The Best Walking Shoes for Flat Feet
The best walking shoes for flat feet usually share a few traits: a wide, steady platform, some form of stability or arch support and enough room for your foot to sit comfortably. Our top pick is the Brooks Addiction Walker 2, a leather shoe with arch support, a wide base and widths up to 4E. For a more athletic option, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 adds subtle GuideRails guidance, and the On Cloudrunner 3 is a stylish stability shoe.
Flat feet vary a lot, and many people have no trouble with them at all. We are not able to diagnose your feet or say which shoe is right, and we have not tested any of these. This is a shoe-feature guide drawn from brand specs, lab data and owner feedback. If you have pain, see a podiatrist, who can advise on insoles or orthotics.
To filter by support, width and cushion, use our walking shoe finder.
| Brooks Addiction Walker 2 | Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 | On Cloudrunner 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 | $155 | $160 |
| For | Men & women | Men & women | Men & women |
| Sizes | Men's US 7-15 | Men's and women's US sizes (full range not captured) | Men's and women's US sizes (full range not captured) |
| Fabric | - | - | - |
| Weight | 411 g (14.5 oz) | 300 g (10.6 oz) | 295 g (10.4 oz) |
| Heel-to-toe drop | 12 mm | 10 mm | 8 mm |
| Heel stack | 35.7 mm | 37 mm | 37 mm |
| Forefoot stack | 23.5 mm | 27 mm | 29 mm |
| Cushioning | Balanced | Balanced | Balanced |
| Support | Stability | Stability | Stability |
| Widths | 1B (Narrow), 1D (Medium), 2E (Wide), 4E (Extra Wide) | Narrow, Regular, Wide, X-Wide | Regular, Wide |
| Plate | None | None | None |
| Best use | Walking | Daily | Daily |
| Comfort (our rating) | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Performance (our rating) | 2/5 | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Durability (our rating) | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Value (our rating) | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Returns | 90 days | 90 days | - |
| Check price | Check price | Check price |
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Our picks at a glance
Our picks, in detail
Brooks Addiction Walker 2
- Men & women
- Sizes Men's US 7-15
- Cushioning: Balanced
- Support: Stability
- Heel-to-toe drop: 12 mm
- Weight: 411 g (14.5 oz)
- Wide widths
The Addiction Walker 2 is the most support-focused shoe in our database. It has a wide, steady platform with strategic arch support, a full-grain leather upper and a slip-resistant outsole certified to SATRA TM144:2011. Brooks lists it with stability support, and men's widths run from 1B narrow to 4E extra-wide. It costs about $130 at full price and is covered by Brooks' 90-day trial. Owners call the fit true to size, with 457 votes behind that. The trade-offs are weight, at about 14.5 oz (411 g) in the men's, a stiff feel that needs a break-in, limited breathability and a work-shoe look. Skip it if you want a light, athletic or breathable shoe. Width stock varies, so check before ordering. Our Addiction Walker 2 review has more.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25
- Men & women
- Sizes Men's and women's US sizes (full range not captured)
- Cushioning: Balanced
- Support: Stability
- Heel-to-toe drop: 10 mm
- Weight: 300 g (10.6 oz)
- Wide widths
The Adrenaline GTS 25 is a running shoe that doubles as an athletic walker, and it is tagged for walking, everyday wear and standing all day in our data. Its GuideRails support is described as subtle rather than stiff, the DNA Loft v3 foam is softer than version 24 and it comes in four widths from Narrow to X-Wide. Testers praise its durability and traction. It costs about $155 at full price and has Brooks' 90-day Run Happy trial. The compromises are weight, at 300 g in the men's, and modest energy return. Skip it if you want a soft, pillowy ride or you prefer a light, springy shoe. Owners call it true to size. Our Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 review covers fit.
On Cloudrunner 3
- Men & women
- Sizes Men's and women's US sizes (full range not captured)
- Cushioning: Balanced
- Support: Stability
- Heel-to-toe drop: 8 mm
- Weight: 295 g (10.4 oz)
- Wide widths
The Cloudrunner 3 pairs stability with a sneaker look. Reviewers describe excellent support and stability, thick tongue padding, a durable outsole and comfort for walking and all-day wear. It is tagged for walking, travel and standing all day in our data. It costs about $160 at full price and comes in Regular and Wide. The downsides: low energy return, a heavy 295 g build in the men's, a narrow toebox and poor breathability in hot climates. Skip it if you have a wide forefoot in the standard width, or you walk in hot weather. On's page states its 30-day run trial is limited to Switzerland and the UK, and we could not read a US window, so check the retailer's return terms before you order.
Nike Structure 26
- Men & women
- Sizes Men's and women's US sizes (full range not captured)
- Cushioning: Balanced
- Support: Stability
- Heel-to-toe drop: 10 mm
- Weight: 298 g (10.5 oz)
- Wide widths
The Structure 26 is Nike's mild stability trainer, and testers rate its durability as outstanding. It has ReactX foam, a plush upper and a compact build, and RunRepeat lists four widths from Narrow to X-Wide. It is tagged for walking and everyday wear in our data. It costs about $155 men's and $145 women's at full price, and Nike's 60-day return window is long. The compromises: it is not light at 298 g in the men's, breathability is limited, outsole coverage is reduced and owners say it fits slightly small. Skip it if you run hot or want a lightweight shoe. Consider trying the Wide before sizing up. Since width availability comes from RunRepeat, confirm it on Nike's product page.
HOKA Bondi 9
- Men & women
- Sizes Men's and women's US sizes (full range not captured)
- Cushioning: Soft
- Support: Neutral
- Heel-to-toe drop: 5 mm
- Weight: 297 g (10.5 oz)
- Wide widths
The Bondi 9 is the cushioned option on this list, and reviewers describe a stable platform for its height. The published stack is 43 mm at the heel and 38 mm at the forefoot, and the men's shoe comes in Narrow, Regular, Wide and X-Wide. It is tagged for walking, standing all day and recovery in our data. It costs about $175 at full price. The downsides: it is heavy at 297 g in the men's, the toebox is narrow in the standard width and it feels clunky at faster paces. Skip it if you want a light shoe, a tight budget or a firmer, more structured feel. HOKA's Fly for 30 guarantee gives you 30 days, and our HOKA Bondi 9 review covers fit.
HOKA Transport 2
- Men & women
- Sizes Men's and women's US sizes (full range not captured)
- Cushioning: Balanced
- Support: Neutral
- Heel-to-toe drop: 5 mm
- Weight: 312 g (11.0 oz)
- Wide widths
The Transport 2 is HOKA's walking and commuting shoe, built on a wide, stable platform with Meta-Rocker geometry. It comes in D and 2E widths for men and has versatile traction for city streets and light trails. RunRepeat rates its durability as excellent, and owners call the fit true to size. We only confirmed the roughly $150 price from a retailer, not hoka.com, so check the current listing. The downsides are that it is not very breathable, the collar mesh is frail per RunRepeat and at about 312 g it is heavy. Skip it if you run hot or want a lightweight shoe. It is tagged for walking, travel and standing all day in our data. HOKA's 30-day Fly for 30 guarantee applies to purchases on its site.
Skechers GO WALK Arch Fit 2.0 Slip-ins
- Men & women
- Sizes Men's and women's US sizes (full range not captured)
- Support: Neutral
- Widths: Regular, 4E
- Wide widths
The GO WALK Arch Fit 2.0 Slip-ins is the budget, easy-on pick. It has a Hands Free Slip-in design with a heel pillow, a removable Arch Fit insole that Road Runner Sports describes as podiatrist-designed (a retailer's description, not our claim), ULTRA GO cushioning and a machine-washable build. It costs about $95 to $100. We have to be honest about the gaps: weight, drop and stack were not published, there is no independent lab data and durability is unknown. Skip it if you want lab-tested specs or a performance shoe. The men's page showed only 4E in stock, so confirm the exact style, width and price. The removable insole could make it easier to use your own orthotics if a podiatrist prescribes them.
What to look for in walking shoes with flat feet
We cannot say what your feet need. These are the features people commonly compare.
A wide, stable platform. A broader base can feel steadier. The Addiction Walker 2 and Transport 2 are known for wide platforms.
Stability features. Some shoes add guide rails, frames or firmer foam that limit how far the foot rolls inward. The Adrenaline GTS 25, Structure 26 and Cloudrunner 3 are listed with stability support in our data. If you prefer running-shoe stability, the HOKA Arahi 9 is also in our stability shoe guide, although our data does not tag it for walking.
Arch support or removable insoles. Some shoes have built-in arch support, such as the Addiction Walker 2, and some, such as the Skechers, have removable insoles. If you use orthotics, check that your insert fits and that the shoe has enough depth.
Width and toebox. A cramped toebox can be uncomfortable. If the standard width is snug, try a Wide.
Heel hold. A secure heel keeps the foot steady. Padded collars and tongues help, as on the Cloudrunner 3, and a heel that slips is a sign the shoe is too long or too wide for your foot.
Weight and breathability. Support often comes with weight. Where weights are published, our picks run from 295 g to 411 g in the men's, and several are criticized for breathability, so consider your climate.
Return policy. Brooks gives 90 days, Nike 60 and HOKA 30.
Trying shoes on
Shop late in the day, when feet are slightly larger, and wear the socks and any insoles you normally use. Stand and walk on a hard surface and watch for your ankles rolling inward, a heel that slips or a toebox that pinches. Compare a firmer, structured shoe like the Addiction Walker 2 with a softer, rockered one like the Bondi 9, because the right feel is personal. Many brands let you return shoes, but conditions differ, so read them before you wear the shoes outdoors. Brooks offers a 90-day trial, Nike a 60-day window, HOKA 30 days and New Balance 45 days.
How we picked
We have not tested these shoes. We picked them from product records built from brand specs, retailer pages and independent lab data from sources such as RunRepeat and OutdoorGearLab. We favored shoes with stability support, wide platforms or arch features, and we included running shoes that our data tags for walking. Ratings are editorial estimates. We do not claim any shoe corrects flat feet. Read our methodology.
Related guides
For more general walking picks, see our best walking shoes. If you have heel pain, see our plantar fasciitis walking shoe guide.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best walking shoes for flat feet?
There is no single best shoe, but our top pick is the Brooks Addiction Walker 2 for its wide platform, arch support and widths up to 4E. The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 and On Cloudrunner 3 are good alternatives with stability support. We cannot give medical advice, so see a podiatrist for pain.
Do flat feet need stability shoes?
Not always. Some people with flat feet like stability shoes, while others prefer neutral cushioning. We cannot diagnose your feet. A podiatrist or specialty store can help you decide, and the best test is how a shoe feels after a long walk. Use a retailer with an easy return policy.
Do I need arch support for flat feet?
Opinions differ and it depends on the person. Some people like built-in arch support, while others prefer a flatter, softer footbed. A podiatrist can advise on insoles or orthotics. A shoe with a removable insole, such as the Skechers Arch Fit, gives you the option to swap.
Can I use running shoes for walking with flat feet?
Many people do. The Adrenaline GTS 25, Structure 26 and Cloudrunner 3 are running shoes tagged for walking in our data and listed with stability support. Fit and comfort matter most, so try a few. If your feet hurt, see a podiatrist before changing shoes.
Should flat feet wear wide shoes?
Not necessarily. Flat feet can be narrow or wide. Choose the width that lets your toes spread without sliding around. Several of our picks come in Wide or X-Wide, including the Addiction Walker 2 up to 4E, and the Adrenaline GTS 25 in four widths.
