Best Work Shoes for Flat Feet 

If you’re in a hurry and just want to find out what the best work shoes for flat feet are, I’ve chosen the Dansko Men’s Wyatt Loafer as the top choice for men and the Dansko Women’s Loralie Wedge for women. 

Even so, for those of us who have flatter feet than others, finding the best work shoes for flat feet can be a bit of a nightmare. Nothing ruins a good day like wearing the wrong shoes! 

You may find that your footwear doesn’t do a great job of supporting your feet. They may cause you more pain than comfort. Wearing the wrong shoes can cause sore toes, soles and legs and make your days more miserable than they need to be. 

Considering most of us work for eight or more hours a day, your work shoes are most likely the ones you wear the most. If you’re looking for more comfy, healthy shoes for your flat feet, this is where you should begin! 

Here are my picks for the best work shoes for flat feet:

• Dansko Men’s Wyatt Loafer 
• Wolverine Men’s SR Direct-Attach 6″ Work Boot 
• Dansko Women’s Loralie Wedge 
• Skechers Women’s Go Walk Lite-15433 Boat Shoe 
• Skechers Men’s Flex Advantage Sr 

How Do I Know If I Have Flat Feet? 

It’s usually pretty easy to see if you have flat feet. The arch on the inside of the foot is almost non-existent, and most of the bottom of your foot touches the ground when you stand. 

It can be something that develops over time, but there’s also a genetic factor. If one of your parents is flat-footed, there’s a high chance that you may be, too! 

The Difference Between Normal Shoes and Shoes for Flat Feet 

Choosing a shoe specifically for flatter feet may be the best thing you ever do for your arches. 

Although most shoes provide decent arch support for already-arched feet, a shoe for flat-footed wearers will need to provide even sturdier and comfier support. Your footwear will need to almost mold your feet into the shape of a normal arch to prevent the development of issues that can arise with flat feet. 

Shoes for the flat-footed also tend to be wider than usual. This is because the lack of an arch makes the foot fall inwards a little, so more of the foot ends up on the ground—or, on the bottom of your shoe. 

You can choose a pair of regular shoes and just add insoles. But there’s nothing like finding a pair that fits you perfectly and comfortably and takes the pressure off your feet!

What Should I Look For in a Pair of Work Shoes? 

If you’re on your feet most of your workday, don’t make the same mistake I did and choose any old pair of shoes. 

After a couple of hours on my feet, I had to admit defeat. I had no choice but to spend my lunch break massaging my aching feet and dreading putting my fancy boots back on. 

Considering foot pain related to shoes is a thing no matter how much of an arch you have, it should be even more important for those with flatter arches to be careful what footwear we choose. 

Some factors can make a huge difference in the comfort of your arches: 

• Cushioning. 
• Arch and heel support. 
• Rigidity. 
• Width. 
• Style. 
• Quality. 

Cushioning 

There’s no use having a stylish shoe if it feels like you’re walking on concrete. Cushioning is essential to your comfort. It helps balance weight distribution and absorbs shock, making it much easier on your soles, arches and ankles. 

Some cushioning is removable—insoles—which is great because these can be replaced if they get a bit worn out. Often, the cushion wears out before the exterior, and nobody wants to throw away a still-good pair of shoes because the inners are hurting you! 

Arch and Heel Support 

Because the arch tends to be the main problem, having great, comfortable support for your foot arches is imperative. The idea behind this is to keep your feet in a fairly “normal” arch position so that you don’t end up compensating and developing issues as a result of your lower arches. 

Heel support is just as important because if your heel isn’t firm and sturdy, your foot could be flopping around in the shoe and negating the arch support and cushioning. A moderate heel on a shoe is best for keeping your foot in the right position—no stilettos, ladies (or guys)! 

Rigidity 

A firm, tough shoe is also more important than you might realize. If your sole is bending while you’re walking, it’s just opening you up to the potential for pain and injury. 

Width 

Flat-footers tend to need wider shoes than usual, which can make it hard to find a pair that’s the right size in both length and width. 

This is an aspect that you can’t neglect. Choosing something that feels slightly tight but you think you’ll be okay is never a good idea! You’ll have to stand in these shoes every day for extended periods, so making sure you get an appropriate width for your foot is crucial. 

Style and Quality 

Of course, you can’t just wear any old type of shoe to work. If you work in a corporate environment, you’ll need to go for something smarter. If you’re often on-site, something more rugged will be necessary. 

You’ll also need to make sure that what you choose is of good enough quality that they aren’t going to fall apart after a couple of months of constant use. 

The Best Work Shoes for Flat Feet 

To ease your painful heels and toes, I present to you the five best work shoes for flat feet. I’ve made sure to cover men and women, smart and casual, corporate or outdoor. 

1. Dansko Men’s Wyatt Loafer 

For the flat-footers who need to wear a smart shoe to work, it can be tough to find one that’s both stylish and comfortable. 

Enter the Dansko Wyatt Loafer. 

It has a rugged leather finish available in two colors, and the comfort factor is perfect for those who need something for extra support. 

The insole is removable and can allow for a personal orthotic. This is super if you really struggle to find shoes for your feet, as they can be pretty much customized inside to fit you. 

One thing I love about this shoe is that it eliminates sweaty feet and weird odors. The Wyatt has an anti-microbial and anti-odor sock liner that keeps the feet dry and clean, which is bound to make everyone else’s office experience better, too. 

These smart work shoes range from size 7.5 to 15. 

Pros: 

• Removable insert to allow the addition of a personal orthotic. 
• Anti-microbial and anti-odor lining. 
• Lace-up style allows for tightness control. 
• Classic, smart work look and feel. 

Cons: 

• The laces don’t last nearly as long as the shoes. 
• You may need to measure for width as well as length.

2. Wolverine Men’s SR Direct-Attach 6″ Work Boot 

Any work boot named after an X-Men character is bound to be hardcore. 

These are made of 100 percent leather, contain shock-absorbing pressure pads, and feature a fully removable cushion, so you can use your own if you’d prefer. 

If you spend your days on-site, this tough pair should see you through without a slip, twinge or ache. 

They aren’t waterproof, but a waterproof spray can fix that. You can find other models with a steel toe if you’re likely to be kicking things, uh, stubbing your toe on site. 

Sizing runs from a 6 to a 15, in both regular and wide. 

Pros: 

• 100 percent leather. 
• Moisture-managing mesh linings. 
• Fully cushioned removable footbed. 
• Shock-absorbing “Durashock” pressure pads in outsoles. 

Cons: 

• No color variations. 
• Not waterproof. 

3. Dansko Women’s Loralie Wedge 

Ladies, if your flat feet prevent you wearing those serious heels, but you dislike flat shoes, these pumps could be the perfect thing for you. 

The wedge heel is slightly elevated but not enough to aggravate your arches. Also, the leather design comes in five different finishes, so you could have a color for every outfit. 

Additionally, the heel is thick enough to provide a solid platform and doesn’t allow for much wobble. This, in addition to the TPU arch support and removable foot cushion, makes it a sturdy, safe, and comfortable option for extended use. 

They cover women of all sizes, from 4.5 to 13. 

Pros: 

• Comes in various colors. 
• Wedge heel for stability. 
• TPU arch support. 
• Removable memory foam cushion. 

Cons: 

• The toe may be slightly small in relation to the rest of the shoe. 

4. Skechers Women’s Go Walk Lite-15433 Boat Shoe 

For women who work in a chilled environment and want something casual but super comfy, this offering from Skechers will fulfill both those needs. 

Your feet will enjoy spending time in these soft textile shoes. They’re lightweight and have 5Gen cushioning to keep you comfortable all day long. 

The insole may not be removable, but these are comfy, stylish and affordable enough that your feet should adapt quickly and easily. 

They’re available in various colors and in sizes 5 to 12. 

Pros: 

• Casual and stylish while being comfortable. 
• Lightweight and well-fitted with a synthetic sole. 
• Goga Max high-rebound insoles. 
• Soft fabric lining for extra comfort. 

Cons: 

• The insoles aren’t removable. 

5. Skechers Men’s Flex Advantage Sr 

Men who work in more casual settings will enjoy the versatility of the Flex Advantage from Skechers.

They’re a nice mix of sporty and smart, and the memory foam inner and non-slip soles make them comfy and easy to wear for hours on end in the office. Get your work done in style while feeling like you’re out for a run! 

They’re also made of synthetic leather, which makes them pretty hardy for office wear. 

Men from size 7 to 16 will find a great-fitting shoe for them, and they come in regular and wide options. 

Pros: 

• Memory foam inners mold to your feet. 
• Anti-slip soles. 
• Wide options available. 

Cons: 

• Users comment that these aren’t appropriate for on-site work since the toe isn’t steel.
• Some customers were disappointed that the material is synthetic leather rather than real leather.

Final Thoughts 

The best work shoes for flat feet depend on where you work and how much time you spend on your feet each day. 

After plenty of reviews, I’ve chosen the Dansko Men’s Wyatt Loafer as the top choice for men and the Dansko Women’s Loralie Wedge for women. 

They’re smart, professional and comfortable for those who need extra care for flat feet. 

Gone are the days of pushing through pain and discomfort during long days on your feet! Choose a pair of work shoes that will benefit you and keep you comfortable and content during your working days.