A good pair of shoes can make a huge difference while running. Not all shoes are meant for everyone. You need to study your feet carefully and choose the right type of shoe that will make you comfortable and protect your feet at the same time.
So, there are people who have normal feet, some have high arches and there are some with flat feet. But what do you mean by flat feet?
When a person has flat feet, it means there are no arches present. So, when they walk or run their entire foot touches the ground. This means they are more prone to injuries, pain, and discomfort.
Flat feet can be natural or developed over time as a result of muscle weakness. Thus there are two types: anatomically flat feet and collapsed arches.
People with automatically flat feet do not develop arches and hence the arch support can be irritating and stress your knees. But collapsed arches are caused due to muscle weakness and hence they need arch support to make their foot strong.
There are other factors like overpronation, toe box size, wider midsole to make full support to your feet, arch support to make you feel comfortable, and the shape of the shoe which must be considered while buying the best running shoe for flat feet.
Here are the 10 best running shoes for flat feet that we recommend. Have a look at it, and buy yourself a new pair of shoes that suits your feet.
Table Of Contents
Top 10 Best Running Shoes for Flat Feet in 2021
| Image | Name | Features | Price | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Mizuno Wave Inspire 15 | Great stability, breathable, wave plate | $$ | |
 |
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 19 | GuideRails system, DNA LOFT crash pad | $$ | |
 |
Altra Escalante | Zero drop platform, Footpod technology | $ | |
 |
Brooks Beast ’18 | DRB Accel for stability, Three rubber compounds outsole | $$$ | |
 |
Saucony Guide 10 | Heat-induced and RunDry technology, Firm midsole | $ | |
 |
Nike Air Zoom Structure 22 | Air zoom bag in the forefoot, Flywire cables on the upper | $$ | |
 |
ASICS Gel-Kayano 25 | Impact Guidance System, FlyteFoam technology | $$ | |
 |
New Balance Vongo V3 | 3D screen print upper, Soft underfoot platform | $$ | |
 |
Brooks PureCadence 7 | Dual Toe Flex, Woven air upper | $ | |
 |
Saucony Guide ISO 2 | EVERUN topsoil and PWRFOAM midsole, ISOFit technology | $$ |
Let’s start.
1. Mizuno Wave Inspire 15 – Best Overall
Mizuno Wave Inspire is loved by many runners and hence tops our list of best running shoes for flat feet. As the name suggests, it inspires runners to run comfortably and faster.
This version of the shoes is lighter than the 13th version. Just like other Mizuno Wave shoes, these too have a double wave fan technology that provides excellent stability and distributes weight throughout the foot. They also have a smooth cloud wave cushion which provides great responsiveness.
Its wide toe box gives ample space to your toes and the rubber outsole makes it more durable. The engineered mesh upper gives you a custom fit and makes the shoes very breathable and supports them in the long run.
The midsole is made up of U4IC, the wave plate, and U4ICx which gives you a bouncy and firm ride. Coming to the heel of Wave Inspire 15, you get an amazing grip. It is true to its size and there is no issue of foot-sliding. They might look bulky but are perfect for runners with flat feet.
Pros
- Breathable
- Optimal shock attenuation
- Great stability
- Wave plate
- Durable
- Stylish
Cons
- Looks bulky
- Some face an issue with the shoe size
2. Brooks Adrenaline GTS 19 – Runner Up
Brooks shoes never miss out on a spot in the list of best shoes. They are known for their great quality and comfort. This new version of Brooks Adrenaline GST is so much better than the older ones.
You will find some amazing new features in Brooks Adrenaline GST 19, like GuideRails and DNA LOFT crash pad. GuideRails are activated and deactivated based on your movement and running form. This helps in giving you extra stability and maintain a better posture.
The DNA lost crash pad along with BioMoGo DNA gives extra protection to your heels with the extra cushioning near the heel region. This helps you in soft landing during your runs and has a better grip. Blown rubber outsole and carbon rubber in the heel region improves the durability of the shoes.
The Upper of the shoes is made with engineered mesh and has large ventilation holes for good breathability. The toe-box is wide enough to make you feel comfortable. It has good arch support and also prevents overpronation making them a perfect choice for flat feet runners.
Pros
- GuideRails system
- DNA LOFT crash pad
- Comfortable
- Great stability
- Smooth and non-irritating coverage
- Removable insole
Cons
- Runs smaller in size
- Large ventilation holes can be troublesome during rains
3. Altra Escalante – Budget Pick
Though not a very popular brand, Altra gives you one of the best running shoes for flat feet. It comes at a very pocket-friendly price range and presents you with some amazing features that are great for runners.
Heard of the term ‘zero drops’? It is coined by the makers of Altra, which means the level of the heel and the toe is the same. This is perfect for the flat heel runners as your entire foot comes in contact with the midsole or bottom of the shoe and you get a low-impact landing.
Altra’s Footpod technology benefits the bones and tendons of your foot by bending and moving it freely in the right manner. Also, Altra’s signature foot-shaped toe box and the upper mesh caters to comfortable and flexible foot movement.
The Altra Ego Dual-Nature midsole has a very soft feel and responsive cushioning but you can easily notice your wear patterns on it. The shoe is quite stylish and also durable.
As it has a zero-drop platform it won’t help collapsed arches much but it’s quite useful for automatically flat feet.
Pros
- Zero drop platform
- Comfortable and stylish design
- Wide toe box
- Footpod technology
- Lightweight
- Pocket-friendly
Cons
- Midsole leaves wear patterns
- Low toe-box height
4. Brooks Beast ’18 – Value For Money
When investing money in shoes is not an issue for you, then you must go for Brooks Beast ’18. Brooks is one of the most trusted brands when it comes to shoes. Whether you have flat feet or high arches, this brand has it all.
Brooks Beast ‘18 is designed specifically for users with moderate to severe overpronation as it gives more stability and support. Talking about its upper, the forefoot area has engineered mesh whereas the midfoot and rear part has air mesh. This improves the ventilation of the shoes and makes it light and flexible.
Some other features like an external heel counter, spacious toe box, and 3D printed support saddle give stability and holds the foot in place. Its outsole like any other Brooks shoe is resistant to abrasion and provides traction. But Brooks Beast ‘18 outsole is made with three rubber compounds: HPR Plus, HPR Green, and Flextra rubber.
Finally, talking about the midsole, Beast ‘18 uses Super DNA foam and Extended Progressive Diagonal Rollbar which covers the entire length of the shoes delivering comfortable and bouncy rides. This motion control shoe corrects overpronation by stabilizing the arches. Thus, a very good choice for flat feet runners.
Pros
- Caterpillar Crash Pad design
- Supports runners who overpronate
- Breathable
- DRB Accel provides stability
- Extended Progressive Diagonal Rollbar corrects overpronation
- Very durable
- Three rubber compounds outsole
Cons
- Little heavy than other shoes
- Few color options
- Few users found the width to be narrow
5. Saucony Guide 10
The Saucony Guide collection received quite an amazing responses from the users. So, the company brought us an upgraded version of Saucony Guide 9. This 10th version has few minimal changes but you will feel the same lightness, stability, and flexibility with these shoes.
You will find an amazing improvement in the upper of the shoes. This new mesh upper is melded with Flexfilm which gives you a seamless, lighter, and stronger feel without causing any irritation to the skin. Along with this, you get to enjoy comfort and support with heat-induced and RunDry technology.
Another upgrade was in the cushioning of the shoes, Guide 9 was more plushy but with Guide 10 you get a more firm midsole. This gives you increased stability and better transition. Everun and the SSL EVA cushioning helps the runner with stronger takeoffs and smooth landings.
Speaking of the outsole, its improved TRI-FLEX design gives you more contact with the ground delivering traction and flexibility. So, with these shoes, you get all the better versions of technology present in Guide 9, which is definitely worth investing.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Great support
- Firm midsole
- Upgraded mesh upper
- Heat-induced and RunDry technology
- Comfortable and lightweight
Cons
- Narrow forefoot area
- Cushioning is not thick for some users
6. Nike Air Zoom Structure 22
Nike is a popular brand among all shoe lovers and all for a good reason. You get stylish and high-quality shoes with this brand. Nike Air Zoom Structure 22 is an excellent choice for flat-footed runners as it is designed specifically for them.
This shoe provides excellent stability and proper protection to your foot and corrects moderate overpronation. Flywire cables and engineered mesh upper fit nicely around your foot and secures the top of your foot. It also allows proper ventilation and makes the shoe more durable.
The triple-density midsole gets better with the age. It gives you dynamic support for smoother strides. Zoom Air bag in the forefoot provides cushioning and responsiveness to comfortable runs.
The outsole has a pentagon tread design to provide you with an excellent grip and traction on the roads. Also, the toe box has plenty of space for your toes to move around.
Pros
- Cool-looking
- Increased durability
- Air zoom bag in forefoot
- Flywire cables on the upper
- Wide toe box
Cons
- Pricey
- Footbed can be narrow for some
7. ASICS Gel-Kayano 25
Asics’s Gel Kayano series is known as high-mileage footwear. The first version of the shoes was released in 1993, but since 1995 we get to see a version in the series every year.
The 25th iteration of the shoes has introduced FlyteFoam technology where the forefoot area has FlyteFoam Lyte for soft cushioning and bouncy feel whereas the rearfoot area has FlyteFoam Lyte for a soft landing. It also has several amazing technologies like Guidance Trusstic System and Guidance Line Midsole technology for enhanced gait efficiency.
The upper of the shoes is made with Jacquard mesh material and uses FluifFit technology which makes the shoes breathable and increases their durability. Also, the honeycomb grooves on the outsole give you a better grip.
Overall these shoes have received some amazing reviews and it’s definitely worth buying them.
Pros
- Impact Guidance System
- Wide range of colors
- Roomy toe box
- Great support
- FlyteFoam technology in the midsole
Cons
- Heavy
- Expensive
8. New Balance Vongo V3
Another good shoe for flat-feet runners comes from a popular brand – New Balance.
New Balance Vongo V3 has some additional and better features than the popular 870 series. It uses its proprietary fresh foam, to deliver an amazing underfoot experience, comfort, and stability to its users. The midsole is thicker and has a raised portion in the midfoot for better arch support.
The outsole of the shoes is made with a firm rubber material. The lateral area has soft rubber piece which is separated from the other rubber unit by a vertical demarcation. This protects the foot from shock while walking and provides traction. It also prevents over-pronation.
3D Screen Print On Upper delivers custom fit and provides mid-foot support. The mesh has pores for ventilation and protects the shoe from wear and tear.
You also get some interesting features like bootie construction and responsive cushioning. They are specially designed for users who overpronate while running.
Pros
- 3D screen print upper
- Soft underfoot platform
- Two rubber units in the outsole for surface traction
- Slows rate of pronation
- Fresh foam midsole
Cons
- Looks bulky
- Some customers complained about asymmetric padding
9. Brooks PureCadence 7
With Brooks PureCadence 7 you will get a stylish look along with stability. It is also known for its lightweight design and supportive features.
The visible change we found in this version was the woven air upper, which makes the shoes light and durable but it reduces the ventilation of the shoes. Another update is the Dual Toe Flex, which gives enough room for the big toe to move around and function properly.
The BioMoGo midsole provides responsive cushioning which will conform to the motion and shape of your foot and you will have comfortable strides.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Good stability
- Dual Toe Flex
- Woven air upper
- Durable
- True to size
- Internal bootie
Cons
- Breathability issues
10. Saucony Guide ISO 2
The final product in our list of best running shoes for flat feet helps you enjoy both stability and cushioning with Saucony Guide ISO 2. The platform of this shoe is designed in a way to stop the overpronation of the runners.
Its PWRFOAM midsole reduces shock experience while landing and the EVERUN topsole makes the shoes bouncy. Additionally, the FORMFIT sockliner adds cushioning and makes the shoes more comfortable.
Saucony is also known for its ISOFit technology, which fits the foot like a glove. This technology and the stretchy mesh upper helps the user by delivering a secure and comfortable run but this technology has made the shoes less breathable.
The shoes also have a medial post that supports the arches and gives stability while running. Overall the shoes are comfortable, stylish, flexible, and durable.
Pros
- ISOFit and stretchy mesh upper
- EVERUN topsoil and PWRFOAM midsole
- Medial post for arch support
- Corrects overpronation
- Durable
Cons
- ISOFit can not be comfortable for some runners
- Less breathable
We have considered several important factors to bring you this list of best running shoes for flat feet. So, we hope after reading this article, you have made up your mind about which pair of shoes will suit you the most.
If you are a trail runner, check out these trail running shoes for women.
