Best Shoes for 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.

Flat feet typically require more arch support. The natural arch in the foot acts as a shock absorber, distributing the weight evenly and providing stability during movement. However, in individuals with flat feet, the arch is either significantly reduced or completely absent, leading to imbalances and increased stress on other areas of the foot. Therefore, providing adequate arch support becomes crucial for those with flat feet.

Arch support helps to restore proper alignment, reduce overpronation (excessive inward rolling of the foot), and alleviate the associated discomfort and potential complications. By providing additional support to the arch, individuals with flat feet can improve their foot mechanics, reduce strain on the surrounding structures, and enhance overall foot function and comfort.

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.

While it is not possible to completely “fix” flat feet in most cases, there are various treatment options available to manage the symptoms and improve foot function. Flat feet are often caused by genetic factors or a natural variation in foot structure, which cannot be permanently altered. However, with appropriate interventions, individuals with flat feet can find relief and improve their quality of life.

Treatment for flat feet focuses on addressing associated issues such as foot pain, overpronation, and discomfort. This may involve exercises to strengthen the muscles that support the arch, stretching the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia, wearing supportive footwear with cushioned arch support, and using orthotic inserts or custom-made shoe inserts to provide additional support. In some cases, physical therapy or specialized footwear may be recommended. These interventions can help alleviate symptoms, improve foot mechanics, and enhance overall foot function.

It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional, such as a podiatrist or orthopedic specialist, for a proper diagnosis and personalized treatment plan based on individual needs. With appropriate care and management, individuals with flat feet can lead active and comfortable lives.

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.

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.