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How Do I Select the Best Running Shoes for Flat Feet?

Sports Lifestyle

How Do I Select the Best Running Shoes for Flat Feet?

Jan 4, 2024

One of the most important parts of running is learning more about how your body works and what it needs to perform at the highest level. For people with flat feet, that means finding shoes to support your foot arches and improve your stability. 

If you have flat feet, you have plenty of options for finding comfortable and supportive shoes — you just need to know where to look! Hibbett’s complete lineup of running shoes includes choices for every runner, including the best running shoes for flat feet. 

What Are Flat Feet? - People running in Nike's

What Are Flat Feet?

The inside of a person’s foot is called the “arch,” and it’s raised to help absorb impacts and distribute weight as you walk or run. A person with flat feet has low or no arches on their feet. This causes overpronation, which is when the foot rolls inward more than it should while you’re running or walking.


Some people are born with flat feet, while others have flat feet because of what’s known as fallen arches. Fallen arches happen when the tendons and ligaments in your feet weaken from wear and tear, aging, or too much pressure over time. Whatever the cause, it's critical to pick the right shoes that give you the support you need to stay comfy and keep moving.

How Do I Know If I Have Flat Feet?

Not sure if your feet are flat? These are some signs to look for:


  • Visual Check: Look at how your feet rest on the ground while you’re standing. If your feet are flat, you'll notice the arches are small or missing, and your whole foot is touching the ground.
  • Cardboard Test: Get the bottoms of your feet wet and stand on a piece of cardboard. If you can see the outline of your whole foot, you probably have flat feet.
  • Go with the rule of thumb. Feet will swell slightly throughout the day, especially if your child is in motion, so make sure you have about a thumb’s width of wiggle room in the toebox.
  • Wear Patterns: Runners with flat feet often notice that the inner side of their running shoes wears out more quickly than the outer side.
  • Foot and Leg Pain: If you’re experiencing persistent pain in your leg or foot, flat feet might be the culprit. See a podiatrist to get evaluated and learn their recommendations for proper running shoes for flat feet.

Finding Proper Running Shoes for Flat Feet

A great pair of running shoes helps runners with flat feet maximize stability and comfort. Here are some aspects to look for if you have flat feet or low arches:

  • Arch Support: Shoes with more firmly structured arch support give flat feet more stability when running or walking.
  • Wide Toe Box: With a roomy toe box in your running shoe, your toes can spread more widely for extra comfort and stability.
  • Firm Heel: A sturdier, slightly chunkier heel helps prevent overpronation and keeps your foot in line as you run.
  • Cushioning: Look for shoes with plenty of cushioning to soak up the impact and ease the stress on your joints.

The Best Running Shoes for Flat Feet - Nike Pegasus 38's

The Best Running Shoes for Flat Feet

Our running and performance experts have put together a curated collection of running shoes for every foot. These are some of our top picks for runners with flat feet:

  • Brooks Hyperion: Support your foot and streamline your run with the Brooks Hyperion’s ultra-light padding and smooth heel-toe transition.
  • adidas Ultraboost 22: A precision-engineered runner featuring the signature adidas BOOST midsole, with a Linear Energy Push system for maximum responsiveness.
  • Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38: Enjoy the unique springiness of Pegasus foam, plus a wider toe fit designed to be comfortable for a variety of foot shapes.
  • Hoka Arahi 6: The Arahi 6 maximizes stability and support while keeping a stunningly light weight, so it’s an ideal shoe for runners with flat feet.

We’ve got a full selection of running shoes just for you — check out all of Hibbett’s running shoe options and find the one that makes your runs fly by.

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