the tendon behind the shin bone that supports the arch), Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, midfoot arthritis, or ankle and knee joint conditions, according to Kennedy and Spencer.Whether you have an anatomically flat foot, or you have collapsed arches, looking for the best tennis shoes for you is a challenge.

If you have flat feet and experience discomfort, it might show up in the form of shin splints, pain in the posterior tibial tendon (a.k.a. There are many people with flat feet that have no problems at all.” “One thing to keep in mind is that having flat feet isn’t necessarily bad. “These structures try to stabilize the foot, and as a result, they can get injured or damaged in the process,” he says. “This reduces the ability of the foot to absorb shock, either with a heel strike or a midfoot strike, resulting in an increased risk of injury.”įlat feet can also cause instability of the foot bones, which then puts more stress on ligaments, tendons, and muscles, explains Scott Spencer, D.P.M., associate professor at Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine. If you have flat feet, it means your heel lies at an outward angle, the arches have collapsed, and the forefoot or toes rotate outward, says Kennedy.

So, to get you started on your search for the best running shoes for flat feet, we found some great options. Kennedy, M.D., chief of foot and ankle surgery at NYU Langone Health and Scott Spencer, D.P.M., associate professor at Kent State University College of Podiatric MedicineĪs with most walking and running shoes, you won’t know exactly what works best for you until you try them on.

“The materials in the shoe are extremely important for promoting good foot function and for dealing with the increased forces runners put on their feet,” he says. Kennedy, M.D., chief of foot and ankle surgery at NYU Langone Health. Look for sneakers with a well-cushioned arch, a wide toe box, and a strong heel to help hold the foot in place, according to John G. Namely, you’ll need supportive shoes that help stabilize the feet. your foot rolls in when you run), finding sneakers that’ll keep you comfortable through miles and miles requires lacing up and hitting the road for a test run.īut for those with flat feet, picking the right pair means following a few key rules for optimum support. Whether you’re a neutral runner or a pronator (a.k.a. We updated this article in June 2023 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive research done by our team.Ĭhoosing the best running shoes takes some trial and error.

Best shoe for flat feet