Having flat toes doesn’t imply you’re destined for a lifetime of discomfort. With the fitting sneakers, you possibly can 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 most effective strolling sneakers for flat toes is to search for pairs with good (however not an excessive amount of) arch help, a secure design, and a few flexibility—sufficient that it bends, however doesn’t fold in half. Under, specialists in podiatry and bodily remedy share their finest ideas for looking for flat foot-friendly strolling sneakers, plus choices which are simply begging to be worn in your each day walks.

Our high picks

1. Greatest Total: Hoka Arahi 7, $145
2. Runner-Up: Kuru Atom, $159
3. Greatest Funds Choose: Ryka Devotion X, $110
4. Greatest for Most Cushioning: Hoka Gaviota 5, $175
5. Greatest for Plantar Fasciitis: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24, $140
6. Greatest for Vast Ft: New Stability 1540 V4, $180
7. Greatest for Standing All Day: Asics GT-1000 13, $110
8. Greatest for Strolling Lengthy Distances: Eager WK500, $135

Store strolling sneakers for flat toes

You’ll in all probability must strive on a number of pairs to find out what feels finest to your toes. However you may get a leg (or foot) up in your search by beginning with this record. Our picks embrace expert-recommended manufacturers like Hoka and Chaco, in addition to SELF editor–examined and –accredited choices.

Greatest Total: Hoka Arahi 7

Each Dr. Gremillion and Dr. Piekarska advocate Hoka sneakers—the latter describes them as “secure but comfy”—and lots of the model’s sneakers 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.ok.a when your toes and ankles roll inward as you stroll, a typical downside for folks with low arches), which may result in heel ache, in keeping with Dr. Piekarska. We additionally like this type for runners with flat toes, particularly in case your toes are on the slender facet.

“I really like sporting my Arahi 7s after I’m in a mind-set to get stuff completed. They’re actually comfy 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.”

Runner-Up: Kuru Atom

Kuru’s best-selling Atom sneaker incorporates a deep heel cup that hugs the again of your foot and a curved, contoured arch for additional help the place you want it most. Our tester was impressed by how agency (but comfy) the arch was, noting that it felt nice on lengthy walks on laborious pavement, with one caveat: “It seems like its placement is a little bit too far again within the shoe—the higher finish of my arch didn’t get fairly the identical quantity of help as the remainder of it.”

For all its sturdiness, the Atom saved our tester’s toes cool and recent after lengthy intervals of wear and tear, due to its breathable mesh higher. It’s considerably missing in padding, particularly within the forefoot, which is why it falls in need of our high choose. But when construction takes precedence over cushioning for you, the Atom might very properly be your private finest general.

Greatest Funds 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 sneakers available on the market to get good arch help. Its insole has a built-in arch, and its midsole supplies further construction across the center of the foot. As a fitness-walking-specific shoe, it additionally doesn’t skimp on consolation: There’s additional padding within the forefoot and heel to assist soak up the impression of your steps, and the mesh higher helps preserve your toes cool on hotter days.

Greatest 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–profitable 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 appropriate alignment—a win for overpronators.

This newest model of the Gaviota improves on earlier fashions with a barely wider match, elevated airflow by means of the higher, and a good softer really feel. Between its plush padding and simple breathability, the Gaviota will preserve a spring in your step, even on lengthy days spent operating throughout city.

“As somebody who overpronates, I can affirm 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.”

Greatest for Plantar Fasciitis: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24

Nicholas Japs, DPT, a bodily therapist at St. Vincent’s Medical Middle in Bridgeport, Connecticut, beforehand beneficial the Brooks Adrenaline GTS for individuals who take care of plantar fasciitis. It has a bigger heel-to-toe drop than different sneakers on our record, which helps take extra strain off your heel and can (hopefully) relieve a few of 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 facet to assist preserve 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 help I wanted to construct up my mileage pain-free.”

Greatest for Vast Ft: New Stability 1540 v4

In the event you’re able to embrace the dad shoe pattern (which is basically simply an excuse to put on tremendous comfortable strolling sneakers), New Stability is a superb model to browse. Designed to supply most construction, consolation, and movement management (to stop rolling), the 1540 V4 might help preserve flat toes blissful—all whereas assembly your normcore aspirations.

Bonus: It is available in three widths, so in case you typically wrestle to discover a shoe with sufficient room within the toe field, we extremely advocate giving this one a strive.

Greatest 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 mild, breathable, and springy, and mould to your foot effortlessly. My finicky arches beloved them,” they stated. The GT-1000 13 is much more structured, due to some new stability options within the midsole.

This pair of sneaks is good for standing all day: As SELF has beforehand reported, it’s vital to your footwear to supply sufficient help (often within the type of sturdy, stiff insoles) in case you’re going to be in your toes for lengthy intervals of time. Whether or not you’re headed to a live performance or working an extended shift, the GT-1000 13 will assist forestall foot fatigue and ache.

Greatest for Strolling Lengthy Distances: Eager WK500

Eager’s WK500s have a curved sole, which is extra frequent in trainers and offers these strolling sneakers a particular, rocker-like form. The impact? Fixed motion. One SELF staffer, who logged critical steps sporting the earlier version (the WK400s) over a number of years, particularly appreciated the curved sole whereas she was dashing to deal with a number of errands round her neighborhood.

“I’m a reasonably quick walker as it’s, however I really feel like I’ve tiny jetpacks strapped to my toes after I put on these sneakers,” she says. “When you begin shifting, they actually assist you construct up and keep your momentum.” The up to date WK500 weighs practically two ounces much less, which provides to that light-on-your-feet feeling.

Greatest for Strolling and Working: Nike Construction 25

Alicia Canzanese, DPM, ATC, a board-certified podiatrist, athletic coach, and former collegiate monitor athlete, beforehand beneficial the Nike Construction to SELF, noting that it’s a light-weight and supportive stability shoe (which means it’s designed with help by means of the arch to stop pronation). That’s a uncommon combo to return 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 if you choose up the tempo.