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Not all feet are created equal, and if you’re someone with flat feet, the type of flat foot you have will determine which types of shoes are best for you.
“Some runners’ feet have high arches when they’re lying down but that flatten out when they stand up,” says Mark Plaatjes, world champion marathoner and owner of Boulder, Colorado’s In Motion Rehabilitation and $150
While the Vomero is, technically, a neutral shoe, an external heel clip helps guide feet through each stride and makes the shoe inherently stable. Also, a tug of the laces engages and band of material that pulls securely around the arch, making a fallen arch feel supported. Lively cushioning (Nike ZoomX) and Zoom Air under the forefoot make this a comfy shoe for long runs. (Weight: 9.1 ounces)
Best Running Shoes for Women with “Rigid” Flat Feet (flat feet whether weighted or unweighted)
1. Brooks Dyad 11 | $130
This well-cushioned shoe is built with a generous fit and a straight last. Cushioning “pods” that extend from beneath the insole, through the midsole, and to the outsole create ground contact under the arch to keep flat-footed runners comfortable. The Dyad comes in medium, wide, and extra wide. (Weight: 10.7 ounces)
2. Saucony Echelon 8 | $130
This neutral running shoe has a notably wide base—and no tapered shape at the midfoot, as opposed to the shape of most shoes—that accommodates flat, wide feet and creates a stable feel. Plus, the Echelon is built with enough interior room to accommodate over-the-counter or custom orthotics. (Weight: 10.8 ounces)
3. New Balance 940v4 | $140
Some runners with rigid flatfeet may still be most comfortable in shoes that offer stability. The New Balance 940’s medial post made out of dense foam and a hard plastic “T-beam” sandwiched in the midsole make this shoe a stable, torsionally rigid choice, but it has a wide, flat interior fit to remain comfortable for flat feet. (Weight: 11 ounces)
4. Altra Paradigm 6 | $160
Like the New Balance 940, the Altra Paradigm 6 offers flatfooted runners a stable shoe but with an interior fit that works doesn’t force an arch. This is a maximally cushioned shoe with Altra’s zero drop stack height—the heel cushioning and forefoot cushioning are equal to each other, while most other shoes have more cush under the heel. And like all Altras, this shoe’s interior is made to allow full toe splay while holding the heel securely. (Weight: 9.3 ounces)