Whether you’ve always had flat feet or your foot arches have fallen over time, buying shoes that work for you is a must.
If you do experience symptoms and discomfort from having flat feet, its important check with a specialist first who might be able to provide medical-grade solutions. However, for the style-conscious among us, we asked our in-house foot expert, Amanda Lau, to walk through everything you should know about buying the best shoes for flat feet.
FLAT FEET SHOE RECOMMENDATIONS
-v1694780454084.jpg?2400x2790)
-v1694780655179.jpg?2400x2790)
What are the best shoes for flat feet?
-
Making sure that your shoes fit correctly is paramount to avoiding irritation or exacerbating any symptoms of flat feet. Ensure that your shoes have adequate arch support, hold your foot securely and don’t irritate, rub or put too much pressure on your foot. Take a look at Each x Every’s Measurement Guide if you want more fitting advice.
-
A reinforced heel (particularly one that’s 20mm or slightly more) will help to support your foot more naturally by creating an arch where there isn't one. Try to avoid completely flat shoes or those with virtually no heel at all.
-
Heeled styles and sandals with buckles or straps work best hold your foot in place. Similarly, it's best to look for styles that have a naturally wider silhouette such as square toe or almond-shaped designs.
-
If you're used to wearing orthotics, make sure you choose a closed-toe design with removable footbeds with enough depth to accommodate your specific orthotic.
ASK THE EXPERT
Amanda Lau
Podiatrist
Amanda is a Specialist Musculoskeletal and Sports Podiatrist who’s worked with the likes of Nike and the RAF. After treating everyone from professional athletes to busy working mums, she knows first hand how crucial your footwear is for avoiding daily discomfort or even damage to your feet.
How do I know if I have flat feet?
Known in the medical world as ‘Pes planus’, flat feet is a foot condition that describes feet with a low arch. While there are varying degrees of description for flat feet, a true ‘flat foot’ is either congenital (present from birth) or is developed from an injury to a tendon that helps support the arch. Damage to this tendon can create a higher degree of pronation (the natural movement of the foot when walking), where the foot rolls inwards more than is optimal.
Pronation of the foot is an important aspect of the gait cycle (the range of movements made when walking) and functions much like a natural shock absorber. Various degrees of pronation can lead to the foot spreading out on stance (when you’re standing) and in gait (when you’re walking) making the arch appear lower than it is.
Why can flat feet be problematic and what can I do about it?
While there’s nothing inherently problematic with having a lower arch, unwelcome symptoms can occur if the foot is placed in a strained lower-arch position. These symptoms include arch pain, back pain, associated foot conditions (such as bunions and overuse injuries), corns and callouses and an altered gait (a change to the way you walk).
You may also notice excessive wear in your shoes, which is sometimes noticeable in either one particular area of the sole or in the upper of the shoe. This is a sure-fire sign that your body weight is not being evenly distributed across your foot. So, while there’s no such thing as specific shoes for flat feet, there are things you can (and should) look out for to make sure your shoes are catering to your foot type.
Pronation of the foot is an important consideration when walking, functioning much like a natural shock absorber.
Exercising not only contributes to keeping your feet supple, but it can also help to strengthen your feet, preventing future discomfort or injury. Before starting up a new exercise routine, however, it’s important to speak to a medical professional and ensure that you wear supportive footwear.
