The Best Running Shoes for Flat Feet

If you’re shopping for the best running shoes for flat feet, you’re far from alone. “The majority of the population actually have flat arches,“ says Shital Sharma, DPM, CEO and medical director at LuxStep Concierge. In fact, the range of severity for flat feet is so wide that you may not feel any pain, or even know you’re affected at all.

Flat feet can range from “low arch to no arch,” says Bradley Schaeffer, DPM, podiatrist and foot surgeon at Central Park SOLE in New York City, who describes the condition as “when your ankle and your heel collapse in, which in turn collapses the arch and makes the toes go off to the side.” In the most extreme cases, having flat feet means the soles of your feet flatten out completely when you stand up, and it’s common for people with flat feet to also experience Achilles pain and plantar fasciitis.

The Best Running Shoes for Flat Feet, According to GQ

In This Guide

Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum of flat-footedness, the best thing you can do is invest in appropriate footwear, Dr. Schaeffer says. And the sooner, the better—especially if you’re a runner. “Picking the right footwear early on is really important,” says Dr. Sharma. “While [having flat feet] may not necessarily affect your ability to move, or your ability to run, in certain situations the foot can start to become very rigid, or even fixed in that position. And when those patients move, obviously they’ll start to experience some pain.”

So, without further ado, here are the best running shoes for flat feet that you can buy right now.

Best Overall Running Shoes for Flat Feet: Nike Pegasus 41

More than 40 years and just as many iterations since its initial launch, Nike’s iconic Pegasus remains a perennial favorite among devout pavement pounders. For runners with flat feet, this latest model might just be the best yet. For one, it’s the first to feature a full-length ReactX foam midsole, and as someone who has run in over a dozen Pegs, I can tell you it’s an absolute game changer for both comfort and wear. (According to Nike, it also provides 13 percent more energy return than the React foam used in the 40.) Furthermore, a newly engineered mesh upper provides extra freedom in the toe box (and a lighter weight overall) while a stealthy modification to the lacing system adds extra stability in the midfoot.

Best Trail Running Shoes for Flat Feet: Altra Lone Peak 9

The Altra Lone Peak is something of a legend among trail running shoes. As Altra’s flagship trail model—now in its ninth iteration—it symbolizes the pinnacle of the brand’s innovation and has amassed a well-earned cult following over the years. Conveniently, it also happens to be an excellent choice for runners with flat feet, thanks to its wide toe box (Altra’s calling card) and neutral support. Moreover, this latest Lone Peak also features the franchise’s lightest midsole yet, balancing plush cushioning with responsive ground feel—an ideal combination for flat-footed runners looking for a comfy ride without sacrificing connection to the trail.

Best Distance Running Shoes for Flat Feet: Mount to Coast R1

Yet another purpose-built shoe that is not only ideal for flat-footed runners but a gold standard for runners overall, every fiber of the Mount to Coast R1 is designed for distance running. Whether you’re gearing up for your maiden marathon or the infamous JOGLE—a 17-day, 854-mile ultra spanning the length of the United Kingdom—we can’t recommend another shoe more highly. (Fun fact: Last year, ultrarunner Justin Montague beat the JOGLE’s prior record by almost 40 hours wearing a single pair of R1s.) While we love the shoe’s built-in arch support, it’s MTC’s proprietary LightCell midsole—50 percent lighter than EVA foam, with 45 percent more energy return—that steals the show.

Best Beginners’ Running Shoes for Flat Feet: New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v14

New Balance

Fresh Foam X 860

If you’re just stepping into your running era, we recommend the New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v14. Out of all the shoes we tested, this one did the most to keep our feet pointed in the right direction (literally) and encourage proper running form. That’s largely due to subtle but effective medial posting (aka extra support on the inner edge of the heel) that adds a touch of stability where you need it, along with a slight lift under the arch. In terms of cushioning, New Balance’s Fresh Foam X is among our all-time favorites, and the 860 pairs it with a barely there rocker bottom to gently facilitate more fluid turnover. While the toe box isn’t particularly wide, the stretchy upper provides more than enough leeway for your toes to splay.

Best Race-Day Running Shoes for Flat Feet: Saucony Tempus 2

Saucony is more popular than ever, and a lot of that has to do with the work the brand has been putting in on the speed front. Come race day, the Endorphin Speed 4 is what we’re reaching for right now. But if you have flat feet, we’d recommend the Tempus 2. Like the Endorphin, the Tempus is a premium speed shoe, and it shares many of the properties that make the Endorphin great—like Saucony’s PWRRUN PB super foam and a barely there upper to make the shoe as light as possible. Unlike the Endorphin, however, the Tempus has been received with particular acclaim among flat-footed runners due to the addition of medial support designed to keep the foot from overpronating at high speeds.

Best Value Running Shoes for Flat Feet: Asics GT-2000 13

At $140, we’re not implying the GT-2000 13 is a budget option. Rather, it’s a shoe that, based on what it brings to the table, should probably be more expensive. Beneath its modest exterior, the GT-2000 13 brings together some of our favorite running shoe tech that Asics has to offer. The FF Blast+ midsole is equal parts cushy and responsive, the AHAR outsole is versatile enough to handle some light offroading, and, perhaps most relevant for flat-footed runners, Asics’ 3D Guidance System provides adaptive stability through the heel and midfoot to keep unnecessary movement in check.

Best Lifestyle Running Shoes for Flat Feet: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24

Obviously, we’re here to talk about the best running shoes for flat feet. And, to be clear, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 belongs on this list. If Brooks can be counted on for anything, it’s to manufacture running shoes of the absolute highest quality, and the brand’s famous GuideRails system is the gold standard for controlling exactly the kind of overpronation that flat-footed runners deal with. That said, this shoe—specifically, the thyme, black, and pelican colorway that we tested—is a legitimate low-key style pick, complete with suede-like detailing on the upper and buttery soft laces.

Best Everyday Running Shoes for Flat Feet: On Cloudrunner 2

Here at GQ, we often say that one of the best ways to stay consistent with your workouts is to suit up in gear that makes you look and feel great. One thing we admire about On (certainly not the only thing) is the brand’s obsession with premium materials, laser-sharp design, and, above all… the experience of running. With its plush SuperFoam midsole and On’s trademark CloudTec cushioning, the bouncy Cloudrunner 2 may not help you set a new personal best, but it might just be what spurs you to bag that extra mile in training. This shoe reminded us that running can be bliss, and with added support around the heel and through the arch, flat-footed runners need not miss out on the fun.

More Running Shoes for Flat Feet We Love

Mizuno

Wave Rebellion Flash 2

Speed shoes aren’t just for race day. In fact, Mizuno’s Wave Rebellion Flash 2 is a speed shoe designed specifically for training. As the counterpart to Mizuno’s Wave Rebellion Pro racing shoe, it is loaded with everything you need to max out your speed on training runs, like a glass fiber-infused nylon plate and dual-density foam throughout the midsole. In addition to putting more spring in your step, the plate is also particularly useful for runners with flat feet, who tend to lack power in the toe-off. Same goes for the dual-density foam, which offers palpable energy return with each stride while providing flat-footed runners with effective shock absorption and a rocker bottom design to smoothen out their gait.

Hoka

Arahi 7

Generally speaking, you can’t go wrong with Hoka when you’re looking for running shoes for flat feet. While the brand has diversified its offering over recent years, its bread and butter remains in producing well-cushioned stability shoes. The Arahi 7 is a particularly good call for runners with flat feet. Donning the American Podiatric Medical Association’s (APMA) Seal of Acceptance, this shoe pairs Hoka’s signature cushy ride with midsole support and a spacious toe box to provide the perfect mix of assisted and natural stability. The breathable knit upper plays a role too, with its zonally engineered design adding further protection against overpronation.

Adidas

AdiZero Boston 12

There are long-distance shoes, and then there are long-distance speed shoes. The Adizero Boston 12 belongs to the latter. Adidas’ Boost technology gets most of the attention nowadays, but for runners with flat feet it’s the brand’s Lightstrike cushioning that we’re most interested in. More stable than Boost, Lightstrike offers comparable energy return, and the AdiZero Boston 12 combines Lightstrike Pro with the recently released Lightstrike 2.0 EVA to create what might be Adidas’ most stable and responsive midsole to date. Better yet, the shoe features an integrated stability system to keep pronation in check and encourage a more energy-efficient stride.

New Balance

1080 Fresh Foam X 1080v14

Another option to have received the nod from the APMA, New Balance’s 1080 Fresh Foam X 1080v14 is a versatile go-to shoe that we’d feel confident lacing up for daily runs, race day, and everything in between. New Balance’s Fresh Foam X is always going to feel good, but this might be the most comfortable midsole we’ve ever tested, and it’s paired with a new triple jacquard mesh upper to enhance the sensation of uninhibited comfort that this shoe exudes. Furthermore, the shoe incorporates a gusseted tongue, adding to its already secure fit, and a rocker-profile outsole with durable rubber reinforcements to keep your runs smooth, safe, and satisfying.

What to Look for in Running Shoes for Flat Feet

Neutral heel counter: Footwear manufacturers use a number of techniques to create stability throughout a shoe, one of them being a molded heel counter. (The heel counter is the cup-like section at the back of the shoe that wraps around the heel in a U shape.) While heel counters can vary in rigidity, from stiff to literally non-existent, they can also be shaped to provide more support on one side, usually to prevent excessive pronation. “For an individual with a very rigid flat foot, that may not necessarily be the best sort of shoe to be in,” says Dr. Sharma, who recommends seeking a shoe with a neutral heel counter where the inside and the outside are even across.

Effective shock absorption: According to Dr. Sharma, running exerts three to four times your body weight on each foot strike. For runners with flat feet, who may lack the ability to effectively manage the absorption of those repeated forces, that can add up to additional injuries and complications over the long run. “Over time, that can start to become problematic, and it can really affect the joints—not just within the foot and the ankle, but also the knees, hips, and lower back as well,” she says. “So having a sole that is on the thicker side, that has the ability to absorb some of that shock, is really important.”

Read the full article here