This guide provides all the information that runners with flat feet need to help select the perfect pair of running shoes.
I think we can all agree that having flat feet is not ideal if you want to be a succesful runner.
However, if you make the correct decisions with your footwear and pay attention during training sessions – you can run with flat feet injury free.
Running with flat feet isn’t that different to most other runners feet type – you just need to choose the correct footwear for your foot type (flat feet).
Podiatrists are the allied healthcare professionals that are responsible for assessing, diagnosing and providing treatment for lower leg, ankle and feet issues. Therefore, they are well placed to provide recommendations for the correct footwear when a runner suffers from flat-feet.
Our 10 Best Running Shoes for Flat Feet Foot Type
Below is a summary table with the top 10 shoes we recommend runners with flat feet buy. If you continue reading after the table we will discuss in more detail the issues that can be caused by flat feet, what other treatments are available for runners with flat feet (orthotics, stretching) and an in-depth look at how each of our shoe recommendations can help your feet.
- New Balance
- Nike
- ASICS
- Mizuno
- Brooks
What are Flat Feet?
Typically, the foot structure is bound by an arch which allows the weight of your body to be distributed efficiently. A person that has flat feet may present with a much smaller arch or the foot may be completely flat on the great. This can present with shoes that wear unevenly (usually more on one side compared to the other) or they just wear out much more quickly than expected.
Having flat feet is not uncommon and many people with flat feet experience no noticable symptoms in their feet, but some cane feel pain in the back, hips, knees depending on the severity.
One of the most common symptons runners with flat feet complain of is foot and shin pain. This can be caused by additional strain that flat feet are putting on surrounding lower limb muscles and ligaments.
Other possible flat-feet symptons include:
- Arch pain;
- Calf pain;
- Knee pain;
- Hip pain;
- Back pains;
- General Leg pains; and
- Ankle joint pain.
What Can Good Shoes do to Help Runners with Flat Feet?
Running companies are well aware of the problems people have with flat feet. They have done a lot research and innovation over the past 30 years to develop technologies to improve the situation for runners with flat feet.
Runners with flat feet need one thing: Support.
Additional support provides stability and motion control for runners, which helps reduce overprontation caused by flat feet. When you’re looking for a pair of shoes to suit a flat feet type runner, look for shoes which include ‘motion control’ and ‘stability’ features.
The way that shoe manufacturers create stability is by usual a variety of density foams in the shoes contruction. Foam is usually inserted inside the midsole to provide this support.
The Different Types of Flat Feet Shoes:
- Stability Running SHoes
- Cushioned Stability RUnning Shoes
- FAst Stability RUnning SHoes
- Montion Control Running Shoes
- Neuteral Shoes
Flat Feet Runner Tips
The above guide should have helped you select a good pair of flat feet running shoes. WE thought it would be useful to add some additional tips Now that you selected the right shoe, you are not done! Take care of your feet and listen to your body.
- Biomechanics Assessment. Having a Podiatrist conduct a biomechanical assessment on a treadmilll can provide further information about your running gait and provide insights how to help correct your gait. Most people will be able to get the necassary correction with a change of running shoes, but in some cases, corrective orthotics may be required.
- Stretching. Often muscle and ligament pain can be caused by tightness. A consistent stretching regime can help to relieve this tension.
