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We all know that running is a great form of exercise without a doubt. It helps strengthen your legs, your mind, your stamina, your heart, and your lungs too. It really is an all-around great form of exercise. However, what if you can’t run, or at least not comfortably?
What we are talking about here is the problem of flat feet or flat footedness, a condition that affects more people than you know, a condition you might suffer from. The point is that flat feet can be painful and make it very hard to run, but there is a solution to this problem.
If you have flat feet but would still like to run, the solution is a pair of running shoes which are optimally designed to counter the symptoms and effects of flat feet. We’re here today to talk about flat feet, what kind of shoes you need to run with flat feet, and what some of the best running shoes for flat feet are.
Summary: The Best Running Shoes For Flat Feet
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What Are Flat Feet? – The Problem
“Flat feet” is a condition that is also referred to as “fallen arches”. Your feet are supposed to have significant arches in the bottom of them, these arches help you keep a normal gait and they also help absorb the impact you take with each step. As opposed to healthy feet, the arches of people with flat feet collapse with each step, thus causing the foot to stretch out and the whole sole of the foot to touch the ground. This is something that is definitely not supposed to happen.
Between 20 and 30 percent of the population suffer from flat feet, with some milder cases and some harsher ones. People with mild cases of flat feet may have a visible arch when there is no weight on the foot, but when weight is put on it, the arch may partially or completely collapse. There are also extreme cases out there where people with flat feet don’t even have a visible arch without weight on the foot.
This stretching out and collapsing of the arch can cause the ligaments and tendons in the feet to overstretch, thus becoming inflamed and very painful. This collapse also results in a diminished ability for your feet to absorb impact, something that can become very painful too. Flat feet can also become very painful due to an improper gait, which then can result in ankle, leg, and even back pain.
People who suffer from flat feet also tend to overpronate. Overpronation is when your feet roll inwards excessively, something caused by the collapsing of the arches which forces the feet to roll inwards. This excessive inward rolling of the feet causes you to have a stance that is not ergonomically friendly and it shifts your whole foot and leg structure out of place. This often results in extreme ankle, calf, and knee pain, and in extreme cases can also cause severe back pain too.
For people who just like to walk on a regular basis, flat feet can be painful, they can lead to inflammation, and an inability to walk and even to balance properly. However, for people who like to run, these symptoms can be exponentially worse due to the high amount of impact that your feet suffer when running fast over long distances.
Therefore, for people who suffer from flat feet, but still want to run, there is only one real solution, and that is to get a pair of running shoes specially designed to offer the support and stability needed to counter the effects of collapsing arches, overpronation, and the resulting discomfort.
What To Look Out For When Buying Running Shoes For Flat Feet – The Solution
Suffering from flat feet and overpronation is a very serious issue that can be severely debilitating, especially for athletes who like to run long distances. The trick is of course to get special running shoes which are designed to combat the effects of flat feet in order to provide you with a comfortable pain-free run. Here are some of the most important things which you should look out for when buying running shoes for flat feet.
Arch Support
Perhaps the most important factor of any good running shoe for flat feet is the amount of arch support that it provides. In order to stop your arches from collapsing you need a fairly solid and stable base that supports your arches from underneath.
Therefore, a good running shoe for flat feet will have optimal under arch support to keep your arches in place and keep them from stretching out, becoming inflamed, and becoming painful. Keep in mind that milder cases of flat feet will require less support, but extreme cases will require a lot of support. It all depends on how flat your feet really are. This arch support will also help to stop overpronation.
Impact Absorption
Another very important thing to look out for before you buy any pair of running shoes for flat feet is how much shock and impact they can absorb. The amount of impact you take with each step, when you have flat feet, will go a long way in determining how far down your arches collapse. The more cushioning and impact absorption capabilities your running shoes have the less impact is transferred to your feet and the less your arches will collapse.
Flat feet can already be quite painful as is, so you definitely don’t want too much impact being transferred to your feet because that will only make them hurt more. Keep in mind that there is a certain tradeoff between cushioning or impact absorption and arch support.
A more solid arch with rigid support will absorb slightly less impact than a softer arch, but a softer arch will absorb more impact while providing slightly less under arch support. Whatever the case may be, even if you don’t have flat feet, a good pair of running shoes should have some kind of special insole, gel cushioning, or impact absorbing crash pad to provide you with a soft running surface.
Heel Support
The next important consideration to keep in mind when buying running shoes for flat feet is how well they support the heels. People who have flat feet and tend to overpronate will definitely benefit from a pair of running shoes that have some kind of heel support or heel cupping system.
With a good heel support system, your heels and the back of your feet will stay snugly in place and resist the excessive inward rolling or overpronation of the feet. This is essential for enforcing a natural gait and an ergonomically friendly pronation free stride. This is very important for preventing the pain caused by overpronation.
Multi-Directional Support
Yet another important thing to look out for when buying running shoes for flat feet is that the shoes in question provide a decent amount of multi-directional support. This pretty much comes down to the upper or in other words the tops and sides of the shoes. You want the upper to be fairly flexible, yet also quite snug, because you want the material to push against your feet from all angles in order to provide a movement free fit. The less movement there is within the shoes, the less your arches will collapse and the less you will overpronate.
Light Weight & Breathability
Another thing you want to look for in a good pair of running shoes is that they are fairly lightweight and breathable too. The simple fact of the matter is that you don’t want to run around with heavy gold bricks attached to your feet because that is going to make you tired very fast. Moreover, having hot and sweaty feet is uncomfortable, plus it can lead to blisters too. Therefore, a lightweight and breathable shoe, preferably one with some kind of mesh upper is definitely preferable.
Running Shoes For Flat Feet Reviews
Our Rating
The Brooks Men’s Adrenaline Gts 17 are a great pair of running shoes for anyone with flat feet. They feature a whole lot of support, they are well cushioned, they are flexible yet durable, and they are fairly affordable too. If you suffer from flat feet and/or overpronation, then this is definitely a choice to consider.
Design
One of the things that make these running shoes ideal for people with flat feet is because they offer a decent amount of arch support. Of course, having flat feet means that your arches collapse downwards, something that can end up being quite painful, but that is something that does not happen with the Brooks Adrenaline Gts 17. This shoe has a high amount of arch and heel support, something that runners with flat feet definitely need.
Something else that makes these shoes great for people with flat feet is because they feature structurally supportive upper materials to keep your foot in place and stop it from overpronating, something else that can be quite painful. To make the Brooks Adrenaline Gts 17 fit even better, it also comes with an adjustable asymmetrical midfoot saddle to create a very secure and customizable fit, one that will not allow your foot to roll inwards and move all over the place.
To keep your flat feet from getting painful while running the Brooks Men’s Adrenaline Gts 17 also feature a BioMoGo DNA Gender friendly cushioning design to absorb as much impact as possible. Moreover, they also have a removable molded foam insole for an even greater amount of cushioning and impact absorption. These shoes also have a great rubber sole which helps to provide an even greater degree of cushioning, plus it helps provide good traction too.
Most of the shoe is made out of a lightweight breathable mesh in order to ensure a comfortable run and it offers the perfect balance between support, stability, flexibility, and comfort to provide for a great running experience for anyone with flat feet. The mesh is also great for keeping your feet cool and sweat free while you run.
Value for money
For somewhere around 120 dollars you really can’t complain about the value you get with the Brooks Men's Adrenaline Gts 17. They may seem a little pricey for running shoes, but anyone with flat feet will definitely appreciate the fact that they offer a whole lot of support, impact absorption, and comfort.
Build quality
The build quality of these particular running shoes is simply excellent. The various features which help to absorb impact, support the arches, support the heels, and keep the feet in place are all quality aspects that make this a great running shoe for people with flat feet. There is also the fact that they are fairly lightweight, yet also very durable too.
Pros
- Good arch support for flat feet
- Good stability for overpronation
- Great impact absorption for less pain
- Mesh upper for lightweight and breathability
- Removable insole
- Great stability and all around support
- Fairly durable
Cons
- Make a lot of noise when running – squeaky
- Insole retains a lot of heat
Our Rating
This is definitely one of the best choices out there in terms of running shoes for people with flat feet. The ASICS Men’s Gel-Kayano 23 Running Shoe is equipped with an extraordinary amount of features which are all specially designed in order to provide the ultimate in comfort, support, and shock absorption, all things that people who suffer from flat feet will appreciate without a doubt.
Design
The first awesome thing about these particular running shoes is that they feature an I.G.S or impact guidance system. This feature helps to guide your feet along the proper path and enforce your natural gait, something that helps to offset collapsing arches of flat feet and the overpronation that comes with those flat feet. A proper stride can make all of the difference between comfort and pain, and the impact guidance system of these shoes helps to ensure that your path is that of comfort.
Moreover, these shoes also feature a special heel clutching system. This heel clutching system helps to support your arches while at the same time support the heels of your feet. In the long run, this means that your heels won’t move around too much, the clutching system won’t allow your arches to collapse, and it also goes a long way in stopping overpronation, something that can cause pain in your feet and legs.
Another thing that makes these shoes ideal for runners with flat feet is the rear and forefoot gel cushioning system. This special gel cushioning helps to absorb as much impact as possible, and then transfers that impact energy through the shoe and turns it into takeoff energy. This not only means that your feet absorb very little impact, thus keeping them pain free, but also that you get a certain spring in your step, thus allowing you to take bigger and faster strides.
To help support your arches even more, as well as to absorb a large amount of impact, these shoes also come equipped with FluidRide technology, something that helps you transition from your heel to the balls of your feet with minimal effort, minimal pain, and without your feet absorbing impact. FluidRide technology provides your feet with a cloud like running experience, something that anyone with flat feet will appreciate no doubt. This running shoe also features FlyteFoam technology, which consists of special fibers all throughout the shoe which helps it to maintain its shock absorbing capabilities for a long time to come.
Yet another thing that makes the ASICS Gel-Kayano 23 Running Shoe an ideal choice for people with flat feet is that it features ASICS FluidFit technology. This means that the upper of the shoe is made with stretching mesh that is very breathable and lightweight for comfort, and also helps to support your feet from all directions, thus keeping them snugly in place while you run. This helps to minimize foot movement within the shoe, something that can lead to overpronation for people with flat feet, and that mean pain.
Value for money
The ASICS Men’s Gel-Kayano 23 Running Shoe is not the cheapest on the market, but it is definitely worth the price. This pair of running shoes is going to cost you approximately 160 dollars, which may seem a little pricey, but when you consider what they can do for your flat feet, they are worthwhile no doubt. They feature several different support and impact absorption mechanisms, they are fairly durable, breathable, and lightweight too, all things that make them a valuable find no doubt.
Build quality
The build quality of these particular running shoes is quite good. The fact that they have many different mechanisms to help support both the arches and the heels, plus their massive impact absorption capabilities make them perfect for anyone with flat feet and/or sufferers of overpronation. All in all, these are definitely some quality shoes for flat feet.
Pros
- Good arch support
- Great heel support
- Stability to prevent overpronation
- Lots of impact absorption
- Mesh upper for multi-direction support and lightweight breathability
- Very comfortable to run on
Cons
- Fairly expensive
- Quite narrow – small toe box
- Rubber outer sole may start to wear down after several months of vigorous use
Our Rating
Yet another great running shoe for flat feet is the Saucony Men’s Guide 10 Running Shoe. These shoes have a few special features that help to offer your feet the support you need in order to support your flat arches and deal with possible overpronation. These things go a long way in absorbing impact and keeping your feet pain free while you run.
Design
One of the things that everyone will be able to appreciate about this particular running shoe is that it features a lightweight and breathable upper mesh. The mesh is specially designed to offer you support from all directions so that your feet stay in place within the shoes, so that they don’t overpronate, and so they don’t get too hot, plus nobody wants to run with heavy non-breathing shoes either.
Anybody with flat feet who suffers through painful runs will like the fact that these shoes offer a light to medium amount of stability and arch support. They have a contoured inner sole that gently reinforces the natural arches of your feet to stop your arches from collapsing and to stop overpronating in its tracks. The amount of stability and support these shoes offer your feet is a good balance between rigid support and shock absorption for the perfect running experience.
Speaking of support and shock absorption, the Saucony Men’s Guide 10 Running shoes also feature EVERUN top soles which help to absorb the impact that your feet take with every step you land on the hard ground, something that helps reduce the pain suffered by people who have flat feet.
Even better is the Tri-Flex outsole design which helps to absorb even more impact than ever. This outsole is quite stable and offers a whole lot of support, yet it is also flexible enough to not obstruct the natural movement of your feet, and of course it also goes quite a long way in absorbing impact as well. The outer rubber sole of this shoe also helps to absorb impact, provide for traction, and it makes the Saucony 10 quite durable too.
Value for money
The average price for this shoe is around 120 dollars, which is not very much considering all of the great features it has, most of which are specially designed to deal with flat feet and overpronation. People who suffer from flat feet will definitely benefit from the optimal amount of support, flexibility, and impact absorption that these shoes provide. All things considered, 120 dollars is not too much to spend for comfortable feet.
Build quality
The build quality of these shoes is very high and it is because they offer people with flat feet a way to run without being in pain. They have several methods of impact absorption, they provide good support for the arches, and their sturdy mesh design keeps them lightweight, breathable, and it helps to support the feet from all directions. That is all besides the fact that the Saucony Guide 10 is also built rugged and meant to last for ages to come.
Pros
- Light – medium amount of stability & arch support
- Ideal for people who suffer from mild/medium cases of flat feet
- Large amount of impact absorption for a pain free run
- Mesh upper for lightweight and breathability
- Offer support from all directions
- Durable rubber outer sole
Cons
- Fit slightly small
- Fairly narrow
Our Rating
The New Balance 1260v6 Stability Running shoe is a really good choice for any runner who suffers from flat feet, especially those who suffer from overpronation and the pain it causes in the feet and legs. These shoes offer a high amount of stability and support in order to provide anybody and everybody with a comfortable and pain free running experience.
Design
One of the things that we really like about this particular running shoe is that it is made with 25 percent mesh, most of which is in the upper of the New Balance Men’s 1260v6 Stability Running Shoe. This mesh helps to keep the running shoes very lightweight and breathable, something that is quite important because nobody wants to be running around with bricks strapped to their feet, especially not heat retaining ones.
The mesh upper of these shoes is actually equipped with FantomFit technology. This special technology helps to provide your feet with a snug fit within the New Balance 1260v6 Stability Running Shoes. The snug fit and the great multi-directional support that these shoes offer are great for people with flat feet and for people who overpronate because it keeps the feet in place, supports them from all sides, and minimizes lateral and rolling movement. This help to keep your feet stable, in place, and ultimately, pain free.
This New Balance Running shoe is specially designed for people who tend to overpronate when they walk and run. Therefore, this shoe features special support in the arches which helps to stop the arches from collapsing, something that is useful for people with flat feet. This helps to keep the arches where they are supposed to be and retain the shape they are supposed to have, thus also ending that horrible overpronation that causes so much pain.
To complement the previous feature, these shoes also have an ABZORB crash pad, something that absorbs most of the impact that you take with each step. Instead of the shock being sent through your feet and up your legs, something that gets painful quite quickly, the shoes absorb the shock and keep your feet as comfortable as can be.
Even better is the ACTEVA LITE lightweight foam midsole. This midsole not only helps to absorb the impact your feet would otherwise take with each step, but it also helps to provide a certain amount of under arch support and stability too. All in all, if you need good running shoes and you suffer from flat feet and/or overpronation, the New Balance Men’s 1260v6 Stability Running Shoe definitely makes for a prime choice.
Value for money
These shoes will cost you around 140 dollars, which may seem expensive for running shoes, but these are not just any running shoes. The price tag is really not that high when you consider the fact that these shoes are specially designed to help people with flat feet and people who suffer from overpronation to run in pain free comfort.
Build quality
The build quality of these shoes is pretty good. They are mainly designed to provide multi-directional support to keep your feet stable and in place, they have good arch support for flat feet, and they help to absorb quite a bit of impact too. These things are also lightweight and breathable, all things which make this a quality running shoe for flat feet.
Pros
- A lot of stability to stop overpronation
- A good amount of arch support for flat feet
- Lightweight and breathable
- Multi-directional supportive mesh upper
- Impact absorbing and supportive midsole
Cons
- Fit too big
- Seams and stitches are somewhat weak
- Collar of the shoe may rub against your heels
Our Rating
This is quite a basic running shoe and it is certainly very affordable too. This shoe may not be the fanciest of all options on this list, but when you take into account that they still offer a good amount of support and protection for flat feet and overpronators, they are still worth checking out no doubt.
Design
Something that we love about the design of the Mizuno Men's Wave Inspire 12 Running Shoes is that they offer a great support system. They have a fair amount of arch and heel support, something that people with flat feet definitely need. These shoes are contoured in order to provide the perfect amount of stability and under arch and heel support. This helps to stop the arches from collapsing and becoming more painful with each step and it helps to stop overpronation and the pain that it can cause in the ankles and legs. While they do not offer as much support as some other models, they are great for people with mild cases of flat feet and overpronation.
Another thing that makes these ideal running shoes is that they have a U4icX strobel board to help support your feet even more. This board definitely helps to reinforce the natural shape of your arches and your feet in general, but it also provides a good mix of stability as well as impact absorption too. You don’t want too much impact being transferred to your feet, especially if you suffer from some degree of flat footedness, which is something that these shoes take care of quite well.
These shoes also feature a very lightweight and breathable upper that consists of supportive mesh. Not only does this mesh keep the shoes light and keep your feet well ventilated, but it also helps provide multi-directional support to help keep your feet stable and in place, something that is quite important for overpronators. These things also have a fairly durable rubber outer heel that helps to absorb even more impact than ever, plus the heel provides for great traction too.
Value for money
You really can’t go wrong for around 70 bucks. The Mizuno Wave Inspire 12 Running Shoe is one of the cheaper options out there, yet it still manages to provide a fair amount of stability, comfort, and support for people with flat feet and for overpronators. While they may not be the most supportive models on the market today, they will definitely do the trick for people who suffer from milder cases of flat feet, especially considering the low price tag.
Build quality
The build quality of these running shoes is fairly good. They feature a light mesh upper that is both breathable and supportive, they have a decent amount of cushioning, and a fair amount of under arch support as well. Like we said, they aren’t the softest or most supportive shoes out there, but they do well for running with milder cases of flat feet.
Pros
- Breathable mesh upper
- Multi-directional support for stability
- Decent amount of arch support
- Have some impact absorption capabilities
- Good rubber outer sole
- Very inexpensive
- Ideal for milder cases of flat feet and overpronation
Cons
- Will not work for extreme flat feet or heavy overpronators
- Fairly rigid sole – will need breaking in
- May start to come apart at the seams after several months of rigorous use
Conclusion
Flat feet can be quite the problem when it comes to running long distances, or even walking short distances for that matter. People love to run, but nobody likes to run with the pain of flat feet and overpronation. As you can see, there is a good solution, and that comes in the form of the best running shoes for flat feet.
Just remember to get shoes that are well supported, have good cushioning, and are comfortable to wear in general. We would definitely recommend checking out one of the above options as they are the best choices out there.
If you have any questions about flat feet or buying shoes for flat feet, please feel free to ask us anything and we will get back to you as soon as we can!
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