For some guys, getting the right running shoes isn’t so simple.
There’s more to consider than just the brand, style, or color they want—and while comfort and fit are important for everyone, men with flat feet have even more factors to keep in mind before walking out the shoe store door in their new kicks.
What Does It Mean to Have Flat Feet?
Before diving into the best choices for flat-footed guys, it helps to understand what the condition actually entails.
“A person with a flat foot has their medial arch closer to the ground than someone with a medium or high arch. Flat feet are caused largely by genetic factors, although certain pathologies like tibialis posterior dysfunction can [also] decrease the height of the arch (making it appear more flat),” says Blake Dircksen, P.T., D.P.T., C.S.C.S., a physical therapist at Bespoke Treatments in New York City. “So—choose your parents wisely!”
Jokes aside, the condition has more to do with your feet’s makeup than what you do with them—in other words, you can’t run yourself into flat feet. What’s more, guys with flat feet aren’t the only ones who should be selective when they choose their footwear. continues Dircksen. “Pain and injury can happen in the presence of flat and high arches alike, so a thorough understanding of that individual’s unique stressors is critical to getting to the core of any problem—things like their training load, occupation, nutritional status, stress management, sleep, genetics, and more.”
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We can give suggestions for which shoes might be a good idea for guys with flat feet (more on that in just a moment), but at the end of the day, Dircksen believes that the the wearer will be the most reliable gauge of what’s best for their feet, their training plan, and their goals. “The best way to select a shoe, without question, is trying on a variety of shoes and picking the one that feels the most comfortable,” he says. “This applies to flat footers and high archers alike.” And if a guy with flat feet feels pain, they shouldn’t just blame it on their kicks. “Shoes are one piece of the puzzle that can be addressed,” Dircksen says. “However, utilizing a shoe or orthotic as a central piece of the treatment strategy is reductionist and ignores the multiple factors that go into that specific injury (or prevention of that injury).”
So what’s a flat-footed guy to do? Aside from gauging a shoe’s feel from wear testing, Dircksen recommends opting for styles that are light, flat, and wide enough to splay your your toes out when you run. Don’t get caught up in labels, either. “If a ‘structured’ shoe is comfortable to you, get the structured shoe. If a ‘neutral shoe’ is more comfortable for you, get that one. Try them on, and also try running in them since that’s your goal activity.”
The Best Shoes for Guys With Flat Feet
The Beast line is a support shoe from running specialist company Brooks that doesn’t on the cushioning. New for the twentieth edition of the shoes is the brand’s GuideRails tech, which aims to help runners stay in their natural stride.
Asics’ annual workhorse shoe is a solid choice for flat-footed guys due to its lightweight support features. The company claims the 27’s external heel clutch makes for a better fit, which in turn makes the shoe more supportive.
While not specifically built for people with low or flat arches, Saucony designed the Guide 13 to fit a wide range of foot shapes. Add in a ton of cushioning in a relatively light package, and you have a solid option.
Nike set out to design a pair of shoes that could help runners prevent injury with the React Infinity Run—and while we can’t corroborate those claims, we can confirm that they’re reliable, comfortable kicks. Guys with flat feet will likely appreciate the wide toe box and extra cushion.
Hoka One One
Hoka One One is another brand that’s all about running shoes. The Arahi 4 emphasizes support and stability with plenty of cushioning and width to spare.
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