Best Running Shoes for High Arches

If you’re in a hurry and just want to find out what the best running shoes for high arches are, then I recommend the Brooks Women’s Dyad 10 Shoes for women and the Brooks Men’s Ghost 12 Running Shoe for men.

If you’re an active runner, like I am in my head, it’s critical to wear footwear that protects you from injuries. Though if you have high arches, you’ll require shoes that help eliminate any pain on the ball and arch of the foot, plus help to prevent an increase of shin splints.

To help ease the burden, I’ve searched wide and far for the best running shoes for high arches to maximize your performance and aid comfort.

Here are the best running shoes for high arches:

• Brooks Women’s Dyad 10 Shoes
• ASICS Women’s Gel-Cumulus 20 Running Shoes
• Brooks Men’s Ghost 12 Running Shoe
• Salomon Women’s X-Mission 3 Trail Running Shoes
• HOKA ONE Women’s Clifton 6 Running Shoes

Why Are Running Shoes Important?

Running shoes are designed for lateral movement. Your heel raises higher off the ground than when walking or doing gym workouts, so you’re at a higher chance of ankle injuries. This type of footwear keeps the ankle stable and prevents twists.

They also offer extra cushioning to decrease your chances of joint injury and support your feet as you land. Without this cushioning, you could endure plantar fasciitis or shin splints. 

Running shoes also feature shock absorption. This protects your joints from hard impacts as you pound the pavement. They limit your chances of injuries and painful feet.

Finally, buying the right pair of shoes for you prevents any foot malfunctions. Wearing the wrong size for your feet can actually adjust how your feet naturally align, causing your toes to cramp together. 

Signs You’re Wearing the Wrong Running Shoes

If you currently own running shoes and are experiencing some unfortunate signs, you may be wearing the wrong size, design or shape for your feet. 

Aching Arches

Do you notice that your feet ache around the arches after use? This pain is caused by your muscles working hard to keep your shoes in a comfortable position or from falling off. Experiencing this pain regularly can cause the tendons to become inflamed.

Blisters or Corns

These aren’t pretty! Blisters aren’t just a sign of over-exercising but of incorrect footwear, too. This is an indication that the shoes are too narrow and are rubbing against your feet as you move. Opt for a wider fit or larger size.

Bruised Toes

This is another common sign of ill-fitting running shoes. If your toes are rubbing against the top of your shoes, you need a larger size.

Another sign of tight shoes is if your toenails become brittle or chipped after running.

Important Features to Consider in Running Shoes

Before I share the best running shoes for high arches, here are some top features to consider throughout your search. I also referred to this criterion when sifting through the best selections online.

Shock Absorption

Running shoes need to compensate for the lack of shock absorption in the feet. This involves having a high level of cushioning around the midsole to reduce any impact when you place your foot back down to the ground.

Lightweight

Your running shoes should be lightweight to help you run farther and faster. Any footwear that requires effort to lift your foot will hold you back.

Breathability

Although you require support for your high arches, you’ll also need breathable shoes for running. Look for a mesh upper and mesh panels along the sides of the shoes to allow hot air to escape. This prevents odour from forming and prevents moisture from damaging the inside of the shoes.

Support and Stability 

Another essential criterion is a middle-to-high height to prevent the ankles from twisting. If you have high arches, your feet are prone to supinating, which can put pressure on your joints. Avoid purchasing low-top shoes with no ankle support.

Cushioning

For those with high arches, you’ll require additional cushioning compared to people with low or neutral arches. Look for running shoes with layers of foam or gel around the midsole that supports your arches. This also provides relief if you experience painful feet.

The Best Running Shoes for High Arches

OK, here’s the list you’ve been gagging for. These are specifically designed to support feet with high arches and offer supreme comfort, too. 

1. Brooks Women’s Dyad 10 Shoes

Brooks designed these shoes with softness, so they don’t feel stiff to wear, but they’re also durable with a rubber outsole. The shoes have a high-energizing cushioning around the midsole that’s specifically designed for high arches. This feature absorbs any impact from pounding against the pavement.

These shoes are the only ones on the list to offer a wide and extra-wide fit, helping you to find the perfect design for your feet. You can also customize the shoe to your liking, thanks to the removable foam insole. This also improves hygiene by allowing you to remove and place in the washing machine.

The seamless upper is flexible and breathable, adding to further comfort. It’s also the lightest shoe on the list—weighing around 1.6 pounds combined.

The shoes are available in sizes 6 to 12.

Pros

• Plenty of cushioning for support.
• Breathable fabric lining inside.
• Three styles to choose from.

Cons

• Upper is made of synthetic and not just mesh.
• Limited ankle support.

2. Asics Women’s Gel-Cumulus 20 Running Shoes

ASICS designed these running shoes with FlyteFoam Propel Technology. It’s a lightweight cushioning that adds a spring to your step while supporting high arches. This feature cushions your midsoles as you run to absorb the impact of each bounce. As a result, you can travel farther and on a variety of terrain.

The shoes are lightweight at 2 pounds, contributing to keeping your feet moving. They’re also designed with a rubber outsole—the soles are durable and suitable for those who hit the roads every day.  

To further aid comfort, these women’s running shoes feature a mesh upper. This makes the shoes breathable, so your feet feel fresh, and the footwear remains long-lasting, too. As mesh is a flexible material, it allows you to adjust the shoes to fit the shape of your feet.

This footwear is available in sizes 5 to 12, with the option of a wide fit.

Pros

• Reflective materials to improve night visibility.
• Available in a range of colors.
• Includes a sock liner to prevent blisters.

Cons

• Some reported the shoes are too narrow.
• Stiffer than some other brands.

3. Brooks Men’s Ghost 12 Running Shoe

These running shoes don’t require time to break-in, allowing you to hit the pavements from the first wear. They use a cushioning technology throughout the midsole to reduce supination—a common issue of those with high arches.

The rubber outsole makes the shoes long-lasting and even suitable for wear when it’s raining. Though if you plan on starting your running journey with these shoes, you can. They’re fitted with shock absorbers that cushion each stride—even if you’re heavy-footed or prone to running with poor technique. These shock absorbers also protect high arches to avoid injuries.

Along the upper is a mesh material, which keeps the shoes breathable and comfortable—preventing odour and improving the fit. Again, weighing 2 pounds, the shoes are lightweight and great for keeping you on your toes. 

The shoes are available in sizes 7 to 15, including wide-fit options.

Pros

• Prevents runners from going over on the outside of their feet.
• Variety of colors.
• Uses expert BioMoGo DNA and DNA LOFT cushioning.

Cons

• Expensive.
• Sizes run narrow at the midfoot.

4. Salomon Women’s X-Mission 3 Trail Running Shoes

Salomon designed these running shoes with a 10mm heel-to-toe drop, making them suitable for all types of surfaces, including wet and muddy terrain. The 3D mesh material on the upper allows air built inside to escape but also remains soft against the skin if you wear ankle socks.

The most impressive feature is the EnergyCell midsole, which uses foam to absorb any shocks or impact. This is targeted to those who tend to land on their heel by protecting your joints, allowing you to run longer without any injuries. 

With multidirectional lugs, the shoes are designed for long-distance runs and will last for many years. This feature enables you to tackle rocky surfaces without feeling any discomfort, while also allowing mud to fly off easily.

Pros

• Quicklace system.
• Inner lining supports high arches.
• Snug and comfortable fit.

Cons

• The tongue can sometimes move as you run.
• Colors in person look different from pictures online.

5. Hoka One Women’s Clifton 6 Running Shoes

These running shoes are filled with tons of cushioning but still have a lightweight and compact design. This immense cushioning provides a soft landing for those with high arches, as well as offering lots of support in all the right places.

Another great benefit is the ankle support. If you suffer from weak ankles, these running shoes keep them stable and prevent any twists and turns.

There’s lots of support around the heel, too, which helps to add a bounce to your step and get you off the ground quickly. The full compression midsole provides plenty of support. However, some customers report that it lacks responsiveness compared to the HOKA ONE 5 shoes.

The shoes are available in sizes 5 to 11, including wide-fit options.

Pros

• Also helps with tarsal tunnel syndrome.
• Great for short-distance, fast runs.
• Makes you stand taller.

Cons

• Not as many lugs as other running shoes.
• Not suitable for long runs.

The Winning Shoes

All of the above shoes are designed with support and comfort in mind. Though, I declare Brooks Women’s Dyad 10 Shoes the winner. They’re lightweight, which helps to eliminate any excess weight while you run, and there’s also plenty of cushioning to support your midsole.

Alternatively, if you’re on a budget, I recommend the ASICS Women’s Gel-Cumulus 20 Running Shoes. They have a soft platform for comfort and an energetic foam formulation for a supreme bounce that helps you spring off the ground quicker.

For the dudes out there, the Brooks Men’s Ghost 12 Running Shoe can’t be overlooked. I really like that it’s designed to prevent ankle-rolling. Also, the support from the cushioning technology is well-suited to you if you have high arches.