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This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
Laying on my bed in Stockholm’s Story Hotel, I stared at my feet high above me, resting against the funky wallpaper—this was day one of my first solo trip and my feet were already in such excruciating pain that I couldn’t bear the thought of standing up.
Throughout my travels, this routine became par for course until a podiatrist told me what I already knew, but didn’t realize was a condition: I have flat feet. While the common condition inflicts about 18 million American adults and can go unnoticed, for some, it can cause pain with every step, especially when tendons gets inflamed or tear.
“For anyone who has symptomatic flat feet, the more they walk without proper support, the greater the chances for potential foot issues,” says Justin Hill, a certified pedorthist with Hanger Clinic in Albuquerque. “For many travelers, these issues are worse when on a trip because they are more active than when they are at home. This is further compounded by wearing unsupportive shoes, such as slip-ons or flip-flops.”
Ignoring the importance of solid footwear and continuing to pound the pavement everywhere I went, I ended up being diagnosed with posterior tibial tendinitis—an extreme case of what can go wrong without proper shoes. While I immediately pictured a future confined to clogs and clunky orthotic wear, the more I talked to others, the more I discovered there are a wide variety of supportive shoes for us flat footers, as long as we know what qualities to look for.
Here’s what New York University’s Dr. Louis Iannuzzi, who is on the Pedorthic Footcare Association Board of Directors, and other experts have to say about finding the best shoes for travelers with flat feet.
What to look for in a shoe
In general, a low arch doesn’t necessarily mean you’re symptomatically flat footed, so first consult with a professional, as everyone’s feet are different, Iannuzzi says.
“If the shoe is not fitting properly, it doesn’t matter how good it is,” Hill adds, saying structural support and fit should be top priorities. “I suggest going somewhere that will measure your feet with a Brannock device. Feet do slowly change over time and people are [often] wearing the wrong size because they just continue to get the same size they have always gotten.”
One at-home (or in-store) test for support is to try twisting the shoe. “I tell my patients if they can wring their shoe like a washcloth, they aren’t getting any support,” Hill says. The only bendable part should be the ball of the foot. “Any side-to-side bending is a clear indication of lack of support, which could contribute to eventual discomfort or pain.”
He also cautions that built-in arch support can be hit or miss. “The challenge is that often a more rigid ‘off-the shelf’ support will not match an individual’s arch,” he adds. “In these cases, a custom orthosis molded to the individual’s arch would be recommended.”
The best shoe materials can vary. “A person with plantar fasciitis most often benefits from a firmer material like cork or plastics like polypropylene,” Hill says. “Conversely, a person with diabetes would benefit from a softer material, like a plastazote-based support.”
Finally, new shoes may be shiny, but they should be worn in, Hill says: “Typically you would want to have at least one to two weeks of regular wear on your shoes before you take them on an extended trip.”
With all that in mind, here are some of the best shoes to consider for those in need of extra support.
Sneakers for active adventures
When I first started running, I went to my local Fleet Feet, where employees studied and measured my feet before pointing me to Brooks—which is the top recommended brand as soon as I say the words “flat feet,” followed by New Balance. Most models of both pass the test of being flexible enough in the ball area, but so sturdy that you can’t fold them up in the mid to rear. Other athletic shoe brands known for their support: Saucony, Asics, and Hoka.
Walking shoes for sightseeing
“Walking shoes should have a comfortable fit and minimize energy expenditure and impact" when you're taking a step, Iannuzzi says, suggesting that you look for styles with rigid soles, toe spring, medial reinforced arch support, and shock-attenuation materials in the sole. Brands like Propét, Mt. Emey, Rockport, Saucony, Brooks, and New Balance fit the bill.
Sandals for beach vacations
Flip-flops get widely criticized for their lack of support—but there are beach-friendly shoes that offer protection. “Generally some sort of built-in arch is preferable,” Hill says. "[Plus,] sandals that have a back strap keep the foot in place better than a generic flip-flop.” Birkenstock, Teva, Keen, Naot, Propét, and Sole fit the mold.
Dress shoes for romantic getaways
“This area gets a little tricky as, by design, dress shoes are typically fashion-forward and not great for your feet,” Hill says, adding to opt for little to no heel. But that doesn’t mean all the fun of dressing up should be stripped away. “Most people with flat feet can still wear pretty much any shoe without much consequence for a short period of time,” he adds. For weddings and other special events, it’s okay to bring fashionable shoes; just get back into your more supportive shoes as soon as you can, he says.
Boots for city exploration
City boots can be one of the hardest shoes to find since they tend to squeeze the foot. Iannuzzi says to look for “adequate room for the forefoot ball to accommodate splay and at least one thumb-width between the longest toe and the end of the shoe to prevent the jamming of the joints.”
Hiking boots for camping trips
Adventures in the woods, where surfaces tend to be unpredictable and uneven, require an extra dose of support, especially around the ankles.