13 Comfy, Supportive Walking Shoes for Flat Feet
September 16, 2024
While a good removable insole or orthotic insert can upgrade flimsy footwear, only the best walking shoes for flat feet—meaning ones with built-in arch support—will help you feel more comfortable from the get-go. A structured, well-cushioned shoe can make walks more pleasant (and errands more tolerable).
In the name of making your time spent on the move actually enjoyable, we asked podiatrists what to look for in a walking shoe that’ll feel good on flat feet—and which pairs are worth trying.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: Hoka Arahi 7
- Runner-Up: Kuru Atom
- Best Budget: Ryka Devotion X
- Best for Maximum Cushioning: Hoka Gaviota 5
- Best for Plantar Fasciitis: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23
- Best for Standing All Day: Asics GT-1000 13
- Best for Walking Long Distances: Keen WK400
- Best for Walking and Running: Nike Structure 25
- Best for Wide Feet: New Balance 1540 V3
- Best Sandal: Chaco Classic Z/1
- Best for Trails: Salomon XA Pro 3D V9
- Best Clog: Dansko XP 2.0
- Best Lightweight Option: Vionic 23 Walk Classic Sneaker
How to choose the best walking shoes for flat feet
When we talk about the arch of your foot, we mean the area between the ball of your foot and your heel. If you’re not sure what type of arches you have, stand up and check the inner sides of your feet. If they’re flush against the floor, you have low arches, a.k.a. flat feet, Robert Gillanders, PT, DPT, previously told SELF. Knowing your arch type (and taking the factors below into account) will help you find the comfiest, most supportive shoes.
Arch height
When shopping for shoes, the first thing you should check is the shoe’s arch height, or how much the middle of the insole curves inward and upward. This part of the shoe should match your foot’s shape—with one exception. If you have very low arches or flat feet, you don’t want the inside of your shoe to be entirely flush to the ground, Paulina Piekarska, DPM, a foot and ankle specialist and surgeon at Hartford HealthCare Connecticut Orthopaedic Institute St. Vincent’s Medical Center, tells SELF. Without any type of arch support, your foot will flatten and roll inward while you walk, which can cause foot pain, ankle pain, and issues with your tendons, Dr. Piekarska says. A shoe with built-in arch support will prevent your foot from rolling too far inward.
Support
Your foot should feel held and supported by the shoe, which will help you feel comfortable longer. It’ll also take some stress off your knees and lower leg muscles, which tend to work harder to help you walk and maintain balance when you have flat feet, Jared Gremillion, DPM, a podiatric surgeon at Holston Medical Group in Bristol, Tennessee, tells SELF. (Wearing supportive shoes can also help prevent plantar fasciitis, a condition characterized by stabbing heel pain.)
However, the arch of a shoe shouldn’t be noticeably higher than the arch of your foot, either (unless you have totally flat feet). If you try on a shoe and feel pressure against your midfoot, that means the shoe’s arch is likely too high for you, Dr. Piekarska says. Cushioning can also affect a shoe’s stability for people with flat feet, so be wary of designs that feel too soft or cause your feet to sink.
Flexibility
If you can fold a shoe in half, it’s not supportive enough, Dr. Gremillion says. Your shoes should be rigid, but still flexible enough to bend with your foot when you’re walking—that’ll give you a nice balance of stability and freedom of movement.
The best walking shoes for flat feet
You’ll probably need to try on a few pairs to determine what type of arch, flexibility, and cushioning feels best for your feet. But you can get a leg (or foot) up on your search by checking out our list of the best walking shoes for flat feet below. Our picks include expert-recommended brands like Hoka and Chaco, as well as editor-tested and -approved options.
Best Overall: Hoka Arahi 7
Pros
- Very supportive
- Lightweight for a stability shoe
- Designed with overpronation in mind
Cons
- Runs small
Both Dr. Gremillion and Dr. Piekarska recommend Hoka sneakers—the latter describes them as “stable yet comfortable”—and many of the brand’s shoes have won a seal of acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) for their foot-friendly designs. The Arahi 7 is a good option for flat feet because it’s designed to prevent overpronation (a.k.a the inward rolling of the foot, a common problem for people with low arches), which can lead to heel pain, according to Dr. Piekarska.
Our tester found the Arahis to be “much more supportive” than her usual Birkenstocks. As a non-sneaker wearer, she wasn’t thrilled with their look, but nevertheless said they felt great on her feet. They have a fair amount of cushioning, but lack that marshmallowy feel you find in other Hoka shoes (this may actually be a plus if you want to feel steadier and lighter on your feet).
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium and wide | Heel-to-toe drop: 5 millimeters | Weight: 8.10 ounces
Runner-Up: Kuru Atom
Pros
- Designed to prevent foot pain
- Supportive throughout the foot
Cons
- Low on cushioning
Kuru’s best-selling Atom sneaker features a deep heel cup that hugs the back of your foot and a curved, contoured arch for extra support where you need it most. Our tester was impressed by how firm (yet comfortable) the arch was, noting that it felt great on long walks on hard pavement, with one caveat: “It feels like its placement is a little too far back in the shoe—the upper end of my arch didn’t get quite the same amount of support as the rest of it.”
For all its sturdiness, the Atom kept our tester’s feet cool and fresh after long periods of wear, thanks to its breathable mesh upper. It’s somewhat lacking in padding, especially in the forefoot, which is why it falls short of our top pick. But if structure takes priority over cushioning for you, the Atom could very well be your personal best overall.
Original image by SELF senior commerce writer Sara Coughlin
Original image by SELF senior commerce writer Sara Coughlin
Original image by SELF senior commerce writer Sara Coughlin
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium and wide | Heel-to-toe drop: 8 millimeters | Weight: 10.60 ounces
Best Budget: Ryka Devotion X
Pros
- Under $100
- Designed for lots of walking
Cons
- Toe box runs wide, according to Zappos reviewers
Ryka’s best-selling (and AMPA-approved) Devotion X shows you don’t have to shell out for the fanciest pair of walking shoes on the market to get good arch support. Its insole has a built-in arch, and its midsole provides additional structure around the middle of the foot. As a fitness-walking-specific shoe, it also doesn’t skimp on comfort: There’s extra padding in the forefoot and heel to help absorb the impact of your steps, and the mesh upper helps keep your feet cool on warmer days.
Sizes: US 6 to 12 | Widths: Medium and wide | Heel-to-toe drop: 10 millimeters | Weight: 10.75 ounces
Best for Maximum Cushioning: Hoka Gaviota 5
Hoka
Gaviota 5 Road-Running Shoes
Pros
- Very plush feel
- Thick and wide outsole adds stability
Cons
- Might be too wide for some (especially through the toe box, according to reviewers)
Another highly supportive and APMA-approved option from Hoka is the Gaviota 5. With more cushioning than the Arahi, it’s comparable to the 2023 SELF Sneaker Award–winning Hoka Bondi. This latest version of the Gaviota improves on previous models with a slightly wider fit, increased airflow through the upper, and an even softer feel. Between its plush padding and easy breathability, the Gaviota will keep a spring in your step, even on long days spent running all over town.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium and wide | Heel-to-toe drop: 6 millimeters | Weight: 9.10 ounces
Best for Plantar Fasciitis: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23
Pros
- Design may ease heel pain
- Very supportive
- Range of width options
Cons
- Some reviewers found the toe box too narrow
Nicholas Japs, DPT, a physical therapist at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport, Connecticut, previously recommended the Brooks Adrenaline GTS for people who deal with plantar fasciitis. It has a larger heel-to-toe drop than other shoes on our list, which helps take more pressure off your heel and will (hopefully) relieve some of the pain that comes with the condition.
Beyond that, it’s a very well-cushioned, supportive sneaker, with two pieces of firm foam on either side to help keep your foot aligned while you’re on the move. One SELF staffer considers the Adrenaline her “workhorse” sneaker, explaining that she wears her pair for everything but speed training: “I overpronate while I run, and these give me the support I needed to build up my mileage pain-free.”
Original image by SELF director of fitness and food Christa Sgobba
Original image by SELF director of fitness and food Christa Sgobba
Sizes: US 5 to 13 | Widths: Narrow, medium, wide, and extra wide | Heel-to-toe drop: 12 millimeters | Weight: 9.10 ounces
Best for Standing All Day: Asics GT-1000 13
Pros
- New built-in support features
- Lightweight for a stability shoe
Cons
- Less cushioned than older versions
A previous iteration of the GT-1000 won a Sneaker Award last year, wowing our tester with how comfy it felt—even for hours at a time. “These are very light, breathable, and springy, and mold to your foot effortlessly. My finicky arches loved them,” they said. The GT-1000 13 is even more structured, thanks to some new stability features in the midsole.
This pair of sneaks is ideal for standing all day: As SELF has previously reported, it’s important for your footwear to provide enough support (usually in the form of sturdy, stiff insoles) if you’re going to be on your feet for long periods of time. Whether you’re headed to a concert or working a long shift, the GT-1000 13 will help prevent foot fatigue and pain.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Heel-to-toe drop: 8 millimeters | Weight: 8.30 ounces
Best for Walking Long Distances: Keen WK400 Walking Shoe
Pros
- Designed for continuous walking
- Very breathable
Cons
- Not ideal for standing
- May feel too firm for some
One SELF staffer received her WK400s as a gift from Keen when they were first released in 2023, and she still turns to them when she’s going to log some serious steps. They have a curved sole, which is more common in running shoes and gives them a distinctive, rocker-like shape. The effect: Constant movement—our tester especially appreciates this when she’s rushing to tackle multiple errands around her neighborhood.
“I’m a pretty fast walker as it is, but I feel like I have tiny jetpacks strapped to my feet when I wear these shoes,” she says. “It’s funny because they look clunky at first, and even feel a little heavy when you first put them on. But once you start moving, they really help you build up and maintain your momentum.”
Original image by SELF senior commerce writer Sara Coughlin
Original image by SELF senior commerce writer Sara Coughlin
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Heel-to-toe drop: 10 millimeters | Weight: 10.76 ounces
Best for Walking and Running: Nike Structure 25
Pros
- Designed for overpronation
- Lightweight for a stability sneaker
Cons
- Reviewers report the laces feel slippery and tend to come untied easily
Alicia Canzanese, DPM, ATC, a board-certified podiatrist, athletic trainer, and former collegiate track athlete, previously recommended the Nike Structure to SELF, noting that it’s a lightweight and supportive stability shoe (meaning it’s designed with support through the arch to prevent pronation). That’s a rare combo to come by, and it’s the main reason why this sneaker is great for walking and running—it’ll feel sturdy while you stroll, but won’t weigh you down when you pick up the pace. And, despite its relatively low weight, it still packs a ton of foam throughout the sole, so you’re sure to stay comfy.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Regular and wide | Heel-to-toe drop: 10 millimeters | Weight: 8.50 ounces
Best for Wide Feet: New Balance 1540 V3 Running Shoe
New Balance
1540 V3 Running Shoe
Pros
- Range of width options
- Suitable for severe overpronators
Cons
- On the heavier side
If you’re ready to embrace the dad shoe trend (which is really just an excuse to exclusively wear comfortable walking shoes), New Balance is a great brand to browse. Designed to provide maximum structure, comfort, and motion control (to prevent rolling), the 1540 V3 model can help keep flat feet happy—all while meeting your normcore aspirations. It has the greatest range of widths of any shoe on our list, so whether you’re looking for a wide toe box or a snug, narrow fit, you can find the perfect feel for your foot.
Sizes: US 5 to 13 | Widths: Narrow, medium, wide, extra wide, and XX-wide | Heel-to-toe drop: 10 millimeters | Weight: 13 ounces
Best Sandal: Chaco Z/1 Classic
Pros
- Sturdy, contoured footbed
- Straps are easy to adjust (and stay put after tightening)
- Built to last
Cons
- Footbed may feel a little too firm for some
- Creates funny tan lines
Ask any podiatrist and they’ll tell you that your sandals absolutely must have decent arch support—and that you should save your flip-flops and slides for only the shortest walks. It’s no wonder, then, that Chaco’s strappy Z/1 Classic has been recommended to us over and over again. Its thick, molded footbed (which you can find in most Chaco models) is approved by the APMA, but it isn’t just a favorite among professionals.
