6 Best Walking Shoes for Flat Feet With Support

I am often asked in my specialist running store what the best shoe is for walking for people with flat feet. I explain that people with flat feet often need more from their footwear than simply cushioning alone. Because the arch of the foot naturally collapses inward, the foot can roll excessively (overpronation), placing extra strain on the feet, ankles, knees, and hips.

While the foot can be ‘flat’, I am always eager to point out that it’s important to consider the flexibility or function of the foot when walking. A flat, rigid foot will not overpronate or roll inwards as much as a flat, flexible foot. I find that the right running shoe, even when used mainly for walking, can make a big difference in comfort and long-term foot health.

What to Look for

Support

Cushioning

Fit and Width Options

Orthotics

Not only is the Brooks Glycerin GTS 22 one of my personal favourite running shoes, but it’s also a great choice for those with flat feet.

Available in both regular and wide fit options, I am often able to fit customers with both flat feet and collapsed arches (which necessitate a wider fit) with the Glycerin.

Support in the Glycerin comes by way of the brand’s GuideRail system. This is an extension of the cushioning which cups up and around the rear of the shoe and extends along the medial side into and under the arch. The rails create a more cupped rear foot fit to the shoe, which I find gives great support.

The cushioning of the Glycerin GTS 22 is the brand’s latest, DNA Tuned foam. This is a nitrogen-infused foam with a softer feel in the rear foot and a more responsive forefoot feel.

For walking, this combination of cushioning makes for great comfort, especially over longer periods of time. The slightly firmer heel feels supportive, and the soft, more responsive forefoot adds to the comfort but also gives a little ‘spring’ to your stride.

As I mentioned, the Glycerin GTS 22 is one of my favourite running shoes, but I also keep a pair for daily use, which can include up to eight hours on my feet at work, walking my dog as just simply hanging out.

Like many HOKA shoes, the Arahi 8 features a rocker-shaped midsole. A scooped heel and rounded shape under for ball of the foot lend themselves to a very smooth feeling rolling sensation, which HOKA refer to as the ‘rocker’.

The rocker not only helps when running, but also for walking, creating an incredibly smooth foot strike and roll forward through the gait cycle.

Support in the Arahi 8 is from the brand’s new H-frame construction. I’ve found this design much more effective than the Arahi 7, and thanks to its construction, it suits flat feet very well. The support is a H-shaped firmer insert of foam that sits within the shoe’s cushioning. This means the foot ‘sinks’ into the centre of the shoe and helps create a little more natural arch back into the foot.

The Arahi is available in width fittings, so it can accommodate flat feet easily enough, but I find some HOKA models can fit a little shorter and slimmer than other brands, so I would always recommend trying first if you can.

As well as being one of the most established running shoes on the market, the ASICS Gel Kayano is a great shoe for walking and everyday general use. Over its long lifespan, the Kayano has gained many loyal fans who choose the shoe year after year thanks to its reliable combination of cushioning and support.

The cushioning in the Kayano has always been the range-topping material from ASICS, and here, it’s the FF BLAST PLUS foam, their plushest cushioning, combined with a PureGel heel insert. The support used by the Kayano is the brand’s 4D guidance system.

This is a more responsive insert in the medial arch that helps retain the foot in a neutral position. Not only have I found this system works very well for runners, but people with flat feet using the shoe for walking tell me they enjoy the naturally supportive sensation provided that ‘lifts’ their arch without being intrusive.

If you have flat feet and seek a very well-cushioned yet supportive option for walking and general daily wear, the ASICS Kayano is most certainly a shoe that should be on your short list. It is probably the softest cushioning shoe in this list and yet manages to provide excellent support and control at the same time.

One of the best value models in this selection of walking shoes for those with flat feet, I think the New Balance 860 provides a great combination of cushioning and control.

The brand’s FRESHFOAM midsole material is perfectly balanced for walking (as well as being one of my favourite daily running shoe choices), and I find it feels great under the foot even after a full day on my feet.

Here, the midsole is made up of twin densities of the FRESHFOAM, with a firmer density being deeper on the medial side of the shoe, under the arch. The manner in which the two layers are sliced together means the shoe naturally supports the arch in such a manner that the wearer will, on the whole, be unaware.

The New Balance 860 fits true to size compared to other models from the brand, but, like HOKA, bear in mind, particularly if you use UK sizing, that the brand uses a half-size down conversion for the USA size, whereas other brands are a full size down. (NB USA10=UK9.5, Brooks, ASICS, etc USA10 = UK9)

The 860 is also available in a wider range of width fittings, so this can help accommodate those with much wider, flatter feet.

Of all the considerations I mentioned in the opening paragraphs, the Altra Experience Form is a running shoe that meets all of the requirements or considerations for those with flat feet seeking a great walking shoe.

Altra, as a brand, have a roomy toe box and a foot-shaped last. I find this shape allows my feet to spread or splay naturally, and for those with flat feet, in my experience, they find this roomier shape perfect for accommodating their feet.

Cushioning in the Experience Form comes from a Compression-Moulded EVA foam with a 4mm heel drop and a rocker geometry. While this isn’t the deepest stack of cushioning in my selection of shoes, the combination of the last, foam and rocker all combine to make a smooth walking experience.

Support in the Altra comes from the brand’s own version of Guide Rails. Similar to the GuideRail technology used by Brooks, the extended midsole foam wraps up, around the rearfoot and provides support. I really like this method of support as I’ve found it works well for a wide range of people and works effectively without being intrusive.

Go Walk Arch Fit is an excellent choice in slip-on shoes for long walks. These light weight, machine washable, supportive shoes feature synthetic athletic mesh knit uppers, slip-resistant rubber soles, ULTRA GO cushioning and Skechers’ patented arch fit insole system.

This podiatrist certified arch support insole provides excellent weight dispersal and shock absorption. Comfort Pillar Technology provides even more support for flat feet. 

Reviewers with flat feet and those with very high arches express satisfaction with the firm, consistent support offered by these shoes. Some reviewers say that the shoes run a half size large.

In short, the best running shoes for walking with flat feet combine stability, cushioning, width options, and durability. Choosing footwear with these features helps reduce strain, improve comfort, and support healthier movement with every step.