13 Finest Strolling Footwear for Flat Ft | 2025 Picks

Having flat ft doesn’t imply you’re destined for a lifetime of discomfort. With the correct sneakers, you possibly can reliably stroll all day lengthy, run all of your errands, or do something you’d like for hours on finish with out feeling that tell-tale ache in your arches, heels, or elsewhere.

The important thing to discovering one of the best strolling sneakers for flat ft is to search for pairs with good (however not an excessive amount of) arch assist, a secure design, and a few flexibility—sufficient that it bends, however doesn’t fold in half. Beneath, consultants in podiatry and bodily remedy share their greatest ideas for purchasing for flat foot-friendly strolling sneakers, plus choices which can be simply begging to be worn in your every day walks.

Our high picks

1. Finest General: Hoka Arahi 7, $145
2. Runner-Up: Kuru Atom, $159
3. Finest Finances Choose: Ryka Devotion X, $110
4. Finest for Most Cushioning: Hoka Gaviota 5, $175
5. Finest for Plantar Fasciitis: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24, $140
6. Finest for Large Ft: New Stability 1540 V4, $180
7. Finest for Standing All Day: Asics GT-1000 13, $110
8. Finest for Strolling Lengthy Distances: Eager WK500, $135

Store strolling sneakers for flat ft

You’ll most likely have to strive on just a few pairs to find out what feels greatest in your ft. However you will get a leg (or foot) up in your search by beginning with this record. Our picks embody expert-recommended manufacturers like Hoka and Chaco, in addition to SELF editor–examined and –permitted choices.

Finest General: Hoka Arahi 7

Each Dr. Gremillion and Dr. Piekarska advocate Hoka sneakers—the latter describes them as “secure but snug”—and lots of the model’s sneakers have gained a seal of acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Affiliation (APMA) for his or her foot-friendly designs.

The Arahi 7 is an effective choice for flat ft as a result of it’s designed to stop overpronation (a.ok.a when your ft and ankles roll inward as you stroll, a standard downside for folks with low arches), which may result in heel ache, in keeping with Dr. Piekarska. We additionally like this fashion for runners with flat ft, particularly in case your ft are on the slim aspect.

“I like carrying my Arahi 7s after I’m in a mind-set to get stuff carried out. They’re definitely snug and cushioned, however with a stack that’s rather less voluminous and extra responsive than different Hoka fashions. I really feel a extra grounded and prepared roll,” says one SELF tester. “Not able to roll, although, are my arches, that are held firmly in place on this stability shoe.”

Runner-Up: Kuru Atom

Kuru’s best-selling Atom sneaker contains a deep heel cup that hugs the again of your foot and a curved, contoured arch for further assist the place you want it most. Our tester was impressed by how agency (but snug) the arch was, noting that it felt nice on lengthy walks on exhausting pavement, with one caveat: “It appears like its placement is a bit too far again within the shoe—the higher finish of my arch didn’t get fairly the identical quantity of assist as the remainder of it.”

For all its sturdiness, the Atom saved our tester’s ft cool and contemporary after lengthy durations of wear and tear, because of its breathable mesh higher. It’s considerably missing in padding, particularly within the forefoot, which is why it falls wanting our high choose. But when construction takes precedence over cushioning for you, the Atom may very properly be your private greatest general.

Finest Finances Choose: Ryka Devotion X

Ryka’s best-selling (and AMPA-approved) Devotion X reveals you don’t should shell out for the fanciest pair of strolling sneakers in the marketplace to get good arch assist. Its insole has a built-in arch, and its midsole gives extra construction across the center of the foot. As a fitness-walking-specific shoe, it additionally doesn’t skimp on consolation: There’s further padding within the forefoot and heel to assist soak up the influence of your steps, and the mesh higher helps hold your ft cool on hotter days.

Finest for Most Cushioning: Hoka Gaviota 5

One other extremely supportive and APMA-approved choice from Hoka is the Gaviota 5. With extra cushioning than the Arahi, it’s akin to the 2023 SELF Sneaker Award–profitable Hoka Bondi—however with a concentrate on stability over plushness, for folk with flat ft who nonetheless love a extremely cushioned shoe. The Gaviota’s H-Body design gently retains your foot within the appropriate alignment—a win for overpronators.

This newest model of the Gaviota improves on earlier fashions with a barely wider match, elevated airflow via the higher, and an excellent softer really feel. Between its plush padding and straightforward breathability, the Gaviota will hold a spring in your step, even on lengthy days spent working throughout city.

“As somebody who overpronates, I can verify that the Gaviotas are extremely stabilizing whereas additionally offering that walking-on-a-cloud really feel I search for in a Hoka,” one SELF tester says. “I additionally like how breathable they’re and the roominess of the toe field—no foot sweat or toe claustrophobia over right here.”

Finest for Plantar Fasciitis: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24

Nicholas Japs, DPT, a bodily therapist at St. Vincent’s Medical Heart in Bridgeport, Connecticut, beforehand beneficial the Brooks Adrenaline GTS for individuals who cope with plantar fasciitis. It has a bigger heel-to-toe drop than different sneakers on our record, which helps take extra strain off your heel and can (hopefully) relieve a number of the ache that comes with the situation.

Past that, it’s a really well-cushioned, supportive sneaker, with two items of agency foam on both aspect to assist hold your foot aligned when you’re on the transfer. One SELF staffer considers the Adrenaline her “workhorse” sneaker, explaining that she wears her pair for every thing however pace coaching: “I overpronate whereas I run, and these give me the assist I wanted to construct up my mileage pain-free.”

Finest for Large Ft: New Stability 1540 v4

When you’re able to embrace the dad shoe pattern (which is actually simply an excuse to put on tremendous comfortable strolling sneakers), New Stability is a good model to browse. Designed to offer most construction, consolation, and movement management (to stop rolling), the 1540 V4 will help hold flat ft comfortable—all whereas assembly your normcore aspirations.

Bonus: It is available in three widths, so in case you usually battle to discover a shoe with sufficient room within the toe field, we extremely advocate giving this one a strive.

Finest for Standing All Day: Asics GT-1000 13

A earlier iteration of the GT-1000 gained a Sneaker Award final yr, wowing our tester with how comfortable it felt—even for hours at a time. “These are very gentle, breathable, and springy, and mildew to your foot effortlessly. My finicky arches beloved them,” they stated. The GT-1000 13 is much more structured, because of some new stability options within the midsole.

This pair of sneaks is right for standing all day: As SELF has beforehand reported, it’s necessary in your footwear to offer sufficient assist (normally within the type of sturdy, stiff insoles) in case you’re going to be in your ft for lengthy durations of time. Whether or not you’re headed to a live performance or working an extended shift, the GT-1000 13 will assist stop foot fatigue and ache.

Finest for Strolling Lengthy Distances: Eager WK500

Eager’s WK500s have a curved sole, which is extra widespread in trainers and provides these strolling sneakers a particular, rocker-like form. The impact? Fixed motion. One SELF staffer, who logged severe steps carrying the earlier version (the WK400s) over a number of years, particularly appreciated the curved sole whereas she was speeding to sort out a number of errands round her neighborhood.

“I’m a reasonably quick walker as it’s, however I really feel like I’ve tiny jetpacks strapped to my ft after I put on these sneakers,” she says. “When you begin transferring, they actually make it easier to construct up and preserve your momentum.” The up to date WK500 weighs almost two ounces much less, which provides to that light-on-your-feet feeling.

Finest for Strolling and Working: Nike Construction 25

Alicia Canzanese, DPM, ATC, a board-certified podiatrist, athletic coach, and former collegiate observe athlete, beforehand beneficial the Nike Construction to SELF, noting that it’s a light-weight and supportive stability shoe (that means it’s designed with assist via the arch to stop pronation). That’s a uncommon combo to come back by, and it’s the primary motive why this sneaker is nice for strolling and working—it’ll really feel sturdy when you stroll, however gained’t weigh you down whenever you choose up the tempo.