Running is tough enough — but if you have flat feet, finding the best running shoes for flat feet can be the difference between logging happy miles and dealing with nagging aches. Low or fallen arches often lead to overpronation, which can put extra stress on your feet, ankles, and shins and raise your risk of injuries like plantar fasciitis or shin splints.
That’s why stability-focused running shoes with arch support and smart cushioning are key: they help control excess motion, evenly distribute impact, and keep your stride feeling more efficient. To find the standouts, we tapped podiatrists and running experts for recommendations, then tested dozens of options in our regular running routines.
Credit: Brooks
Sizes: 5-13 | Midsole Drop: 12mm | Width Options: Medium, Wide, Extra-Wide, Narrow
In addition to built-in arch support that alleviates overpronation, the Adrenaline GTS 25 GuideRails support system offers extra cushioning to keep feet in a neutral position throughout each step. This (and the 100% DNA LOFT cushioning) supports knees and hips as well. So if you’re looking for an all-around, go-anywhere shoe that’ll take some pressure off the joints, the GTS 25 is your best bet.
Shape testers especially love these running shoes for flat feet because of their wide toe box. “The philosophy is that when your feet are flat, your toes splay out,” Bermel explained. The roomy toe box in these means endless comfort for easy or up-tempo miles. However, if you’re craving the ultra-cushioned, pillowy running experience, move on. These are fairly firm and not as springy as they look.
Credit: Amazon
Sizes: 5.5-12 | Midsole Drop: 23.5 cm to 27.5 cm, Depending on Size | Width Options: Standard
Not everyone has extra cash to shell out for a running shoe for flat feet, so if you’re looking for a more affordable option, the Joomra Minimalist Trail Running Barefoot Shoes are an excellent choice. These shoes offer plenty of arch support via removable insoles, and the breathable knitted material is great for hot outdoor runs. While the grippy rubber outsoles are technically designed for trail running, this shoe’s responsiveness may be uncomfortable for people who need more support than minimal shoes provide.
Credit: Amazon
Sizes: 6-12 | Midsole Drop: 12 mm | Width Options: Standard
We couldn’t stop raving about the cushioning of the Mizuno Wave Rider 27 during our testing period. We felt lighter on our feet and like the pressure was taken off our joints, which we can probably attribute to the soft, resilient Mizuno Enerzy Foam. Meanwhile, the Mizuno Wave Plate helped spread out the impact on our feet so we felt better able to absorb any shock while running on harsh concrete surfaces.
Credit: Asics
Why We Like It
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Lightweight and breathable
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Stability features
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Impressive grip underfoot
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Reflective detailing helps night visibility
Sizes: 5-12 | Midsole Drop: 10mm | Width Options: Standard
If your arch is low or nonexistent, you need a shoe that makes up for your feet’s lack of natural support. That’s where the ASICS Gel-Kayano Running Shoes come in. These shoes can help reduce overpronation with a specially engineered rubber and gel outsole that conforms to critical areas of your foot. The built-in arch keeps your foot stable as you run, and there’s an Ortholite sock liner for added comfort. Just note that this shoe is designed for road running, so it’s not a good choice for those who prefer to hit the trails. “As an overpronator myself, I’ve found that these shoes help to correct my stride and relieve the pressure on my arch and knees I feel while running in other shoes,” Chloe Irving, former Shape commerce writer, shared in her full ASICS Gel-Kayano shoe review.
The latest iteration also comes with an impressive grip on the underfoot that ensures taking turns or cuts in the rain won’t end in disaster. Plus, the shoes come with innovative reflective detailing to amp up visibility during night runs. Bermel says the newest iteration of these shoes offers even more stability features all around the shoe, so it’s beneficial to go for the update if you’re torn between models.
Credit: Amazon
Why We Like It
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Lots of width options
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Lightweight (7.4 oz.)
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Underfoot cushioning
Sizes: 5-12 | Midsole Drop: 8mm | Width Options: Narrow, Standard, Wide, Extra-Wide
When you’re hitting the pavement, you need a shoe that offers plenty of cushioning and support. The New Balance Fresh Foam X 880 Running Shoe provides stellar underfoot cushioning and a sturdy upper that keeps your foot locked in place and comfortable throughout your daily miles. The wide and extra-wide options are great for people with flat feet since they offer extra room for spread-out toes.
Credit: Orthofeet
Sizes: 5-12 | Heel-to-Toe Drop: Unspecified | Width Options: Standard, Wide, Extra-Wide
Flat feet can often cause bunions, a painful condition that occurs when the big toe joint gets pushed out of alignment. Orthofeet’s Coral Stretch Knit shoe was designed specifically to address this issue—and 20 other conditions that can cause foot pain, including plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and hammer toes. The upper is non-binding, the wide toe box offers plenty of room for bunions, and the built-in orthotic insoles provide extra arch support, which can help alleviate any foot or heel pain. We loved being able to slip into these shoes without bending over. They felt lightweight and pleasantly responsive, without giving us an overexaggerated “moon boots” bounce. However, they didn’t feel as breathable as other shoes we tested.
Credit: Amazon
Why We Like It
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Lightweight, responsive insold
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Neutral shoe with small midsole drop can help wide feet splay naturally
Sizes: 5-12 | Midsole Drop: 5mm | Width Options: Standard, Wide
If you’re prone to shin splints, you need a shoe that’s lightweight and flexible enough to allow your feet to move naturally while still providing protection and cushioning. Out of all of Hoka’s shoes, the Hoka Clifton 9 is a great choice as it features Hoka’s signature EVA foam midsole that reduces the impact on your shins with every step. The shoe also has an extended heel crash pad, so landing is more forgiving (and far less painful). Like the Brooks Adrenaline, we felt that these Hokas ran a little bit wide — a plus for people with flat feet. However, the cushioning felt nice and thick, and we especially noticed the excellent shock absorption when running on concrete sidewalks.
Credit: Amazon
Sizes: 5-13 | Midsole Drop: 12mm | Width Options: Standard, Wide, Extra-Wide, Narrow
Supination, also referred to as underpronation, occurs when the foot rolls outward while walking or running. Similar to overpronation, this gate can cause stress and pain in the foot, knee, and ankle. The Shape 2024 Sneaker Award-winning Brooks Ghost 16 Neutral Running Shoe offers superior support for supinators with its DNA Loft cushioning in the midsole and a soft-blown rubber outsole designed to provide flexibility where it counts. This padding extends beyond the heel to absorb shock and reduce pain. In fact, Shape testers were amazed at how much this running shoe eased their shin splint pain. Also of note: The 12 mm heel-to-toe drop is great at propelling strides forward and giving some extra energy even during tired miles.
Credit: Amazon
Sizes: 5-12 | Midsole Drop: 6 mm | Width Options: Standard, Wide
Bermel recommends the Gaviota for people searching for a stable, secure running shoe. Thanks to the H-frame midsole design, there’s reinforcement all over the frame, not just on the medial side which is typically the case for other options out there. “I’m a bit of a Hoka skeptic, but after rocking with these for a five-mile run and experiencing no knee pain, I see the light,” says Senior Editor Summer Cartwright, who tested these out. “They take a moment to get used to since they don’t have a super fluffy cushion — more so a stable and structured one — but once my feet got the hang of these, I was able to really enjoy each step I took.”
If you’re searching for a walking shoe that pops your foot back up from the ground with each step, these aren’t necessarily them. The stability shoes keep your foot in a good position to prevent injuries and provide a lot of room from the ground (34 mm for women’s options), also known as a stack height, to take pressure off your joints during movement. That’s why they’re such a stellar option for those searching for the best running shoes for bad knees.
Sizes: 5-12 | Midsole Drop: 8 mm | Width Options: Standard, Wide
It’s hard to find a stability shoe that also doubles as a speedy option, but Bermel says these Saucony’s do the trick. The expert dubs them as an “up-tempo daily trainer” thanks to their relatively light weight (they’re 7.9 oz.) and springy cushioning. The breathable, form-fitting upper is solid for runners with wide feet since the stretchy fabric can conform with your feet and spread-out toes, versus restricting natural shape.
What to Know About Running Shoes for Flat Feet
- Arch support: According to Dr. Garcia, moderate arch support is ideal for those with flat feet. Anything too high will force your foot into a supine (or outward) position, while low arches can cause strain on the heel and ankles. Bermel says that she and the experts at Fleet Feet recommend runners and walkers get fitted for arch supports specific to their feet to replace the sock liners that typically come in sneakers.
- Heel-to-toe drop: The higher the heel-to-toe drop, the more strain will be put on your feet. Lower heel-to-toe drops offer more stability because there’s greater weight distribution. There are even zero-drop shoes, which feel like you’re walking around without any shoes on at all.
- Stability: Stability is the combination of arch support and cushioning. The best running shoes for flat feet should provide enough stability to reduce overpronation (the inward rolling of your feet), which can result in pain and injury. To ensure the shoe you’re after is, in fact, a stability shoe, try folding it from the heel to the doe backward and forward. If it doesn’t budge, it’s likely a solid stability shoe.
- Fit: No matter what kind of shoe you get, it’s important to make sure it fits correctly. Footwear with built-in arches and other stability features may feel tight at first. Follow whatever guidelines the brand provides when it comes to sizing, and plan to spend at least a few days breaking your new shoes in. A general rule of thumb is to go a half-size up for running shoes you plan to use for long distances, as feet are prone to swelling during these long runs.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What causes flat feet?
Flat feet, also called pes planus, can be caused by obesity, diabetes, playing high-impact sports (like basketball, running, or soccer), or injury.
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Can flat feet be corrected?
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Do flat feet runners need arch support?
According to Dr. Garcia, arch support is crucial for runners with flat feet as the condition of flat feet puts a strain on the tendons that run across the bottom of the foot, which can lead to pain. “Shoes with arch support redistribute pressure evenly across the foot, which helps to alleviate pain and keep feet, ankles, knees, hips, and back in the correct alignment when you run.”
Bermel and her Fleet Feet team recommend runners with flat feet buy Superfeet or Curex arches for every pair of shoes they use.
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Do people with flat feet run faster?
There is no evidence to suggest that people with flat feet run faster. If anything, studies have found that people with flat feet tend to perform poorer in athletic tests than people who don’t have flat feet.
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Why do people with flat feet need stability shoes?
“People with flat feet tend to have flexible arches, so we tend to pair them with rigid shoes like a stability shoe,” says Bermel. “When you have a more flexible foot, there’s more inherent movement which can be inefficient when you’re moving side to side if you pronate.”
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Does midsole drop or stack heigh matter for running shoes for flat feet?
It doesn’t not matter. Bermel says that a larger stack height signals that the shoe will likely alleviate pressure from the calves, achilles, and joints more so than other flatter options. But flatter options can help flat feet splay out naturally, so it’s all up to runners and their preferences.
Why Trust Shape
Summer Cartwright is Shape’s senior editor who’s tested a good chunk of these running shoes for flat feet on her own time. She’s also evaluated the test results from Shape’s own trials. The marathon runner updated this article in August 2024 with new models as well as additional expert insight.
Caroline Bermel is a Content Marketing Specialist for Fleet Feet, where she writes for the blog and manages its roster of contributors. As a self-described running shoe enthusiast, she oversees the Fleet Feet Gear + Shoe Review process. She’s reviewed 200+ running shoes in the past 3 years.
