Best Walking Shoes for Flat Feet

If you’re in a hurry and just want to find out what the best walking shoes for flat feet are, then we recommend the Brooks Men’s Addiction Walker Walking Shoe as the best pair for men and the Skechers Women Go Walk Joy Walking Shoe as the best pair for women

Do you have flat feet? You’re certainly not alone—experts estimated that roughly 8 percent of adults in the U.S have this condition. That’s about 18 million people aged 21 years and up. 

With fallen arches, supportive shoes can help to reduce symptoms and improve your walk. This is why I’m reviewing the five best walking shoes for flat feet. 

Here are the five best shoes for flat feet:

• Skechers Women’s Go Walk Joy Walking Shoe
• Brooks Men’s Addiction Walker Walking Shoes
• Orthofeet Proven Foot and Heel Pain Relief
• New Balance Men’s Suede 928v3
• Ryka Women’s Devotion Plus 2 Walking Shoe

Advantages of Shoes for Flat Feet

Flat feet or fallen arches is when the tendons that attach at the heel and foot bones don’t pull enough to create an arch. In ‘normal’ instances, the tendons pull together just right, forming a moderate arch at the inside of each foot. This process takes place through childhood, and some don’t develop an arch until late teens/early adulthood.  

While flat feet aren’t considered a disability—it’s even allowed in the military now—some people do experience painful symptoms. Your feet may feel achy or overly tired at the end of your day. It may even hinder you from participating in sports, and the pain can radiate up through your ankles. 

Wearing proper footwear with arch support can compensate for your fallen arches, and instead, reduce bothersome symptoms. They may even help to improve overpronation, which in turn, betters your walk. 

Of course, if you don’t want to invest in new shoes, you could look into special insoles with added arch support. 

Choosing the Best Walking Shoes for Flat Feet

If you’re deep into your research, you may have noticed that not all shoes include the needed features to support flat feet. To fully reap the most benefits, there are some crucial components to include in your search. Here’s an overlook:

1. Arch Support

Any good shoe includes some arch support. However, flat feet tend to be more vulnerable to rough ground or awkward angles. Having an additional layer of molded padding can make it much easier to walk for extended periods. 

With flat feet, it’s best to look for padding that feels springy yet firm, without having a huge bump. In fact, you want something that’s a little flatter—otherwise, it’s likely to press on your foot, leading to further discomfort. 

2. Width

Flat feet tend to require wider footwear than normal, which can cause issues when searching for shoes. Still, it’s crucial that you don’t try to press your feet into narrow footwear, as this can aggravate symptoms. There are plenty of stylish options that offer wide sizes, like the Brooks Addiction Walker.

3. Type

Walking shoes generally come in two variations—slip-ons and lace-ups. Both types offer support features, and it really depends on personal preference. 

Some people find slip-ons better since it’s usually easier placing customized orthotics inside. On the contrary, lace-up footwear allows you to customize the fit around your feet, to a certain degree. 

4. Weight

Wearing heavy shoes, although may not feel like much, can add extra pressure on your feet. In turn, it could result in avoidable aches and tiredness in the feet. Fortunately, manufactures are starting to create lightweight padding and support, so you don’t have to compromise. 

Best Way to Lace-up Shoes for Flat Feet

Although it differs between individuals, some find that tying their shoelaces a specific way betters their symptoms. There are a few techniques you can try, but I’ve found one that seems to do the best for a variety of feet. Here’s how you do it:

• Begin from the bottom eyelet—tie together the first pair of eyelets and then cross over the shoelaces. Continue this down through the second set. 
• When you reach the third set, lace them up as usual without crossing them. Pull them through the fourth set of eyelets and cross them over. 
• Repeat the pattern through all the eyelets in your shoe. 

Be careful not to pull the laces too tight—you want to keep enough space for your feet. You may have to leave the two top pairs of eyelets if you have swollen feet. Be prepared that it’ll probably take some trial and error before you find the perfect fit for you. If you suffer from flat feet and are looking for the best cross training shoes for flat feet then click here. Otherwise keep reading for the top 5 best walking shoes for flat feet.

The Five Best Walking Shoes for Flat Feet

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with the vast selection of shoes for flat feet. Using the criteria above, I’ve hopefully made the process a little easier for you.

1. Skechers Women’s Go Walk Joy Walking Shoe

Skechers make some of the best walking shoes for women with flat feet. This is a well-known brand, famous for its comfortable footwear, and the women’s Go Walk Joy walking shoe features a string of innovative technologies to improve your walking experience.

For starters, it has the 5GEN midsole design, a comprehensive cushioning that responds to your feet for optimal comfort. In addition to this, Skechers includes a Goga Max insole for added support. In all, the shoe offers 1.5 inches of cushioning. 

The exterior consists of an almost one-piece athletic woven mesh upper. The material expands naturally according to your feet as you walk while preserving support. It’s also breathable, keeping you comfortable even when the weather gets warm.

Inside, there’s a lightweight sock liner, adapting to your feet while you walk. Around your ankles, you have a padded collar, making the slip-on design quick and easy to slip into. 

Due to the airy materials, the shoe is considerably light. It weighs about 5 ounces per shoe, according to a women’s size 7. You also have a variety of colors to choose from. 

Sizes are available from women’s 5 to 13 wide. 

Pros

• 1.5-inch of cushioning. 
• Supportive sole, suitable for flat feet, plantar fasciitis, among others.
• Almost a one-piece upper, made from breathable mesh fabric.
• Materials adjust to your feet with wear.
• Lightweight.
• Several color options available.

Cons

• Because of the stretchy materials, beware that they do get wider with wear. Avoid buying one size up. 

2. Brooks Men’s Addiction Walker Walking Shoes

One of the best walking shoes for men with flat feet is the Addiction Walker by Brooks. It features BioMoGo DNA, which is an innovative technology, enabling the shoe to adapt to your stride, speed and weight. It works to improve the comfort of every step.

Because flat feet can impair your walk, this option has a specialized outsole and a forefoot MC Pod construction. This combo makes it slip-resistant and offers a secure fit, placing your feet in a balanced, efficient and stable position.   

To further support, Brooks includes its Extended Progressive Diagonal Rollbar. This works to strategically support your arch, providing a guide for them to preserve your body’s natural path of motion. 

The shoe itself is constructed with a 100% full-grain leather upper, which excels both in appearance and durability. It has a casual look and is available in three colors, suitable for any avid walker.

The Addiction Walker comes in sizes ranging between men’s 7 wide to 15 wide.

Pros

• BioMoGo DNA technology allows the cushioning to adapt specifically to you.
• Sole and outsole combo works to improve your walk.
• Strategically placed arch support.
• Full-grain leather upper.

Cons

• Rubber outsole may separate from the upper rather quickly.

3. Orthofeet Proven Foot and Heel Pain Relief

Orthofeet rarely disappoints when it comes to supporting various feet ailments, and this option is no different. The shoe caters to conditions such as plantar fasciitis, heel pain, general foot pain and flat feet. 

This option includes a lightweight, ergonomic sole, finished with air-cushioning features. Besides that, you have premium orthotic insoles with anatomical arch support and several layers of additional cushioning. 

The shoes have a knitted upper, which also stretches according to your feet. It’s a seamless makeup that reduces the chances of irritation and makes it soft and pliable. For the interior, it includes a fabric lining and extra foam padding for superior support. 

It has an extra deep instep and removable insoles. So, if you require special orthotics, you can easily replace them.

Orthofeet offers sizes with extended widths, suggesting it’s also a solid option if you have a condition causing swollen feet, like diabetes. Sizes are also available in medium and wide, suitable for different feet. 

Sizes are available from a men’s 7 to a 14 x-wide.

Pros

• Offers support for several conditions.
• Knitted upper fabric with seamless finishes.
• Includes a comfortable fabric lining and foam padding.
• Extra-wide sizes are available. 
• Removable insoles.

Cons

• Outsole may be too stiff for some.
• Sizes tend to run large.

4. New Balance Men’s Suede 928v3

Another excellent example of a men’s shoe for flat feet is the Suede 928v3 from New Balance. This brand is already famous for its quality sports footwear and reasonable prices, so I had to include a representative. 

The New Balance 928v3 is a third-generation shoe, available for both men and women. It’s a casual walking shoe, finished with a suede upper, of which you can pick between six colors. 

What makes this option attractive for flat feet is the ABZORB midsole. It offers support throughout the feet with extra focus on the arches. Additionally, it effectively absorbs shocks, providing a high level of cushioning, making them considerably more comfortable.

In the heel area, New Balance includes ROLLBAR technology, which helps prevent your feet from rolling inward excessively. Without it, you could end up with nasty ankle turns if your feet overpronate.

Another good-to-have technology is the Walking Strike Path—a special outsole feature, working to stabilize your feet through your natural gait cycle.

The shoe is available in sizes ranging from a men’s 7 to a 16 3-x-wide. All sizes have width options. 

Pros

• ABZORB midsole for cushioning and arch support.
• ROLLBAR technology that prevents inward rolling of the feet.
• Walking Strike Path to stabilize your natural gait cycle.
• Easy-to-remove PU footbed.

Cons

• Tongue of the shoe could be longer.
• Shaft is slightly shorter than previous versions. 

5. Ryka Women’s Devotion Plus 2 Walking Shoe

Ryka is renowned for producing solid women’s shoes. The Devotion Plus 2 walking shoe for women is an upgraded version of the previous award-winning Devotion. 

It’s a comprehensive design, featuring a blend of mesh and synthetic fabric with a four-way gradient print. It’s an intriguing design, available in 20 fresh color combos. 

What makes this shoe a great choice for women with flat feet is the basic makeup. Ryka designed it specifically to suit female feet, with added support integrated into a network of technologies. 

It comes with the Re-Zorb active foam midsole and an eight-piece radiused skeletal outsole. These work together to absorb impact while you walk and support feet. In addition to this, you have a full-length internal insert.

The instep isn’t too bad, either. Ryka constructed it with a lycra-lined tongue and a padded collar that works to stabilize and support your feet and ankles. 

Sizes are available in both wide and regular and range from a women’s 5 to a 12 wide.

Pros

• Plenty of fresh, fashionable colors available to choose from.
• Specifically designed to suit women.
• Shock-absorbing midsole and support system. 
• Comfortable lycra-lined tongue and padded collar.

Cons

• Outsoles are rather soft, which can make them susceptible to early wear when used on asphalt.
• Colors aren’t as vibrant as displayed in the photos.
• Lack of lateral (side-to-side) support. 

My Takeaway

Fallen arches can be a bothersome condition, but it shouldn’t hold you back. Investing in the best shoes for flat feet can reduce painful symptoms and enable you to get out and walk further. 

My winner for today is the Skechers Women’s Go Walk Joy Walking Shoe. The slip-on design is effortless to use, and the thick cushioning offers support for various conditions, including flat feet.  For the men though the clear winner is the Brooks Men’s Addiction Walker though.

The arch support isn’t excessive, which is ideal for most, and it features padding throughout. What sets it apart is the adaptable materials that expand according to your feet. In all, it’s a sporty shoe, suitable for any avid walker.