Having flat toes doesn’t imply you’re destined for a lifetime of discomfort. With the fitting sneakers, you’ll be able to reliably stroll all day lengthy, run all of your errands, or do something you’d like for hours on finish with out feeling that tell-tale ache in your arches, heels, or elsewhere.
The important thing to discovering the very best strolling sneakers for flat toes is to search for pairs with good (however not an excessive amount of) arch help, a secure design, and a few flexibility—sufficient that it bends, however doesn’t fold in half. Under, specialists in podiatry and bodily remedy share their greatest ideas for looking for flat foot-friendly strolling sneakers, plus choices which are simply begging to be worn in your each day walks.
Our high picks
- Greatest Total: Hoka Arahi 7, $145
- Runner-Up: Kuru Atom, $159
- Greatest Finances Choose: Ryka Devotion X, $110
- Greatest for Most Cushioning: Hoka Gaviota 5, $175
- Greatest for Plantar Fasciitis: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24, $140
- Greatest for Extensive Ft: New Steadiness 1540 V4, $180
- Greatest for Standing All Day: Asics GT-1000 13, $110
- Greatest for Strolling Lengthy Distances: Eager WK500, $135
On this article
Store strolling sneakers for flat toes
You’ll in all probability have to strive on a couple of pairs to find out what feels greatest on your toes. However you will get a leg (or foot) up in your search by beginning with this checklist. Our picks embrace expert-recommended manufacturers like Hoka and Chaco, in addition to SELF editor–examined and –permitted choices.
Greatest Total: Hoka Arahi 7
Each Dr. Gremillion and Dr. Piekarska suggest Hoka sneakers—the latter describes them as “secure but comfy”—and lots of the model’s sneakers have gained a seal of acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Affiliation (APMA) for his or her foot-friendly designs.
The Arahi 7 is an effective possibility for flat toes as a result of it’s designed to forestall overpronation (a.ok.a when your toes and ankles roll inward as you stroll, a standard drawback for individuals with low arches), which may result in heel ache, in response to Dr. Piekarska. We additionally like this fashion for runners with flat toes, particularly in case your toes are on the slim aspect.
“I like carrying my Arahi 7s once I’m in a mind-set to get stuff carried out. They’re definitely comfy and cushioned, however with a stack that’s rather less voluminous and extra responsive than different Hoka fashions. I really feel a extra grounded and prepared roll,” says one SELF tester. “Not able to roll, although, are my arches, that are held firmly in place on this stability shoe.”
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium and extensive | Heel-to-toe drop: 5 millimeters | Weight: 8.10 ounces
Runner-Up: Kuru Atom
Kuru’s best-selling Atom sneaker contains a deep heel cup that hugs the again of your foot and a curved, contoured arch for additional help the place you want it most. Our tester was impressed by how agency (but comfy) the arch was, noting that it felt nice on lengthy walks on onerous pavement, with one caveat: “It looks like its placement is a little bit too far again within the shoe—the higher finish of my arch didn’t get fairly the identical quantity of help as the remainder of it.”
For all its sturdiness, the Atom saved our tester’s toes cool and contemporary after lengthy intervals of damage, due to its breathable mesh higher. It’s considerably missing in padding, particularly within the forefoot, which is why it falls in need of our high decide. But when construction takes precedence over cushioning for you, the Atom might very properly be your private greatest total.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium and extensive | Heel-to-toe drop: 8 millimeters | Weight: 10.6 ounces
Greatest Finances Choose: Ryka Devotion X
Ryka’s best-selling (and AMPA-approved) Devotion X exhibits you don’t should shell out for the fanciest pair of strolling sneakers in the marketplace to get good arch help. Its insole has a built-in arch, and its midsole supplies further construction across the center of the foot. As a fitness-walking-specific shoe, it additionally doesn’t skimp on consolation: There’s additional padding within the forefoot and heel to assist soak up the affect of your steps, and the mesh higher helps preserve your toes cool on hotter days.
Sizes: US 6 to 12 | Widths: Medium and extensive | Heel-to-toe drop: 10 millimeters | Weight: 10.75 ounces
Greatest for Most Cushioning: Hoka Gaviota 5
One other extremely supportive and APMA-approved possibility from Hoka is the Gaviota 5. With extra cushioning than the Arahi, it’s akin to the 2023 SELF Sneaker Award–successful Hoka Bondi—however with a deal with stability over plushness, for folk with flat toes who nonetheless love a extremely cushioned shoe. The Gaviota’s H-Body design gently retains your foot within the appropriate alignment—a win for overpronators.
This newest model of the Gaviota improves on earlier fashions with a barely wider match, elevated airflow by means of the higher, and a good softer really feel. Between its plush padding and simple breathability, the Gaviota will preserve a spring in your step, even on lengthy days spent working throughout city.
“As somebody who overpronates, I can affirm that the Gaviotas are extremely stabilizing whereas additionally offering that walking-on-a-cloud really feel I search for in a Hoka,” one SELF tester says. “I additionally like how breathable they’re and the roominess of the toe field—no foot sweat or toe claustrophobia over right here.”
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium and extensive | Heel-to-toe drop: 6 millimeters | Weight: 9.10 ounces
Greatest for Plantar Fasciitis: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24
Nicholas Japs, DPT, a bodily therapist at St. Vincent’s Medical Heart in Bridgeport, Connecticut, beforehand really helpful the Brooks Adrenaline GTS for individuals who take care of plantar fasciitis. It has a bigger heel-to-toe drop than different sneakers on our checklist, which helps take extra strain off your heel and can (hopefully) relieve among the ache that comes with the situation.
Past that, it’s a really well-cushioned, supportive sneaker, with two items of agency foam on both aspect to assist preserve your foot aligned when you’re on the transfer. One SELF staffer considers the Adrenaline her “workhorse” sneaker, explaining that she wears her pair for every thing however velocity coaching: “I overpronate whereas I run, and these give me the help I wanted to construct up my mileage pain-free.”
Sizes: US 5 to 13 | Widths: Slender, medium, extensive, and further extensive | Heel-to-toe drop: 12 millimeters | Weight: 8.8 ounces
Greatest for Extensive Ft: New Steadiness 1540 v4
Should you’re able to embrace the dad shoe development (which is admittedly simply an excuse to put on tremendous comfortable strolling sneakers), New Steadiness is a superb model to browse. Designed to supply most construction, consolation, and movement management (to forestall rolling), the 1540 V4 may also help preserve flat toes glad—all whereas assembly your normcore aspirations.
Bonus: It is available in three widths, so should you typically wrestle to discover a shoe with sufficient room within the toe field, we extremely suggest giving this one a strive.
Sizes: US 6 to 13 | Widths: Customary, extensive, x-wide | Heel-to-toe drop: 4 millimeters | Weight: N/A
Greatest for Standing All Day: Asics GT-1000 13
A earlier iteration of the GT-1000 gained a Sneaker Award final 12 months, wowing our tester with how comfortable it felt—even for hours at a time. “These are very gentle, breathable, and springy, and mildew to your foot effortlessly. My finicky arches beloved them,” they mentioned. The GT-1000 13 is much more structured, due to some new stability options within the midsole.
This pair of sneaks is right for standing all day: As SELF has beforehand reported, it’s essential on your footwear to supply sufficient help (normally within the type of sturdy, stiff insoles) should you’re going to be in your toes for lengthy intervals of time. Whether or not you’re headed to a live performance or working a protracted shift, the GT-1000 13 will assist stop foot fatigue and ache.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Heel-to-toe drop: 8 millimeters | Weight: 8.30 ounces
Greatest for Strolling Lengthy Distances: Eager WK500
Eager’s WK500s have a curved sole, which is extra widespread in trainers and offers these strolling sneakers a particular, rocker-like form. The impact? Fixed motion. One SELF staffer, who logged severe steps carrying the earlier version (the WK400s) over a number of years, particularly appreciated the curved sole whereas she was dashing to sort out a number of errands round her neighborhood.
“I’m a reasonably quick walker as it’s, however I really feel like I’ve tiny jetpacks strapped to my toes once I put on these sneakers,” she says. “When you begin shifting, they actually make it easier to construct up and preserve your momentum.” The up to date WK500 weighs practically two ounces much less, which provides to that light-on-your-feet feeling.
Sizes: 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Heel-to-toe drop: 11 millimeters | Weight: 8.96 ounces
Greatest for Strolling and Operating: Nike Construction 25
Alicia Canzanese, DPM, ATC, a board-certified podiatrist, athletic coach, and former collegiate monitor athlete, beforehand really helpful the Nike Construction to SELF, noting that it’s a light-weight and supportive stability shoe (that means it’s designed with help by means of the arch to forestall pronation). That’s a uncommon combo to return by, and it’s the principle cause why this sneaker is nice for strolling and working—it’ll really feel sturdy when you stroll, however gained’t weigh you down whenever you decide up the tempo.