Having flat toes doesn’t imply you’re destined for a lifetime of discomfort. With the suitable footwear, you may 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 footwear for flat toes is to search for pairs with good (however not an excessive amount of) arch assist, a steady 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 suggestions for purchasing for flat foot-friendly strolling footwear, plus choices which are simply begging to be worn in your each day walks.
Our high picks
- Finest Total: Hoka Arahi 7, $145
- Runner-Up: Kuru Atom, $159
- Finest Finances Choose: Ryka Devotion X, $110
- Finest for Most Cushioning: Hoka Gaviota 5, $175
- Finest for Plantar Fasciitis: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24, $140
- Finest for Broad Toes: New Stability 1540 V4, $180
- Finest for Standing All Day: Asics GT-1000 13, $110
- Finest for Strolling Lengthy Distances: Eager WK500, $135
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Store strolling footwear for flat toes
You’ll most likely have to attempt 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 –accredited choices.
Finest Total: Hoka Arahi 7
Each Dr. Gremillion and Dr. Piekarska suggest Hoka sneakers—the latter describes them as “steady but snug”—and lots of the model’s footwear have received 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 stop overpronation (a.okay.a when your toes and ankles roll inward as you stroll, a typical downside for folks with low arches), which might result in heel ache, in accordance with Dr. Piekarska. We additionally like this fashion for runners with flat toes, particularly in case your toes are on the slender aspect.
“I really like sporting my Arahi 7s once I’m in a frame of mind to get stuff completed. They’re definitely snug 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 vast | Heel-to-toe drop: 5 millimeters | Weight: 8.10 ounces
Runner-Up: Kuru Atom
Kuru’s best-selling Atom sneaker encompasses a deep heel cup that hugs the again of your foot and a curved, contoured arch for further assist the place you want it most. Our tester was impressed by how agency (but snug) the arch was, noting that it felt nice on lengthy walks on onerous pavement, with one caveat: “It seems like its placement is just a little too far again within the shoe—the higher finish of my arch didn’t get fairly the identical quantity of assist as the remainder of it.”
For all its sturdiness, the Atom stored our tester’s toes cool and contemporary after lengthy durations of wear and tear, because of its breathable mesh higher. It’s considerably missing in padding, particularly within the forefoot, which is why it falls wanting our high choose. But when construction takes precedence over cushioning for you, the Atom might very nicely be your private greatest general.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium and vast | Heel-to-toe drop: 8 millimeters | Weight: 10.6 ounces
Finest Finances Choose: Ryka Devotion X
Ryka’s best-selling (and AMPA-approved) Devotion X exhibits you don’t need to shell out for the fanciest pair of strolling footwear in the marketplace to get good arch assist. Its insole has a built-in arch, and its midsole supplies extra construction across the center of the foot. As a fitness-walking-specific shoe, it additionally doesn’t skimp on consolation: There’s further padding within the forefoot and heel to assist take in the impression of your steps, and the mesh higher helps hold your toes cool on hotter days.
Sizes: US 6 to 12 | Widths: Medium and vast | Heel-to-toe drop: 10 millimeters | Weight: 10.75 ounces
Finest 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 similar to the 2023 SELF Sneaker Award–successful Hoka Bondi—however with a concentrate on 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 right alignment—a win for overpronators.
This newest model of the Gaviota improves on earlier fashions with a barely wider match, elevated airflow by way of the higher, and a fair softer really feel. Between its plush padding and straightforward breathability, the Gaviota will hold a spring in your step, even on lengthy days spent operating throughout city.
“As somebody who overpronates, I can verify 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 vast | Heel-to-toe drop: 6 millimeters | Weight: 9.10 ounces
Finest 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 footwear on our checklist, which helps take extra stress 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 hold your foot aligned whilst you’re on the transfer. One SELF staffer considers the Adrenaline her “workhorse” sneaker, explaining that she wears her pair for every thing however pace coaching: “I overpronate whereas I run, and these give me the assist I wanted to construct up my mileage pain-free.”
Sizes: US 5 to 13 | Widths: Slim, medium, vast, and further vast | Heel-to-toe drop: 12 millimeters | Weight: 8.8 ounces
Finest for Broad Toes: New Stability 1540 v4
For those who’re able to embrace the dad shoe pattern (which is absolutely simply an excuse to put on tremendous comfortable strolling footwear), New Stability is a superb model to browse. Designed to offer most construction, consolation, and movement management (to stop rolling), the 1540 V4 might help hold flat toes glad—all whereas assembly your normcore aspirations.
Bonus: It is available in three widths, so should you usually wrestle to discover a shoe with sufficient room within the toe field, we extremely suggest giving this one a attempt.
Sizes: US 6 to 13 | Widths: Normal, vast, x-wide | Heel-to-toe drop: 4 millimeters | Weight: N/A
Finest for Standing All Day: Asics GT-1000 13
A earlier iteration of the GT-1000 received a Sneaker Award final yr, 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, because of some new stability options within the midsole.
This pair of sneaks is right for standing all day: As SELF has beforehand reported, it’s necessary on your footwear to offer sufficient assist (often within the type of sturdy, stiff insoles) should you’re going to be in your toes for lengthy durations of time. Whether or not you’re headed to a live performance or working an extended 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
Finest for Strolling Lengthy Distances: Eager WK500
Eager’s WK500s have a curved sole, which is extra widespread in trainers and provides these strolling footwear a particular, rocker-like form. The impact? Fixed motion. One SELF staffer, who logged severe steps sporting the earlier version (the WK400s) over a number of years, particularly appreciated the curved sole whereas she was speeding to sort out a number of errands round her neighborhood.
“I’m a fairly quick walker as it’s, however I really feel like I’ve tiny jetpacks strapped to my toes once I put on these footwear,” she says. “When you begin transferring, they actually aid you construct up and preserve your momentum.” The up to date WK500 weighs almost 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
Finest for Strolling and Operating: Nike Construction 25
Alicia Canzanese, DPM, ATC, a board-certified podiatrist, athletic coach, and former collegiate observe 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 assist by way of the arch to stop pronation). That’s a uncommon combo to come back by, and it’s the primary cause why this sneaker is nice for strolling and operating—it’ll really feel sturdy whilst you stroll, however received’t weigh you down once you choose up the tempo.
