Best mens running shoes for flat feet and plantar fasciitis

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Flat feet, also known as “collapsed arches” may not be a bother when going about your daily life—but when you’re running and your feet are acting as your body’s shock absorption, proper cushioning and support is essential. Running with flat feet can cause pain and injury if you’re not wearing proper supportive footwear. If you don’t have naturally high arches, you’ll lose a lot of shock absorption with each step. A supportive shoe can make all the difference, providing you with an extra support system to keep your legs and feet safe and healthy. In this guide, we’ll tell you what to look for in the best running shoes for flat feet, and share our best picks for various styles of running. Whether you’re looking for maximum cushion, support, trail running shoes or shoes that fit your budget, we’ve got you covered with our top picks for 2022.

Our Picks for the Best Running Shoes for Flat Feet:

  • Best Overall Running Shoes for Flat Feet: adidas Ultraboost 22
  • Best Running Shoes for Women with Flat Feet: New Balance Fresh Foam 860v12
  • Best Budget Running Shoes for Flat Feet: Brooks Launch 8 Running Shoes
  • Best Nike running shoes for Flat Feet: Nike Air Zoom Structure
  • Best Cushioned Running Shoes for Flat Feet: ASICS Gel-Kayano 28
  • Best Trail Running Shoes for Flat Feet: Salomon X-Mission 3
  • Best Supportive Running Shoes for Flat Feet: HOKA Rincon 3
  • Best Running Shoes for Men with Flat Feet: Saucony Men's Echelon 8

Best Overall Running Shoes for Flat Feet: adidas Ultraboost 22

adidas Ultra Boost

adidas

Key features:

  • Price: $190
  • Support: Neutral/stable
  • Colors: 26 colorways
  • Weight: 11.7 ounces

The adidas Ultraboost 22 is designed for maximum comfort and performance to take your running game to the next level. Whether you’re hitting the track for sprints, jogging on your treadmill or running the streets for long-distance training runs, these shoes will keep you comfortable and supported.

Related Post: Best Adidas Running Shoes of 2022

The BOOST midsole is designed for maximum energy return, and the supportive upper is designed to provide stability while keeping your foot comfortable. The Ultraboost 22 also features a Linear Push System, designed to provide extra support around the midfoot, perfect for those with flat feet.

These make a great daily trainer, and are stylish to wear around all day long.

Pros:

  • BOOST midsole provides support and energy return to keep you comfortable on long runs.

Cons:

  • They’re a little on the pricey side

Purchase adidas Ultraboost 22


Best Running Shoes for Women with Flat Feet: New Balance Fresh Foam 860v12

New Balance Fresh Foam 860v12

New Balance

Key features:

  • Price: $109.99
  • Support: Neutral/stable
  • Colors: 12 colorways
  • Weight: 9 ounces

The New Balance Fresh Foam 860v12 is our pick for the best running shoe for women with flat feet. We love that these shoes are available in several widths, so if you have smaller, narrow feet, you can still find a shoe that will fit you perfectly.

Many shoes for flat feet tend to run wider, so it’s nice to see a narrow option from New Balance. They’re lightweight with extra support in the mid-foot to help stabilize and prevent over-pronation, keeping your foot and ankle safe and secure.

New Balance uses their Fresh Foam to provide the maximum comfort and cushioning with each step, making these the perfect choice for women with flat feet. Just know that if you have wide feet, these may be a bit too narrow.

Pros:

  • Fresh foam provides maximum comfort with a lightweight design

Cons:

  • The shoes tend to run narrow, so if you don’t have narrow feet you may need to order a size up, or choose the wider options

Purchase New Balance Fresh Foam 860v12


Best Budget Running Shoes for Flat Feet: Brooks Launch 8 Running Shoes

Brooks Launch 8 Running Shoes

Brooks

Key features:

  • Price: $100
  • Support: Neutral
  • Colors: 4 colorways
  • Weight: 8.6 ounces

Brooks has made a name for itself as a company that specializes in running shoes, so you can rest assured that any of their shoes will provide a high-quality running experience.

At only $100, the Brooks Launch 8 running shoes are the best choice for flat-footed runners on a budget.

Designed to provide a lightweight, yet supportive run, the Launch 8 prioritizes speed without sacrificing support and comfort. BioMoGo DNA cushioning provides midsole support that adapts to your stride, keeping the joints in your leg padded and comfortable, and the rubber outsole helps your feet grip the pavement.

Pros:

  • Very lightweight shoe designed for a speed, at an affordable cost

Cons:

  • The light design may not provide enough cushion for larger individuals, or those looking for maximum support. These are designed for speed, not duration.

Purchase Brooks Launch 8 Running Shoes


Related Post: The Best Running Apps

Best Nike running shoes for Flat Feet: Nike Air Zoom Structure

Nike Air Zoom Structure

Nike

Key features:

  • Price: $130
  • Support: Neutral
  • Colors: 8 colorways
  • Weight: 11 ounces

Nike is one of the most recognizable brands on the planet, and many runners love the style and sleek design Nike is known for.

The Air Zoom Structure is one of Nike’s most cushioned running shoes, designed to provide support and a secure fit for runners with flat feet.

The Zoom Air unit is designed to provide maximum energy return, while a foam midsole keeps your foot properly cushioned as you run. These aren’t the lightest shoes, but for those who want extra support and stability during runs, and love to wear Nike’s, the Air Zoom Structure is an excellent choice.

Pros:

  • Extra padding and support to keep your mid-foot protected and stabilized.

Cons:

  • These aren’t the lightest shoes, so they may not be the best choice for speed training.

Purchase Nike Air Zoom Structure


Best Cushioned Running Shoes for Flat Feet: ASICS Gel-Kayano 28

ASICS Gel-Kayano 28

ASICS

Key features:

  • Price: $160
  • Support: Neutral/stable
  • Colors: 15 colorways
  • Weight: 10.9 ounces

For the most comfortable run, you’ll want a shoe that provides adequate cushioning designed for flat feet, and the ASICS Gel-Kayano 28 are one of the most cushioned shoes on the market.

The gel cushion technology is specifically designed to provide maximum shock absorption in areas of the foot that receive direct contact with the ground, and ASICS classifies these as having maximum cushioning.

ASICS also added FF Blast cushioning to the midsole and forefoot, providing extra support for those with flat feet.

Pros:

  • Maximum cushioning for a comfortable ride, regardless of your foot type

Cons:

  • At $160, this is on the expensive end for running shoes.

Purchase ASICS Gel-Kayano 28


Best Trail Running Shoes for Flat Feet: Salomon X-Mission 3

Salomon X-Mission 3

Salomon

Key features:

  • Price: $115
  • Support: Neutral
  • Colors: 7 Colorways
  • Weight: 10.6 ounces

While most of the running shoes on our list are designed for running the roads and tracks, you may want to hit the trails, in which case you’ll want to use special running shoes designed with extra traction.

The Salomon X-Mission 3s are the best trail running shoes for flat feet on the market, with extra cushioning around the midsole to provide a comfortable ride. They also feature Salomon’s All Terrain Contagrip, to keep your feet stable on any surface, including wet, slippery trails.

These high-traction stability shoes are a little heavier than most, as they’re designed for all-terrain use and maximum cushioning, but if you’re running trails, the weight trade off is well worth the safety benefits.

Pros:

  • Extra traction for trail running in any weather

Cons:

  • The extra traction and cushioning mean these shoes are a little on the heavy side.

Purchase Salomon X-Mission 3


Best Supportive Running Shoes for Flat Feet: HOKA Rincon 3

HOKA Rincon 3

HOKA

Key features:

  • Price: $125
  • Support: Neutral
  • Colors: 11 colorways
  • Weight: 7.7 ounces

If you want a shoe that supports your flat feet, provides stability and doesn’t come with a heavy weight, the HOKA Rincon 3 is the perfect fit.

They are one of the lightest shoes on our list, while still providing plenty of soft cushioning to keep you comfortable during road running. A compression-molded EVA midsole is designed to provide adequate cushioning with the lowest possible weight, something not often seen in running shoes.

The vented mesh upper allows your foot to breathe, without sacrificing any stability.

Pros:

  • Extremely lightweight, while still providing mid-foot support and cushioning

Cons:

  • Some users found the shoes run a little on the narrow side.

Purchase HOKA Rincon 3


Best Running Shoes for Men with Flat Feet: Saucony Men's Echelon 8

Saucony Men's Echelon 8

Saucony

Key features:

  • Price: $130
  • Support: Neutral
  • Colors: 2 colors
  • Weight: 12.5 ounces

For the men out there who often have wider, bigger feet, the Saucony Echelon 8 is designed to provide support and cushioning for flat feet of all sizes, no matter how wide they may run. The extra wide design can accommodate custom orthotics if you have your own inserts from a podiatrist.

Saucony’s PWRRUN cushioning provides maximum comfort, and the shoe has a wide base and wide toe box to keep you secure without restricting your feet too much. They’re also APMA certified, which means The American Podiatric Medical Association has recognized them as being beneficial to foot health.

They’re not the lightest shoes, but they’ll accommodate even the widest feet without any issues.

Pros:

  • Very cushioned and wide, and APMA approved

Cons:

  • Only 2 colorways, and they’re a little heavy

Purchase Saucony Men's Echelon 8


What Does It Mean to Have “Flat Feet”?

Your feet are supposed to have an arch that provides shock absorption and cushioning for the rest of your body. After all, your feet are the first point of impact, and if you have zero shock absorption, you’ll feel each step more throughout the rest of your leg.

Those with collapsed arches tend to have very small arches, if not completely flat. If you stand barefoot, look at the inner portion of your feet.

If there’s no gap between the middle of your inner foot and the ground, you have flat feet! Now, you may be able to flex the muscles in your feet and create an arch, but if it’s not naturally there, you have collapsed arches.

This shouldn’t cause many issues in your daily life, but according to one study, running with flat feet can cause pain in your ankles, hips and knees, and increase the risk of plantar fasciitis. Flat feet may also change your running technique as flat feet are more likely to turn inwards, or over-pronate.

If your feet over-pronate, you’ll wear out the inner part of your shoes faster and may experience more pain from running as your form breaks down. 

How to Choose the Best Running Shoes for Your Flat Feet

When choosing running shoes, consider how flat your feet are. Do you have a tiny arch, or none at all?

You may also want to do a gait analysis at your local running store and have your running form analyzed, or visit your podiatrist. Flat feet may turn inward too much as there’s no arch to support them, which is called over-pronation. Some running shoes have extra arch support to prevent this, and keep your feet and ankles from collapsing in.

What We Looked for In the Best Running Shoes for Flat Feet

When building our list, we considered support, cushion and budget. Those with low arches, or moderately flat feet, may not want or need a huge arch in their foot.

On the other hand, those with completely flat feet may need extra support, and the most cushioning possible.

Finally, we know that running shoes aren’t always cheap, so we tried to find an option that could fit any budget.

FAQs

Is running good for flat feet?

With the proper footwear, running with flat feet can be very safe, enjoyable and beneficial to your health. Running without proper support for flat feet increases the risk of injury and chronic pain, but the right footwear should all but eliminate any issues.

How do you fix flat feet when running?

While physical therapists may be able to help correct flat feet, the fastest solution is to choose a running shoe that offers extra support. Many runners have flat feet, and shoe manufacturers make shoes specially designed to offer arch support and correct poor form.

Final Thoughts

Running with flat feet can be a literal pain, but it doesn’t have to be. The shoes in our guide will keep your feet cushioned and secure, allowing you to safely enjoy your runs without unnecessary pain in your legs and feet.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.

What shoe is best for plantar fasciitis for men?

A quick look at the best shoes for plantar fasciitis.
Best lightweight shoes for plantar fasciitis: Asics Gel Nimbus..
Best running shoes for plantar fasciitis: New Balance Fresh Foam 1080..
Best walking shoes for plantar fasciitis: Hoka One Bondi 7..
Best affordable walking shoes for plantar fasciitis: Saucony Omni Walker 3..

What flat shoes are good for plantar fasciitis?

8 Trusted Plantar Fasciitis Shoe Brands.
Sovella. Sovella sandals are known for their recovery abilities. ... .
Aetrex. Aetrex shoes are great to help reduce the pain caused by plantar fasciitis; an excellent Aetrex sandal is the Lori. ... .
Dansko. ... .
OluKai. ... .
New Balance. ... .
HOKA. ... .
Brooks. ... .

What running shoes are best for flat feet?

Look for a well-cushioned arch. A padded arch, support under the forefoot, and a strong heel can help hold the foot in place while you run or walk..
Consider a wide toe box. ... .
Jog around in any potential shoes before you buy. ... .
Add an orthotic insert. ... .
Try stability shoes..

What runners are best for fallen arches?

Because of this, the best running shoes for flat feet are those that offer extra arch support and stability—and the Brooks Beast and Ariel 20 deliver. The Beast 20 is the men's version of this shoe, and the Ariel 20 is the women's.