If you’re on your feet a lot, you know that a good pair of walking shoes is important for comfort. For those with “fallen arches”, the best walking shoes for flat feet are even more important.
While the condition itself is largely painless, it can create problems over time for the ankles and knees due to misalignment of the foot and leg (more detail about this later in this article). That’s why many podiatrists recommend shoes with solid arch support to avoid these problems in the long run.
The irony of spending a lot of time on your feet shopping for shoes that make it more comfortable to spend a lot of time on your feet isn’t lost on us, so we figured we’d do some shopping around for you, and let you know what is the consensus on the best walking shoes for flat feet.
Here Are The Best Walking Shoes For Flat Feet:
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Slow Man Women's Walking Shoes Sock Sneakers - Mesh Slip-On Air |  Top Pick |
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| 2. ASICS Men's GEL Venture 5 |  |
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| 3. Skechers Women's D'Lites Memory Foam |  |
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| 4. TIOSEBON Women's Athletic Walking Shoes Casual Mesh-Comfortable Work Sneakers |  |
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| 5. ASICS Women's Gel-Venture 6 Running-Shoes |  |
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| 6. ASICS Women's GEL-Venture 5 Running Shoe |  |
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| 7. New Balance Women's FuelCore Nergize V1 Sneaker |  |
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1. Slow Man Women’s Walking Shoes Sock Sneakers – Mesh Slip-On Air — Best Walking Shoes for Flat Feet, Women’s
These cute walking shoes are designed to easily slip on and off and feature an air cushion sole for extra spring. They’re flexible, breathable, and lightweight, perfect for a lot of walking. (We’re thinking at the airport or a street fair for instance.)
The air cushion technology built into the soles lessen impact and are perfect for supporting flat feet, They’re also slip-resistant for safety, and are a great shoe for that Zumba class!
Specs
- Mesh Fabric
- Comes In 22 Different Styles and Colors
- Comes In Sizes 5 ½ – 11
Pros
- Very comfortable for walking, including for exercise
- Excellent arch support for flat feet
- Breathable, lightweight fabric
- Sock shoe design makes it easy to take off and on.
- High platform, cushioned sole designed for comfort
Cons
- Some wearers said the shoe wasn’t comfortable for them
- Not made for ankle support
- Some wearers said the mesh fabric was too loose
2. ASICS Men’s GEL Venture 5 — Best Men’s Walking Shoes for Flat Feet
These rubber-soled shoes provide great arch support for walking and running for long periods, and with their rearfoot GEL cushion, they’re easy on the feet. The cushioned, sockliner insoles are removable to provide comfort and breathability.
Made by ASICS, a leading brand specializing in running shoes (read: shoes made specifically for prolonged arch support.
Specs
- Materials: Synthetic upper, rubber soles
- Available in men’s sizes 8-15
- Comes in 15 different styles and colors
Pros
- Arch supports are great for flat feet and for plantar fasciitis
- Suitable for all widths of feet
- Good quality at a good value
- Sockliner insoles are removable for breathability
Cons
- Some users said the shoes fell apart easily
- Some said the shoes weren’t breathable enough
- Some reported they weren’t comfortable enough
3. Skechers Women’s D’Lites Memory Foam
The flexible, rubber soles of the Skechers D’Lites make them super comfortable, but the comfort factor is raised at least ten notches with the air-cooled memory foam insole.
They also feature a padded collar and tongue for great ankle support, and a thick, supportive midsole for superior shock absorption. The 1 ¼ inch heel is cushioned for lots of standing and walking, and the options for wide sizes are a must for many with flat feet.
Specs
- Available in 38 styles and colors
- Materials: Leather and synthetic
- Rubber soles
- Available in sizes 5-11
Pros
- Great arch support for long hours on your feet
- Good walking shoe
- The sole is thick and provides extra height
- Excellent, true-to-size fit
- Comes in lots of stylish colors
- Available in wide sizes
Cons
- Some reported the shoes fell apart too easily with lots of use
- Some said the memory foam insoles made the shoes uncomfortable
- Some reported the shoes ran too small for their size
4. TIOSEBON Women’s Athletic Walking Shoes Casual Mesh-Comfortable Work Sneakers
These fashionable walking shoes are made with a breathable mesh fabric upper and feature resilient, slip-resistant sole for support and safety. They sport a latex arch insert for extra comfort, as well.
The cushioned, supportive curve of the soles of these shoes make them great for flat feet, and will stand up to the longest days on your feet, but are also super flexible right out of the box.
The stretchy elastic mesh upper and loop on the heel makes slipping them off and on super easy without having to deal with laces. Made with environmentally friendly materials, you’ll feel good about buying them, too.
Specs
- Available in sizes 5-13
- Available in 33 colors and styles
- Materials: Fabric mesh, pigskin insole
Pros
- Fashion-forward, comes in lots of cute colors
- Thick, cushioned soles are great for arch support
- Soft, ergonomically formed insoles support the natural form of the foot
- Great for walking, impact-absorbent soles
- Lightweight design
Cons
- Some reported a strong chemical smell when they received the shoes.
- Some reported the soles wore out very quickly with use
- Some said the insole wasn’t comfortable and rubbed with use
5. ASICS Women’s Gel-Venture 6 Running-Shoes
ASICS has always been a popular shoe among runners and walkers, and these Gel-Venture 6 running shoes live up to the reputation. Their famous rearfoot GEL cushioning feature provides superior shock absorption while you walk, and the insole is crafted to support the shape of the foot.
Great for people with flat feet, this shoe provides all the support and cushion you need to put a spring in your step all day long. They even feature a removable sockliner for medical orthotics if needed.
Specs
- Materials: Synthetic upper, rubber
- Available in 28 colors and styles
- Available in sizes 5-11
Pros
- Comfortable enough to wear all day without any “breaking in” period
- Features rearfoot GEL cushioning for shock absorption
- Molded insole is great for arch support, a really helpful feature for those with flat feet
- Cushioned soles are perfect for long days on your feet, or vigorous walking, or both
Cons
- Some wearers said they had a sub-par return policy
- Some said these shoes gave them blisters
- Some said the toe box was too narrow for comfort
6. ASICS Women’s GEL-Venture 5 Running Shoe
The ASICS GEL-Venture number 5 running shoe has many of the great features of the number 6, with a few minor differences: Wider, more rounded toe (which a lot of people love), tongue is less padded, runs larger, and has more heel support.
Like the Venture 6, this model still features the GEL rearfoot cushioning as other ASICS shoes of this line, and a great insole designed for extra arch support. The foam sockliner insole is also removable in this shoe for washing or inserting specialized orthotics if necessary.
The no-slip tread on the ASICS GEL-5 is just as home on rugged terrain as it is on concrete or indoor floors. If you’ve got flat feet and you’re on your feet all day this is the shoe for you.
Specs
- Materials: Synthetic upper, rubber sole
- Available in 10 different styles and colors
- Available in sizes 6-11
Pros
- Wider toe box for more space
- Great arch support for flat feet
- Lots of cushioning in the soles for long days and long walks
- Features a loop on the heel for easy removal
- The design is attractive, and the availability of cute colors make them stylish as well as functional
Cons
- Some wearers reported this model seemed to run large
- Some said they didn’t feature adequate ankle support
- Some owners said the shoe was uncomfortable and never “broke in”
7. New Balance Women’s FuelCore Nergize V1 Sneaker
New Balance is another brand often recommended to those with plantar fasciitis and flat feet for its superior cushioning and arch supports, and the FuelCore Nergize V1 doesn’t disappoint.
The specialized REVlite midsoles are designed for super lightweight, yet supportive cushioning, and a specialized insert designed for more padding than other models. The mesh uppers are flexible to fit the shape of your foot, and also contribute to making these fashionable shoes so lightweight.
Specs
- Materials: Synthetic upper, rubber sole
- Available in sizes 5-12, including wide options
- Available in 39 different colors and styles
Pros
- Super lightweight mesh upper
- Mesh upper conforms to hug your foot for the perfect fit
- The inner mesh sockliner is removable for orthotic inserts if needed
- The flexible mesh upper makes this shoe easy to slide off and on
- True to size for a traditional running shoe
- Great arch supports and sturdy sole for flat feet and plantar fasciitis
Cons
- Some buyers reported the soles came apart from the uppers after only a few wears
- Some wearers reported the shoes didn’t offer adequate ankle support
- Some said they were uncomfortable and made their feet hurt after a couple of hours of wearing them
Best Walking Shoes For Flat Feet: A Buying Guide
When you’ve got flat feet, you’ve got to kiss a lot of frogs before you find the perfect walking shoes. There’s nothing more frustrating than wasting time, and especially money, just to have the same problems over and over: poor arch support, hard soles with zero shock absorption, weird sizing that rubs blisters, just to name a popular few.
Well, we wanted to help minimize that mess as much as possible and save you the headache of trying to find the best shoes for flat feet, which is why we’ve assembled this quick buying guide for the basics you need to know about.
Flat Feet and Overpronation
So what’s the big deal, if having flat feet isn’t painful itself, why does it matter so much to wear the right shoes? The answer lies in the alignment of your foot, ankle, and knees.
For many with flat feet, the foot rolls down and inward. This sets up a chain reaction up the leg because when the foot rolls inward, it brings the ankle with it.
This just leads to the foot twisting inwards even more, which over time creates more instability in the foot and ankle. Eventually, flat feet can contribute to shin splints and knee problems because of the repeated rotation of the lower leg that follows.
Overpronation causes the same problems that those with flat feet have, and the two are associated, as many (though not all) who have flat feet have overpronation as well.
How To Properly Fit A Walking Shoe
It stands to reason that fit is so important when it comes to choosing a walking shoe, particularly if you’ve got flat feet. There are a few best practices to follow when fitting your walking shoes correctly:
- Measure first, even if you think you know your size already
- Try on the shoes at the end of the day, when your feet have had time to swell and settle
- Try the shoes on both feet. Most of us have one foot that’s larger than the other.
- Make sure the shoe is suited to the shape of your foot. If you have wide feet, for instance, if a shoe looks narrow, chances are it’ll be too narrow for you.
- The shoes should fit well right away. Don’t buy them a little small assuming they’ll stretch after wearing for a while.
- Make sure you’ve got plenty of room in the toe box for movement
- Make sure you’ve got at or around ½” between your toes and the end of the shoes when you stand.
- Take plenty of time to walk around in the shoe. It shouldn’t rub anywhere, and your heel should stay solidly in the shoe.
A Few Final Words…
Flat feet, sometimes referred to as “fallen arches” are quite common among adults and children alike. The National Foot Health Assessment estimates that 8 percent of adults in the US have flat feet, but flat feet don’t have to slow you down.
Many pro athletes in sports like running, football, and basketball have flat feet and are still at the top of their game. (Ever heard of Kobe Bryant?)
Take your time to find the right pair of walking shoes if you’ve got flat feet, particularly if you stand and/or walk all day at work. Choose a shoe with plenty of motion support and arch support, as well as cushioned insoles for extra comfort.
We recommend Slow Man Women’s Walking Shoes Sock Sneakers – Mesh Slip-On Air for walking shoes for people with flat feet. They provide the perfect amount of arch support you’ll need, yet are flexible enough to remain comfortable all day. Your feet will thank you!
