7 Best Walking Shoes For Flat Feet in 2024 (2024)

The conclusion we have drawn from our in-depth wear and lab testing of flat feet walking shoes is that Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 puts all the other shoes behind it! We can definitely confirm that the risk of inward rolling in this shoe is practically zero, on account of its superb cushioning and bracing construction.

The sturdy support of this shoe effectively defied the overpronation of our feet. We personally discerned the sternness of the shoe by twisting it using our own strength. Based on our subjective opinion, the torsional rigidity is a 4 out of 5, which really helped keep the rolling of our ankles at bay. Despite this, we had seamless heel-to-toe movements. This is due to its low bend countering force of 17.7N, which means it’s really pliable. In fact, it’s 42% more flexible than average!

We noticed that walking, even on hard surfaces, felt gentle on our feet. We hardly felt any shock from the ground, thanks to the abundant foam at our soles. We cross-checked this in our lab using our caliper, which yielded a stack height of 34.1 mm in the heel and 21.5 mm in the forefoot. The heel is 2.1% higher than the average, while the forefoot is 12.2% lower. Regardless, the 12.6 mm heel-to-toe drop afforded us impact-free rides.

On the downside, the weight of this GTS 23 could see some improvement. At 10.1 oz (286g), it’s 6.8% heavier than average. Thus, we suggest opting for lightweight selections if weight matters the most to you.

Of all the walking shoes we’ve tried on, the one which our fallen arches have fallen for is the Skechers Max Cushioning Arch Fit. It has an enormous amount of foam that bolstered our feet so well, it forgot about overpronation.

With our caliper, we noted the denseness of Guide 16’s midsole which is 36 mm in the heel and 27.4 mm in the forefoot. When measured against the average, the heel is thicker by 4.7 mm while the forefoot is denser by 6.4 mm. This very generous midsole not only helps align our feet but also grants us phenomenal comfort.

Speaking of comfort, we pressed our durometer to the midsole to substantiate the pillowy feeling we had even on our prolonged walks. Our device quantified a level of softness of 17 HA, which is unquestionably soft and is also 32.5% more plush than average.

The sidewalls of the shoe also aid in making our gaits neutral. We learned that the shoe has a rigid body that opposes bending with 21.5N of force. This is 19.4% stiffer compared to the average, perfect for the anti-tilting of our ankles. However, Max cushioning Arch Fit can do much better in terms of weight. It is 11.01 oz (312g), which is 21.9% heavier than most. If this is a red flag for you, we suggest sporting a different shoe.

The best durable walking shoe for flat feet has a lot of ground to cover. We looked for a well-built shoe with enough support and cushioning to make walking comfortable for people with flat feet. After testing the ASICS Gel Kayano 29 both in the lab and on our feet, we realized that it gave us everything we wanted, and then some!

We found it to be a true marvel, exceeding our already steep expectations every step of the way.

The Kayano line has always provided a ton of support and this one isn’t any different. As we thoroughly tested it on the streets, we found its arch support to be reliable as ever. What really surprised us, though, was the amount of comfort we felt with it. It felt like it gave us the best of both worlds with a one-two punch of support and comfort. We took a deeper look into this by pressing our durometer to its outsole (5 times for improved accuracy), and got a softness of 21.0 HA which shows that it is 23.9% softer than the average walking shoe, showing just how well it pampers feet.

The great thing about the ASICS Gel Kayano 29’s build is that it’s ready to eat miles. We performed extensive testing with it on foot, both on long walks and hard runs. We found that despite all we’ve done with it, its outsole didn’t show any signs of giving in. We measured it with our caliper at 4.1 mm, which is a whole 141.2% thicker than that of the average walking shoe. Combining that with an outsole hardness of 83.5 HC (16.1% harder than the average), it’s definitely one that can take a lot of beatings.

Another supportive feature is its heel counter. We systematically pushed and prodded it, and we gave it a rating of 4 out of 5 on our scale (with 5 as the stiffest). This stiff heel counter translates into a secure fit that’s great for surefooted strides.

While the ASICS Gel Kayano 29’s build lets it eat miles, it can’t handle the heat. We performed our breathability test in it by pumping smoke into its interior. The result: some smoke particles were able to escape but only from the front portion of its upper. As such, we can’t recommend it for those planning to walk in hot and humid locations.

We learned through actual off-road excursions and lab analysis that Salomon XA Pro 3D v9 delivers a sturdy base with immense support and security. From its 3D chassis to its firm midsole, it inspires confident and balanced strides on any terrain. Undoubtedly, it’s the best hiking shoe for those with flat feet.

Our arches felt supported by a dense cushion that balances cushioning and ground feel with its 31.7/19.2 mm stack. Our durometer confirms it’s 17.9% firmer than average, translating to a stable and protective ride underfoot. Even as we carry heavy backpacks, the foam never bottoms out. Plus, we found that its 2.8 mm lugs grip extremely well on mixed surfaces we hiked in.

We never felt anxious on uneven grounds as its stiff build gave us security. On our manual assessment, we tried twisting the shoe and felt its resistance—earning a 5/5 score. We attribute this to the rigid 3D chassis that prevents excessive lateral motions. It helps us find our balance, effectively preventing ankle rolls.

Even the upper was very protective. We found its toe bumper a true armor, shielding us from unexpected toe stubs. However, we warn caution that the upper initially feels stiff and needs breaking in.

Our all-encompassing testing procedure led us to declare the Brooks Beast GTS 23 as the most exceptional walking shoe for the flat- and wide-footed. Alongside its roomy toebox that afforded us superior comfort, the shoe also guarded our feet against the distress and harm induced by overpronation.

We took the measurement of the widest section of the shoe’s toe box and it equated to 102.2 mm. Being 4.1 mm broader than the other walking shoes we’ve tested, it pleasantly accommodated even the widest footers among us, testers. In terms of underfoot support, Beast GTS 23 didn’t disappoint. With a 25.3 HA midsole hardness, we found that it’s 5.4% firmer than most and boasts an optimal amount to resist the caving in of our arches.

While it’s wide at the front, our heel is well-secured to the point that we are properly aligned. Upon squeezing the shoe’s heel counter, we noticed that it doesn’t easily crumble. Therefore, we gave the heel counter stiffness a perfect 5/5 rating, underscoring its great hold on our ankles.

But there is a catch to all these supportive features and that’s a hefty weight. The shoe came at 12.42 oz (352g), which is 31.4% heavier than others. With that, if you don’t like to feel weighed down, we recommend looking for other options.

Based on the test results we gathered, the Hoka Arahi 6 has earned the title of the ultimate lightweight walking shoe for flat feet. Although its weight is slashed, the reinforcing features of this shoe are overflowing – from the soles up to the sides and edges of the feet!

Utilizing our digital scale, we established that Arahi 6 only weighs 8.89 oz (252g), which indicated a 12% drop in weight in comparison to the average. On our walks, the shoe did feel weightless, freeing our feet from a burdening load.

Arahi 6 has stabilizing sidewalls that ensure our foot motions are as well-balanced as possible. This aspect manifested in the rigidness of the shoe, which we found to be against bending at a 37.9N force, surpassing the average stiffness by 24.3%. The substantial base of the shoe also helped us maintain our steadiness. We measured the midsole to be 115.3 mm in the forefoot and 97.5 mm in the heel, giving us 2.1 mm and 7.4 mm extra platform widths compared to the average.

During our walks in the cold weather, we felt that the shoe became even stiffer. We checked this in our lab, and we are right: the stiffness increased by 41.6% after we put the shoe in our freezer. We suggest bearing this in mind before using the Arahi 6 in winter.

Through exhaustive efforts of testing walking shoes, we found that the outstanding pair for flat footers on a budget is the Skechers Arch Fit 2.0! This walking shoe has supportiveness written all over it, from great cushioning to a wide base. Combined with extra impact protection, its £100 price which is 23.1% lower than average is definitely a superb trade.

With Skechers Arch Fit 2.0, our strides are as steady as can be. We owe this to the base of the shoe which has a wide surface area. We measured the platform to be 114.5 mm wide in the forefoot and 90.9 mm in the heel. Apart from the forefoot being 3.4 mm wider and the heel being almost equal to the average, the combination granted us firm footing, as well as reduced pronation.

Another factor that controlled our excessive pronation is the shoe’s lack of flexibility. We bent the shoe and we measured the force it exerted to counter the bending to be 23.6N. This means that Skechers Arch Fit 2.0 is 18% stiffer than most walking shoes.

However, its affordability mirrored its quality. We easily damaged the walking shoe’s heel padding and toebox with our Dremel, scoring 1/5 and 2/5 in durability, respectively. While we recommend the Skechers Arch Fit 2.0 for thrifty spenders, we do not recommend them to harsh users.