More than 30% of the world’s population suffer from flat feet. Ever found yourself with a nice pair of workout shoes but as soon as you start your workout you feel pain? One possible reason is that you may be suffering from flat feet and your shoes do not offer enough support. People with flat feet need a special type of shoe to support the collapsed arch in their feet.
In this article, we provide a few of the best workout shoes for flat feet. We also talk about the benefits of using shoes made for flat feet and some complications that persons with flat feet may experience. Let’s get right to it!
Best Workout Shoes for Flat Feet
| New Balance Men’s FuelCell 1260 V7 Running Shoe – Best Overall |
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| PUMA Women’s Tazon 6 Sneaker – Best Budget |
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| Mizuno Men’s Wave Catalyst 2 Running Shoe – Best Value For Money |
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| ASICS Men’s Gel-Kayano 24 Running Shoes – Best Cushioning System |
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| Brooks Dyad 11 – Best for Wide Feet |
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Comfortable Workout Shoes for Flat Feet
Wearing the most comfortable shoes when working out is crucial, and it helps to eliminate any injuries that can be caused by flat feet. Below are some comfortable workout shoes for flat feet that can help you minimize the risk of injury during workout sessions.
New Balance Men’s FuelCell 1260 V7 Running Shoe – Best Overall
The New Balance 1260 V7 is the best shoe for flat foot runners thanks to its nitrogen-infused midsole cushioning and a blown rubber outsole. This unit is perfectly designed for shock absorption so that your feet do not pay the ultimate price. The interior of these workout shoes features a comfortable cushion throughout to fully support your entire foot.
The comfortable shoes are also durable and will serve you for many months before needing to be replaced. The no-sew construction allows the shoes to have a sleek fit and feel to give you the confidence to perform your workout without worrying about injuries. This unit also features a mesh design, so, if you have extremely sweaty feet, your feet can breathe easily.
- Well suited for running
- Excellent shock-absorbing properties
- Comfortable interior cushion
- Breathable materials
- Durable
- May look clunky
- Narrow
PUMA Women’s Tazon 6 Sneaker – Best Budget
The Puma Women’s Tazon 6 Sneaker is one of the most affordable workout shoes on the market for people with flat feet. This is because it has a specialized EVA pod heel and midsole cushioning. Both the heel pod and midsole cushioning help to provide shock absorption and arch support.
In terms of design, these shoes are made from synthetic leather which means they will be able to withstand many intense training sessions. They also include ventilation holes that allow air to circulate and cross laces to help keep it in place and provide a snug and stable fit.
These stylish sport sneakers are available in a plethora of different colors, and they give you an edgy look, whether you’re running or strength training.
- EVA pod in the heel for shock absorption
- Midsole cushioning for arch support
- Ventilation holes for breathability
- Sporty look
- Great price
- Require some time to break-in
- Sizing issues
Mizuno Men’s Wave Catalyst 2 Running Shoe – Best Value for Money
The Mizuno Wave Catalyst 2 will instantly feel comfortable the first time you wear them. They allow you to unleash your speed and experience comfort at a whole different level. These shoes come with a highly responsive cushioning system that reduces strain and bounces back right away instead of allowing your feet to sink in.
The cushioning system includes an improved Mizuno’s Dynamotion Fit. The specialized fit from Mizuno allows these shoes to move with your feet to keep your feet safe during workout activities. This also helps to provide a secure and flexible fit.
The Catalyst 2 requires little to no break-in time and comes with a wide, mesh toe box to keep your toes cool and dry. The Fan Wave design provides structural guidance and helps to absorb shock. The Fan Wave is simply a piece of plastic that runs from the heel to the midsole to provide an extra bit of stability. People with flat feet will gladly appreciate this extra feature since it helps your feet land more naturally.
- Super comfortable
- Highly responsive cushioning system
- Moves with your feet
- Fan Wave design to absorb shock and provide structural support
- Great value for the price
- Not available in other colors
- Sizing can be off
ASICS Men’s Gel-Kayano 24 Running Shoes – Best Cushioning System
The Asics Men’s Gel-Kayano 24 shoes bring some serious cushioning action for your feet. As the name suggests, these shoes come with a gel cushioning system for shock absorption and seamless gait transition. The heels and toes of these units are specially padded to offer all the protection you’ll ever need.
The workout shoes from Asics feature their Flytefoam in the midsoles to help them bounce back after an intense workout. These highly durable shoes will last you a long time and are designed to keep your feet comfortable at all times.
The heel of these shoes was built in such a way that it keeps your feet in place while running. This way your feet aren’t moving around in the shoes, which can cause injuries. All these features combined, including the gel cushion system, Flytefoam midsole, and cushioned heel, work great for runners with flat feet.
- Gel cushions in the toes and heels of the shoe
- Flytefoam midsoles
- Keeps feet in place
- Highly durable
- Great for runners
- Lacks flexibility since it holds your feet in place
Brooks Dyad 11 – Best for Wide Feet
The Brooks Dyad 11 is a cult favorite for flat-footers. These shoes are suitable for those who have wide feet, and they have enough space for your feet to spread out. The generous fit is the shining star of these units as well as the super-soft cushioning.
They provide an extra feeling of stability thanks to an innovative arch support system inclusive of dual arch pods and a wide platform. These help to eliminate any issue with the wearer’s natural stride and prevent injuries. Other features include the soft memory foam midsole that conforms to different foot shapes and a heel crash pad to absorb shock. The Dyad 11 is also wide enough to accommodate orthotics, so walkers are loving these as well.
- Wide Fit
- Provides Stability
- Innovative arch support
- Does not affect natural stride
- Prevents injuries
- Material pills after a few uses
Complications of Flat Feet
Flat feet sufferers may find that this condition alters the way their legs align. This can cause knee and ankle problems which can become severe in the future. The pain you may experience in the heel and arch area will get worse as time goes on.
Persons with flat feet may also develop a condition called plantar fasciitis if they don’t wear shoes with adequate support. This condition causes stabbing pains with your first steps in the morning, which returns after long periods of standing and sitting.
Other complications include shooting pains from your foot to your waist, aching feet after running or walking, and swollen feet, among others.
Why Do You Need Special Training Shoes for Flat Feet?
Having flat feet is a challenge when trying to walk, even when you’re barefooted; however, don’t let flat feet hold you back and stop you from getting in that daily workout. All you need is a pair of shoes that support the arch of your foot to ensure that you have a good workout.
Those suffering from flat feet are more susceptible to injuries and muscular strain. This is the reason you need to pay special attention to the type of workout shoe you choose. If you’re running, jogging, lifting weights, or participating in another form of intense workout, your feet need to be comfortable and supported. If not, you can possibly risk long-term injury.
What Brands Make Vegan Workout Shoes for Flat Feet?
When looking for workout shoes for flat feet, you may want to look for vegan shoes. However, searching for vegan options can be challenging. Although some shoes are labeled non-leather, they can still contain other materials derived from animals such as glues and dyes. If you are interested in vegan workout shoes, here’s a list of brands that make vegan workout shoes for flat feet.
New Balance
New Balance makes most of its shoes from synthetic or plant-based materials. The company works closely with its adhesive suppliers to ensure that it’s not using animal by-products in its adhesives. This way it can offer a vegan-friendly option to those who are looking. New balance guarantees that many of its products that are not made from leather, suede, wool, or down are free from any materials derived from animals.
Mizuno
Mizuno has an extensive range of workout shoes that are 100% vegan-friendly and are great for people with flat feet. None of the shoes contain any form of animal-derived materials. This means that no animals were harmed during the creation of these shoes. The exciting range of vegan shoes from Mizuno combines the company’s tried and trusted technologies and vegan-friendly materials to cater to all your workout needs.
Asics
ASICS uses synthetic materials, rubber, and fibers in most of their shoes. The company is committed to sustainability and eco-friendly manufacturing methods. Asics has a huge collection of vegan shoes including the popular Onitsuka Tiger line. However, it does have a few models that may include animal materials, whether it’s animal-derived glue or leather. Look carefully as the non-vegan options have an “L” at the end of the product code. The “L” means that the products contain leather. Unfortunately, there are no labels or markings to say if the glue used is derived from animals.
Brooks
Brooks is one of the oldest sports footwear companies and today, almost all its shoes are vegan-friendly. The company does not manufacture its products with any animal products or by-products, including vegan adhesives. Brooks shoes are famous for their high performance, stability, and highly cushioned systems that support all different shapes of feet, including flat feet.
FAQ About Best Workout Shoes for Flat Feet
How do I Choose the Right Workout Shoes for Flat Feet?
There are a few things you need to look for to make sure you are getting the best workout shoes for your flat feet. For stabilization, your workout shoes should have stabilizers on the side of the forefoot and arch support as well as a padded collar.
A pair of shoes with a low arch, a great lace-up system, a good amount of cushioning, a padded tongue, and a cushioned insole will provide great support. Look for a unit with a good cushioning system to absorb shock and reduce the impact on your joints.
Comfort is also important, so search for a breathable shoe that allows air to flow, has padding on the tongue and the collar, and a responsive and comfortable midsole. Make sure you get the right size of workout shoes. If you have a wide foot, then a narrow front shoe will not fit you comfortably. Get a shoe that caters to your foot shape and fits true to size.
