Runners with high arches usually need the best running shoes for high arches because the force impact when running can be a bit tough on the body and especially on runners with high arches. Wearing the best running shoes if you are high arched is necessary to avoid foot problems manifesting differently. For example, your feet feeling easily fatigued, developing painful plantar fasciitis or corns, or sore Achilles can become tight. Lack of proper arch support causes the above conditions, but it also causes pain in your lower back, knees, and hips, while it can also affect your gait that causes many runners to overpronate.
However, it can be hard to find the best running, standing, and walking shoes for people with high arches, and therefore we have compiled a list of the best running shoes for high arches that will perfectly fit your feet and address your high arch needs. Also, if unsure of what to look for in a running shoe, we have included a detailed buying guide to help you navigate the buying process easier by making an informed decision.
1. New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 1080v11
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision...
- Bootie upper construction hugs your foot for a...
- Synthetic/mesh upper
- Ortholite sockliner for comfort
- Ultra Heel design hugs the back of the foot for a...
New Balance Fresh Foam running shoe is one of the best running shoes for high arches for running long distances and cushioned support. The men’s and women’s pair feature a soft midsole with a split outsole design that works together with a Fresh Foam stack, and even though it’s not that mushy, it’s soft enough for a balanced and comfortable ultra-cushioned ride for your road running. The midsole design delivers a neutral ride feel with no motion control effects making it a perfect fit for long-distance running shoes, and it also has a stretchy and soft mesh upper that hugs your foot without being too tight or sloppy.
New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v11 is very supportive and has an internal gusset that holds the shoe tongue in place and delivers a perfect combination of soft cushioning and firm responsiveness. Additionally, thanks to the Laser engraving on the midsole that removes extra weight, individuals can pick up the pace with less effort.
Pros
- Fresh Foam X cushioned material that provides maximum energy return and comfort.
- Improved engineered mesh
- Ortholite cushion insert for additional support
- Blown-rubber outsole
- Laser engraving on midsole removes added weight
- Plush collar for a comfortable fit
- Soft Hypoknit upper
Cons
- The shoe size tends to run small
2. Asics Gel Nimbus 23
- Engineered Mesh Upper: Multi-directional mesh...
- Engineered mesh upper improves breathability:
- Engineered Mesh Upper: Multi-directional mesh...
- GEL technology cushioning provides excellent shock...
- GEL technology cushioning: Provides excellent...
Asics Gel Nimbus 23 is among the best Nimbus running shoe models, closely followed by Asics Gel Cumulus, where their men’s and women’s shoes are worth the fuss when it comes to the best running shoes for high arches. The running shoe is designed with a spacious toe box that accommodates most foot sizes and a secure midfoot that makes the shoe comfortable to tackle long distances or wear all day long. The road running shoes also feature a plush upper with a gusset that minimizes tongue slide during runs.
Asics Gel Nimbus 23 running shoe features a GEL unit in their heel that guarantees a soft landing and a FlyteFoam cushion that soaks up the additional impact delivering a smooth transition from the heel to toe region. Asics Men’s Gel-Nimbus includes a gender-specific Trusstic tech fitted in the midsole. The Trusstic system offers a rigid plastic piece that you can use in the sole’s middle part to prevent your shoe from twisting as you are road running while also giving a stable feeling.
Pros
- High abrasion rubber outsole that gives a cushion feel
- Plush inner padding for additional comfort
- Gives a balanced ride for long-distance runners
- Smooth transition from heel to toes
- Hard Exoskeleton heel support for extra stability
- Neutral ride character
- Wide toe box
Cons
- The running shoe is fairly narrow
- The shoe for high arches can feel quite clunky
3. Brooks Ghost 13
- THIS MEN'S SHOE IS FOR: The Ghost 13 is for...
- SUPPORT AND CUSHION: The neutral support type...
- BALANCED, SOFT CUSHIONING: BioMoGo DNA and DNA...
- SMOOTH, STABLE RIDE: No matter how your foot...
- SOFT, SECURE, FIT: The newly engineered mesh and...
Brooks Ghost 13 is top of the best shoes when it comes to getting shoes that support high arches thanks to their responsiveness during fast runs offering the right amount of bounce that leaves your knees and hips feeling great on your ride. The popular running shoe features an updated dual-layer midsole for additional cushioned support and a DNA loft foam that offers plush support that extends throughout the midsole. Brooks Ghost 13 lifts your foot with a 12mm offset that helps prevent Achilles, and with the BioMoGo DNA cushion lines, you are guaranteed your midsole with a soft and springy feel.
Brooks Ghost 13 running shoe features a segmented crash pad on the outer sole that provides maximum shock absorption at the forefoot and heel, making it ideal for runners with high arches. Additionally, the Brooks Ghost shoe has a sleek upper made with an engineered mesh that incorporates a 3D fit print on both your feet’s sides and cradles your foot in all the right spots. The materials that make the Brooks running shoe are also soft and light, ensuring you get a comfortable feel and an internal heel counter that helps lock your foot to avoid any slips inside the shoe.
Pros
- 3D Fit Print engineered mesh upper
- Very durable
- BioMogo DNA and DNA loft foam
- Internal heel counter
- Provides an easy and consistent neutral ride
- The Brooks shoe provides maximum supportive and stable
- Available in many color options
- Roomy toe box
Cons
- It is slightly stiff
- It can be quite expensive
4. Saucony Triumph 18
- PWRRUN+ midsole cushioning provides more...
- New midsole geometry makes for a snappier ride
- New blown rubber outsole makes for a snappier ride...
- TRIFLEX design makes for quick transitions and...
- Engineered mesh upper with 3D Print overlays...
Saucony Triumph 18 is among the best running shoes for high arches, especially for people suffering from knee pain, tired feet, shin splints, corns, and calluses, common symptoms of highly arched feet. These running shoes feature a pillow cushion that minimizes fatigue and soreness, and a unique Saucony contoured FORM FIT footbed that can act as a bucket seat for all foot types.
Saucony Triumph 18 is the topmost cushioned shoe featuring a new PWRRUN+ foam that is 25% lighter than the usual standards in the industry. The shoe gives you a smooth and neutral ride in your long-distance road running and provides amazing return energy that keeps your feet fresh. Additionally, the shoe offers a good amount of flexibility on the durable outsole, making it a suitable choice for long-distance runs while conforming to your feet’ curvature.
Pros
- Durable rubber sole for enough traction
- High volume midsole
- Offer a medium-soft or neutral ride
- Pwrrun+ foam delivers maximum cushioning and responsiveness
Cons
- The width is narrow at the front
5. Hoka One One Clifton 7
Hoka One Clifton 7 has to be on the list thanks to its unique Meta-Rocker design, where you can spot the uniquely shaped midsoles from a distance. Unlike the 7 Hoka, the Hoka One Clifton 7 is a perfect balance of maximum cushioning and lightweight making it suitable for daily workouts.
Hoka One 7 features a super plush EVA foam that contours your foot’s shape as you wear it, and the design boasts a breathable and soft mesh upper. The curved silhouette helps to promote an effortless heel-to-toe transition that is very beneficial for optimal pressure distribution.
Pros
- High volume and springy midsole
- Suitable for long-distance runs and daily workouts
- Guide rails
- Rocker shape that allows your foot to roll forward fast
- Comfortable embroidered reinforcements on the upper
Cons
- Heavier than most shoes
- Quite expensive
Factors to Consider Before Purchasing the Best Running Shoes for High Arches
1. Fit
To find the best shoe fit, you should consider running shoes that feature a thicker or synthetic midsole that might differ from those in flat shoes with a motion-control, thinner midsole, and a hypothetical leather sole. Also, the shoe’s purpose should help you determine what kind of shoe you should buy because a running shoe may run small than a flat one because it features thicker materials.
All in all, ensure you read all the customer reviews of the shoes you want to buy to make the best decision in terms of fitting. A running shoe having good reviews for the fitting means that the running shoe for high arches is better at being true to size than its competitors.
2. Comfort
Running shoes generally always need to be comfortable, and getting a shoe that gives you comfort and support for your higher arch means it will carry you along well. When it comes to comfort, note that every brand of running shoes with high arch support feature their design when it comes to cushioning and midsole systems. The crucial thing to check is whether the design will hold up after continuous use, and if the cushioning is plush but not too soft, it doesn’t offer enough support.
The cushioning runners usually need on the foot types, pronation, and arch type. Runners with high arches need cushioning that is not overly stiff and does not have heavy or bulky cushioning. Lack of proper cushioning may lead to excessive pronation that wasn’t there originally.
All the best running shoes usually have extra cushioning on the outsides as this prevents excess inward rolling of the foot. With many runners with high arches often experiencing underpronation, the running shoe’s extra cushioning usually counteracts it.
3. Support
High arches need different support, unlike running shoes for flat feet, where their main focus is to support and carry the center of the foot. Since the center of a high foot arch is higher, it makes the weight and stress push down around the heel and ball of the foot, putting a strain on more than one region and therefore needs the proper support to avoid any related issues from developing later on.
When checking for arch support, ensure that the center of the foot in shoes for high arches must have the proper height of insole to carry it, which will allow your feet to be fully supported while holding your body’s weight. Also, the heel and forefoot should have the proper amount of cushioning and support as the two parts of the foot usually experience more strain when the arch is formed in a way that provides a lot of strain on the ball and heel.
4. Flexibility
High arched runners also need flexibility as flexibility usually helps your running shoes offset the stiffness and rigidness of a runner’s foot while helping to distribute the impact evenly. When checking for flexibility, the upper is the most noticeable feature, where most flexible shoes feature a synthetic or mesh upper.
Also, the midsole and outsole should be flexible for maximum flexibility to achieve a natural foot movement and additional features to guarantee you are getting the proper amount of support to prevent foot pain. A running shoe for high arches is designed to address the foot pain and symptoms you might have and prevent the pain from occurring again.
5. Stability
Individuals with high arches need running shoes with high arches because they usually need a shoe with plenty of cushioning for maximum shock absorption. Also, high arches usually don’t allow the foot to contact the center of the foot, ensuring a good model makes up for that by filling the gap by providing the needed stability to carry you through road running.
Stability is an important consideration in your shoe because the foot is naturally rigid. The stability also benefits from a sturdy and well-designed outsole that offers positive traction. Individuals with high arches will not comfortably use lightweight and minimalistic shoes as they need stability and additional support features. Notably, if you are worried you will have to purchase heavy shoes to get the maximum support, some pairs we have mentioned above are quite lightweight and still make the best shoe for high arches.
6. Breathability
Breathability in all shoes, including running shoes for high arches, is an important consideration, and with new technologies and constant updates, shoes are designed with lightweight and progression materials. Some shoe models feature a design with good airflow, while other high arch support shoes feature layers that contain mesh and other lightweight and breathable materials.
Whatever the design in a shoe, it should provide maximum airflow and ventilation to guarantee that you get a comfortable road run. Notably, keep in mind that some shoes made for specific environments or weather may sometimes be less breathable because they have to meet the needs of runners in distinct environments.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Running Shoe for High Arches
1. Which women’s running shoes have the best arch support?
According to our review, the best women’s running shoe is the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 1080v11, and we have listed the reasons above.
2. How can I tell if I have high arches?
People with high arches are sometimes born with them as they can run in the family, but some develop them later in life. To know if you need high arched shoes, you can conduct a wet test which should be performed as follows:
Fill a shallow pan with water that is enough to fit your foot, submerge one of your feet in the water, remove it carefully, and step into a cardboard piece of paper with applied pressure. Remove your foot and reexamine your footprint, and if all you can see is the toes, heels, and balls of your foot, you have a high arched foot and need additional support.
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