Best Walking Shoes For Flat Feet - Improve Your Posture And Fix Your Gait

The best walking shoes for flat feet should not only provide you with comfort, but also improve your gait and straighten your posture.

If you are wondering whether there is a difference between walking and running shoes for flat feet, then this is the article for you. Because although the differences are subtle, they make a huge impact on the way a shoe interacts with the wearer.

Here at savingfeet.com we have not only reviewed the top 10 walking shoes for flat feet, but we’ve also laid out some interesting information on their differences. You will also learn how to buy a good pair of walking shoes for flat feet.

Top Rated Walking Shoes For Flat Feet - 2018

1. Asics GEL-Tech Walker Neo 4 Walking Shoe

Most Comfortable Walking Shoe

Editor Rating

2. New Balance Men's MW928 V3 Walking Shoe

Most Durable Walking Shoe

Editor Rating

3. Brooks Men's Addiction Walker Walking Shoes

Best Arch Support Walking Shoe

Editor Rating

1. Asics GEL-Tech Walker Neo 4 Walking Shoe

Comfort
100%
Durability
95%
Arch Support
100%

The Asics Men’s Gel line of walking and running shoes are known for their comfort. That is because, Asics’ Gel cushioning technology is strategically designed to offer comfort where it matters the most.

Asics achieved this by separating the gel cushions into the forefoot and heel areas, in order to reduce pressure during impact.

The Impact Guidance System on the out sole helps absorb and disperse energy evenly during impact. While the rolling sole design helps transition easily from heel to toe.

Adding comfort to the shoe is the DuoMax dual density mid sole which offers excellent stability as well. This gives support to the arch area for those of you who are excessive over-pronators.

This shoe comes with removable insoles for your custom orthotics. They offer excellent cushioning and comfort and are contoured for even more stability.

The upper on this shoe is built of a mesh and durable synthetic overlay that offers added support and breathability. While reflective highlights on the shoe help with outdoor visibility in low light situations.

Who is this shoe for?

The Asics Gel-Tech walker is a well rounded walking shoe for those of you with flat feet. It offers excellent stability and support while offering ample cushioning where it matters most.

2. New Balance Men's MW928 V3 Walking Shoe

Comfort
95%
Durability
100%
Arch Support
95%

The New Balance Men’s MW928 is a legend. This is one of the high profile series from the New Balance stable.

The MW928 V3 is the third iteration of the shoe and New Balance has only improved this shoe over time.

The entire upper of the shoe is made of premium full grain leather, giving the shoe a really nice look and feel.

New Balance has used their Walking Strike Path technology to the base of this shoe, giving you stability with a wider base.

Cushioning is broken down in to multiple categories and other than the few mentioned above, the toe to mid foot of the shoe has added shock absorption. Good for standing on your feet for a long time.

The sole is made to naturally roll the foot and aid in effortless walking.

Roll bar frame on the mid sole for medial and lateral support is great for gait correction. This stops over pronation as well as underpronation/supination. Great for someone standing the whole day.

The Endurance outsole on the MW928 is a high compound rubber outsole that is specifically designed for high mileage. This shoe will last a long time for activities such as athletic walking or standing for long periods of time on hard flat surfaces.

The insoles on the shoe are removable and have been upgraded to a polyurethane material. This gives the shoe more compression resistance.

What this means for you, is a more durable shoe that won’t break down as fast. Not to mention the added comfort.

The inside of the MW928 comes with a phantom liner. This liner covers the foot from the seams, reducing hot spots, friction and blisters.

Who is this walking shoe for?

The New Balance MW928 V3 comes packed with the latest walking shoe technology and a tonne of features. The leather upper, deeper toe box, orthotics compatible insole and Walking Strike Path Technology provide stability comfort and durability to this exceptional walking shoe. 

A must buy for those of your with moderate to sever overpronation or flat feet

3. Brooks Men's Addiction Walker Walking Shoes

Comfort
95%
Durability
90%
Arch Support
100%

The Brooks Addicition Walker is a veteran in the stabilized walking shoe space. This shoe is extremely comfortable and supportive for those of you with low to no arches.

The Brooks Addiciton Walker comes with a progressive diagonal roll bar. And while that might sound like a mouthful, but the technology works wonders, correcting over and under pronation, while guiding you through a nice neutral path.

Roll bars are great for those of you who stand all day as it keeps your foot in a strong stabilized position at all times. This reduces stress related injuries as well as fatigue.

The cushioning system in the sole of the shoe, provides excellent shock absorption from heel to toe.

The leather used on the upper is soft and supple and will reduce any hot spots and friction around your feet.

Just like any good stability walker, the Brooks Addiciton comes with a removable insole that allows you to add your own insole if you so wish. Although, we wouldn’t recommend doing that on a shoe like this.

A much appreciated feature of this shoe is the slip resistant out sole, giving you that added confidence on every stride.

The Brooks Addiction walker also comes in a velcro strap version for those of who who dislike shoe laces.

Who is this walking shoe for?

Brooks is known to make excellent stability and motion control shoes for both walking as well as running with flat feet.

The Brooks Addiction Walker is the go to shoe in the stability walking shoe on the market today. You won’t feel tired after a long day on your feet with these shoes.

4. New Balance MW840 Health Walking Shoe

Comfort
95%
Durability
90%
Arch Support
100%

The New Balance Men’s MW840 comes with a full grain leather upper that is soft to the touch. This upper hosts perforations and a mesh making it extremely breathable.

A full length Abzorb mid sole provides all day comfort with tonnes of shock absorption. This shoe is quite lightweight as well.

The sole is made of Endurance rubber compound for excellent durability. This is a great shoe for cushioning and support.

These shoes also come with an asymmetrical height out-soles that help correct over-pronation and flat feet.  while the toe box is spacious enough to accommodate wide feet.

This is also a great shoe to accommodate custom orthotics as the factory insoles are removable.

Who is this walking shoe for?

The New Balance MW840 is a good choice for those of you with wide feet.

New Balance’s Abzorb technology provides ample cushioning while the asymmetrical out soles help reduce over pronation. While the Endurance rubber compound gives this shoe long lasting durability.

5. Asics Gel Foundation Work Place

Comfort
95%
Durability
95%
Arch Support
85%

The Asics Gel Foundation Work Place walking shoes comes with a natural and synthetic upper with materials that are easy to polish and clean.

The heel is constructed from Asics PHF technology that gives sung fit to the heel. This reduces chaffing and slippage around the heel.

The collar and tongue us also padded for extra comfort.

Asics’ DuroMaxx dual density midsole enhances support and stability.

The Foundation Work Place also comes with an Ortholite moisture management sock liner on the inside that will keep your feet cool and dry at all times. As with all shoes on this list, the sock liner is removable and can be removed and replaced with an insole suited for flat feet.

The mid sole is constructed with forefoot and midfoot Gel cushioning systems that attenuate shock during heel strike and to off phases. These strategically positioned Gel cushions help guide movement in multiple planes as the foot transitions naturally throughout its gait cycle.

The durable outsole on the bottom is extremely flexible at the midfoot.

Who is this walking shoe for?

The Asics Gel Foundation is a well loved walking shoe among the working community.

What we love about this shoe is the versatility. While it is a great everyday walking shoe for those of you with mild to moderate flat feet. The insole can be removed and replaced with a more aggressive flat footed insole for those of you with severe cases of flat feet.

6. New Balance Men's MW813V1 Walking Shoe with Velcro

Comfort
95%
Durability
95%
Arch Support
80%

The MW813 from New Balance comes with a synthetic upper with meshed accents that offers great breathability.

The inner comes with a soft fabric lining with excess padding on the inside for added comfort.

What really stands out about MW813V1 walking shoe is the roll bar technology that is added to the sole of this shoe. This technology helps reduce erroneous movement in the rear foot by guiding the foot through it’s natural gait cycle.

This is great for those standing for a long hours at a time. As the foot tends to over and under-pronate as you try to take pressure off the heel. Consequently correcting over-pronation as well as over-supination while standing.

The out sole is built out of high endurance rubber that is durable, and has a wide base that offers stability. The rolling contour of the sole offers easy transition from heel to toe-off, thus reducing fatigue along the way.

The MW813’s also come in a laced version with a supple leather upper and a  cushioned collar for added support.

The insoles are removable and support orthotics. They come with endurance high composite rubber outsole for extra durability.

Who is this shoe for?

If you have flat feet and stand all day, the New Balance Men’s MW813V1 Walking Shoe is the shoe for you. It offers great stability control while standing and reduced fatigue while walking.

The New Balance Men’s MW813V1 Walking Shoe also comes in a lace-up version for those of you that don’t prefer Velcro on your shoes.

7. Skechers Sport Men's Energy Afterburn Lace-Up Sneaker

Comfort
90%
Durability
95%
Arch Support
80%

The Energy Afterburn from Skechers are an extremely rugged, stylish and durable.

They are made out of a synthetic upper with padded detailing on the sides. These classics come with a traditional lace up system on the front, which keep your feet stable and secure.

These shoes come with handy pull tabs above the tongue and above the heel, making it easy to put the shoe on and take it off easier.

The inside if the shoe is exceptionally padded and adds to that snug, comfortable fit.

The foot-bed is exceptionally padded, giving your foot much needed cushioning for long walks or while standing for hours on end. The Energy Afterburns come with a compression molded mid sole which provides a tonne of shock absorption and comfort.

The out sole is also made of exceptionally durable lug rubber which provides for a stable ride.

Who is this walking shoe for?

The Skechers Afterburn is for those of you who are looking for a stability walking shoe that offers a lot of comfort and durability.

A great buy for those of you who stand all day.

8. Saucony Men's Grid Omni Walking Shoe

Comfort
95%
Durability
70%
Arch Support
95%

The Saucony Grid Omni Walker is a shoe that offers excellent stability and cushioning.

The upper comes in a soft full grain leather. While, the inside of the shoe has generous cushioning around the heel and tongue. This makes for excellent support and flexibility on the upper portion of the foot.

On the inside you have a removable insole that supports orthotics. However, the insole that comes in the Grid Omni Walker is excellent for your cause.

The insole is contoured, offers excellent cushioning as has a deep heel groove that will keep your foot in place. Definitely one of those insoles you wouldn’t want to replace.

The mid foot support bridge and SRC impact zone adds support and shock absorption to the mid foot and heel. While the front of the sole has flex grooves for increased flexibility at the forefoot. A perfect combination for ideal heel to toe movement.

This is one of the lighter weighted shoes on this list.

Who is this walking shoe for?

The Saucony Grid Omni Walker is an excellent lightweight option for those of you who are mild to moderate over-pronators.

The upper, insole and out sole of combine exceptionally well to offer a complete package of support, cushioning and stability.

9. New Balance Men's MW847V2 Walking Shoe

Comfort
95%
Durability
75%
Arch Support
85%

The MW847V2 is built on a SL2 last, which means that it’s got a wider forefoot and a narrower heel. This ensures that you have ample toe space in the forefoot and a nice snug fit at the heel.

The wide forefoot helps with balance and stability, while the heel holds the foot in place preventing heel slippage and shoe bites.

The MW847 is relatively lightweight when compared to the more popular New Balance MW 928.

It also comes with a synthetic leather upper with strategically placed mesh zones for ample breathability. The mesh is strategically placed in such a way that it accommodates the swelling experienced by people with bunions.

The roll bar in the heel helps aid stability and gait correction making this shoe a great shoe for those of you who are over-pronators as well as supinators.

The rocker sole at the bottom helps transfer evenly from heel to toe, aiding energy transfer for an effortless stride while walking.

Who is this walking shoe for?

This is an excellent shoe for those of you with flat feet who are also suffering from bunions.

The roll bars offer ample stability and gait correction. While the broader forefoot and strategically placed mesh zones allow your foot to spread out comfortably.

The New Balance MW847 is also a great option for those of you with wider feet.

10. Skechers Sport Men's Stamina Nuovo Cutback Lace-Up Sneaker

Comfort
70%
Durability
95%
Arch Support
80%

The Stamina Cutbacks from Skechers come with a Nubuck leather and synthetic upper. They also have reflective highlights for great outdoor visibility in low light situations.

The traditional lace up system on the front keeps your feet nice and and secure within the frame of the shoe.

Pull tabs on the heel and lace make for easy put on and take off of the shoes.

The interior is made of a molded foam insole and breathable fabric around the body. While the out sole is made of an extremely durable rubber that is relatively flexible.

Who is this walking shoe for?

This is a good outdoor shoe that is extremely durable and stable.

So what is the difference between a walking shoe and a running shoe?

Granted, there are subtle differences between walking and running shoes, but these differences make a big difference in the walk you walk or run.

The first difference between a walking and running shoe is the materials on the upper. A walking shoe will be made of slightly heavier and warmer materials, such as leather. Whereas, a running shoe will be made of more lightweight breathable materials such as mesh. This helps with breathability and durability. While mesh uppers are a more breathable material, leather uppers offer more protection ffrom the elements and is much more durable.

The second difference between walking and running shoes is the flexibility at the toe. Running is more toe intensive than walking, In fact getting good toe-off is of paramount importance for optimal running. So the shoes are made keeping this in mind. A running shoe will have a more flexible toe, while a walking shoe will have a slightly less flexible toe in order to maintain stability in your gait.

Features of walking shoes for flat feet

With so many different shoes on the market from walking shoes, to running shoes, to tennis shoes and motorcycle shoes, we forget that the best shoe is a shoe that actually feels good.

Most people say, “I’m sure they’ll expand in a couple of days” or “It’s a little loose but that’s alright”. But put a couple of miles in an ill fitting shoe and you can end up with a myriad of foot problems.

The main take away from this is to get shoes that feel really good on your feet, right out of the box. Of course walking shoes for flat feet must incorporate some basic features.

  • The sole of the walking shoe must be rigid and flex only at the forefoot.
  • The toe box should be spacious enough, so as not to cramp your toes.
  • The weight of a shoe does matter, try to pick something lightweight
  • Look for shoes with removable insoles in order to replace with your own orthotics.
  • A good walking shoe will generally have a wider base at the out sole. This will provide lateral as well as structural stability while standing.

How to choose a good walking shoe for flat feet in three simple steps.

This test is known as the twist , bend and poke test.

  1. The Twist: Using both hands, grab the shoe by the heel and toe and give it a twist. You’re looking for a little bit of torsional flexibility in the shoe. This torsional flexibility in the shoe will help the independent suspensions of your foot to move about freely. That is, as your heel hits the ground and rolls down, to when your forefoot hits the ground and rolls down. A good walking shoe will have just a little bit of flexibility in the sole, but not too much.
  2. The Bend: To perform this test, grab the shoe again by the heel and toe with both hands. Bend the toe of the shoe towards the heel. You want to be able to see a bend at the forefoot of the shoe. This is the area where your foot naturally bends as you take your toes off the ground, completing a step. What you don’t want to see is bending at the arch of the shoe. Bending at the arch means that the shoe does not have enough support below the arch of your foot to provide adequate stability. A good walking shoe will bend at the forefoot allowing for good heel to toe roll.
  3. The Poke: The last test is the poke test and the most fun in our opinion. Take your index finger an push down at the heel of the shoe. This should allow for the toe to naturally lift off the ground, this indicates a beveled edge at the back of the heel. Similarly, pushing down at the toe shoe lift the heel of the shoe off the ground. This will simulate the smooth heel to toe roll your shoe is going to offer.

Conclusion:

Walking shoes specifically made for flat feet can have a huge impact on the way you walk.

They are capable of improving your gait as well as your posture. Thereby alleviating a lot of pain associated with the ankles, knees an back.

We hope that the tips provided above will help guide you when buying the best walking shoes for your feet.

2 thoughts on “Best Walking Shoes For Flat Feet”

  1. What would you recommend for someone with severe flat feet. Who also stands and walks 8hrs a day on a concrete floor. The shoe must have a nonslip sole. I am also getting over posterior and anterior tibial tendonitis.

    Thank you

    Reply

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