7 Best Flat Feet Hiking Boots

The Merrell Moab 3 Mid GTX carried us through our hikes with confidence by providing unwavering support without compromising comfort, making it our best flat-feet hiking boot. Our lab tests validate it has stiff elements in the right areas, a grippy base for enhanced control, and a balanced cushion underneath.

This boot has a stiff nylon shank in the midfoot adding structure to the shoe. It bolstered our ankles effectively, putting away any chances of toppling over. The shoe’s torsional rigidity and heel counter had the right amount of stiffness (4/5) to support us without being too intrusive.

The platform also feels nice and stable at 32.8 HA. This kind of firmness helps in preventing foot pain. Meanwhile, we found a softer 24.6 HA foam under the heel to soften landings and boost comfort. For all the things Moab 3 Mid GTX offers, we were surprised to find it weighs 7.5% lighter than the average boot.

Our encounters with water kept us at ease because the waterproof upper and sticky Vibram outsole kept us safe. No matter how slippery the trail was, we remained in control thanks to the deep 5.0 mm lugs. However, they are not sharp enough to handle soft terrain. Those who often encounter mud should find more aggressive boots.

The Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX is an awesome companion for long, multi-day hikes because of its weightlessness and stability. In the lab, we discovered a generous amount of deep lugs which we felt on foot while tackling various surfaces. Ultimately, it offers the best grip among hiking boots for flat feet.

The Contagrip outsole effortlessly handled various surfaces, from loose ground to wet rocks. It features 41 lugs measuring 5.1 mm, deeper than the 4.2 mm average. Based on past results, deeper lugs have more aggressive traction and our trail sessions match that. The boot even has a heel lug serving as brakes during descents.

The boot feels exceptionally stable with its firm cushion and high flare in the collar. Our ankles and arches felt secured and the foam beneath us never collapsed unevenly. Our durometer proves it’s 94.2% firmer than average.

Despite its tough elements, the X Ultra 4 Mid GTX feels easy on the feet. It weighs only 14.5 oz (412g), that’s 23.0% lighter than average. This saves a lot of energy because we have less load to carry. Plus, its weightless feel is enhanced by its bendable nature.

While this boot’s traction excels on most surfaces, we can’t say the same for super muddy trails. We recommend fewer and better-spaced lugs for this type of terrain.

The Scarpa Mistral GTX proves it's ready for splashes and submerging by keeping our feet warm and dry in our mountain escapades. Our lab tests reveal it has several elements that work together to prevent ankle twists or excessive movements, supported by an extra grippy outsole to keep us in control. With all these, we rated it as our best waterproof hiking boot for flat feet.

The boot’s upper is made of solid suede, with no ventilation holes seen under our microscope. As expected, it received a 1/5 breathability score because not a wisp of smoke escaped the shoe during our lab test. Besides the water-resistant suede on the outside, Mistral GTX has a waterproof Gore-Tex membrane on the inside, cementing its readiness for rain and river crossings.

It features a high-cut collar, a cradle-shaped midsole, and a stiff TPU shank that all contribute to our stability. We experienced excellent foot containment even as we encountered uneven and unpredictable trails, further enhanced by the shoe’s high level of torsional rigidity (5/5).

What also kept us in the driver’s seat was the Vibram outsole and deep 5-mm lugs, which are shaped strategically to serve different purposes such as braking and sloshing through mud.

With all its protective elements, the boot bulked up to 21.0 oz (594g), 11.0% heavier than average. Those seeking a weightless and agile ride should search for alternatives.

The Salomon Quest 4 GTX offers steady and unyielding support during our trips to the mountain. Our lab tests confirm it has stiff stabilising components, reliable grip, and a balanced cushion in an ergonomic position for carrying heavy loads, making it our ultimate backpacking hiking boot for flat feet.

At the core of Quest 4 GTX, we discovered the innovative ADV-C 4D Chassis after slicing the midsole, which is a rigid component that wraps around the heel and lateral sides to keep us centred. Ankle twists were out of the equation even as we approached difficult terrain, further evidenced by its 5/5 torsional rigidity and heel counter stiffness scores in our manual assessment. 

Underfoot, the Contagrip rubber displayed reliable grip that further boosted our confidence. We measured the lugs at 4.7 mm deep and they were effective on various surfaces.

The cushion felt nice and well-balanced to our arches, to which our durometer agreed with a near-average 27.0 HA rating. We had a great mix of impact protection and ground feel with the 38.0/20.0 mm stack, with the 18.0 mm drop relieving our lower legs from the strain of carrying heavy backpacks.

However, it has a heavy build of 23.4 oz (663g). We recommend using this boot for more serious backpacking. Otherwise, it will be another load on the feet during moderate hikes.

Seamlessly blending agility and steadfast support into one boot, the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX was a joy to wear on the trails. Our lab assessments validate its one-of-a-kind comfort and stability in an airy package, making it our ultimate lightweight flat-foot hiking boot.

At only 14.6 oz (415g), this boot manages to shed off 22.4% of the average boot’s weight while delivering solid support. It felt effortless to pick up the pace and it took very long before fatigue crept in.

Its effortless feel is further enhanced by the shoe’s longitudinal flexibility. It turned out to be 26.5% more bendable than average in our 90-degree test. However, it’s still rigid in the right areas. We rated its torsional rigidity a perfect 5/5 and its heel counter a stiff 4/5, which both prevent excessive movements and stabilise the ride. The support we experienced was undeniable.

We could easily adapt to a change in terrain and elevation thanks to the 4.3 mm grippy lugs. Its tread pattern consists of narrow, toothy, and broad shapes, allowing us to tackle the trails safely.

Unfortunately, it has a tight fit that may not be accommodating and stable for all. Those with broad feet should look for a wider boot.

From its airtight upper to its rock-solid support, and braking power, the Scarpa Terra GTX took care of our feet during our trail adventures. Backed up by the lab, we confirmed its stability through its low and firm stack and its high-quality leather that’s both waterproof and durable. It ticks the boxes and claims its position as our best leather flat-feet hiking boot.

The upper looked solid under our microscope and we confirmed its non-permeable nature when smoke remained inside the shoe in our breathability test, scoring 1/5. This means it also blocks off water. It also proved to be highly protective when it looked almost untouched after our Dremel test (5/5 durability).

The leather upper, together with the stiff TPU shank in the midsole, adds stiffness to the boot and holds our ankles firmly. The ride is further stabilised by the boot’s low profile and firm cushion. It measures a below-average 32.1/17.0 mm and emerged 6.1% stiffer than average, carrying our arches well.

Beneath the midsole, we unveiled the world-class Vibram outsole. It displays exceptional traction even on slippery surfaces, with its thick 4.0 mm lugs adding to our control over various terrains.

Unfortunately, its heavy 20.3 oz (575g) can lead to fatigue during long-haul efforts. Those who prioritise a light and agile ride should search for another option.

Robust from top to bottom, the Lowa Renegade GTX Mid is a tough soldier that armors our feet against ankle twists, foot pain, and external debris. Our lab tests back up our observation of the shoe’s highly stiff construction during our trips to the mountain, making it our flat-feet hiking boot with the best support.

It feels impossible to lose balance in this sturdy boot. Our sliced midsole reveals the MonoWrap frame in the midfoot, embracing our foot in place. This element increases the boot’s torsional rigidity and contains excessive movements. We tried to twist it with our own hands and it resisted fervently, earning the highest 5/5 torsional rigidity rating.

The boot has a hefty 21.1 oz (597g) build that keeps us centred and grounded. The cushion feels balanced, with a 25.6 HA rating, providing comfort to our arches without the foam compressing easily. Underfoot, the deep 5.1 mm lugs provided us with the traction we needed to tackle wet and dry surfaces safely.

The upper includes solid nubuck leather, which is highly resistant to abrasion, evidenced by its 5/5 toebox durability score based on our Dremel test. We had no worries about encountering water or protruding roots.

We warn caution that the shoe feels extremely stiff even to foot-bending, which may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Those who prefer an effortless feel should find a more flexible boot.