13 Best Walking Shoes for Flat Feet | 2025 Picks

Having flat feet doesn’t mean you’re destined for a life of discomfort. With the right shoes, you can reliably walk all day long, run all of your errands, or do anything you’d like for hours on end without feeling that tell-tale pain in your arches, heels, or elsewhere.

The key to finding the best walking shoes for flat feet is to look for pairs with good (but not too much) arch support, a stable design, and some flexibility—enough that it bends, but doesn’t fold in half. Below, experts in podiatry and physical therapy share their best tips for shopping for flat foot-friendly walking shoes, plus options that are just begging to be worn on your daily walks.

Our top picks

1. Best Overall: Hoka Arahi 7, $145
2. Runner-Up: Kuru Atom, $159
3. Best Budget Pick: Ryka Devotion X, $110
4. Best for Maximum Cushioning: Hoka Gaviota 5, $175
5. Best for Plantar Fasciitis: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24, $140
6. Best for Wide Feet: New Balance 1540 V4, $180
7. Best for Standing All Day: Asics GT-1000 13, $110
8. Best for Walking Long Distances: Keen WK500, $135

Shop walking shoes for flat feet

You’ll probably need to try on a few pairs to determine what feels best for your feet. But you can get a leg (or foot) up on your search by starting with this list. Our picks include expert-recommended brands like Hoka and Chaco, as well as SELF editor-tested and -approved options.

Best Overall: Hoka Arahi 7

Both Dr. Gremillion and Dr. Piekarska recommend Hoka sneakers—the latter describes them as “stable yet comfortable”—and many of the brand’s shoes have won a seal of acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) for their foot-friendly designs.

The Arahi 7 is a good option for flat feet because it’s designed to prevent overpronation (a.k.a when your feet and ankles roll inward as you walk, a common problem for people with low arches), which can lead to heel pain, according to Dr. Piekarska. We also like this style for runners with flat feet, especially if your feet are on the narrow side.

“I love wearing my Arahi 7s when I’m in a state of mind to get stuff done. They’re certainly comfortable and cushioned, but with a stack that’s a little less voluminous and more responsive than other Hoka models. I feel a more grounded and ready roll,” says one SELF tester. “Not ready to roll, though, are my arches, which are held firmly in place in this stability shoe.”

Runner-Up: Kuru Atom

Kuru’s best-selling Atom sneaker features a deep heel cup that hugs the back of your foot and a curved, contoured arch for extra support where you need it most. Our tester was impressed by how firm (yet comfortable) the arch was, noting that it felt great on long walks on hard pavement, with one caveat: “It feels like its placement is a little too far back in the shoe—the upper end of my arch didn’t get quite the same amount of support as the rest of it.”

For all its sturdiness, the Atom kept our tester’s feet cool and fresh after long periods of wear, thanks to its breathable mesh upper. It’s somewhat lacking in padding, especially in the forefoot, which is why it falls short of our top pick. But if structure takes priority over cushioning for you, the Atom could very well be your personal best overall.

Best Budget Pick: Ryka Devotion X

Ryka’s best-selling (and AMPA-approved) Devotion X shows you don’t have to shell out for the fanciest pair of walking shoes on the market to get good arch support. Its insole has a built-in arch, and its midsole provides additional structure around the middle of the foot. As a fitness-walking-specific shoe, it also doesn’t skimp on comfort: There’s extra padding in the forefoot and heel to help absorb the impact of your steps, and the mesh upper helps keep your feet cool on warmer days.

Best for Maximum Cushioning: Hoka Gaviota 5

Another highly supportive and APMA-approved option from Hoka is the Gaviota 5. With more cushioning than the Arahi, it’s comparable to the 2023 SELF Sneaker Award–winning Hoka Bondi—but with a focus on stability over plushness, for folks with flat feet who still love a highly cushioned shoe. The Gaviota’s H-Frame design gently keeps your foot in the correct alignment—a win for overpronators.

This latest version of the Gaviota improves on previous models with a slightly wider fit, increased airflow through the upper, and an even softer feel. Between its plush padding and easy breathability, the Gaviota will keep a spring in your step, even on long days spent running all over town.

“As someone who overpronates, I can confirm that the Gaviotas are incredibly stabilizing while also providing that walking-on-a-cloud feel I look for in a Hoka,” one SELF tester says. “I also like how breathable they are and the roominess of the toe box—no foot sweat or toe claustrophobia over here.”

Best for Plantar Fasciitis: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24

Nicholas Japs, DPT, a physical therapist at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport, Connecticut, previously recommended the Brooks Adrenaline GTS for people who deal with plantar fasciitis. It has a larger heel-to-toe drop than other shoes on our list, which helps take more pressure off your heel and will (hopefully) relieve some of the pain that comes with the condition.

Beyond that, it’s a very well-cushioned, supportive sneaker, with two pieces of firm foam on either side to help keep your foot aligned while you’re on the move. One SELF staffer considers the Adrenaline her “workhorse” sneaker, explaining that she wears her pair for everything but speed training: “I overpronate while I run, and these give me the support I needed to build up my mileage pain-free.”

Best for Wide Feet: New Balance 1540 v4

If you’re ready to embrace the dad shoe trend (which is really just an excuse to wear super comfy walking shoes), New Balance is a great brand to browse. Designed to provide maximum structure, comfort, and motion control (to prevent rolling), the 1540 V4 can help keep flat feet happy—all while meeting your normcore aspirations.

Bonus: It comes in three widths, so if you often struggle to find a shoe with enough room in the toe box, we highly recommend giving this one a try.

Best for Standing All Day: Asics GT-1000 13

A previous iteration of the GT-1000 won a Sneaker Award last year, wowing our tester with how comfy it felt—even for hours at a time. “These are very light, breathable, and springy, and mold to your foot effortlessly. My finicky arches loved them,” they said. The GT-1000 13 is even more structured, thanks to some new stability features in the midsole.

This pair of sneaks is ideal for standing all day: As SELF has previously reported, it’s important for your footwear to provide enough support (usually in the form of sturdy, stiff insoles) if you’re going to be on your feet for long periods of time. Whether you’re headed to a concert or working a long shift, the GT-1000 13 will help prevent foot fatigue and pain.

Best for Walking Long Distances: Keen WK500

Keen’s WK500s have a curved sole, which is more common in running shoes and gives these walking shoes a distinctive, rocker-like shape. The effect? Constant movement. One SELF staffer, who logged serious steps wearing the previous edition (the WK400s) over several years, especially appreciated the curved sole while she was rushing to tackle multiple errands around her neighborhood.

“I’m a pretty fast walker as it is, but I feel like I have tiny jetpacks strapped to my feet when I wear these shoes,” she says. “Once you start moving, they really help you build up and maintain your momentum.” The updated WK500 weighs nearly two ounces less, which adds to that light-on-your-feet feeling.

Best for Walking and Running: Nike Structure 25

Alicia Canzanese, DPM, ATC, a board-certified podiatrist, athletic trainer, and former collegiate track athlete, previously recommended the Nike Structure to SELF, noting that it’s a lightweight and supportive stability shoe (meaning it’s designed with support through the arch to prevent pronation). That’s a rare combo to come by, and it’s the main reason why this sneaker is great for walking and running—it’ll feel sturdy while you stroll, but won’t weigh you down when you pick up the pace.