It might be a downer that your feet are not “ideal” as a runner. After all, running is something that should be natural to everyone, right? How come your feet are not up for it?
You should not worry, though. Your Flat feet are the same as those of thousands of other runners out there. That’s why you might hear fellow runners talking about high or low arches. Your arches either affect or are affected by your pronation type. The mental health benefits of running far outweigh any small setbacks such as your foot type.
Pronation is simply the way your feet rolls to meet the ground. Most of the time, those with flat feet tend to overpronate, which is why most shoes you’ll find here tend to correct overpronation.
Overpronation means that, after your heel strikes the ground, your ankles roll inward more than normal (around 15 degrees inward) so that your foot meets the ground. You then push off with your big toe.
Flat feet tend to distribute the weight and impact of your feet hitting the ground unevenly. To help you distribute that weight, you need running shoes that have motion control or stability. Your number one priority, though, would be a comfort.
If you’re someone only beginning to learn about their low arches, or a veteran looking to change up their shoes, I’ve curated a list below with some of the best choices for flat feet as selected by others on the internet.
Best Running Shoes For Flat Feet Compared and Reviewed
| Image | Name | Brand | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top | Mizuno Wave Inspire 16 Road Running Shoe | Mizuno | Check Price on Amazon |
| Saucony Guide 13 | Saucony | Check Price on Amazon | |
| ASICS Gel-Kayano 27 Running Shoes | ASICS | Check Price on Amazon | |
| HOKA ONE ONE Gaviota 2 | HOKA ONE ONE | Check Price on Amazon | |
| Brooks Dyad 11 | Brooks | Check Price on Amazon |
#1 Mizuno Wave Inspire 16 Road Running Shoe
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It seems that Mizuno has learned to be more helpful to all foot types, from those with high arches and low arches to you, someone with flat feet and overpronation. They seem to have great shoes for every pronation type out there.
The Wave Inspire 16 is particularly a great running shoe for those who overpronate. It provides stability that you need to keep you running even as your feet roll inward.
Because its midsole absorbs the impact of your foot hitting the ground, this shoe helps distribute that impact in the way it would be distributed if you had normal arches.
Assisting in this even distribution is the Mizuno Wave plate, which creates a broader area for your feet. This will help prevent those injuries and pains that come with flat feet.
The heel-to-toe drop is quite large (12 mm), which provides Cushioning for your feet, particularly the heel. This is great for those who strike with their heel first.
Its Sockliner will also make this shoe fit comfortably on your feet with extra cushioning inside. It doesn’t suffocate your feet, though; the mesh upper makes it breathable.
A lot of users are very happy with their Mizuno shoes, talking about how perfect they are for stability and comfort. Some have even used this for marathon training (and even full marathons). However, other users worry about the durability of their shoes, reporting wear and tear after only a few months of use.
PROS
- Stability shoe
- Extra cushioning
- Breathable mesh
CONS
- Durability issues
#2 - Saucony Guide 13
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The Saucony Guide 13 is a great moderate stability trainer shoe. It guides your feet throughout the journey of your foot from your heel to your toe, making it much easier to get the proper foot posture.
This is because it has its new medial TPU guidance frame, a frame that provides extra support on your outsoles near the arch by the midsole. This will make it easier for you to get your feet to roll inward just right. No more excessive rolling as your gait will be guided forward instead.
The PWRRUN cushioning that it has makes your runs feel much more comfortable, especially for someone with flat feet who needs maybe a bit more cushioning than normal.
This is because your flat feet might cause some rigid runs; having shoes that are more comfortable with more cushioning will help you go further.
You’ll find that the drop isn’t as drastic as others and is actually the standard heel-to-toe drop (8 mm). This won’t give as much heel support as, say, those with a 12 mm drop. However, it will accommodate those who run with their heel first or midfoot first!
You might want to order a size up, as some users recommend. However, people do agree that this provides great support and stability, along with comfort. Others just don’t think it’s a great fit for their feet, especially with the narrow toe box.
PROS
- Medial TPU guidance frame to guide your foot posture
- Good cushioning especially for flat feet
- Stability shoe
CONS
- Not true to size according to some users; may need to go a size up
#3 - ASICS Gel-Kayano 27 Running Shoes
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You’ll find quickly from the design of the shoe itself that this is a shoe meant to support those who overpronate. Those with flat feet are definitely going to benefit from these too, though.
Going back 27 years, the ASICS Gel-Kayano 27 has definitely learned what runners look for in its shoe, and how overpronation can be corrected with properly designed shoes.
If you look at the shoes’ outsoles, you’ll immediately find grooves along with it and especially near the heel. As someone who’s been researching running shoes for a while now, this immediately tells me that these grooves would help absorb the impact that would otherwise spread unevenly along your flat feet.
Because these grooves are more prominent near the heel, you’ll know this is targeted towards those who tend to hit the ground with their heels first. This is also apparent in the thickness of the sole by the heel, which incorporates the GEL technology that helps disperse the shock evenly.
You’ll also notice that near the inside of the foot, there seems to be some extra material that would help stabilize your feet, especially if you tend to overpronate. Even if you don’t though, the extra cushioning will help your feet stay comfortable.
With this stability comes comfort, which users rave about. They’ve even turned to make these their everyday shoes. Just make sure to check the fit, though, as some users have complained about how small and tight these are!
PROS
- Improved shock absorption
- Corrects overpronation
- Great cushioning
CONS
- Too small and narrow for some users, especially near the toes
#4 - HOKA ONE ONE Gaviota 2
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If you’re really struggling with the pain of your flat feet, the HOKA ONE ONE Gaviota 2 might be the shoe for you. The first thing you’ll notice is it’s thick cushioning that is designed to help absorb the impact of your feet hitting the ground.
It really does give you that extra cushioning you need as someone with flat feet, both inside and out. Because the soles are so thick on the outside with the full-length midsole to help shock absorption, you’ll help those flat feet feel more supported and comfortable.
The inside also contains removable foam padded insoles so that even the inside has that extra support. Adding to the comfort is the breathable mesh upper, something we all love.
Despite their big and thick features, though, these are actually lightweight shoes that will help you run farther. They run a bit small according to some users, so watch out for that.
These are also quite expensive compared to the other shoes. If you’re willing to shell out some money, this is a great investment. You’re probably going to want to try them out in stores, though.
PROS
- Extra thick cushioning from the outsoles
- Removable foam insoles
- Lightweight
CONS
- Quite pricey
#5 - Brooks Dyad 11
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The Brooks Dyad 11 is another shoe that has extra cushioning. Unlike the other shoes that tend to be too narrow for some users, this makes sure you have that extra room in the forefoot while still being secure to your feet.
This extra room can let you add whatever orthotics you need to add, especially for your flat feet.
Their BioMoGo DNA cushioning makes it much more comfortable for your feet. Brooks even says it adapts to your stride so that the impact of your foot hitting the ground can be absorbed.
If you overpronate, though, this probably won’t be the best shoe for you since it only provides neutral support instead of any motion control or stability. It still however designs its shoe to have a stable ride because of its outsoles.
The outsoles contain arch supports called the Dual Arch Pods with a wider platform near the front so that you have added stability. This will be a great shoe for those who land midfoot since its cushioning extends throughout the whole foot.
For others who go for the heel first, their segmented crash pad is designed to help with that. This isn’t the thickest cushioning I’ve seen near the heel, though. Other shoes will definitely provide more support and protection for your heel.
