Today, I will review a number of shoes that are really great for people with flat feet. I have this condition myself, so I know how painful it can be to have to be walking around on unsupportive shoewear. It gets worse if you are a hiker like I am, but normal people that like taking walks can also suffer from having low arches.
What exactly is a flat foot? You have a flat foot when your arches are so low that it hampers your stride. You see, when a flat foot hits the ground, it engages in a rolling motion that will make your knees point inward. Keep walking like this for long enough, and eventually your knee joints will start going south.
The funny thing is that most people who have low arches do not even realize it. My fallen arches are genetic and I have grown up with this condition from birth. I have always thought that feet were supposed to look like that. Then somebody pointed out to me that I have low arches and that this is causing problems with my every day gait. Ever since becoming aware of this, I have made sure to pay more attention to my footwear.
In some people, fallen arches are not genetic, but rather they are caused because of the fact that their muscles are too weak in order to be able to let them stand up straight. This may stem from a sedentary lifestyle, or it could come from being overweight in combination with not getting enough exercise. For this reason, it's very important that overweight people buy supportive footwear for walking. Otherwise, they are going to create more problems for themselves than they are solving.
The human foot is a pretty elegant piece of work. It contains well over 100 different tendons, ligaments and muscles, 33 joints and 26 bones. It's a pretty intricate piece of machinery, and you have to take care of your feet really well if you want them to last a lifetime.
Never neglect your own overpronation problem. If you are suffering from low arches, then your feet are making an abnormal motion with every step they take. Over time, this will cause pressure to build up and it can damage you chronically.
And if these aren't what you're looking for, please check out my walking shoes navigation page!
Without further ado, lets have a look at some of the top walker shoes for women with low arches.
(Male versions also available on Amazon, even though I haven't linked to them!)
Walking Shoes For Flat Feet For Women
1. Women’s New Balance WW928
- Supportive, cushioned walking shoe featuring plush...
- ROLLBAR support system
- C-CAP midsole
- Medicare / HCPCS code = A5500, may be eligible for...
If you haven’t heard of New Balance by now, you must have been living under a rock. These shoes are some of the best supporting shoes that are out there. This women’s walking shoe supports a flat foot, using all the latest technologies from this well known shoe manufacturer.
If you go out onto the web and look up reviews for these shoes, then what you will find is that podiatrists worldwide are speaking highly of these shoes. They have been made of super high quality materials that will give you all the support you need in all the right places.
But don’t take my word for it. Try them out for yourself. I’m sure that you’ll agree with me when I tell you that these shoes will feel very comfortable once you have laced them up.
What makes the New Balance WW928 unique is the fact that it has a rollbar, which keeps your heels in place and give you more stability. The rollbar is essentially a posting system, made of thermoplastic urethane.
Odor Resistant Phantom Lining
This shoe has antibacterial properties, meaning you won’t have to worry about stinking the place up after you’ve gone for a long walk.
N-ERGY Midsoles
These midsoles are an added layer of cushioning.
Leather Mesh Upper
This really makes the shoes fit well, and they make them look really good too!
ABZORB Shock Absorption
New Balance’s shock absorption technology works really well and has been tested and improved over the years. This is the latest iteration and it works darn well.
Conclusion
This is a high budget shoe, but it is totally worth the money you are paying for it.
It will give you great stability and comfort like you’ve never felt before. These are without a doubt some of the best walking shoes for flat feet that you can currently get.
2. Women’s Brooks Addiction Walker
- SHOE SIZE: "B" = Medium width, "D" = Wide width,...
- MAXIMUM SUPPORT: Our Extended Progressive Diagonal...
- SLIP-RESISTANT, SECURE FIT: The forefoot MC Pod...
- SOFT CUSHIONING: BioMoGo DNA adapts to your...
- LONG-LASTING: Both comfortable and durable, this...
These are slightly cheaper than the ones mentioned above, but they are still really good.
The Brooks Addiction Walker is one of my favorite women’s shoes that give great support when walking with low arches.
This shoe comes in half sizes, so that’s good news for all you 7.5 sizes out there. There are plenty of shoes that do not support this, but these do.
These are very lightweight shoes. Once you put them on, they will feel like you are wearing a sack of feathers rather than a shoe.
They have really good arch support. You will notice that too once you put them on. If you have flat feet, then you owe it to yourself to try these out.
These Brooks shoes come with a so called Progressive Diagonal Roll Bar (also referred to as PDRB), which is a post that gives you extra support. It is a dual density post, no less. It will keep you stable and in control at all times.
MC Pod Configuration
This technology is designed with the specific purpose of putting and keeping your outsole and your midsole in the perfect position for your feet. This will give you super duper high stability and motion control.
Durable Cushion Sole
Makes sure you stay well cushioned for a long time.
MoGo Midsole Compound At Full Length
Gives you that cushy feel and also gives you more control with every step you take.
HydroFlow
This system provides you great comfort, because it cushions the midsole. The dynamic fluid units have been placed strategically within the midsole and these make sure that all your shocks will be absorbed.
Conclusion
There is more to these shoes than meets the eye. You have got to see it in order to believe it. So try them out already, because they are totally worth the price.
These shoes score points for build quality. They are certainly very durable, so you are sure to enjoy them for a long, long time. Even when you use them intensively.
3. Women’s Saucony Grid Omni Walking Shoe
- Walking sneaker featuring lace-up vamp, mesh...
- Engineered asymmetrical sole for bio-mechanical...
- Walk Trac patented outsole design for smooth...
- Visible rearfoot grid system for cushioning and...
These walker shoes for women are great for when you can’t afford the pricier models at this time.
But still, this shoe offers some useful features over other shoes of the same price point.
Saucony has fitted these shoes with the so called SRC crash pads. These are seated in the heels and will provide you with great support at times when you are subjecting yourself to very strenuous physical exercise.
It also comes with leather uppers. It also has a really great forefoot outsole that will help propel you forward more easily. But at the same time, your feet remain comfortable.
It’s a very well cushioned shoe. There is cushioning all over the shoe, which makes you feel very comfortable whether you are walking or running. It’s going to feel like walking on feather.
Walk Trac
An outsole design, patented by Saucony. It will aid the rolling motion of your foot.
SRC Impact Zone
SRC stands for Superior Rebound Compound. It’s the next iteration of Saucony’s HRC material. It absorbs shocks and makes every step nice and comfy.
EVA Midsole
The EVA material is great for giving shoes a very comfortable midsole. It’s highly durable as well. And did I also mention it is lightweight?
Visible Rearfoot Grid System
This centers your heel with every impact your foot makes. It cushions you as well.
HRC Strobel Board
Saucony’s High Rebound Compound is a material that gives you really good comfort and cushioning. It is applied all throughout the shoe’s lining.
Conclusion
This is a really great shoe for those of you who suffer from fallen arches. And it comes at such a great price as well.
It gets great reviews. The reviewers are saying that every step is indeed highly comfortable, as if walking on a cloud.
If you have low arches and a flat foot, then you will like this insole design. These insoles will position your feet really well, and keep your knees from tilting inwards with every step.
Are you on a small budget, but do you still want to do something about your health? Then I highly recommend that you get these shoes right now!
Just wanted to let you know that I am ordering the 3 shoes you’ve recommended. I will let you know how they work for me. Thank you so much for your sharing this information!
You are most welcome, Rosalie!
Wow, all 3? With the intention of keeping them all as well? Kudos to you for taking your foot health so seriously!
If you are looking to further improve your support, I recommend taking a look at these Tread Labs Strides insoles.
I’d love to see you back here to let me and my readers know how they worked out for you!
what about men shoes?
Hi Dassy,
I have a whole page dedicated to them. Just follow the link!
Sincerely,
Brian
what if you are not fat or heavy.what walking shoes are good for us guys with flat feet.
Hi Frank,
I’ve got a page up that reviews comfortable walking shoes. I think you’d like it!
Sincerely,
Brian
No – you’re still talking about people who are overweight. My BMI is spot on. I don’t have flat arches because the have collapsed because I’m overweight. I was born with flat feet, like my father and his father before him.
My issue has only recently become apparent as I walk 5.5 to 6.5 km most days, up hill and down dale on hard surfaces for fitness / health. Obviously my shoes have not been good enough, and plantar fasciitis is a result. I understand now, that I over-pronate and that is common for those of us who have flat feet – and even for those of us who are NOT fat / overweight / obese. If you leave out people with weight issues, and still have flat feet and plantar fasciitis, what shoes do I need to look at. Thanks.
Hi Grant,
If shoes are good enough for overweight people, they’re good enough for not-overweight people. The good thing about overkill… is that it works.
If you don’t want shoes from a fat people page, then I have a few more review pages that you could potentially find good walking shoes on:
New Balance
Shoes for standing
Lightweight shoes
Running shoes
To turbo charge the stability and comfort of your stance, be sure to check out Tread Labs insoles. They’ve been my personal favorite for years now!
Sincerely,
Brian
I can’t see any reference to men who have flat feet and experience plantar fasciitis. I’m not obese, fat, or whatever. I have always had flat feet (a genetic disorder). i have recently developed plantar fasciitis – apparently caused from over-pronation. I simply want to know what shoes to consider for distance / fitness walking. I don’t run. Thanks Brian.
Hi Grant,
You’ve commented twice and I’ve replied to your other comment.
Sincerely,
Brian
Thanks!
Hi, Where can I try on the following – New Balance WW928, Brooks addition walker and
Saucony Grid Omni? I am visiting Australia in March and will need very comfy walking
shoes over many weeks. I live in Dorset.
Thank you.
Dear Mrs. Garwood,
In order to physically try on the WW928, you’d have to either order them from Amazon or simply visit a physical brick & mortar store near you.
Sincerely,
Brian
so I have had flat feet my whole life..but last year I ended up with post tibiel tendosis on the left foot..i have also had tarsel tunnel surgery on the right . yeah gotta love the feet..anyway..my new Dr has glued basically a mold under my orthotic and stated I should be able to wear any shoes I want and he can adjust them..my ? is will orthotics be too much again for the shoes with the rollbar.i had problems before with this..too much height. thanks
Hi Stephanie,
I’m glad you found this page useful. Thanks for your feedback.
Brian
I have not tried any of the shoes you recommended, but after searching and several trials I found me the Sketchers and for years I have worn the sketchers shape up. I have been able to walk 4 semi marathons wearing these shoes. I am flat feet and also need them wide. They lasted for ever but now I’m going to a trip to Europe and I will need new pairs. I am curious and I would like to get your opinion about this brand.
Hi Blanchi,
I’ve worn Sketchers in the past and have always loved them. Would buy again!
Sincerely,
Brian
I have fallen arches, two complete tears in a tendon,plantar fasciitis, pronated feet, something with the Achilles, mild arthritis. I was just fitted for custom orthotics. Looking for a bedroom slipper or around the house shoe, plus supportive walking shoe and boots with the best support. What do you adivse
Hi Vickie,
Here are some really good arch support slippers.
And here’s some really good walking sneakers and walking shoes.
You think this helps?
Sincerely,
Brian
What about footwear with help for metatarsalgia? Also, my second toe on my right foot is longer than my big toe.
Hi Karen,
I recommend that you check out my page on Morton’s neuroma footwear.
The shoes on that page are currently listed by the manufacturer as also helpful for metatarsalgia. Click a shoe and read the product info on Amazon and you’ll see.
Sincerely,
Brian