The best walking shoes are the ones that are, well, actually comfortable to walk in. And when you have flat feet, finding a shoe that supports your lack of arches involves looking out for a couple specific features.
Dr. Patrick McEneaney, owner and CEO of Northern Illinois Foot & Ankle Specialists, shared the types of shoes to look for and the specific options he recommends to his patients.
“Make sure that you have a good kind of shoe that’s stiff in the midsole,” he said. “With a lot of shoes, if you go to bend the middle of them, they bend really easy. These are some of the ones that have the keywords like ‘flex,’ ‘free’ and ‘memory foam.’ A lot of these shoes are just really fancy bedroom slippers, in my opinion, and they don’t give you the kind of support you need.”
If you have flat feet, the entire sole of your foot touches the floor, meaning you need all the support you can get to prevent discomfort and injury. Although McEneaney said kids with flat feet typically don’t experience pain because their feet are still flexible and malleable, complications can arise for adults who don’t wear the proper shoes for their flat feet.
“With adults, we tend to start seeing joint pain more often, a lot of tendinitis, especially with a tendon called the posterior tibial tendon, which is kind of on the inside of your arch. That tendon does a lot of the work of holding up the arch,” he said. “What happens is that after all those years of trying to hold it up, the tendon just can’t do it anymore. The tendon becomes weak and, over time, it can develop scar tissue or even tearing within the tendon itself, and that can lead to to pain and problems in that area.”
When it comes to selecting shoes for your flat feet, McEneaney emphasized the importance of paying less attention to brand name and more attention to how the shoe is constructed and how supportive it is.
“The key thing is that you don’t just buy a shoe based on the brand. It’s more important to find the right model for your foot,” he said.
Check out McEneaney’s picks for the best walking shoes for flat feet below, in both men’s and women’s sizes.
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The Saucony Triumph 23 sneaker for both men and women
The latest version of the Saucony Triumph shoe has midsole cushioning that provides flexibility, durability and springiness for comfortable running and walking. The brand refers to the shoe's cushioning material as a "unicorn," not too soft or too firm, with a responsive sockliner. The sneaker comes in women's (sizes 5-12) and men's (sizes 6-15) versions and in multiple colorways. Wide sizing is available.
These Brooks women's Ariel GTS 24 running shoes
This shoe is designed for running and casual walking. It's made of engineered mesh and a cushioned midsole to keep your feet comfortable and stable. It comes in women's sizes 6 to 13, with wide options available, in three colorways.
Promising review: "These shoes have been so helpful to me. I'm flat footed, overpronate, and work on my feet as a massage therapist. For years I've been trying to find the right support and these absolutely do the job. I'm having less foot and knee pain, and my gait and stance feel more stable. I also like the way they look. I want to wear them all the time and I will definitely buy more colors." — Darla Powell
A pair of Brooks' Addiction 14 running shoe for men
Ideal for runners and walkers, this Brooks shoe has soft cushioning to reduce impact on your joints. It also has a generous fit, with space for your flat feet to breathe and stretch for comfort. This comes in narrow, wide and extra-wide sizes, from 7-16, in four colorways.
Promising review: "I have been purchasing Brooks shoes since 2015. This are the only shoes that my flat feet love. No more heel or ankle pain! Best shoes for my feet!" — Trina Smusic Patterson
The Hoka Arahi 8, which comes in so many fun colorways
For a little more flair, try something like the Hoka Arahi 8. Past and present Arahi models have been recommended by podiatrists elsewhere for the supportive, stable frame that still doesn't feel too stiff to walk in. They're also available in a lot more colorways than other options on this list, including some brighter ones that are a bit more fun than the typical neutrals (though the Arahi comes in neutral colors, too). Get a pair in womens' sizes 5-12 and men's sizes 7-15, with wide and extra-wide options available to choose from, too.
The Brooks shoe one reviewer called "my equivalent of Cinderella's slippers"
For another Brooks option, since their sneakers are so beloved for comfort, try this supportive men's walking and running shoe. It has extra space in the forefoot if you prefer a bit more wiggle room. The cushioning is super soft but durable for long-time wear. It comes in three colorways and sizes 8-16. Wide and extra-wide options are available.
Promising review: "To give some context, I am flat footed. Extremely so. And I'm a bigger guy so that doesn't help. I have been wearing Brooks Adrenaline GTS 11M as my go to 'good' shoe for at least the last decade. Wear out a pair, order up the next new pair of adrenalines. Then I heard of this previously unknown Beast model. I was recommended for an extra wide pair due to the arch collapse. I heard these were more supportive than the adrenalines, so naturally, I ordered a pair of the blue ones, size 11 extra wide. Holy crap on a cracker, these shoes are my equivalent of Cinderella's slippers. They are stiff, but the support is absolutely amazing. It's exactly what my feet needed. I have been very impressed with how they feel. By far the most comfortable shoe for me that I've ever worn. Im not saying they are the best for everyone, but for me and my price range and issues, they are the right fit (see what I did there??)! Overall, I'm very impressed with the Beast GTS!!" — Jared - Colorado Springs
A pair of unisex New Balance 990 V6s, or "the Porsche of shoes"
This classic New Balance silhouette has a strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsole that makes it a great shoe for casual walking or more athletic pursuits. Wide and extra-wide sizes are available in the shoe's unisex sizing, which runs from women's 5/men's 3.5 to women's 1.75/men's 16. Two main colorways are in production, though you can find a couple others on Amazon.
Promising reviews: "I’ve tried so many shoes over the years but this is good. Not just any good but legendarily good. New Balance knows how to make a great shoe and this shoe is the testament to it. Made in USA but it is the Porsche of shoes - light weight, solid material offering incredible support especially for someone with flat foot needing wide shoes, and it lasts forever." — Willy Shakespeare