I have pretty bad flat feet and can sometimes be extra picky w what I buy to try to help myself out of some pain. What I do is test out all different pairs to find one that feels right. I like a more plush pair middle to max cushion w an arch support swapped in for whatever flimsy thing the shoe comes with. Idk about best shoe but I’m currently in a Brooks Glycerin and have had success in a few pairs of their shoes. ASICS Novablast 2-3 are even more comfortable but you can’t notice unless you go 1 to the other in same day. I hate the colors on the 3 so I passed up on them for Brooks this time around. Hoka is supposed to be plush and comfy but I can’t they’re too chunky still. Oh and Saucony has some great pairs w an emphasis on being designed w each type of runner in mind. Nike sucks! Imo they’re the least comfortable and if they are comfy they’re butt ugly too lol. I do like the look on the new invincible. They are comfy but too unstable and wobbly besides being ugly as sin lol

Maybe try a zero drop shoe from Altra? They help strengthen the foot. If you’re wanting to baby the legs maybe go for a Nike invincible.

Try Cloud Monsters, both wide in the forefront with proper stability overall. Great cushion

Got the unholy triad of feet: flat feet, plantar fasciitis, and a bunion. Went and got the 1080v10 back in 2020. Got the 1080v12 last year as well! Great shoe.

agree with everything above - I have super flat, narrow & long feet and hoka rincon has been best for me so far. In my opinion, too much arch support makes my feet really sore because it forces them in an unnatural position. But definitely recommend getting fitted at a store!

The ones that feel best and don't cause you to have foot, ankle, shin, knee, or back pain when running, lol.

Seriously - there are hundreds of great running shoes out there, but the only way to know which one is going to work for YOU is to go try them on. Check for a local running store that has a good return policy - most here will give store credit up to 30 days no matter how many miles you put on "testing" them. Have them help you make the best pick in store, then go for some runs. You'll figure out pretty quick if it will work for you or not.

Then once you find a good shoe, you can comparison shop prices/colors/etc online because you'll know your brand/style/size.

But honestly what works best for one flat footed runner may be pure torture for another. Any of the big names - Asics, Brooks, Saucony, Hoka, New Balance and so on will work but each fit a little different and each has multiple styles that fit a little different.

Hit the running store to have them assess your feet for the right shoe, but for me it was more about the insert. I ended up using Superfeet inserts and have been pain free for thousands of miles now. My podiatrist also have them the vote of confidence (she is a runner too), and I have them in all my shoes.

I have flat feet and I went to road runner to get fitted and recommended shoes for my feet.

No shoe is going to restore your arch. But if you are experiencing pain in your ankles you are likely over pronating. Investigate stability shoes. Go to a running store and ask to try on several brands. Brooks, ASICS, Hoka, Saucony. All make stability shoes.

1. Brooks Beast 2. ASICS Gel-Kayano

I’ve been in the same spot flat feet and ankle pain made running miserable. What helped most was FP Insoles. I used their foot scan at fpinsoles.com and got matched with the Gamechangers Sport. They’re heat moldable, lock in the arch, and have FP Sports Gel for extra cushioning. Been a huge upgrade over just buying “supportive” running shoes. Plus, they absorb up to 90% of shock proven in lab tests (insolewars.com).

I’m fairly flat footed. When I learned to run I watched some videos and took a class on good running form, focusing on proper cadence and healthy foot strike position.

I find that I do well in the neutral category. At one point many years ago the shoe fitters told me I over pronate and should be wearing stabilities. I don’t want to wear stability shoes.

I rely on proper form and even now when I look at the bottoms of my shoes the wear pattern looks really good. I don’t see any parts that look like they’re taking unbalanced impact.

Flat footed running 50 mpw. Everyone else has pretty much nailed it with finding a "neutral" shoe. I wanted to expand on the stabilizing part tho - everyone mentions it because the old advice was that flat footers need more support to prevent that arch collapse. I followed that advice for years and never found a comfortable shoe. Even running 15 mpw, I thought it was weird when my running mates would tell me I shouldn't be getting blisters. It was just my normal. But now I've tried less stablizing shoes and I haven't taped my feet in months.

My champions are the Saucony Echelon 9's, built for flat feet. With the blisters gone, I'm able to branch out with the Asics Novablast 3's and Saucony Speed 3's, but having a daily trainer that was comfortable seemed to be the ticket to thriving even in supportive shoes.

No two "neutral" shoes are the same tho. Bottom line is that you should head to your local shoe store and try something on before you buy. DO NOT buy something hoping it will get comfortable after "breaking them in." This was my mindset for years because I didn't know there were shoes out there for me. Neutral and non-stability shoes will get you 90% there tho.

Anytime somebody tells me they’re flat footed and are going to the running store I tell them to enjoy the brooks they’re inevitably going to be put in.

I'd work on strengthening your feet/arches. The Toe Pro and Mobo board are great.

Completely flat footed and currently run 30mpw. I wear normal neutral shoes and focus heavily on my running form. I prefer forefoot strikes to prevent my ankle from collapsing inward and try to keep my cadence high. Stability shoes hurt my (lack of) arch so I avoid completely.

I recommend using a firmer cushioned shoe in order to use more of your feet muscles. A stronger foot helps a lot with injury prevention. A shoe I think you might like is the Saucony Ride 15. I wrote a review of it in my profile if you want to check it out.

I have flat feet and have had good luck with brooks adrenaline (wide size)

I've found Asics and Saucony (in wide sizes) to be the most comfortable for me personally. I've also seen many recommendations for New Balance stability shoes, but I found them to feel really boxy and heavy (like running with tissue boxes on my feet). Over any brand, I would highly recommend getting a running assessment done at your local running store - that way, you can get more specific recommendations (like if you are overpronating or not; if you'd benefit from a stability shoes or a neutral shoe, etc.). I went through many different shoe brands before learning that what I really needed were orthotic inserts to give me more support for my non-existent arches (which may or may not be the case for you). Happy running!! 

Go to the running store and have your feet scanned and fitted. Places like Fleet Feet do this for free. Try on a bunch of different shoes and pick the ones that feel the best right there in the store. No break in period. You might benefit from insoles as well. Shoes are an investment because if your feet hurt, your whole body hurts.

Not a shoe recommendation but do things to strengthen your feet-- pick up marbles, scrunch up towels, roll out on a lacrosse ball. Calf raises help too. Good luck!

https://runrepeat.com/guides/best-flat-feet-running-shoes

Fellow flat-footer here. They just need to be comfortable, both when you step into them and when you run. You don’t need special support or something corrective unless a doctor has prescribed it for you.

Don’t buy shoes that don’t feel good the moment you try them. Chances are slim that they’ll feel better with wear. Conversely, make sure you buy from a place with a generous return policy. Some shoes might feel great at first but present issues after you actually run in them a few times.

I have similar feet and have been having some foot pain for the past few months. I just landed on the ultraboosts about two weeks ago after trying lots of shoes and so far they feel great. I have about 30 miles in them so far, hopefully they will keep feeling good.

Flat feet themselves are not a problem. You don't need support, if you feel better without. And in time, without extra support your feet might strengthen and support themselves. (This still is unlikely in "normal shoes", that are narrow and have a drop - strengthening happens when the foot muscles are in use without shoes or in wide and thin minimalist shoes.)

Studies have shown that runners with shoes they find comfortable are less likely to be injured. That’s essentially the only thing that’s been proven to reduce injuries. So get whichever shoe feels best while running!

I honestly don’t know the answer to the questions at the end of your post, but I am also very flat footed. Like, to the point where I got laughed at by the running store employees when I got fitted for shoes. They didn’t explain much to me about why these shoes were picked for me but I got matched with the Brooks Glycerin 18s. I did end up having to get plantar fasciitis insoles for them (from Amazon for $10) because our foot shape makes us very susceptible to that and I was starting to have problems but overall they have been pretty good. If you’re someone who likes a lot of return from a running shoe then I may stay away from these, though — I think I’m going to get a different model when it’s time for me to get a new pair.

I have 95th percentile flat feet, and when I was new to shopping for running shoes every store that I went into tried to sell me something to try to 'fix' my feet. Inevitably, they'd put me in something felt terrible the moment I slipped it on my foot. I didn't need my feet to be corrected, I just needed something that felt good to wear and run in. I've had good luck with Brooks and New Balance, but fit and comfort can be very individual. It's best to try shoes on - to the extent that you are able to under the current circumstances. In some cases, this may mean that you need to buy something and be willing to return it. Make sure you are shopping with places that have a generous return policy.

I run in neutral shoes. I don't think that having flat feet automatically makes stability shoes a must. I would only look into a stability shoe if:

• That type felt more comfortable to you for whatever reason
• You experience injuries that can be prevented by a stability shoe
• A doctor tells you that a stability shoe is preferable (as opposed to a salesperson telling you that)

There are two types of shoes out there for running. The first one is a flexibility shoe, and the most common one I've seen used is the Nike Pegasus. The whole point is to move around to accommodate for how much your feet move while running. The other type of shoe, which is the one you're likely looking for, is called a stability shoe. The point of these is to make sure that your foot doesn't move more than it should, and is used for people that have flatter feet. The shoes I wear (stability) are Nike zoom Structures, and they've worked great for me for the past four years.

The Kayanos will do

If you’re able, get fitted, a professional will be able to tell you much more accurately which shoes will be best for your feet and gait. You’ll be able to try them all out and find out what’s most comfortable to your feet.

Echoing a lot of what was mentioned above.

I will caveat my recommendation by stating there are various philosophies regarding the “best” shoes for flat footers. They run the gamut from: traditional medial post shoes (gel Kayanos, new balance stability), guide rail shoes (brooks), and just using insoles on any running shoes.

I’ve tried everything — kayanos to insoles and even minimalist shoes. I have had the greatest experience running in NB 860s. They’re a traditional stability shoe, so slower and slightly heavier than the avg shoe. However they’ve improved my form and I hardly get injuries while running on them/ stretching and working on muscular balance. Keep in mind that whatever you choose you’ll get the most bang-for-your- buck stretching and foam rolling et cetera.

TL/DR: New Balance 860s. All foot lasts are different... so try on a few if possible. Also, stretch!

Hi, I know I’m 135 days late to this conversation, but I have something to add! My feet are flatter than a floppy disc. Is there a Fleet Feet store nearby? If so, you can go inside of FF and they will measure your feet and watch you walk and recommend shoes based on what they see. They are on point and accurate. I was recommended Brooks and New Balance. I selected Brooks and it was an excellent choice for me. They recommend you go up a half size in a running shoe for comfort and I did that and it’s a perfect fit. I also purchased insoles to help with support. Good luck to you.

In the pandemic, I was running almost 15 miles every week. I was able to run with my super flat feet only due to my Brooks Adrenaline GTS... series 20 onwards. Now I don't wear any other stability shoe and own 6 pairs in different colors.

Flat feet is normally assigned problems with over pronation so for Saucony something like the Tempus or Guide. However, there is no substitute for actually trying then on and seeing how they feel

Mizuno Wave Horizon (5 & 6, 6 more cushion for road running) absolutely changed my life no exaggeration

My arches were fallen since I was born and just got worse. First thing is to have experienced podiatrist make custom arches that have some flexibility. I , when running, was very happy with Hoka

Anything anyone on here recommends will be of little use. They may run completely different to you. Just because someone has lower arches, doesn't mean it's a problem or is THE problem. It's better to get evaluated by a podiatrist or at least in person at a running store.

I can only wear Saucony. I've talked to others with flat feet who also can only wear Saucony.

Mention it to the staff at your local running shoe store. They’ll be able to help you out and you can try some on :)

best running shoes are the ones that feel comfy to you

I also have flat feet. If you have a reputable local running store, you can go there for an evaluation. The shoes will cost a little more but you're also getting expertise (and helping a local business).

Years ago I was in the New Balance wear test program, and they sent me all sorts of shoes to test. My favorites were the first generation Vongo, and I still wear Vongo (v6) today. I've done up to 20 miles in my training program and my feet are doing great.

You definitely need to try different brands and models. I have friends that swear by brand X, Y, or Z and I just did not like them when I tried them on in a store. It's a very personal thing.