A collapsed arch isn’t itself a disability. But the lack of a gap between the lower and upper section of your feet can be quite bothersome.
With the missing raise in the center of the feet, there’s an uneven distribution of body weight and too much pressure across your legs. This results in painful and overly tired feet, which can make walking uncomfortable, especially if you have to be on your feet for long.
A suitable relief package is the best walking shoes for flat feet. But if you already have sneakers or dress shoes with moderate arch support, stuffing in some insoles with arch support can make a big difference.
While the impact of these shoes is only artificial, they help to reduce pain and allow you to walk comfortably.
Quite too often, your feet tend to mold nicely to the raised arches, so only the relevant contact points come to touch with the ground. In turn, this enhances even distribution of weight and makes walking enjoyable despite having collapsed feet.
With that said, below are some of the best walking shoes that you might want to consider if flat feet is bothering you.
Best Walking Shoes for Flat Feet Reviews
1. Saucony Men’s Grid Omni Walker
For men with flat feet, decent arch support matters more than the fashion statement of a shoe persona.
So as boring as some of us may think they look, Saucony Men’s Omni Walker are quite a big deal because they provide high arch support that give your collapsed arch a raise.
The pair features a soft, flexible leather upper, which doesn’t feel too stiff in the beginning and generally takes a short time to break in.
The upper is only somewhat breathable. So if you’re going to walk under extremely hot weather, you just might have sweaty feet to clean if you wear these.
In addition to the midfoot bridge and insole that provides arch support, these shoes include SRC crash pads in the heel area for comfort and shock absorption.
These walking shoes have a coarse lining. And while it’s okay to wear them without socks, it’s best to wear moisture wicking socks before putting the shoes on.
With Saucony Men’s Grid Omni Walker, you don’t have to go a size or half up or down. They run true to size and therefore hold very well.
2. Vionic Women’s Walker Classic Walking Shoes
Vionic Women’s Walker Classic walking shoes do more than just correct flat feet. In addition to easing pain in the plantar fascia, they keep your feet and knees in correct alignment so you don’t overpronate.
The pair is lightweight, a more reason to wear them if you plan to be on your feet all day.
On their own, these walking shoes already offer decent arch support, so you don’t have to buy removable insoles to correct flat feet – although you can if you feel like you need a little more.
These walking shoes feature an Active Motion System and an EVA footbed, which cushion and comfort your feet as you walk while improving your gait at the same time.
With a moisture wicking liner that enhances constant airflow, you never have to worry about sweaty feet from a lot of walking.
The rubber sole has a 0.5-inch elevation, which encourages a flexible heel to toe transition.
Moreover, the sole feels stiff straight out of the box and stays that way for an extended period. That way, your feet don’t get stronger and your plantar fascia doesn’t stretch.
3. Propet Men’s LifeWalker Strap Walking Shoes
Although Propet Men’s LifeWalker Strap isn’t the most fashionable pair of walking shoes you’ll come by, its level of comfort far outweighs the aesthetics.
Designed for men who have flat feet and those who overpronate, the walking shoes deliver well on the promise of cushioning, shock absorption, breathability, and heel to toe transition.
They feature hook and loop Velcro straps that go all the way across and stay in place to maintain a personalized fit.
While these walking shoes include seams down the center of the tongue, they’re light and hardly noticeable. As such, you don’t have to worry about the shoes rubbing your skin – especially on your insteps.
The interior of these walking shoes invites you to a higher level of cushioning, which provide a stable landing platform.
There’s a lot of room in the toe box that lets your feet wiggle a little and get that extra breathing space.
Then there is the EVA midsole, which provides excellent arch support that goes easy on your flat feet and cushions every step you take.
4. Skechers Performance Men’s Go Walk 3 Slip-On Walking Shoe
Just when we thought that the Go Walk 2 was the final model in the Skechers’ Go Walk series, the brand releases a third edition to keep up with their mission to design the most comfortable walking shoes for flat feet and overpronation.
Performance Men’s Go Walk 3 features a breathable mesh and textile upper, which keeps your feet sweat free as you walk.
These slip-on walking shoes are easy to wear. And provided you order the right size, they should be a good fit.
The midsole cushioning not only cuddles your feet for a comfortable landing from every foot strike. It also helps to absorb shock from those steps so there is less impact making contact with your feet.
Skechers Performance Go Walk 3 feature non-marking soles, so they don’t leave traces of spots behind as you walk.
Because the outsole is thick and slip resistant, expect better grip, traction, and stability even if you walk on wet, oily, or slippery floors.
5. Propet Women’s Stability Walker Sneaker
Propet Women’s Stability Walker Sneakers earn some top ratings for comfort, durability, and overall performance.
The hundreds of women who’ve worn these sneakers agree that the arch support is decent enough to correct flat feet.
To begin with, you can get a pair with a brushed nubuck leather upper or go with the full-grain smooth leather upper.
Propet adds the EVA midsole to these walking sneakers for two reasons:
- To provide a layer of cushioning to supplement the standard insoles that come with the sneakers and
- To absorb shock so there’s minim impact between the ground and your feet
And don’t worry if you hit the ground hard with your heels first. There’s a gel padding in this area that provides additional cushioning so you can easily walk without worrying about intense presses against your heels.
Propet Women’s Stability Walker Sneakers are heavier than standard memory foam walking shoes. But they still feel lightweight enough to wear for an extended period.
The rubber sole feature grooves that add slip resistance power to the shoes. So you get the balance, grip, and traction necessary for stable walking.
To be clear, the slip resistance power of these shoes means you can wear them to walk through wet leaves, get by in snow-packed pavements, and walk on oily floors just fine.
And even if you step on something slippery such as the banana peel, you’ll still be on your feet.
As good as the outsole is, don’t expect these sneakers to perform well on uneven pavements. They won’t hold up well especially in cases where you do a lot of walking.
6. Brooks Men’s Addiction Walker Walking Shoes
Brooks Men Addiction Walkers are some of the most comfortable walking shoes for men whose arches have collapsed.
They’re the best alternative to consider if you’ve been walking in shoes that only provide moderate arch support.
And while it’s only available in black and white full grain leather and brown suede, the model is quite dominant and in great demand.
Here’s why:
The edition’s motion control design, together with the MC Pod Configuration, keeps your feet in correct and properly balanced position and controls overpronation.
It includes an Extended Progressive Diagonal Rollbar technology that eases stress and risk of knee, hip, and ankle injuries.
The cushioned and shock absorbent footbed go easy on your feet and knees, making these one of the most comfortable shoes to wear if you have back pain.
Moreover, the model includes a Hydro Flow, which is a chamber filled with silicone oil that disperses pressure as your feet hit the ground. The result is a comfortable walking experience even on irregular surfaces.
The problem with Brooks Addiction Men’s Walker is that they have a bulky silhouette.
Even then, the sole unit is up to the standard, offering better traction on different surfaces for a good walking experience.