Chances are you took up running to lead a healthy life and get some daily exercise. This is why most people start running and when you started, you probably looked up some decent shoes. Shoes are very important but when it comes to flat feet, you have to be careful which running shoes to pick out. There are hundreds of colors, hundreds of styles, and even more different types of fits. If you pick out the wrong ones, you can get awful pain in your feet before, after, and during your exercise. The reason is your choice did not take into account what the best running shoe for flat feet is. With all the options available, you are probably asking yourself which ones would be the ones you should purchase. I know how hard it can be, because I was in that very position not very long ago. This is why I put together this ultimate guide to give you some recommendations for the best running shoes for flat feet. This should go over everything and answer any questions you may have. I hope this helps you find the top flat feet running shoes and you can get started in a safe manner! Let’s dive into it.
Flat Feet – Do You Have Them?
Often times, runners are not aware that they have flat feet. To check if you do or not, take off your foot and look at it. You should have a look at your arch. This is the part in the middle of your foot that acts as a natural shock absorber when you run. If your foot is flat, this means that the arch in the sole of the your foot has collapsed and every part of your foot will be in contact with the ground. There are a few reasons for this, but you need to know that this area is full of bones, tendons and ligaments and when one part of the equation fails, all of your foot will be in contact with the ground when you are standing up. The arch is there to absorb the weight of your body and act as a spring system so your legs, hips, knees, and foot are safe from injury. Not having the natural proper arch support can also cause pronation issues in your ankle and foot. If you are over pronating, this means that your feet are rolling inward towards the inside of your leg. Check to see if this is an issue for you. To do this, take your current running shoes and look on the inside. If there is more wearing to the inside of the shoe, this is an issue for you caused by flat feet. In order to prevent all these problems, you want to get a shoe that has proper arch support, gives you stability while running, and also fix the positioning of your body. The shoes I will go into below are the ones that meet these things and will be the best running shoes for flat feet.
Best Running Shoes For Flat Feet – Men and Women Top 10
Depending on what issue you have, there are going to be different features that you should be looking for that will bring relief to your legs. Below are some of the running shoes that work well with flat feet. These all have support that you need, are stable, and will help control the positioning and motion of your stride. These are 10 of the best running shoes for those flat feet runners out there to help with the issues you may be having.
| Product | Image | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brooks Adrenaline Gts 15 |  | $$$ | 4.5 |
| Saucony Guide 8 |  | $$$ | 4.4 |
| ASICS GEL Kayano 21 |  | $$$ | 4.5 |
| Mizuno Wave Inspire 11 |  | $$$ | 4.5 |
| New Balance M890V4 |  | $$$ | 4.4 |
| ASICS GT 2000 2 |  | $$$ | 4.5 |
| Brooks Beast 14 |  | $$$ | 4.4 |
| Saucony Omni 13 |  | $$$ | 4.3 |
| Nike Lunarglide 6 |  | $$$ | 4.5 |
| Karhu Steady3 Fulcrum |  | $$ | 4.4 |
Brooks Adrenaline Gts 15
The Brooks Adrenaline Gts 15 has been a favorite for flat feet runners for years now. The comfort you get from the cushioning and the stability provided in your stride are second to none. This is a newer version of this shoe and Brooks took the Adrenaline Gts 15 to give the runner more control over their running technique. They did this by adding a rollbar for control, and a different saddle inside for support. Did I mention that this saddle is also adjustable?
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Saucony Guide 7
When it comes down to stability, the Saucony Guide 7 is a highly rated shoe. This stability comes from a special sole that holds your foot in place so you can actually feel how stable you are on this platform. This makes it a great candidate for flat feet runners looking to get more out of their footwear. If you have flat feet they work well, but even if you do not and have pronation issues (the weight is distributed to the side of your foot), you can get a lot out of the support that this product offers.
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ASICS Gel Kayano 21
The Asics Gel Kayano 21 is another shoe that is known for the stability and support they provide to flat feet sufferers. They have a special system called DuoMax. This system is used to created a sole that is more dense than competitors to keep good support in your arch but also provide a more stable platform to stand on. They also have a new heel in this model of the Kayano 21. This new heel is designed to provide even more support and when you are shopping around, you will notice that the ASICS Gel 21 is one of the most supportive shoes available.
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Mizuno Wave Inspire 11
Runners know how important it is to save weight in any area that they can. If you are a flat foot runner, the Mizuno Wave Inspire 11 is a great compliment to your wardrobe. This shoe is light weight but still performs well with incredible arch support and heel cushioning. Mizuno is a well known brand and the wave inspire goes beyond arch supports by branding this shoe as a stability shoe. They went with a modern design, offers stability without compromising the looks, and performs well. Reviews of the Mizuno Wave Inspire 11 have put this product on a list of peoples favorite stable runners. Stability is something that is very important for flat feet runners so check it out and let us know what you think.
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New Balance M890V4
Coming in at the middle of our big list is the New Balance M890V4. This shoe has been a recommendation of mine for runners with flat feet for a while now. There are many different versions of this product but this specific one is great because of the support and cushioning offered. The way the sole on this one works is that it helps position your torso properly in your stride to give you a stable platform to stand on. On top of that, you also will get comfortable arch supports. The cushioning feels like you are walking on clouds but the shoe itself is actually very lightweight. My favorite aspect of this product is they have an Abzorb crash pad build in. This is their way of absorbing all impact and keeping your foot safe from damage and it works well in the sole and the heel of your foot.
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ASICS GT 2000 2
Next up we have a shoe that gives a moderate amount of stability to people who enjoy getting their exercise by walking or running. This should does wonders for those people who have flat feet and it is called the ASICS GT 2000 2. This is the second version of the shoe and they have upgrade it to provide more cushioning all around the sole of your foot and the heel. They also have made changes to give you more stability when moving. These changes are there to offer more control when running and to help combat overpronation. The midsole has been changed in this version to be a running shoe that is extra durable as well. This is the kind of running shoe you should pick up if you are looking for a product that will perform all around no matter what activity you are doing.
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Brooks Beast 14
The very best in the department of motion control running shoes has to be the Beast 14 created by Brooks. This shoe really helps put everything in the optimal position. The way it works is they have a rollbar in the product that gives you control in your stride. This product also provides excellent cushioning for the entire foot and giving you support for your arches. When purchasing running apparel, it is important that you get something that is going to hold up. The Brooks Beast 14 is very sturdy and is created to last. If you have overpronation, the support and cushioning will help correct any issues you are having with it. The sole of this product is a lot thicker than other shoes but this thick sole gives you extra padding, more arch support, and an overall better running feel to it. Flat foot runners can rejoice once they have found this line of footwear as they will say goodbye to their problems with the excellent stability and support.
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Saucony Omni 13
Running shoes with support and stability can help you fix a lot of the problems you are seeing in your feet. The Saucony Omni 13 is a good choice for any runner who is looking to get some relief from these foot problems. They have a cushioning system that feels great and helps absorb the shock of normal everyday wear. They also offer the Omni 13 as a lightweight running shoe. It weighs in at just over 10 ounces which is incredibly light. If you have wide feet, you will be pleased to hear that the Omni 13 has a wider toe box. This will give you more control when walking and running and will help with pronating feet. The support around the ankle is also a nice touch. If you need support all around your foot or have flat foot issues, check out the Saucony Omni 13.
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Nike Lunarglide 6
The Nike Lunarglide 6 is actually one of the most popular shoes out there on the market overall. People love to rave about this product but have you ever wondered why? It may be because of how comfortable they are, but they also offer other benefits such as an incredibly supportive platform that will help protect your hip joins and your knees from being in the incorrect position. They are also known for providing the greatest stability from a new insole. This insole is made out of a special foam that runs the length of your foot. Combined with this insole is a new plastic heel and good arch support. Take all these things, combine them into a simple shoe, and you get the Nike Lunarglide 6; a perfect flat feet solution.
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Karhu Steady3 Fulcrum
Finally on our list, we have the Karhu Steady3 Fulcrum. This is actually one of the cheapest options to get some running stability. This should be thought of as a trainer that you would wear everyday and not just for running. It provides some motion control, a bit of cushioning, and some shock absorption. If you are looking for one of the best choices for runners with flat feet, you may want to check out this stability shoe that gives great support at a fraction of the price.
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Picking The Best Running Shoe When You Have Flat Feet
So you have seen all the options we have listed above and want to know what exactly are the key components that go into finding the best running shoes for flat feet. Well, that is pretty simple. You need a stable platform, support for your arches and rest of your foot, and motion control. If you have flat feet, you need to pick a running shoe that is going to give you a stable platform to stand and run on. This is probably the most important part when trying to pick out a product to purchase. This stable platform can help combat overpronation which is what usually happens if you have little to no arch support. Most motion control running shoes out there are built with stability in mind. What makes the shoes listed above excellent choices is they have added on to these motion controlled running shoes to help lock your feet into place and not let them move about. This is one of the components of support you will get. Second is that when your feet are locked into place, this allows you to get a fit where you can get the most arch support from included arches. A lot of the products have arches that are very high which does wonders for your feet. That being said, if they are high and you simply cannot get used to them, you will probably actually end up having more issues while running so it is in your best interested to get a moderate arch, but still firm enough that it provides pain relief.
Flat feet shoes have been becoming more and more popular over the last few years. It all started when atheletes were looking for a solution to the pain in their feet caused by flat feet. Big companies saw that this was a growing trend and then started creating footwear to help all those flat footed athelets and everyday people like you and I. If you have flat feet, you know that when you are running around, it is hard to find the speed that your peers have. Well, that is now a thing of the past as there have been advances in shoe science, and now you get some of the best sneakers for flat feet out there. Women and men both have access to these running shoes and can use them in all sorts of weather conditions. Let me go a little bit more into some of the things you should keep in mind when looking at the best running shoes for flat feet out there.
Like I mentioned stability is important so when you are looking to purchase a pair, look for ones that reviewers are saying gives great stability. Stability running shoes are created by lots of companies, but if you want the best, look at companies that are known for creating sportswear. The stability shoe has the main purpose of helping with overpronation which is probably going to happen to you if you do not have natural arches in your foot.
Then you want to look for something that is going to give you the maximum absorption of shock. What you are looking for is mainly called motion control. This takes the base of a stability shoe and adds some features to give it more of a springy feel that absorbs impacts to your feet. Flat foot shoes should always have these features as your foot by itself will not be able to take the impact without them.
And of course, you will need support. Support means that you have something under your arch to hold up your flat foot. Shoe reviews are going to talk about support that is added, but it is important that you look into the material that is giving this support. Are the supports hard? You want them to be hard but not too hard. This means there should be a little give when bouncing around, but still hard enough so they do not collapse when jogging.
Depending on the condition you have, you are going to be looking for different features. Keep your problems in mind when shopping and make sure you look over all the information on the page to get the most out of your purchase. Choosing running shoes for flat feet can be hard, but once you land on that perfect product, you will thank yourself in the future when you feel the relief.
Flat Feet Shoe Features
The best running shoe for flat feet is going to have features that you see in a lot of other products. Here are some of the most important.
Pronation
Almost all flat footed joggers seem to have a problem with overpronation. This is where your foot is going to roll inward when you are jogging around. Since your arch support is not supporting your weight, when your foot hits the ground, your leg is trying to compensate for this down force and will roll your foot to the inside. This means flat feet runners need to get a feature to stabilize their foot and try and get rid of this movement. I always suggest motion controlled shoes for those overpronators out there. This is also a good option if you do not have enough support and cushioning around your arch. Combine these two things, and you will find a great flat footed shoe.
Cushioning
Flat footed running shoes should always have a lot of good cushioning. Since flat feet causes issues such as weight being distributed unevenly around your foot, extra cushioning will help lower this impact. You want to make sure that along with cushioning, you have a good support for the arch included so you can try and solve the issue. These combined will prevent a lot of the pain you are experiencing.
Stability
When it comes to stability shoes, you will often see that the arch is created from a harder material. This is usually a hard foam that still has a little bit of give to it. If you are a runner and seeing that your arch is collapsing, you can get a shoe that will provide a harder arch and thus give you more stability while standing or doing what you love to do. Stability shoes are also the answer for overpronation because they do not let your foot move around as much. Flat feet runners can get a lot more efficient stride if they try out stability footwear.
Motion Control
Finally we have motion control shoes. These are similar to stability shoes but instead of providing stability while you are walking or running, motion control shoes try to get your stride perfectly so that when you do land on the ground, you are in the correct position. These often times have different soles in them that will put your foot in the correct position. When your foot hits the ground and they are in the correct position, any issue you are having with overpronation is going to be fixed. This is particularly helpful for runners with flat feet because they are constant overpronaters. If you do not have a pronation problem, I would probably not go with motion control shoes. That being said, some of them do have gel padding on the inside which feels fantastic so I would for sure check them out!
Remember to know what features you are looking for. Over pronation is a real issue but so is flat feet. These two problems tend to go hand in hand and it is essential that you have proper support for your feet as well as a strong sturdy arch support.
Final Considerations for Choosing Your Perfect Shoe
If you are still confused exactly what you need, here are some ideas of what you can do to pick out a shoe that will fit your foot.
First, go to the doctor. I like to recommend going to a podiatrist. These are doctors that deal with foot and ankle problems. They will check you out and recommend the best flat foot shoes you should be looking at.
Second is that you want to read the reviews of the running shoes that i have listed above. People who review these products on Amazon.com have actually purchased these flat foot running shoes and can give some insight on how they have worked for them. Remember that these reviews are personal, but you can read them and spot trends.
You also want to look at a lot of different products before you make your purchase. Compare them and notice the differences!
Do any of your friends have flat foot problems? If so, ask them what kind of shoes they are wearing and how it has helped them.
Running shoes for flat feet are not going to be cheap. They are probably going to cost you a good amount of money but i think that it is good to invest into your health so you do not get a more serious condition in the future. If you are really tight on money, you may want to look into an insole for flat feet.
Wrapping It Up
This has been a long guide and I hope that you have gotten some information to allow you to pick the best running shoes for flat feet. Remember, it is extremely important that you get something that fits well and fits your issues. Great running shoes can also be comfortable and stylish.
Flat feet suck, I know! However, having a flat foot will not deter you from your dreams if you know what kind of shoe to purchase. Just remember to look around, compare prices and looks, and chose a flat foot running shoe carefully. Look at the material they are made out of, how much stability they give, if they are motion control shoes, and what kind of arch supports they have. Get some awesome sneakers and be healthy! Best of luck on your running adventures.
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