Best Support: Saucony Women’s Omni 19 Running Shoe
What You’ll Love: The extra stability is good for pronation and high arches.
What You Need to Know:This version has less heel cushioning than earlier models, and a few reviewers complain that the tread wears out quickly for the price.
The super supportive construction on these running shoes make them a top pick for anyone who deals with moderate to severe pronation . They have an external support frame that keeps your foot stabilized throughout your runâand prevents the burrito-style bending that Dr. Brenner warns against. Anyone with normal, low, or flat arches will find comfort in the foam midsole on this option thanks to the brand’s signature Everun topsole that gives the foot continuous cushioning and shock absorption.
Rave Review: “These shoes get an ‘A’ for high arch support! I’ve been a Saucony advocate for years because of the wide, comfortable fit for running. I haven’t felt anything hug my feet like this since my old Eschelon 3’s!! I wore them all day around the house took them out for a short road runâand they were great! These were form fitting and nice cushioning.”
Wearing A Pair Of Slip
byS. M. Rosyida·updated onMar 03, 2021 ·price $31.90 $139.95 ·545 views
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The Best Arch Support Shoes: Sneakers Sandals And Slip
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Laying on my bed in Stockholms Story Hotel, I stared at my feet high above me, resting against the funky wallpaperthis was day one of my first solo trip and my feet were already in such excruciating pain that I couldnt bear the thought of standing up.
Throughout my travels, this routine became par for course until a podiatrist told me what I already knew, but didnt realize was a condition: I have flat feet. While the common condition inflicts about 18 million American adults and can go unnoticed, for some, it can cause pain with every step, especially when tendons gets inflamed or tear.
For anyone who has symptomatic flat feet, the more they walk without proper support, the greater the chances for potential foot issues, says Justin Hill, a certified pedorthist with Hanger Clinic in Albuquerque. For many travelers, these issues are worse when on a trip because they are more active than when they are at home. This is further compounded by wearing unsupportive shoes, such as slip-ons or flip-flops.
Heres what New York Universitys Dr. Louis Iannuzzi, who is on the Pedorthic Footcare Association Board of Directors, and other experts have to say about finding the best shoes for travelers with flat feet.
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Best For High Arches: Nike Zoom Winflo 6 Running Shoe
What You’ll Love: A super thick arch design provides excellent support for high arches.
What You Need to Know: The neutral stability won’t help pronators who need their form corrected.
Despite a streamlined design that minimizes bulk, these responsive running shoes still have the optimal support that Dr. Brenner recommends . The super thick arches ensure the midfoot stays stable during movement, while an extra chunky heel gives your foot a much-needed additional layer of padding to reduce shock and protect your Achilles tendon from injury. Plus, there’s springy, responsive cushioning throughout the entire shoe, including a padded midsole, as well as a rubber crash rail along the outsole.
Rave Review: “I have decently high arches and suffer with plantar fibromas, but this shoe cradles my foot and supports my arch making running almost painless.”
Best Sandal: Teva Universal Slide Sandal
Teva
Why We Love It: These iconic sandals have supple leather uppers, adjustable straps, cupped heels, and cookie padding for the arches.
What to Consider: They only come in whole sizes, and you’ll typically want to size down if you’re in between.
Dr. Yau recommends sandals with relatively wide straps, like Teva’s Original Universal Sandal. “This allows room for the toes to move, preventing ulcers and callus formation,” she says. These thick straps feature hook-and-loop closures, allowing you to adjust them to the perfect fit while making them easy to get on and off. And since they’re crafted from supple leather, the uppers soften over time and are less likely to become stained than the textile variety.
The molded EVA midsoles have cupped heels and cookie padding to support the arches for long days on your feet. Teva sandals only come in whole sizes, and this style runs slightly large, so you’ll want to order a size down if you’re in between.
Price at time of publish: $50
Sizes: 611 | Material: Leather upper, EVA and rubber sole
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Best Budget: Feetmat Women’s Running Shoes
What You’ll Love: The budget-friendly pick still has moisture-wicking upper, no-slip outsoles, and plenty of arch support.
What You Need to Know: A lower price point comes with less research and lower-quality materials.
Shoe brands that invest in research to create top-of-the-line products should really be your first choice if you want high-quality support. But when those podiatrist-approved picks aren’t in budget, fiscally responsible shoppers have you covered with affordable alternatives. They’ve narrowed down Feetmat’s memory sole sneakers as a reliable option at a low price point. With non-slip outsoles and a moisture-wicking mesh material, these comfy sneakers won’t break the bank yet still offer all the support you could dream of.
Rave Review: “I love these sneakers! I needed water sneakers that could provide stable arch and sole support for walking on uneven trails, and water-friendly for when the hiking trail goes through shallow streams. I thought that these might work and they do. They’re perfect.”
Other Recommended Brands Of Arch Support Shoes
Of course, the options above arent the only arch support shoes available, although they tend to be the most popular.
Here is a full list of recommended brands of shoes that offer you great arch support and are comfortable walking shoes.
I have listed the best arch support shoes brands in alphabetical order:
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Best Lightweight: Lifestride Poolside Sandal
Courtesy of Nordstrom
Why We Love It: These ultra-light sandals have shock-absorbing footbeds that grip your arches and stretchy, breathable uppers to ensure a comfortably snug fit.
What to Consider: Since they’re backless, they may not be ideal for walking long distances.
The LifeStride Poolside Sandal is exceedingly lightweight but also plenty supportive. Theres a flexible, airy sole and a cushioned footbed that absorbs impact and evenly distributes your weight while keeping you buoyant on your feet.
These travel-ready sandals have knit uppers to enhance breathability. Though the backless design might not be ideal for walking long distances, the stretchy material provides a snug, secure fit. We also like that they come in half-sizes and multiple widths to accommodate a range of foot sizes and shapes.
Price at time of publish: $85
Sizes: 5.511 | Material: Knit textile upper, synthetic sole
Top Choice: Womens Ghost 12 Running Shoes By Brooks
These sneakers with arch support feature a soft and secure mesh fit, and integrated shock absorption. Available in 29 colors and 54 sizes, they are lightweight, cushioning, and responsive, making them ideal for high-impact sports such as running.
Main Features
- More expensive than many other sneakers
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Most Secure Fit: Mizuno Women’s Wave Horizon 3 Running Shoe
What You’ll Love: The stabilizing technology stops overpronation without impacting the plush cushioning.
What You Need to Know: Reviewers complain the shoes require a break-in period and have a shorter lifespan than other Mizuno models.
Prepare to take your runs to the next level with Mizuno’s most advanced support shoe. The cushioned midsole offers optimal comfort, while the built-in Wave plate technology in the footbed stabilizes your run by dispersing energy evenly post-impact . The responsive plate also optimizes your head-to-toe transitions for smoother strides, gives you critical arch support, and prevents pronation. But the real standout is Mizuno’s AeroHug technology, which molds the breathable mesh upper to your foot for a secure fit that eliminates slipping and sliding during your run.
Rave Review: “I overpronate and have back issues, so I need excellent footwear. These are the most comfortable and supportive shoes I have ever put on my feet.”
What To Look For In The Best Shoes For Arch Support
Whether you have flat feet, high arches or flexible feet, supportive footwear can help reduce your risk of these foot issues and make walking more comfortable in general.
However, Dr. Splichal says that people who experience foot pain may actually benefit from wearing minimalist shoes because they help strengthen the feet and arches. Sensory stimulation, like rolling your feet with a ball, can help release trigger points and enhance foot grip, improving the overall strength of your feet.
When shopping for arch support shoes for flat feet, Dr. Sutera recommends pairs that offer support and stability from a rigid device to help hold up the arch.
Rigid devices would include insoles, orthotics, arch support and shoe gear that are overall stiffer than their very cushioned and flexible counterparts. The flexibility/rigidity of insoles, orthotics and shoe gear varies, she explains.
Meanwhile, women with high arches looking for arch support can benefit more from choosing shoes with more flexible and cushioned insoles to help absorb shock.
In terms of the level of arch support you require, youre going to have to test out a couple of pairs to figure out the perfect version for you.
Ready to shop? Here are the 15 best arch support shoes for women, including cute shoes with arch support, the best walking shoes for high arches and more.
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Best Low Drop: New Balance Fresh Foam Vongo V3 Running Shoe
What You’ll Love: The lightweight design has a low-drop construction that makes feet stronger as you run.
What You Need to Know: High arches may feel unsupported by the low drop and minimal cushioning.
While most low-drop shoes offer limited stability and arch support, this minimalist sneaker defies the norm with an innovative midsole crafted from a single piece of foam. The lightweight material cushions your foot for the duration of your run but still gives critical arch support for an extra boost of stability . And since the smart design has a low heel drop, the natural result is even weight distribution across the shoe .
Rave Review: “I’m an advanced runnerâformer collegiate track cross country runnerâaveraging between 50-60 miles per week and race 5k up to ultramarathons. I say this just to try to enforce that I like to think I know my running shoes. It’s now been about two months that I’ve been wearing these for just about every single run, and oh my gosh, I feel like I’ve hit the . I recently ordered a second pair to have on standby for when my current pair is worn down and am tempted to stock up on like 100 more pairs, just so I know I’ll have them for the rest of my life.”
Orthotics: Do You Need Them In Your Sneakers
Our experts agreed that most people can benefit from a pair of orthotics inserts that offer custom support to alleviate pain or discomfort and ensure youre maintaining proper alignment.
Although orthotics are of greater importance for people that suffer from flat feet, everyone regardless of their foot type can benefit from orthotics, as they help redistribute weight evenly across your feet, Cunha said. Although I prefer custom foot orthotics over prefabricated insoles, some health insurance companies do not provide coverage for custom orthotics and they can be expensive when paying out of pocket. If custom orthotics arent an option, he recommended buying a good insole such as PROFOOT Triad Orthotics, Superfeet, or Pure Stride.
Shvets said to be careful when buying over-the-counter orthotics. Most drugstores sell cushion orthotics that fold and roll they dont offer support and are basically a pillow for your feet, she noted. She prefers a stiffer insert, which generally isnt available in the average drugstore. Her favorites: Spenco, Profoot and Orthofeet. You can buy these online. They make a not-so-great-shoe into a much better shoe, she said.
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Customers Who Viewed This Item Also Viewed
- Package Dimensions :28.4 x 24.5 x 11.1 cm 430 Grams
- Date First Available :15 Jan. 2022
- ASIN :B09QHTG63H
Do not Machine Wash, Air Dry and Avoid Extreme Heat.
- Upper Material: Knit mesh fabric
- Sole Material: Ultra-light PU sole
- Insole Material: Memory foam insole
- Arch Support: With arch support
What To Look For When Shopping For Walking Shoes
If you plan on going to the store to get fitted, Cunha said its best to do so in the evening since thats when your feet are most swollen. If the shoe feels comfortable at the end of the day, it will most likely feel comfortable throughout the day, he noted. Here are three other things experts said to look for when shopping for a new pair of shoes.
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Getting Fitted For Sneakers: What To Expect
Jesus Esparza, a fit expert at Road Runner Sports in Sterling, Virginia, said that when someone comes in looking for a more comfortable shoe or better support, the first thing he does is ask them to step out of their shoes. I look specifically at their gait. I look at their arch type and their posture. When they are standing still, I look to see if they are leaning in or out, he said. He then analyzes their movement as they run on a treadmill and uses a 3D scanner to take critical measurements of their foot. When the data from the body in motion is combined with data from the foot scanner, he is able to really dial in on the style and shape of a shoe that will work best.
Esparza said he sees a lot of people come in with bunions and plantar fasciitis, both of which he said can be avoided with shoes that fit properly. Tightly fitting sneakers, he noted, can cause bunions on the sides of the feet or on the middle toe, for instance.
Many people think that their foot size is their shoe size. People come in wearing an 8.5 because thats their foot size, but we have to convince them that their shoe size is really a 9, he said. Others have no idea they have a wide foot. For runners or active people, we try to tell them they need their space so their toes can breathe.
Best For Underpronation: Altra Footwear Paradigm 5
What You’ll Love: Extra stabilizers and a guide rail system prevent feet from rolling outward mid-strike, and the extra cushioning is helpful for trail runs.
What You Need to Know: Shoes are slightly heavy at 10 ounces per pair, which could impact race time.
If your foot tends to roll outward when runningâputting painful pressure on your ankles and outer toesâyou’re likely struggling with underpronation. Luckily, solving this issue can be as simple as finding the right sneakers, like these cushioned kicks. They use three stabilizing pods and a guided rail system to keep the foot from twisting while running. The dynamic shoes also have removable sculpted footbeds, breathable mesh linings, and quick-drying knit uppers. Designed for the female foot , trail runners in particular will love the zero-drop platform, which keeps your heel and forefoot even as you run to encourage proper form and minimize impact.
Rave Review: “These shoes are comfortable. I feel stable in them and can easily put my own orthotics in them. I am going back to my teaching job this week, and am hoping for all day comfort and support.”
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Comfortable Shoes With Arch Support For Fall
As we are now approaching Fall this page will tell you about many of the choices you could choose for the spring and summer season. A pair of ankle booties like the Vionic Perry boots is a good choice for transitional weather. They feature Vionics vio-motion support to fit and support your feet. Reviewers describe them as elegant and comfortable.
Karen @styledbykaren above wears heeled booties with her maxi skirt.
/ Zappos
The 10 Best Arch Support Shoes Of 2021
Need a shoe thatll support your foots arch? Sometimes it feels hard to find. Let us help and use our list of the best arch support shoes.
Summary List
Moving about is an essential part of our everyday life. We have to run errands or go to school, work, gym, etc. Life is mobile, to say the least. The technological advances have made covering distance in shorter time spans a reality, but it hasnt excluded the walking about part entirely.
If you are an individual with unfortunate conditions like plantar fasciitis, bunions, etc. then getting the right pair of shoes is the most important part of your wardrobe. Such shoes are difficult to find and people go about trying different shoes over the course of their life to find just the right pair that will keep the pain at a minimum.
Not every shoe provides support in the area you are looking to cater to. There is no one-fits-all formula about this. For every condition, there is a different product that would be the best fit for you, and this task often gets tedious.
To find the best shoe for your specific condition in the feet area, you must consider different criteria in each product to land yourself that perfect pair that you have been on the lookout for.
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