6 Best Supportive Running Shoes for Flat Footed Runners

Flat feet, or fallen arches, CAN cause overpronation, leading to discomfort and potential injuries when running.

BUT it is important to consider the flexibility of your feet as well as the function of the foot and its shape. With 26 bones and 33 joints in each foot, it’s safe to say, there is a lot going on down there!

For the purpose of this feature, we are looking exclusively at supportive shoes for runners with flat feet. These are shoes that help control pronation as well as provide general support and cushioning for the feet.

Finding the right running shoes is essential for providing support, stability, and comfort.

What to Look For in Running Shoes for Flat Feet

1. Fit

The right size and fit are the most important things to consider. Shoes should provide a snug, supportive feel without being too tight, to allow natural foot movement.

2. Roomier Toe Box

Runners with flat feet also tend to have slightly wider feet. A wider toe box ensures comfort and prevents unnecessary pressure on the forefoot, reducing the risk of blisters and discomfort.

3. Support, Stability, Control

Shoes with built-in arch support to help maintain foot alignment, keep the foot in a neutral position and reduce strain on the arches are most suitable.

Stability shoes help control overpronation by offering midsoles with supportive structures and features.

4. Cushioning

Adequate cushioning helps to absorb shock and reduces the impact on the joints, which is especially important for runners with flat feet who may experience increased stress on their lower limbs.

With these considerations and features in mind, here are our choice of The 6 Best Supportive Running Shoes for Flat-Footed Runners 

DNA Loft v3 Nitrogen-Infused Foam

DNA Loft v3 nitrogen-infused foam is a super-critical foam injected with nitrogen during the manufacturing process. The result, as seen on other models in the brand’s range such as the Ghost 16, is a softer, lighter and more responsive foam.

DNA Loft v3 nitrogen-infused foam is a super-critical foam injected with nitrogen during the manufacturing process. The result, as seen on other models in the brand’s range such as the Ghost 16, is a softer, lighter and more responsive foam.

Nitrogen-infused foam is also much more durable than CM-EVA-based materials and provides a consistent level of responsive cushioning throughout its lifespan.

GuideRails

GuideRails as found on other ‘GTS’ models such as the Adrenaline GTS and Glycerin GTS provide the support here. Now preferred over medial posts, the rails work similarly to the rails at a bowling alley. Should your ball veer off to the left or right, the rails help keep it in the lane. It’s the same here; the rails help keep the foot central within the cushioning.

GuideRails works effectively for a wide range of foot types and offers a dynamic level of support that I find works very well for a wide range of runners.

The shoe is generally a little broader in the upper and base, so accommodates flat feet very well. It’s also available in both wide and extra-wide fittings for both men and women.

The Beast is a tried and tested model and is perhaps the original ‘max-support’ type running shoe. It’s a great choice for heavier runners too, thanks to its high build quality and general durability.

This is the 20th edition of this shoe in the Brooks line. They used to both be called the Beast (because it is a solid shoe) but the women’s version is now called the Ariel. I have watched this shoe stay very much the same since its inception and it remains a broad, stable shoe that has support all around a very solid heel that cups the foot and keep the runner/walker in place.

GuideRails works effectively for a wide range of foot types and offers a dynamic level of support that I find works very well for a wide range of runners.

The shoe is generally a little broader in the upper and base, so accommodates flat feet very well. It’s also available in both wide and extra-wide fittings for both men and women.

The Beast is a tried and tested model and is perhaps the original ‘max-support’ type running shoe. It’s a great choice for heavier runners too, thanks to its high build quality and general durability.

PWRRUN

Making up the remainder of the cushioning and adding stability to the shoe, PWRRUN is a slightly firmer midsole foam. Found in the brand’s models such as the Guide 18, PWRRUN foam still has good cushioning properties and proves to be a very durable material. 

Centrepath Tech

The new Centrepath Tech is Saucony’s new method of adding stability to a shoe without the need for traditional medial posts.

Used in both the Guide 18 and Hurricane 24, Centrepath Tech combines a broader base and higher sidewalls of the midsole to provide support and control.

The Hurricane 24 has a broad footprint throughout the length of the shoe as well as a straighter rearfoot on the medial side. These features provide a very stable platform.

A roomy fit helps accommodate flatter feet with ease and the shoe feels very stable from the off.

Although the shoe looks incredibly high stacked, it is in fact ‘only’ 38mm in the heel of the shoe. The illusion of an even higher stack comes from the higher sidewalls. The foot sits within these sidewalls and similar to the support provided by the GuideRails in Brooks Beast GTS 24 (above), the foot sits centrally within the shoe and remains more stable.

With great cushioning and support, the shoe still manages to feel very light on the foot making it a good choice the running at varying speeds.

H Frame Support

With a deep 36mm of cushioning, the Gaviota features a 6mm drop into the forefoot. This is a little more than many of the brand’s models which sit at the 4 or 5mm height but still falls into the ‘low drop’ category.

Previous generations of the Gaviota featured a J-shaped frame that was shared with the Arahi, the brand’s other support model. The latest version of the Gaviota is now making use of a H-shaped frame. Imagine if you will, a firmer, H-shaped framework sitting along both the medial and lateral edges of the shoe’s cushioning. Held together in the midfoot by the cross-section of the ‘H’.

The firmer H-frame sits around the new, softer EVA cushioning and essentially provides stabilisation for the foot sitting in the centre of the cushioning.

Metarocker

A familiar MetaRocker forms the midsole geometry and helps the deep stack of cushioning roll smoothly along the road, complementing the stability nicely for a natural ride.

The Gaviota is HOKA’S most supportive shoe, so for fans of the brand, this model is a natural choice. The lower drop heel is also found to keep the foot well balanced and so keep pressure off the knees. This may be a consideration for those who also suffer from knee issues.

The fit of the shoe is roomy in the toe box and generally a little wider than many of the brand’s models and with good, soft cushioning and general all-round stability it’s a good choice for those with flat feet.

Fresh Foam X Cushioning

Fresh Foam X is the proprietary foam cushioning material from New Balance. The 860v14 uses this foam in the full length of the shoe. The drop of the midsole is now reduced by 2mm, down to 8mm compared to the 10mm drop of the previous version.

At the same time, the overall stack of cushioning is increased by 2mm, so we have a deeper stack with a lower drop, resulting in a softer feeling and more cushioned shoe.

Stability Plane

Support in the 860v14 comes from the stability plane rather than the medial posting used previously.

The stability plane is a thin plastic plate that runs the full length of the shoe on the medial side and across the width of the shoe in the heel area.

The plane is sandwiched by two layers of Fresh Foam X cushioning, with the bottom layer being a little firmer density than the top layer. The firmer foam layer is also a little thicker on the medial side of the shoe resulting in a ‘wedge’ running the length of the shoe to help control over-pronation.

Rocker Profile

The deeper cushioning facilitates a more rockered shape from heel to toe resulting in a smooth-running feel.

The dual layer of cushioning spreads across the whole width of the base of the shoe meaning flatter wider feet remain placed perfectly on the support.

The stability plane also runs the full width of the rear of the foot to provide additional support and with a broad base and width fittings available, the 860 can accommodate flatter feet as well as keep them supported.

The 860 is very effective in controlling pronation and for those with flatter feet, it makes an excellent choice for both runners of all abilities as well as for those who simply want a comfortable shoe for general day-to-day use.

DNA Tuned

DNA Tuned is Brooks’ latest method of creating a nitrogen-infused foam, here with dual-cell technology. The use of different sizes of cells within the same midsole allows for the material to offer different characteristics in different parts of the shoe.

In the rear of the midsoles, the cells are larger and provide a soft, more cushioned feel on impact.

In the forefoot of the midsole, small cells are used and provide a more responsive and propulsive feel to the toe-off.

The translucent nature of the material allows the different densities of the foam to be seen. The softer material sits ‘within’ the midsole and, as Brooks has used different colours to call out the different areas of cushioning, you can see this within the midsole.

GuideRails

The support in the GTS 22 comes from the brand’s GuideRail system. These ‘rails’ are extended areas of the midsole that raise up around both the lateral and medial sides of the shoe. In doing this, they provide a ‘cup’ in which the heel sits. Should the foot roll inwards, the GuideRails will keep it central within the shoe.

In the same way, the Brooks Beast GTS provides support the Glycerin GTS uses the GuideRails to control the foot and keep it centred and neutral within the shoe.

The Glycerin GTS 22 is essentially the more premium of the two models, but in my opinion, it’s certainly worth the extra money.

The DNA Tuned material offers perhaps the plushest and best cushioning of a running shoe on the market today and the dual-cell construction allows the shoe to feel both cushioned and highly responsive.

4D Guidance System

Removing the need for a traditional medial post, the 4D system replaces a firmer posting under the arch of the foot with a more resilient and responsive piece of foam.

Instead of a firmer post simply preventing the arch from pronating inwards, the 4D system aims to react with the arch and ‘rebound’ it back into a neutral position.

Pure-Gel Cushioning

Replacing the brand’s exposed Gel cushioning, Pure-Gel is a lighter Gel pad enclosed within the midsole. Pure-Gel is a thin layer of material sitting in the rearfoot of the midsole.

FF Blast Plus Eco Foam

FF Blast Plus Eco foam is the brand’s softest yet. It is also a 20% bio-based material.

What Makes it a Good Choice?

Long recognised as the top-of-the-range ASICS running shoe model, the Kayano excels in both cushioning and support. The latest version is a roomy fit in the standard width version but is also available in width fittings.

The cushioning is excellent and the new model feels soft and welcoming straight from the box.

The wider base of the new Kayano contributes a lot to the overall stability of the shoe and this helps make it a great choice for those with flat feet and requiring support. It’s a versatile model and works well for any pace running as well as daily use.