Best Shoes For High Arches
Let’s tell a familiar tale. You’re about to try on the 5th pair of shoes that have claimed to be high arch shoes. You are cautiously optimistic. But as soon as you stand up, you find that these “good shoes for high arches” don’t even scratch the surface—of your sole. our poor arch stays suspended in the air while the balls and heels of your feet are as cushioned as can be.
Sound a bit close to home? You may have high—or even extremely high—arches, and unfortunately the shoe market often doesn’t always cater to these lovely arched feet.
With KURU, your feet can experience the comfort they deserve with some of the best shoes for high arches. Each pair comes equipped with our proprietary blend of three layers of technology to offer superior, lasting arch support you can feel.
High arches, or Cavus foot, is a condition in which the arches of the feet rise off the ground in a more curved shape than normal. This arch type results in a diminished ability to absorb shock and can lead to supination, or the excessive leaning on the outer edge of the foot while walking.
Because the full sole of the foot doesn’t touch the floor in a highly arched foot, the midfoot goes unsupported while the balls and heels of the feet have to do all of the work. This can be a painful combination and lead to conditions such as plantar fasciitis—especially when you’re on your feet all day.
The best high arch shoes—women and men alike—feature high-quality arch support and shock-absorbing cushion to help create a supportive structure under your arches.
In addition, if you have high arches, it’s important to keep your feet strong and flexible to prevent pain and discomfort. One way to do this is by regularly stretching your toes and arches. Check out the video below demonstrating a toe extension and arch stretch for high arches.
Learn more about causes and risk factors of high arches, as well as takeaways to help determine the best treatment option.
Though high arches can result from certain medical conditions, they are often inherited genetically just like their cousins, flat feet.
Because the whole sole of the foot does not touch the floor with a high arch, it does not have the stability that a more neutral foot would. Therefore highly arched feet often struggle with ankle instability, supination, and frequent ankle sprains.
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Genetic predispositionThis refers to an individual’s increased likelihood of inheriting certain genetic traits that may increase their susceptibility to certain conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, or diabetes. These genetic predispositions can be inherited from one or both parents and can manifest in a variety of ways, ranging from mild to severe.Genetic predisposition
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Neurological disorderA neurological disorder is a condition that affects the nervous system and can result in a wide range of symptoms, including tremors, seizures, memory loss, and difficulty with coordination and balance. Examples of neurological disorders include Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy.Neurological disorder
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Medical conditions such as cerebral palsy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, spina bifida or muscular dystrophyThese medical conditions affect different parts of the body and can result in a range of physical and cognitive impairments. Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that affects movement and coordination, while Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is a genetic condition that affects the peripheral nervous system. Spina bifida is a birth defect that affects the spinal cord and can result in a range of physical disabilities, while muscular dystrophy is a group of genetic disorders that result in progressive muscle weakness and wasting.Medical conditions such as cerebral palsy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, spina bifida or muscular dystrophy
Symptoms & Diagnosis
Although some people with high-arched feet will never experience symptoms, others may experience pain—sometimes in less obvious ways, such as shin splints or ankle sprains.
- Supination, or excessive weight bearing on the outer edge of the foot
- Consistent ankle sprains from lateral ankle instability
- Plantar fasciitis
- Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS) —or shin splints
- Reduced ability for your foot to absorb shock
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 high arches treatment section below.
Facts and Stats
We take a look at some facts and stats you might not have known about high arches.
- About 20% of the US population has high arches.
- Arches are typically measured using a standard arch index, which ranges from flat feet or low arches to medium to high or extremely high arches.
- Those with naturally high arches are more likely to experience supination, or excessive weight distribution on the outer edge of the foot.
- Highly arched feet do not absorb shock as effectively as a more medium arch would, so it’s important to wear shoes with arch support and cushion on a daily basis.
Do you experience pain or discomfort from high arches? Learn how to treat your high arches.
To help treat painful symptoms of highly arched feet, we must start by supporting them.
Since the whole sole of the foot does not naturally touch the floor, shoes with quality arch support and shock absorption are key to help treat and prevent symptoms of high arches.
The best men’s and best women’s shoes for high arches feature the ultimate in arch support, meaning the sole should actually hug the entire arch—not simply the ball and heel of the foot. And since this arch type can’t always effectively absorb shock, high arch shoes for men and women should include a plush cushion within the footbed for shock-absorbing power.
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Strengthen your feet, ankles, and calves with exercises for high archesRegular exercise can help improve the strength and stability of the muscles and ligaments in your feet, ankles, and calves. This can help reduce your risk of developing ankle sprains or other injuries, which are more common in individuals with high arches.Strengthen your feet, ankles, and calves with exercises for high arches
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Wear high-quality footwearProper footwear is essential for individuals with high arches, as it can help distribute weight evenly and reduce pressure on the feet. Look for shoes with ample arch support, a wide toe box, and a cushioned footbed. Avoid high heels and shoes with minimal arch support.Wear high-quality footwear
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If you experience heel or arch pain, roll out your feet on a lacrosse or tennis ballThis can help reduce pain and inflammation associated with plantar fasciitis, a common condition in individuals with high arches. Rolling your feet on a ball can also help improve circulation and relieve tension in the muscles of your feet and calves.If you experience heel or arch pain, roll out your feet on a lacrosse or tennis ball
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See a physical therapist if neededIf you experience persistent pain or discomfort in your feet, ankles, or calves, a physical therapist can help you develop a personalized treatment plan to address your specific needs. They may recommend stretching exercises, manual therapy, or other interventions to improve your range of motion, reduce pain, and improve overall foot health.See a physical therapist if needed
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How do I know if I have high arches?
Though your doctor or podiatrist can give you an official diagnosis, you can perform a couple simple at-home checks to start.
First, look at already worn-in shoes. Footwear that has excessive wear on the outer edge of the sole, but less on the inside, can be a symptom of supination, which usually exists in those with high arches.
Second, 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 high arch if you see only a thin line at the outer edge of your foot, or little to no imprint of the middle of your foot.
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How do I know which shoe to buy for high arches?
The best shoes for high arches—for men and women alike—offer extra support for arches and cushion that truly meets and molds to your arch. Whether you’re looking for casual shoes, dress shoes, or flip flops, KURUs line of high arch support shoes can help alleviate symptoms (including plantar fasciitis) for all-day pain relief.
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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 perday around the house in the first couple of weeks as they break in and form to your foot.
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How is the arch support of KURU shoes?
KURU shoes deliver excellent arch support without the need for thick inserts or expensive, custom orthotics.
Superior arch support starts with our patented KURUSOLE technology, which delivers natural cushioning and dynamically hugs your heel with every step. Every foot is unique, and our ULTIMATE INSOLES adapt to fit your needs by using your own body heat to custom-mold to the shape of your feet over time.
The corrective nature of our superior arch support is designed to neutralize your weight distribution and place your foot in the best anatomical position. This support can take some getting used to. We suggest slowly breaking in your new shoes over the course of 2–3 weeks.
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Can I use custom orthotics with KURU 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 they don’t need to wear their custom orthotics with KURU shoes.
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Arch Types – What This Means for Footwear -
The Difference Between Over and Under Pronation -
Why You Don’t Need Orthotics with KURU
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 patented KURUSOLE plate protects and stabilizes the heel and provides dynamic flexion with each step. This plate extends from the arch to …Show More
Our patented KURUSOLE plate protects and stabilizes the heel and provides dynamic flexion with each step. This plate extends from the arch to wrap around the heel—but not under it—to support and leverage your heel’s natural cushioning system: the fat pad.
…Show lessKURUCLOUD
It’s the foot foundation of the skies. Our dense yet lightweight EVA midsole KURUCLOUD offers premium shock absorption to help …Show More
It’s the foot foundation of the skies. Our dense yet lightweight EVA midsole KURUCLOUD offers premium shock absorption to help protect from impact injuries and offer the cushion and support you need for a comfortable fit for your high arches.
…Show lessULTIMATE INSOLE
High arches do well with a highly cushioned footbed, and ULTIMATE INSOLES are fit for the task. Made of 5mm of durable, polyurethane foam, ULTIMATE …Show More
High arches do well with a highly cushioned footbed, and ULTIMATE INSOLES are fit for the task. Made of 5mm of durable, polyurethane foam, ULTIMATE INSOLES offer superior arch support and powerful bounce back for personalized pain relief.
…Show less
KURUSOLE
Our patented KURUSOLE plate protects and stabilizes the heel and provides dynamic flexion with each step. This plate extends from the arch to wrap around the heel—but not under it—to support and leverage your heel’s natural cushioning system: the fat pad.
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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