13 Finest Strolling Footwear for Flat Ft | 2025 Picks
Having flat ft doesn’t imply you’re destined for a lifetime of discomfort. With the correct footwear, you may reliably stroll all day lengthy, run all of your errands, or do something you’d like for hours on finish with out feeling that tell-tale ache in your arches, heels, or elsewhere.
The important thing to discovering the perfect strolling footwear for flat ft is to search for pairs with good (however not an excessive amount of) arch help, a secure design, and a few flexibility—sufficient that it bends, however doesn’t fold in half. Under, specialists in podiatry and bodily remedy share their finest suggestions for looking for flat foot-friendly strolling footwear, plus choices which might be simply begging to be worn in your every day walks.
Our prime picks
- Finest Total: Hoka Arahi 7, $145
- Runner-Up: Kuru Atom, $159
- Finest Funds Decide: Ryka Devotion X, $110
- Finest for Most Cushioning: Hoka Gaviota 5, $175
- Finest for Plantar Fasciitis: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24, $140
- Finest for Extensive Ft: New Stability 1540 V4, $180
- Finest for Standing All Day: Asics GT-1000 13, $110
- Finest for Strolling Lengthy Distances: Eager WK500, $135
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You’ll most likely have to attempt on a couple of pairs to find out what feels finest on your ft. However you will get a leg (or foot) up in your search by beginning with this listing. Our picks embrace expert-recommended manufacturers like Hoka and Chaco, in addition to SELF editor–examined and –authorized choices.
Finest Total: Hoka Arahi 7
Each Dr. Gremillion and Dr. Piekarska suggest Hoka sneakers—the latter describes them as “secure but snug”—and most of the model’s footwear have gained a seal of acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Affiliation (APMA) for his or her foot-friendly designs.
The Arahi 7 is an effective choice for flat ft as a result of it’s designed to forestall overpronation (a.okay.a when your ft and ankles roll inward as you stroll, a standard downside for individuals with low arches), which might result in heel ache, in response to Dr. Piekarska. We additionally like this type for runners with flat ft, particularly in case your ft are on the slender aspect.
“I really like sporting my Arahi 7s after I’m in a way of thinking to get stuff achieved. They’re definitely snug and cushioned, however with a stack that’s rather less voluminous and extra responsive than different Hoka fashions. I really feel a extra grounded and prepared roll,” says one SELF tester. “Not able to roll, although, are my arches, that are held firmly in place on this stability shoe.”
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium and extensive | Heel-to-toe drop: 5 millimeters | Weight: 8.10 ounces
Runner-Up: Kuru Atom
Kuru’s best-selling Atom sneaker includes a deep heel cup that hugs the again of your foot and a curved, contoured arch for further help the place you want it most. Our tester was impressed by how agency (but snug) the arch was, noting that it felt nice on lengthy walks on laborious pavement, with one caveat: “It seems like its placement is just a little too far again within the shoe—the higher finish of my arch didn’t get fairly the identical quantity of help as the remainder of it.”
For all its sturdiness, the Atom saved our tester’s ft cool and contemporary after lengthy durations of wear and tear, because of its breathable mesh higher. It’s considerably missing in padding, particularly within the forefoot, which is why it falls in need of our prime decide. But when construction takes precedence over cushioning for you, the Atom may very effectively be your private finest general.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium and extensive | Heel-to-toe drop: 8 millimeters | Weight: 10.6 ounces
Finest Funds Decide: Ryka Devotion X
Ryka’s best-selling (and AMPA-approved) Devotion X reveals you don’t must shell out for the fanciest pair of strolling footwear available on the market to get good arch help. Its insole has a built-in arch, and its midsole supplies further construction across the center of the foot. As a fitness-walking-specific shoe, it additionally doesn’t skimp on consolation: There’s further padding within the forefoot and heel to assist take in the impression of your steps, and the mesh higher helps hold your ft cool on hotter days.
Sizes: US 6 to 12 | Widths: Medium and extensive | Heel-to-toe drop: 10 millimeters | Weight: 10.75 ounces
Finest for Most Cushioning: Hoka Gaviota 5
One other extremely supportive and APMA-approved choice from Hoka is the Gaviota 5. With extra cushioning than the Arahi, it’s akin to the 2023 SELF Sneaker Award–profitable Hoka Bondi—however with a concentrate on stability over plushness, for folk with flat ft who nonetheless love a extremely cushioned shoe. The Gaviota’s H-Body design gently retains your foot within the right alignment—a win for overpronators.
This newest model of the Gaviota improves on earlier fashions with a barely wider match, elevated airflow by the higher, and a fair softer really feel. Between its plush padding and straightforward breathability, the Gaviota will hold a spring in your step, even on lengthy days spent operating throughout city.
“As somebody who overpronates, I can verify that the Gaviotas are extremely stabilizing whereas additionally offering that walking-on-a-cloud really feel I search for in a Hoka,” one SELF tester says. “I additionally like how breathable they’re and the roominess of the toe field—no foot sweat or toe claustrophobia over right here.”
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium and extensive | Heel-to-toe drop: 6 millimeters | Weight: 9.10 ounces
Finest for Plantar Fasciitis: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24
Nicholas Japs, DPT, a bodily therapist at St. Vincent’s Medical Heart in Bridgeport, Connecticut, beforehand advisable the Brooks Adrenaline GTS for individuals who take care of plantar fasciitis. It has a bigger heel-to-toe drop than different footwear on our listing, which helps take extra strain off your heel and can (hopefully) relieve a number of the ache that comes with the situation.
Past that, it’s a really well-cushioned, supportive sneaker, with two items of agency foam on both aspect to assist hold your foot aligned when you’re on the transfer. One SELF staffer considers the Adrenaline her “workhorse” sneaker, explaining that she wears her pair for all the pieces however velocity coaching: “I overpronate whereas I run, and these give me the help I wanted to construct up my mileage pain-free.”
Sizes: US 5 to 13 | Widths: Slim, medium, extensive, and further extensive | Heel-to-toe drop: 12 millimeters | Weight: 8.8 ounces
Finest for Extensive Ft: New Stability 1540 v4
For those who’re able to embrace the dad shoe pattern (which is basically simply an excuse to put on tremendous cozy strolling footwear), New Stability is a good model to browse. Designed to supply most construction, consolation, and movement management (to forestall rolling), the 1540 V4 can assist hold flat ft completely satisfied—all whereas assembly your normcore aspirations.
Bonus: It is available in three widths, so for those who usually wrestle to discover a shoe with sufficient room within the toe field, we extremely suggest giving this one a attempt.
Sizes: US 6 to 13 | Widths: Customary, extensive, x-wide | Heel-to-toe drop: 4 millimeters | Weight: N/A
Finest for Standing All Day: Asics GT-1000 13
A earlier iteration of the GT-1000 gained a Sneaker Award final yr, wowing our tester with how cozy it felt—even for hours at a time. “These are very mild, breathable, and springy, and mildew to your foot effortlessly. My finicky arches cherished them,” they mentioned. The GT-1000 13 is much more structured, because of some new stability options within the midsole.
This pair of sneaks is good for standing all day: As SELF has beforehand reported, it’s essential on your footwear to supply sufficient help (often within the type of sturdy, stiff insoles) for those who’re going to be in your ft for lengthy durations of time. Whether or not you’re headed to a live performance or working a protracted shift, the GT-1000 13 will assist forestall foot fatigue and ache.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Heel-to-toe drop: 8 millimeters | Weight: 8.30 ounces
Finest for Strolling Lengthy Distances: Eager WK500
Eager’s WK500s have a curved sole, which is extra frequent in trainers and offers these strolling footwear a particular, rocker-like form. The impact? Fixed motion. One SELF staffer, who logged severe steps sporting the earlier version (the WK400s) over a number of years, particularly appreciated the curved sole whereas she was speeding to deal with a number of errands round her neighborhood.
“I’m a reasonably quick walker as it’s, however I really feel like I’ve tiny jetpacks strapped to my ft after I put on these footwear,” she says. “When you begin shifting, they actually assist you to construct up and preserve your momentum.” The up to date WK500 weighs practically two ounces much less, which provides to that light-on-your-feet feeling.
Sizes: 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Heel-to-toe drop: 11 millimeters | Weight: 8.96 ounces
Finest for Strolling and Operating: Nike Construction 25
Alicia Canzanese, DPM, ATC, a board-certified podiatrist, athletic coach, and former collegiate observe athlete, beforehand advisable the Nike Construction to SELF, noting that it’s a light-weight and supportive stability shoe (that means it’s designed with help by the arch to forestall pronation). That’s a uncommon combo to return by, and it’s the primary purpose why this sneaker is nice for strolling and operating—it’ll really feel sturdy when you stroll, however gained’t weigh you down while you decide up the tempo.
