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Bad knees? Flat feet? Pronation? Bunions? Many runners have to deal with these issues, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up running altogether! This comprehensive review of the best running shoes for flat feet, and bad knees, and pronation, and bunions will help you find the perfect pair of shoes so you can stay healthy while you run!
Table of Contents
Best Overall
Adrenaline GTS 21
Our Rating:
5/5
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Best Budget
Saucony Ride 10
Our Rating:
4.5/5
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Best Cushioned
Air Zoom Pegasus 34
Our Rating:
4.2/5
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Best Overall Running Shoe For Flat Feet
Best Overall
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21
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Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21 For men and women who want to get back on track with running after injury or foot pain, look no further than one of our top choices. Our pick for both men and women is Brooks’s latest model in their line of award-winning running shoes designed to help people get out there and run. The Adrenaline GTS 21 is a shoe that athletes can rely upon, whether they are looking to rekindle their love of running or have been sidelined by injury. As someone who has had multiple foot surgeries in recent years, I have been able to rely on my pair regularly when it comes time to lace up my sneakers and head out into nature for a good workout.
Read the full review of Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21
Best Budget Running Shoe For Flat Feet
Best Overall
Saucony Ride 10
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Saucony Ride 10 – The perfect running shoe for flat feet provides just enough support to keep pain at bay but still enables runners to feel what’s going on underneath their feet. With that in mind, our favourite budget-friendly shoe is the Saucony Ride 10. At $65, these shoes are light on frills but heavy on cushioning—which makes them great if you have pain under your metatarsals or anywhere else along your arch.
Read the full review of Saucony Ride 10
Best Cushioned Running Shoe For Flat Feet
Best Overall
Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 34
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Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 34 – If you have flat feet, finding a pair of running shoes that feels supportive and comfortable can be challenging. The Nike Air Zoom Pegasus will help end those problems with its specially engineered foam padding. Its one-piece mesh upper is highly breathable, so your feet won’t get too hot as you hit your stride. This shoe also features a Phylon midsole that absorbs impact and is responsive underfoot. There are no overlays on top of the midsole, just Nike’s signature air unit in front and behind your heel to provide support and keep it stable during each step without adding extra weight to your foot strike.
Read the full review of Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 34
Best Running Shoe For Narrow Flat Feet
The Saucony Ride 8
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The Saucony Ride 8 is explicitly to help runners with narrow, flat feet run with less stress on their arches. It has a supportive, secure fit that prevents your foot from slipping inside or rolling too far over. The low-to-the-ground design features an ample midsole that ensures you have plenty of cushioning underfoot while still allowing some flexibility so you can run naturally. Overall, it’s a good option if you have narrow feet but want some flexibility and cushioning in your running shoe.
Read the full review of Saucony Ride 8
Best Trail Running Shoe For Flat Feet
Asics Gel-Nimbus 20
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Asics Gel-Nimbus 20 – A classic that never goes out of style, Asics’ Gel-Nimbus 20 is a near-perfect trail running shoe for flat feet. It has a padded collar and tongue to keep your feet from hitting hard and an extra layer of foam in critical areas to absorb shock. In addition, it’s incredibly lightweight at just over nine ounces each—making it ideal for fast runs on technical trails. Last but not least, it’s available in a variety of colours to suit your taste. It is a great all-around trail running shoe that will work well for runners with low arches or pronation issues.
Read the full review of Asics Gel-Nimbus 20
New Balance Running Shoe For Flat Feet
New Balance 720 V1
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New Balance 720 V1 – New Balance makes several supportive running shoes designed specifically for people with flat feet. The New Balance 720 V1 sneaker is a lightweight shoe that features a rounded heel and a wide toe box, which is ideal if you’re looking to relieve pressure on your forefoot. This model is perfect if you have overpronation or want a shoe that will feel more comfortable on your foot.
Read the full review of New Balance 720 V1
Asics Running Shoe For Flat Feet
Asics Gel Hyper Speed 7
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Not AVAILABLE
The Asics Gel Hyper Speed 7 is one of the best running shoes designed specifically to help reduce pain caused by flat feet. These sneakers use a gel cushioning system that absorbs shock, reducing pain from pronation and giving you a more excellent feeling of comfort throughout your run.
In addition, these sneaks feature a wider toe box that gives you extra room in all directions—including sideways—to make it easier to shift your weight back and forth as you run without experiencing additional stress on your toes or ankles.
These sneakers are lightweight and high-quality, so even though they aren’t too expensive, they’re still worth their cost. They’re available in many different sizes, including men’s and women’s styles, to ensure that you get the perfect fit every time you purchase them.
Read the full review of Asics Gel Hyper Speed 7
Brooks Running Shoe For Flat Feet
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 17
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The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 17 are great shoes specifically made for runners with flat feet, pronation problems, and overpronation. If you’re suffering from any of these issues but want to continue running, these running shoes will help you out quite a bit.
This shoe offers medial and lateral support ideal for flat-footed runners looking to alleviate pain and prevent injury.
If you’re looking for a lightweight shoe that can handle daily training runs as well as occasional marathons, then these shoes may be perfect for you! They provide enough responsiveness to ensure you feel confident during races while also ensuring they don’t become too heavy with all those miles on them.
Read the full review of Brooks Adrenaline GTS 17
Adidas Running Shoe For Flat Feet
Adidas Adizero Adios 4s
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Adidas is among my favourite running shoe brands. I own a pair of Adidas Adios Boost 4s, which are great if you have flat feet, high arches, bunions, bad knees, or any injuries preventing you from enjoying running. The Adidas Adios Boost 4 comes in both men’s and women’s versions, so no matter who you are looking for shoes for, there is sure to be something that will fit your needs! The only downside about these shoes is that they aren’t great if you have terrible knees because of their bouncy.
Read the full review of Adidas Adios Boost 4s
FAQ
Have you been wondering what running shoes you need? Searching shoes for any type of running needs and finding it hard to make a decision, here are some questions answered.
Are flat feet good for running?
Flat feet are no reason to rule out running altogether. If you’re struggling to find a pair of shoes, you might feel inclined to give up, but it’s essential to know that almost all popular brands make flats-specific shoes. Nike, Brooks, Asics and Adidas all offer hundreds of styles in multiple widths suitable for flat-footed runners. You may need to visit a few stores or websites before finding what works best for your foot shape and pain points.
How do runners fix flat feet?
Runners with flat feet can suffer from many issues, including pain in their joints and other parts of their bodies. One common problem is plantar fasciitis, which affects more than 8 million Americans each year.
This type of overuse injury occurs when a runner’s arches collapse as they run, forcing excessive weight onto soft tissue located at the bottom of your foot.
If you have flat feet, then not only that you are at risk for plantar fasciitis but also heel spurs and Achilles tendonitis, and if that isn’t bad enough, these conditions can lead to serious long-term problems such as arthritis and bone degeneration.
The good news is that flat feet don’t necessarily mean you need to hang up your running shoes: they require special attention and treatment. When shopping for shoes, it’s best to select a shoe built specifically for runners with flat feet; we recommend brands like Nike, Brooks, Adidas and Asics.
It would help if you avoided narrow toe boxes (often found on racing flats) because they will further aggravate your arch. If choosing between two otherwise equal pairs of shoes, opt for one without extra cushioning to give your ligaments some room to move freely. Opting out of super supportive sneakers will lower overall pressure on affected areas and allow them time to heal before getting back out there on pavement or concrete again.
Do flat feet runners need arch support?
If you have flat feet, it’s crucial to have a pair of running shoes that correct your gait and provide proper support. If you suffer from severe flat feet, consult a podiatrist before choosing a running shoe. It will help them understand your pace and recommend appropriate shoes.
Does having flat feet make you slower?
If you have flat feet, are you doomed to be slow? Not necessarily. There are many styles of running shoes specifically designed to keep your feet comfortable—and even help them perform better. Flat feet aren’t always a serious injury risk, but bad running shoes can be!
Our Final Thought
When you have flat feet, your arches tend to be weaker and more flexible. And since most running shoes have high-rise arches, they can put a lot of strain on your ankles and knees. Many podiatrists say that having flat feet is more likely to get injured when running in regular running shoes. So if you have flat feet, it’s wise to choose a pair of running shoes that support your arch.