking for a shoe that won't get too warm, consider other options.

Pros

  • Beyond comfortable
  • Like running on marshmallows
  • Surprisingly stable
  • Feels light on feet
  • True to size
  • Sustainable materials
  • Looks great as a casual shoe

Cons

  • Not a very responsive ride
  • An oven for the feet
  • Pricey
Full review of ASICS Gel Nimbus 25

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Men
Women
Any color
Midnight/Electric Red (1011B547401)
Black/Lime Zest (1011B547003)
Beige (1011B769200)
Deep Ocean/Bright Orange (1011B547403)
Sheet Rock/Indigo Blue (1011B547021)
Island Blue/Sun Peach (1011B547400)
WHITE/BLACK (1011B547103)
Black/Pure Silver (1012B356001)
More colors

Comparison of the 7 best running shoes for high arches

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A 3-step guide to buying high-arch running shoes

High arches need your attention if you’re experiencing pain, instability, soreness. Here, we’ll focus on what running shoes, and not other forms of arch support, can do for your high arches. 

1. Do you have high arches?

First things first: discover your arch type. It doesn’t hurt to be sure, given that runners have poor knowledge of their foot type. You can check this visually and by scanning your overall condition and looking for symptoms. Visual confirmation is the best, especially when done with a specialist who observes your movement. Symptoms might appear or you might be lucky enough not to experience them. 

Visual test: discover your arch type 

The easiest and quickest way to check your arch type is the so-called wet test. You should: wet the sole of your foot (ideally both of them, one at a time), stand onto a piece of paper while allowing the moisture from your feet to sink into the paper, and step off.

Wet-test-in-4-steps.png

If you have a high arch, the footprint will show only the front and heel of your foot with nothing in between. If there’s a thin line connecting them, you have a moderately high arch - better than the extreme. 

Wet-test-results.png

If you’re not sure after doing this test or feel your feet need more attention, the best thing is to consult a podiatrist on this. They up the ante and use a dynamic approach which entails looking at your barefoot movement, pronation, tibia rotation, and heel deviation. 

Symptoms of high arches 

Can you feel the pain? Immediately stop your activities and rest. Look for professional help if the pain doesn’t go away or if it reappears. 

symptoms-of-high-arches.png

If you’ve discovered that you have high arches based on the test, it’s also valuable to know how they feel. Cross-reference your experience to get a confirmation.

  • High arches can be asymptomatic or pain-free. However, your feet can get tired and achy easily. You also might have difficulties finding the shoes that are comfortable. 
  • High arches don’t necessarily cause pain, though your feet can feel more tired and achy when you have them, and your legs stiffer. Highly arched feet can make it difficult to fit into regular shoes. Trying to wear shoes without enough room or support to accommodate a high arch can be painful because more stress is placed on the metatarsals. In this way, high arches can be instrumental in causing or worsening plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia.
  • Other known symptoms are knee, hip and low back pain, plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, hammertoes (bent toes) or claw toes (clenched like a fist), calluses on the ball, side or heel of the foot, instability of the foot. 

2. Do you need arch support? 

Not all high arches need support. If you aren’t experiencing pain or problems during running, there is probably no need to look for arch support. Just because you have a certain arch or pronation type, it doesn’t mean it’s something that should be fixed. 

However, if you have a visual confirmation that you have high arches and you’re experiencing some of the symptoms, arch support is recommended.

Types of arch support in running shoes from least to most supportive:

neutral-shoe.jpg

neutral or no support (Nike Air Zoom Pegasus)

stability-shoe.jpg

stability: support for mild to moderate overpronation (ASICS Gel Kayano)

motion-control-shoe.jpg

motion control: supports severe overpronation (Hoka Gaviota 3)

3. Features to look for in high-arch running shoes

The imperative is to look for comfort. Then, take into account other features. The end goal is to lessen or prevent pain caused by high arches.

features-of-high-arch-running-shoes.png

In the pursuit of high-arch support, these are the features of running shoes you should focus on: 

  • Well-cushioned running shoes, especially in the ball and heel of the foot. They should offer good to maximum shock absorption to compensate for the decreased foot’s ability to absorb the shock
  • High arch support to help with the pressure distribution and pain by preventing the arch from collapsing too much 
  • Neutral running shoes which help with supination through the cushion that supports the arch.

neutral-shoe-for-high-arches-features.jpeg

Saucony Axon was cut in half in our lab and is a good example of a high-arch running shoe.

Bonus tip: look for shoes with a removable insole, just in case you decide to go for special arch-support insoles or orthotics. Also, we analyzed 183,911 running shoes and discovered that the more arch support you request, the more expensive they become.

nike-pegasus-removable-insole.jpg

A removable insole from Nike Air Zoom Pegasus, a popular daily running shoe for high arches.

Treatment for high arches

Depending on the cause and severity of high-arches symptoms you’re experiencing, types of treatment may vary significantly. Leaving serious conditions that usually ask for surgical interventions aside, the most common treatments are:

1. High-arch running shoes

Covered in detail in this guide - these shoes should improve your overall running-with-high-arches experience.

2. Physical therapy

Great way to learn more about your body and be aware of how certain parts move and why. Stretching and strengthening techniques can go a long way in improving your muscle tone and tendon flexibility. These techniques can also be a part of your prevention plan.

3. Over-the-counter orthotics and insoles (shoe inserts)

They might help at first. If the issue is gone, good. However, if the pain comes back in the same or another area, it means you probably started putting more strain on other body parts. The sooner you look for professional help, the better.

Learn more about insoles and orthotics in our in-depth guide to find out which one is right for you.

4. Custom orthotics and insoles

These have a great success rate (can result in a 74% reduction in foot pain) and are highly recommended, especially because they are made for your feet only and might differ for the left and right foot.

5. Ankle braces

Their purpose is to support the ankle and prevent over supination.

How we test running shoes

We spend at least 7 hours on each shoe review to save you time in finding the best match for your running needs.

With our independent shoe testing lab and a team of dedicated runners, we never miss a shoe release. Here is how we test each pair of running shoes before claiming it the best for high arches:

  • We run at least 30-50 miles in the shoe to get a good feel of its support, comfort, and performance in a variety of conditions.
  • We take the shoe back to our lab, cut it into pieces, and measure every imaginable parameter, including weight, stack, drop, softness, flexibility, (even shoelace slippage!), among 30 others.
  • We receive no free shoes from the brands and purchase them with our own money to stay transparent.

Author
Jovana Subic
Jovana Subic

Whether it's a vertical kilometre or an ultra, climbing in the Alps or exploring local mountains, Jovana uses every opportunity to trade walls and concrete for forests and trails. She logs at least 10h/week on trails, with no off-season, and 4x more on research on running and running shoes. With a background in physics and engineering management, she prefers her running spiced with data.