According to Podiatrists, These Are the Best Running Shoes for Flat Feet (2024)

• Apparel and Gear
• Workout Clothes
• Shoes

The TL;DR on the Best Running Shoes for Flat Feet

Sizes: 5-13 | Midsole Drop: 12mm

Brooks is a go-to brand for runners for good reason. They're durable, comfortable, and supportive—and the Adrenaline GTS 22 is no exception. In addition to built-in arch support that alleviates overpronation, its GuideRails support system offers extra cushioning to keep your feet in a neutral position as you run. This (and the 100% DNA LOFT cushioning) supports not only your feet but your knees and hips as well. So if you're looking for an all-around, go-anywhere shoe, the GTS 22 is your best bet.

We especially love these shoes for flat feet because of their wide toe box. Flatter feet tend to splay out further than narrow feet, and the roomy toe box in the Brooks Adrenaline shoes means you can run in comfort for miles. However, if you’re craving the ultra-cushioned, pillowy running experience, move on; we found these to be pretty firm and not as springy as we’d hoped.

Sizes: 5.5-12 | Heel-to-Toe Drop: 23.5 cm to 27.5 cm, Depending on Size

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.

Sizes: 6-12 | Heel-to-Toe Drop: 12 mm

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.

Sizes: 5-12 | Heel-to-Toe Drop: 13mm

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 (called their DuoMax Support System) 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, Shape commerce writer, shared in her full ASICS Gel-Kayano shoe review.

Sizes: 5-13 | Heel-to-Toe Drop: Unspecified

When you're hitting the pavement, you need a shoe that offers plenty of cushioning and support. The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 Running Shoe provides both its light foam midsole and blown rubber outsole. This combination ensures maximum comfort while helping to reduce overpronation thanks to its supportive medial post. Plus, it has reflective accents built into the design, so you can stay safe and visible when running at night.

Sizes: 6-11.5 | Heel-to-Toe Drop: 0 mm

The Altra Outroad 2 is a shoe that can do both, so to speak. Though technically a trail running shoe, we found it light and nimble enough to road running as well. The grippy outsole gave us confidence when running on slippery or uneven terrain, and the upper is tough enough to protect your feet from random trail or street debris.

A note about sizing: These shoes are technically Altra’s slimmest foot shape fit, which gave us pause before testing (after all, flat feet typically need a bit more room to spread out). However, ordering up a half-size remedied that easily, and we liked the shoe’s breathability and cushioning enough to overlook the slight sizing issue for flat feet. Also, like the rest of Altra’s shoes, these have a zero heel-to-toe drop, so they feel more like a platform shoe (albeit one with plenty of cushioning). You’ll likely find your stride has a mid- or forefoot strike in these shoes and other zero-drop shoe options.

Sizes: 6-11 | Heel-to-Toe Drop: Unspecified

If you want a shoe that your podiatrist will be proud of, look no further than the Gravity Defyer Women's G-Defy XLR8 Run. This shoe is not only designed with superior arch support and foot stabilization, but it also comes with a pair of podiatrist-grade CorrectiveFit orthotic insoles. These lightweight, foam-based insoles help correct body alignment and relieve pain from conditions like plantar fasciitis.

Sizes: 5-12 | Heel-to-Toe Drop: Unspecified

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.

Sizes: 5-12 | Heel-to-Toe Drop: 5mm

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.

Sizes: 5-13 | Midsole Drop: 12mm

Supination, also referred to as under pronation, occurs when the foot rolls outward while walking or running. Like overpronation,this can cause stress and pain in the foot, knee, and ankle. The 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, we were amazed at how much this running shoe eased our shin splints. The 12 mm heel-to-toe drop helped propel us forward a bit during our test runs, too.

Frequently Asked Questions

• 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.

• Can flat feet be corrected?

  Flat feet can be corrected by surgery, which is usually performed on child patients.

• 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.”

• 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.