Best Shoes for Flat Feet
Flat feet, or “fallen arches” occur when the foot’s arches are less rounded, causing most or all of the soles of the feet to touch the floor.
While some people with flat feet have no symptoms, this condition can lead to over-pronation—or the over-rotation of the ankle inward—resulting in poor alignment of the joints and pain in the ankles, knees, hips, and back.
Arches that are very low or even touch the floor do best with a little extra boost. Good shoes for flat feet provide the shock absorbing cushion and spring your feet need to help maintain alignment and stay pain free.
One way to address the symptoms of flat feet is through exercises and stretches, which can help strengthen the muscles and improve foot posture. In the video below, we’ll demonstrate how to do a toe extension and arch stretch to relieve pain and discomfort associated with flat feet.
Learn more about flat feet causes and risk factors, as well as takeaways to help determine the best treatment option.
While flat feet are perfectly normal in babies and young children, our arches are designed to take their full shape by about age six. For many adults, flat feet mean their arches didn’t fully develop, or that they were caused by an injury or other medical condition.
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Overstretched or Injured Tendons, Ligaments or MusclesWearing shoes that are too tight or have high heels: The pressure of tight shoes or high heels can cause the toes to curl and even dislocate.Overstretched or Injured Tendons, Ligaments or Muscles
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Stress Fractures
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Medical Conditions such as Arthritis, Cerebral Palsy, or Muscular Dystrophy
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Nerve pain or Numbness
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Genetic Predisposition
Symptoms & Diagnosis
As with any medical condition, it is always best to make an appointment with your doctor to get a formal assessment and diagnosis of flat feet.
That said, there are a few common symptoms people experience when suffering from flat feet that might help you know when it’s time to visit the doctor.
- Pain or swelling in the soles of your feet.
- Achilles tendonitis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Less stamina in the feet
- Difficulty or discomfort when standing on your toes
- Knee, hip, and back pain
Your doctor will be able to provide the best pathway forward for treating your unique case. For a few tips on conservative treatments you can try at home, check out our Flat Feet Treatment section below.
Facts and Stats
We take a look at some facts and stats you might not have known about flat feet. Read on to find out more!
- About 25% of the US population—or about 60 million people—have flat feet.
- Most people are born with flat feet and arches develop throughout early childhood.
- Flat feet in adults can stem from a genetic predisposition, injury, or medical condition, such as arthritis, cerebral palsy, or muscular dystrophy.
- Another common term for flat feet is “fallen arches.”
- Flat feet are often associated with over-pronation, or an excessive rolling “in” at the ankle.
Treatment
Find out how to treat flat feet, a common problem for many people. Here are a few treatment, tips, including footwear recommendations and exercises for self treatment.
Since flat feet need a little extra love—especially flat-footed runners or those walking long distances—we want to give it to them!
Those with flat feet often tend to struggle with plantar fasciitis, have a shorter Achilles tendon, and have an increased tendency to over-pronate, or roll “in” from the ankle a bit too far.
Pairing exercises for flat feet with stretching the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia and wearing high-quality, supportive footwear can help offset painful symptoms of flat feet.
- Stretch the Achilles tendon consistently.
- Roll out the plantar fascia on a lacrosse ball.
- Wear high-quality footwear with cushioned arch support.
- Practice exercises for flat feet.
- See a physical therapist if needed
KURU footwear offers some of the best shoes for flat feet and standing all day. Our trifecta of technology combines our KURUCLOUD base layer of dense EVA foam, our patented KURUSOLE plate that hugs and supports the heel, and our polyurethane ULTIMATE INSOLES that feature a plantar fascia bridge to offer arch support and comfort you can feel all day long.
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How do I know if I have flat feet?
Though your doctor or podiatrist can give you an official diagnosis through a gait analysis, you can perform a simple test at home to start.
Get your bare foot wet and step on a dry piece of paper—preferably one that can absorb a bit of water. You likely have a very low arch or flat foot if you see most or all of the sole of the foot imprinted on the paper.
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How do I know which shoe to buy for flat feet?
The best shoes for flat feet—for men and women alike—offer extra shock-absorbing cushion, a roomy toe box, and high-quality arch support.
Whether you’re looking for running shoes for flat feet, work shoes, stability shoes, or dress shoes, KURU offers plenty of shoes for people with flat feet that can help alleviate symptoms and provide Pain Relief Beyond Belief.
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How do I treat plantar fasciitis?
Plantar Fasciitis can be a symptom of flat feet. Most people can recover from plantar fasciitis with at-home treatments and proper footwear.
Resting, elevating and icing your heels can speed up healing at the beginning. Wearing shoes with high-quality arch support and shock-absorbing cushion can then support plantar fascia and aid in recovery.
For long-term maintenance, consistently rolling out your feet on a lacrosse ball, stretching your Achilles tendon, and wearing proper footwear can help keep symptoms at bay.
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I just received a pair of your shoes and my feet are sore/hurt after wearing them. Why is that?
Some customers experience tenderness when they first start wearing a new pair of KURUs. That’s ok! Your body may need time to adjust to the new levels of anatomical support you experience with our patented KURUSOLE technology. Our shoes are also designed to mold to your unique foot shape, which takes a bit of a break-in period.
To help mitigate this, we suggest you follow our break-in procedure, including wearing your KURUs for a couple hours per day around the house in the first couple of weeks as they break in and form to your foot.
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Are your shoes considered orthopedic shoes?
Due to the anatomical shape of the KURUSOLE, custom orthotics with a rounded heel fit best inside our shoes. If the
underside of the custom orthotic (the part that sits on the footbed) is squared off, then it may not fit into our deep heel cup—which is rounded like your foot.That said, many of our customers tell us the KURUSOLE technology offers better support and stability than they expected, and that they don’t need to wear their custom orthotics with KURU shoes.
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3 of the Best Foot Posture Correction Exercises -
The Difference Between Over and Under Pronation -
Arch Types – What This Means for Footwear
At KURU, we pride ourselves on our unique approach to shoe design. We believe that shoes should be shaped to fit the natural contours of your feet, which is why we create every pair in three distinct support layers, not just an insole.
Our revolutionary ergonomic design starts with a curved footbed and adds unparalleled triple-layer support that includes shock-absorbing KURUCLOUD, heel-cupping KURUSOLE, and arch-supporting ULTIMATE INSOLES. The result? Shoes that are so comfortable you’ll stop thinking about your feet.
KURUSOLE
Our KURUSOLE helps your foot leverage its natural cushioning system: the heel’s fat pad. Featuring patented technology, …Show More
Our KURUSOLE helps your foot leverage its natural cushioning system: the heel’s fat pad. Featuring patented technology, KURUSOLE cups and provides stability to the heel while allowing it to dynamically flex with each step for long-lasting support.
…Show lessKURUCLOUD
Flat feet love an extra-cushioned foundation. That’s just what they get with our KURUCLOUD. This layer of dense EVA foam absorbs …Show More
Flat feet love an extra-cushioned foundation. That’s just what they get with our KURUCLOUD. This layer of dense EVA foam absorbs shock from heel to toe, allowing the entire sole of your foot to experience lasting comfort.
…Show lessULTIMATE INSOLE
These 5mm premium foam, moldable insoles are the icing on the cake. Unlike traditional thin inserts, ULTIMATE INSOLES are made of crush-resistant …Show More
These 5mm premium foam, moldable insoles are the icing on the cake. Unlike traditional thin inserts, ULTIMATE INSOLES are made of crush-resistant polyurethane foam so you keep a bounce in your step mile after mile.
…Show less
KURUSOLE
Our KURUSOLE helps your foot leverage its natural cushioning system: the heel’s fat pad. Featuring patented technology, KURUSOLE cups and provides stability to the heel while allowing it to dynamically flex with each step for long-lasting support.
Fine, We’ll Tell You Our Secret
What makes KURU different? Every KURU shoe comes with built-in patented KURUSOLE tech—a foot health game changer.
While other shoes are flat on the inside, KURUSOLE is shaped like your foot to hug and prevent fatigue and pain.
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