Best Shoes for Flat Feet

Pes planus, a foot condition often referred to as flat feet or fallen arches, involves the arch or instep of the foot. The arch becomes so flexible that when you stand, nearly the entire sole of your foot comes into contact with the ground. The arch can completely flatten out, stretching the muscles, tendons and ligaments. Knees sometimes roll inward, creating a knocked-kneed misalignment.

Heredity, injury, and the aging process can all contribute to flat feet. For some, no pain accompanies this condition. For others, symptoms include foot pain, ankle pain, and lower leg pain due to a misalignment of the feet and ankles.

Flat feet in infants and toddlers is a normal condition because their arches are not yet developed.

Do you know your arch type? It’s as easy as stepping out of the shower or bath. With completely wet feet, simply step onto a piece of heavy paper that has been placed on a hard, flat surface. Step off and look at the prints left behind. See video below for directions.

1. Begin with shoes for flat feet. Supportive STABILITY or MOTION CONTROL shoes that include medial posting supply a healthy foundation. The denser posting material shores up and strengthens the medial side of the shoe and resists breakdown. New Balance ROLLBAR® technology biomechanically controls heel motion and supports a natural stride. New Balance engineering and technology crosses all activity categories, providing running shoes for extremely low arches, as well as walking and cross-training shoes for flat feet.
   

2. Proper insoles for Pes planus feet with fallen arches counteract severe pronation by fortifying feet with proper foot alignment. The Motion Control insole offers a stabilizing footbed for medium support. The New Balance Performance Orthotic insole, featuring a unique arch with medial posting, offers a higher degree of over-the-counter support. The Flat Foot Sport insole is even more aggressive and provides healthy support for collapsed arches. Don’t be surprised if it feels a bit different at first. This insole changes the alignment of the feet and ankles for healthier biomechanical movement.

3. Custom orthoses are recommended for flat feet when over-the-counter solutions don’t provide relief. Our ABC certified pedorthists at our St. Louis, Washington, and Branson store locations can fill your medical professional’s prescription for custom orthoses and support your recovery plan.

4. Orthaheel sandals, accepted by the American Podiatric Medical Association, are clinically proven to support healthy walking and offer easy-to-wear comfort. A built-in orthotic helps with heel pain, knee pain, back pain, and aching legs.

5. Exercise your feet to strengthen and condition muscles. Our Step Stretch is a convenient stretching system for low arches and flat feet.  It can be used daily to improve muscle strength and endurance.