Shoes for flat feet and Heel Spurs

  Shoes for flat feet and Heel Spurs

 Flat feet (also known as pes planus or pes valgus) are characterized by low arches: feet lie flat on the ground.  In this guide, we cover the best walking shoes for flat feet, along with an in-depth overview of what you need to know if you have flat feet.Having tested walking shoes recommended for flat feet, we have singled out the best options in different categories.  If you have flat and wide feet, want a shoe that feels like a feather, or are not planning to spend over $90, we chose the excellent option for different cases based on our wear tests and lab tests.

 How do we test walking shoes for flat feet?

 We take pride in producing full-on, transparent reviews that discuss what we like or dislike in shoes, depending on their use.  We go to great lengths to accomplish this, starting with us buying walking shoes using our own money.  We follow this simple rule very strictly because we do not want to give ourselves, as well as our readers, any reason to be biased or to find us with favorites.

 We then proceed with wear-testing the shoes.  The flat-footed among us testers are given time to walk, stand, and even lightly jog or work out in these walking shoes.  This is to gain realistic experiences with the walking shoes.

 Furthermore, we subject the shoes to different sets of lab tests.  We collect data regarding the shoes’ breathability, water tightness, flexibility, and more.  For flat footers, of course, we are after the support.  Therefore, we use our durometer and digital force gauge to determine the midsole’s firmness and the shoe’s stiffness.

 Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23

 The conclusion we have drawn from our in-depth wear and lab testing of flat feet walking shoes is that Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 puts all the other shoes behind it!  We can confirm that the risk of inward rolling in this shoe is practically zero, on account of its superb cushioning and bracing construction.

 The sturdy support of this shoe effectively defied the overpronation of our feet.  We discerned the sternness of the shoe by twisting it using our strength.  Based on our subjective opinion, the torsional rigidity is a 4 out of 5, which helped keep the rolling of our ankles at bay.  Despite this, we had seamless heel-to-toe movements.  This is due to its low bend countering force of 17.7N, which means it’s pliable.  It’s 42% more flexible than average! We noticed that walking, even on hard surfaces, felt gentle on our feet.  We hardly felt any shock from the ground, thanks to the abundant foam on our soles.  We cross-checked this in our lab using our caliper, which yielded a stack height of 34.1 mm in the heel and 21.5 mm in the forefoot. The heel is 2.1% higher than the average, while the forefoot is 12.2% lower.  Regardless, the 12.6 mm heel-to-toe drop afforded us impact-free rides.

 ASICS Gel Kayano 31

 Our on-foot testing with the ASICS Gel Kayano 31 gave us luxurious cushioning and surefootedness like no other.  The platform delivers solid support without losing its natural feel.  Plus, our lab proves the outsole can cover a lot of ground!  Therefore, it’s our best durable walking shoe for flat feet.

 The Hybrid ASICSGRIP outsole is ready to gobble up the miles with its fresh look, even after extensive testing.  Our durometer shows it’s a robust 88.3 HC and measures a thick 4.0 mm, 0.8 mm above average.  The rubber is even strategically placed, ready to take on potentially overpronating strides.  The 31st version continues reliable arch support, yet its comfort level blew us away.  We’re blessed with a generous 39.3 mm heel, with the PureGEL inserted in the rear for even softer landings.  It felt like walking on clouds, especially as the heel makes first contact with the ground.  Our durometer further confirms it’s a plush 15.6 HA.The GK 31 delivers a stable ride through its 4D Guidance System, midsole sidewalls, and expansive base.  Our caliper reveals a midsole width of 122.1/97.6 mm, reassuring our foot alignment.  Thankfully, this shoe retains flexibility, emerging 12.9% more flexible than average in our bend test.

 Hoka Gaviota 5

 Our outdoor testing and lab analysis reveal that the Hoka Gaviota 5 is the best walking shoe for flat and wide feet.  It features an accommodating fit infused with subtle stiff elements like the H-Frame to stabilize the ride while ensuring comfort through its delightful cushioning and ventilated mesh upper. The midsole provides a spacious base that allows for very broad feet.  At 125.1/106.6 mm, it’s one of the widest we’ve seen and creates a reassuring sense of security with every stride.  The H-Frame also adds rigidity to the midsole to further guide our foot alignment without being too intrusive.

 Even the front had generous space for natural toe splaying.  From the widest part of the toebox to its 83.1 mm big toe area, we never felt restricted.  Adding to the comfort is the breeze that flows in and out freely of the mesh upper, evidenced by its perfect breathability score in the lab. The cushioning gave our arches much-needed support, which avoided any localized pain.  Our durometer confirms a plush 12.9 HA foam, while the second 22.0 HA cushion is firmer to keep our landings in control.