13 Greatest Strolling Footwear for Flat Ft | 2025 Picks

Having flat ft doesn’t imply you’re destined for a lifetime of discomfort. With the proper sneakers, you may 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 the most effective strolling sneakers for flat ft is to search for pairs with good (however not an excessive amount of) arch assist, a steady design, and a few flexibility—sufficient that it bends, however doesn’t fold in half. Beneath, specialists in podiatry and bodily remedy share their finest ideas for purchasing for flat foot-friendly strolling sneakers, plus choices which might be simply begging to be worn in your day by day walks.

Our high picks

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

Store strolling sneakers for flat ft

You’ll in all probability must attempt on a number of pairs to find out what feels finest to your ft. However you may 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.

Greatest General: Hoka Arahi 7

Each Dr. Gremillion and Dr. Piekarska advocate Hoka sneakers—the latter describes them as “steady but comfy”—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 efficient possibility for flat ft as a result of it’s designed to forestall overpronation (a.ok.a when your ft and ankles roll inward as you stroll, a standard drawback for individuals with low arches), which may result in heel ache, based on Dr. Piekarska. We additionally like this type for runners with flat ft, particularly in case your ft are on the slender aspect.

“I really like carrying my Arahi 7s once I’m in a mind-set to get stuff performed. They’re actually comfy 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 comfy) the arch was, noting that it felt nice on lengthy walks on laborious pavement, with one caveat: “It appears like its placement is a bit of 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 intervals 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 decide. But when construction takes precedence over cushioning for you, the Atom might very nicely be your private finest total.

Greatest Finances Choose: Ryka Devotion X

Ryka’s best-selling (and AMPA-approved) Devotion X reveals you don’t must 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 impression of your steps, and the mesh higher helps preserve your ft cool on hotter days.

Greatest for Most Cushioning: Hoka Gaviota 5

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

This newest model of the Gaviota improves on earlier fashions with a barely wider match, elevated airflow by the higher, and an excellent softer really feel. Between its plush padding and straightforward breathability, the Gaviota will preserve 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.”

Greatest 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 take care of 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 few 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 preserve 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 all the things however velocity coaching: “I overpronate whereas I run, and these give me the assist I wanted to construct up my mileage pain-free.”

Greatest for Extensive Ft: New Steadiness 1540 v4

For those who’re able to embrace the dad shoe development (which is basically simply an excuse to put on tremendous comfortable strolling sneakers), New Steadiness is a superb model to browse. Designed to offer most construction, consolation, and movement management (to forestall rolling), the 1540 V4 can assist preserve flat ft joyful—all whereas assembly your normcore aspirations.

Bonus: It is available in three widths, so when you typically wrestle to discover a shoe with sufficient room within the toe field, we extremely advocate giving this one a attempt.

Greatest 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 mild, breathable, and springy, and mould to your foot effortlessly. My finicky arches beloved them,” they mentioned. The GT-1000 13 is much more structured, because of some new stability options within the midsole.

This pair of sneaks is good for standing all day: As SELF has beforehand reported, it’s vital to your footwear to offer sufficient assist (often within the type of sturdy, stiff insoles) when you’re going to be in your ft for lengthy intervals 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.

Greatest for Strolling Lengthy Distances: Eager WK500

Eager’s WK500s have a curved sole, which is extra frequent 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 dashing to deal with 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 once I put on these sneakers,” she says. “When you begin shifting, they actually enable you to construct up and keep your momentum.” The up to date WK500 weighs almost two ounces much less, which provides to that light-on-your-feet feeling.

Greatest for Strolling and Operating: Nike Construction 25

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