Best Shoes for High Arches

Pes Cavus, a foot condition referring to extremely high arches and insteps, is the opposite of flat feet. The tight and somewhat rigid arches of pes cavus feet do not flex and flatten out, even if you stand and bear weight. When walking, your foot strikes down on its lateral or outward side (opposite side of the arch). This puts strain on the knees and on the lateral (outer) side of the foot and ankle. Extreme supination pushes the knees apart in a bow-legged position, dispersing most of the body’s weight onto a very small portion of the feet. This excessive pressure not only adversely affects the body, but it can even cause shoes to break down prematurely.

For some, the high-arched foot condition is normal with no painful side effects. Others experience foot pain, arch pain, knee pain, and back pain. Ankle sprains and tripping are common. Finding the best shoes for high arches can be problematic, making it difficult to slip high-rigid arches into footwear.

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 GOOD SHOES that feature a sturdy foundation. Look for functional footwear to supply fundamental support to ankles and the rest of the body. Among the best shoes for high arches is the New Balance 927 walking shoe, prescribed by doctors more often than any other shoe in our catalog. The 927 is built with a broad total-contact outsole to reduce strain on the ankles and knees. And If you’re looking for running shoes for high arches, the supportive 1540 deserves your attention along with other key models called out below.

2. Proper insoles for high arches fortify your feet with proper foot alignment. The Motion Control insole offers a stabilizing footbed for medium support to counteract any supination that might accompany high arches or pes cavus feet. Its special blend of polymer material that runs from the midfoot through the heel area adds more structure to the footbed and resists breakdown. The Pressure Relief insole features a medical-grade plastazote cover that is extremely soft with a pillow-like feel. When callusing occurs underneath the first and fifth toes and the heel, this insole is a good option. The Supportive Cushioning insole is designed with a molded graphite arch that provides a higher level of firm support for high arches. For more extreme cases, a Lateral Wedge is an over-the-counter accessory that also redistributes weight to counteract supination. It is used to relieve inside knee pain and inside ankle pain. In appearance, the Lateral Wedge looks like an insole, but it actually slips into your shoes underneath the shoe’s removable footbed. You may need to select a shoe that is one-half size larger or one width wider to accommodate this accessory.

3. Custom Orthoses are recommended when over-the-counter solutions don’t provide the necessary relief. Our ABC certified pedorthists, available at our St. Louis, Branson, and Washington store locations, can fill your medical professional’s prescription for custom orothoses.

4. Avoid walking barefoot, even around the house. The easy-to-wear 801 Slide provides the comfort of a slipper with the support of an athletic shoe. It features a removable footbed, so this substantial slip-on also accommodates the insoles and lateral wedge mentioned above. It is also roomy enough to accommodate most custom orthoses.

5. Exercise your feet to strengthen and condition muscles. Our Step Stretch system can be used daily to improve muscle strength and endurance.