10 Best Running Shoes For Flat Feet 2022 – Reviews and Buying guide
Last Updated on January 15, 2022 by Afsar
Are you looking for the best running shoes for flat feet? If you have flat feet, you would understand that without proper running shoes, it would hurt a lot to your feet. For average runners, the arches for shoes will help to absorb the shock once the feet strikes to the ground. However, things are not same for flat feet owners. For flat feet users, the arches will collapse in typical running shoes, and thus the flat feet are more prone to injuries. If you have flat feet, you can still be an excellent runner. There are many running shoes primarily designed to be worn by the flat feet runners. Today we are going to share some of the best running shoes for flat feet. Let’s see our top ten best running shoes for flat feet
[table id=3 /]
What are Flat Feet?
Ever wondered what flat feet is? Not everybody understands these terms so well, and they often mistake flat feet with regular feet. In order to better understand your condition, you need to recognize the flat feets first.
When the arch of your foot is collapsing while the entire foot is making contact with the ground, you have flat feet. The arch of your foot is formed with the tarsal & metatarsal bones which are strengthened by ligaments and tendons. This allows the foot to take and support the weight of the whole body. Read more on Wikipedia.
Flat feet is also called pes planus or fallen arches. More than 20% to 30% of the global population has this type of feet. However, this doesn’t make that you can’t be a terrific runner. A lot of people with flat feet are a very successful athlete and runner.
You do have to choose the perfect running shoe for flat feet. We have mentioned some of the best flat feet running shoes, and we have also discussed more on how to choose the best running shoes for flat feet at the bottom of the article. Once you start reading that information, you will be able to learn more about flat feet running shoes.
Top 10 Best Running Shoes for Flat Feet
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 15
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 15 topped our best running shoes for flat feet. This running shoe uses a good amount of cushioning for excellent comfort to the users. You will feel the excellent stability to run without fatigue for the extended period of time. Thus, it’s a great shoe for a runner with overpronation.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 15 comes with lots of other fabulous features like the breathability, lightweight, ample cushioning and more. It uses progressive diagonal rollbar for tri-density midsole for pronation controlling. The midsole is designed in such a way that prevents collapses and gives supportive running to the users. This shoe is available for both men and women.
Pros:
- Balanced cushioning and stability suits overpronators
- Lightweight and breathable material used
- Progressive Diagonal Rollbar for tri-density midsole
- Doomed midsole sidewall to prevent collapse
- Crash pad used for smooth transitions
- good arch support
Cons:
- snug fit might be annoying for some users
Asics Gel Kayano 22 Running Shoes
Asics Gel Kayano 22 is a premium running shoe for moderate to high overpronated foot motion. With excellent modern design and advanced cushioning, this shoe is great for flat feet users. It uses FluidFit multi-directional reinforced stretch upper along with rearfoot& forefoot GEL cushioning systems. The comfordy lasting and comfordry X-40 sock liner is provided to give comfort to the mild to moderate overpronators. The IGS helps to enhance the foot’s natural gait to run more miles. What’s more, you get excellent support along with good stability with Asics GEL-Kayano 22.
Pros:
- Fluidride offers better bounce back with being lightweight
- GEL-cushioning system for shock absorption
- Impact guidance system
- Premium feel
- Great for moderate to severe overpronated motion
Cons:
- Expensive
Saucony Men’s Guide 7 Running Shoe
Pros:
- Lightweight and stable
- ComfortLite sockliner
- SRC impact zone
- PowerGrid full-length cushioning
- Properly Padded
- Comfortable
Cons:
- Snug fit (get a larger size)
Mizuno Wave Catalyst
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Breathable upper
- Reasonable price
- Available in different color
Cons:
- Annoying runbird logo placed on the upper
New Balance Men’s M940V2 Running Shoe
New Balance Men’s M940V2 is one of the best running shoes for flat feet. Moderate and severe flat feet runners will highly appreciate the design and performance of New Balance M940V2. This running shoe features forefoot flex grooves along with N2 low-to-the-ground cushioning.
Flat feet runners face a problem when they try to run for a long distance for a long time. New Balance Men’s M940V2 is very comfortable and reduces your pain for such running spree.
M940V2 uses patented medial post and T-Beam TPU support shanks to offer better stability and comfort. Like other good running shoes, this one also uses antimicrobial ortholite footbed to keep your feet dry and odor free. Excellent shock absorption with lightweight design makes it one of the best flat feet running shoe.
Pros:
- Stable running shoe
- Moderate to severe flat feet users
- Forefoot flex grooves and N2 low-to-the-ground cushioning
- T-Beam TPU supports shank
- Comfortable
Cons:
- size issue
Nike Air Zoom Odyssey
What’s more, there is durable rubber in the forefoot and high-abrasion rubber in the feel. This provides better comfort and abrasion. Flat feet runners will be benefitted with such features and design to run more smoothly and comfortably.
Pros:
- Premium feel
- Breathable Flymesh upper used
- Dynamic Support platform with dual-density foam used in midsole
- Better cushioning for comfortable
- High-abrasion rubber in heel for better traction
Cons:
- Slightly snug fit is annoying
Brooks Men Beast 14 Running Shoes
Brooks Men Beast 14 is one of the best men’s running shoes for flat feet runner. Brooks Men beast 14 uses DNA cushioning technology to adapt the shoe to match the style of walking and running. Another great technology named BioMoGo is used in this shoe. BioMogo is a biodegradable midsole which includes a non-toxic additive which biodegrades 50 times faster than typical shoes.
Brooks Men Beast uses a diagonal rollbar accel to provide more support to the midfoot and better mobility to the forefeet and heels. Thus, it is very useful for people with flat feet.
Pros:
- BioMogo biodegradable midsole
- Full-foot DNA cushioning technology
- Good stability and comfort
- for overpronation and training, can be used as casual athletic shoes
Cons:
- Slightly narrow fit
New Balance Men’s M1260V5 Running Shoe
New Balance M1260V5 is one of my most favorite running shoe for its low arch with a decent amount of cushioning. This running shoe has been loved by a lot of flat feet users for its heavy-duty stability. It uses N2 low-to-the-ground response with ABZORB shock absorbing cushioning for comfort with stability. If you are looking for a high-mileage running shoe for flat feet runners, this is worthy of checking.
Pros:
- Heavy-duty stability
- N2 cushioning
- ACTEVA lite midsole
- Abzorb crash pad
Cons:
- Slightly expensive
ASICS Men’s GEL DS Trainer 21 running shoe
Flat feet runners need stability, and the Dynamic duomax support system is there for enhanced stability and support. Despite all these support and stability, it manages to come at a low weight for fast speed.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- GEL cushioning system in rear foot and forefoot
- Better shock absorption
- Dynamic duomax support system
- Better stability
- Fast speed
Cons:
- slightly narrow
Nike Lunarglide 7
Some flat footed runners might not need stability or motion control running shoes. For them, Nike Lunarglide 7 is a great choice. Nike Lunar Glide 7 comes with a low degree of support. Nike lunar glide comes with a stylish design with lots of features. Nike Lunarglide 7 comes with newly engineered mesh with “Flyknit” upper. The “Flywire” and “Flyknit” upper combination provides a secure and comfortable fit. The responsive cushioning is used to provide better comfort to the runner. Nike Lunarglide 7 is very lightweight, and the stability is good for overpronators. Read: Nike Lunarglide 7 review.
Pros
- Lightweight and stylish design
- Flywire cable and Flyknit material offer a good fit and breathability
- Responsive cushioning
Cons
- Snug fit might be annoying
Why Do Runners with Flat Feet need to purchase flat feet specific running shoes?
If you have flat feet, you might already know why you need flat feet specific running shoes. A person with normal foot arch has the natural shock absorption system by the foot arch. Most people don’t even know what flat feet is. It’s because the natural shock absorption system is enough for them. When they make contact the ground with their feet, the shock is absorbed automatically and keeps the running smoother. Things are not same when you have flat feet. The natural shock absorption with foot arch is very little to none for you. The arch will collapse as soon as your foot contacts with the ground. The impact might hurt your feet. Most people with flat feet won’t get it until they start running. This is why to save your feet you need the best running shoes for flat feet. The additional support will help people with flat feet runner better with safety, comfort and efficiently.
Flat Feet Types
There are two types of flat feet: Flexible flat feet and rigid flat feet.
- Flexible flat feet: As the name suggests, the flexible flat feet is when your arch is visible if you took it off the ground. There’s high chance that you have a Flexible Flat Feet.
- Rigid Flat Feet: If your foot is flat because of the bone structure, you have rigid flat feet.
How To Know If You Have Flat Feet
Jus in case if you don’t know, you can take this small test to determine if you have flat feet or normal feet.
- Step 1: Just get your feet wet
- Step 2: Now place your feet on a dry surface like concrete or a shit of paper
- Step 3: Now see the footprint, if you see a print of your whole insole of your feet, you have flat feet. However, if you see the inside curve of the foot is missing, then you have normal feet.
Should I Choose stability/motion control shoe?
Well, not necessarily. Though most flat feet runner prefers motion control shoe, a lot of people are using neutral running shoes. Since most people are using stability/motion control shoes, it is better to choose such running shoes. You should start with the stability running shoes, and if it is not working for you, then you can try other types of running shoes. Everybody is unique, and different flat feet runner may love different types of shoes.
Can I Cure or Treat Flat Feet?
Flat feet is a medical condition which doesn’t have a cure yet. Podiatrists can help you in foot related injuries, but they can not treat this. However, commonly used bypass is to use shoes that are primarily designed for flat feet owners. You can also use orthotics or insoles which can be customized to fit an individual to provide support.
Some people also wear comfortable running shoes which help them to have good or required arch support. Thus, it also stabilizes the heel.
Bonus Tips For Flat Feet Runners
Check these few tips to make running better for flat feet runners:
- If possible, try to run barefoot on soft surfaces like the beach. Running barefoot can stimulate your foots natural muscles to be stronger. As a result, you will be able to make your feet stronger.
- If it is not possible to run barefoot, try running shoes which offer barefoot feeling (check barefoot running shoes here).
- If you feel tired, don’t push yourselves
How To Choose The Best Flat Feet Running shoes?
I have listed the factors to choose the best running shoe for flat feet. Follow these few factors, and you will be able to choose the perfect shoe for your flat feet.
Support: Most flat feet runner looks for support. You have to check whether the shoe has adequate support in the midsole and the heel. It can be done with proper cushioning.
Stability: Another important factor is how much stability the running shoe is offering. It will help the foot to stabilize and stop or minimize the overpronation.
A stability shoe will come with dense foam underneath the arch. If your arch collapses when your feet makes contact with the ground, you should focus on the stability issue. Stability shoes are designed to offer material in the arch to offer more stability and support. Note that stability shoes are usually less bulky than motion-control running shoes.
Motion Control: Motion control shoes come with a thick midsole which is made with a hard material. The function is to correct your gait. It prevents the stride to roll inward as your weight transfers from the heel to forefoot. In the motion control running shoes, the heel is stiffer, and the support is higher on the arch side. People with moderate to severe overpronation uses motion control shoes.
Cost:
Most flat feet running shoes are available around $100. There are some shoes which can be bought at a much cheaper rate, but not all cheap shoes are good. You may end up hurting your leg. Usually, the range of flat feet running shoes will vary from $100 to $150. Some exceptions are depending on the brand, material, and features of the shoes.
Other factors you need to check on the running shoes
- See if the heel counter is rigid or not. Heel counter should be rigid and should not bend forward.
- The outer sole will bend in the toe area, not in the middle. This is a critical thing to check; otherwise, the arch support won’t exist.
- Toe-box is suitable for your flat feet. Otherwise, it will cause pain.
Conclusion
I hope our thorough review of flat feet shoes will help you to choose the best shoe for you. There was a time when flat feet runner had to customize their running shoes, but nowadays a lot of shoes are customized to fit for the flat feet runners. It is highly recommended to know the types of flat feet you have and act accordingly.
You need to choose which shoes fits you better. If you are struggling to choose a shoe or minimizing the pain, try to take help from a certified podiatrist. You can check the review of flat feet running shoes above, and read more to check whether it suits your feet or not. We will provide an in-depth review of these shoes. It is highly suggested not to go for cheap flat feet running shoes, but the one which meets all the requirements. In that way, you can allow your leg to perform better and ran without any pain.
As I have told earlier, a lot of flat feet runner are doing excellent on the track, and you can do that too. All you need is the perfect shoe for you and the motivation to do the unthinkable. We will continue to provide more best running shoes for flat feet, and meanwhile, you can leave with your favorite running shoes in the comments box.
