{"id":8151,"date":"2021-05-05T15:05:40","date_gmt":"2021-05-05T22:05:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/?p=8151"},"modified":"2025-07-24T09:43:00","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T16:43:00","slug":"do-flat-feet-need-arch-support","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/do-flat-feet-need-arch-support\/","title":{"rendered":"Do Flat Feet Need Arch Support?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/simon-berger-HSy0QXIRafg-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1600\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have fallen or flat arches, you\u2019re not alone. Around 15% percent of adults in the United States suffer from the condition.\u00b9 Though it\u2019s a little more common in women than men, flat feet can affect anyone.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/fallen-arches\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">what are flat arche<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">s<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, exactly? <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having flat feet means your arches touch the floor when you\u2019re standing up straight. The fallen arch condition can be genetic, and while some infants are born flat-footed or have a low arch , many individuals develop the condition later in life. For some people, fallen or flat arches are an effect of getting older or suffering from an injury. It can also occur during pregnancy or as a result of obesity or other chronic illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In some instances, folks with flat feet don\u2019t experience any symptoms, and yet for many, it can cause immense arch pain and discomfort. With that said, those with fallen arches often wonder, \u201c Do flat feet need flat arch support? \u201d Though shoes can\u2019t cure or reverse the fallen arch condition, supportive footwear can help alleviate <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">arch<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> pain<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and other foot pains that come with having flat feet.\u00b2 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here&#8217;s how to avoid <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flat foot pain<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and keep your feet comfortable and healthy.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Why Do You Need Arch Support for Flat Feet?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here at <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vionic<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">,<\/span> we\u2019re dedicated to offering podiatrist-design footwear to people from all walks of life, and we know the art of easing various foot problems and ailments. If you experience ongoing discomfort from having flat feet , proper support may help relieve some of your woes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flat feet need arch support when the low arch condition contributes to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Persistent stress<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Muscle soreness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Poor posture<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Imbalance<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alignment issues<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plantar fasciitis (heel pain)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ongoing foot pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overpronation<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wearing <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/aches-and-pains\/plantar-fasciitis\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">shoes for plantar fasciitis<\/span><\/a> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that offer <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">proper <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">arch support<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can make not only your feet but your whole body feel notably better. Additionally, without adequate arch support, fallen arches may lead to overuse injuries. If you\u2019re lucky enough not to experience any discomfort from the condition, going to great lengths to correct it, it may not be necessary. However, supportive footwear can benefit anyone, regardless of whether they have foot problems or not .<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>How to Find Arch-Support Shoes for Flat Feet<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are seeking advice on <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/how-to-rebuild-arches-in-flat-feet\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how to rebuild fallen arches<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, know that there are various clinical and at-home therapies you can try<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">like physical therapy, stretching, strengthening exercises, rest, and potentially foot surgery. Having said that, orthotic shoes can make the biggest difference.\u00b3 The best supportive shoe for flat feet offer relief from foot aches and pains while helping to prevent injuries.\u2074 When browsing styles, look for options with contoured arch support, shock absorption, and heel stability. You\u2019ll also want to make sure to get the proper size and width.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Be sure you know <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/how-to-measure-your-shoe-size-for-a-perfect-fit\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how to measure your foot size<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for the perfect fit.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Contoured Arch Support<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Orthotic shoes with built-in arch support feature contoured footbeds, which can be immensely beneficial for people with flat feet. By providing plenty of support throughout the arch area, this type of supportive shoe decreases pressure in the plantar fascia (the tendons connecting your forefoot to your heel). As a result, wearing contoured footwear might help you avoid plantar fasciitis (or alleviate heel pain for those who already have the condition).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Individuals with low arches are also often prone to shin splints. Shoes with flat foot arch support can help prevent this painful inflammation while reducing the chance of an overuse injury. This is particularly important for athletes and folks who count their steps for exercise. By minimizing pressure on the arches, the orthotic supportive shoe design relieves stress on the Achilles tendon and helps prevent rolled ankles as well. Contoured footbeds can help with overpronation too.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Shock Absorption<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another essential component is shock absorption. When your feet hit the ground, orthotic footbeds absorb the impact of your stride. This reduces stress throughout your hips, calves, and ankles while minimizing rubbing. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Look for<\/span> <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/womens-shoes\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">comfortable women&#8217;s shoes<\/span><\/a><\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">with the appropriate <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">arch<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> support insole that is flexible but not too flimsy.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Heel Stability<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heel stability is also crucial for people with fallen arches. Your footwear should feature deep heel cups with firm support throughout the bottoms and backs of your feet. A sturdy, supportive heel will prevent your foot from rolling inward with each step you take, which helps reduce overpronation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Proper Size and Width<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lastly, the importance of wearing the right size and width can\u2019t be overstated. Proper sizing should be a priority for everyone, but it\u2019s especially critical for those with flat feet. We recommend carefully measuring your feet to ensure the width and length align with the size you purchase. Wearing shoes that are too short, long, wide, or narrow can create a range of foot problems, like chronic pain, alignment issues, cramping, muscle strains, blisters, ingrown toenails, or severe overpronation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Low arch or flat-footed folks often need<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/women\/wide-widths.html\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wide width shoes<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> because the broader toe boxes provide enough room for your toes to wiggle around. But whether you go for a standard or wide width, it may be best to avoid narrower silhouettes, like pointed flats, which can create uncomfortable restrictions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>What Are the Best Insoles for Flat Feet?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Will arch supports help flat feet? If you\u2019re experiencing this foot problem, the right pair of orthotic inserts can provide pain relief for symptoms of fallen arches and potentially prevent future ailments.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can get medical arch support for flat feet from a podiatrist, which would be created by molding your feet and then prescribed by your provider. However, some of the best shoe insoles for flat feet can be purchased over the counter. Sometimes called orthotics, <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/orthotics.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">orthotic insoles<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or arch supports, these <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">shoe inserts<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are designed to offer immense relief from various<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> types of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">foot pain<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and discomfort.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> When determining which<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">shoe insert<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to get, you need to examine if you have a flexible flat foot or a rigid flat foot.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Typically, when you\u2019re sitting or standing , and your feet are flat, you have rigid flat feet. If you\u2019re sitting and your arch appears, you have flexible flat feet. Vionic is proud to carry arch support insoles for women and men with a fallen arch . While they won\u2019t reverse a flat-foot deformity, our orthotics can reduce stress and alleviate strain on the ligaments in your feet<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, helping to prevent <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flat foot pain<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and provide better <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cushioning<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Orthotics can be placed in any pair of shoes of your choice to improve under-foot contact and deliver all-day wearability. Supportive shoe inserts may also improve your alignment and balance by absorbing impact and making you all-around more comfortable on your feet.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Where to Buy the Best Shoes and Insoles for Flat Feet<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes down to flat feet treatment, the best thing is supportive shoes. Whether this means you only wear orthotic styles with built-in arch support or get a few pairs of inserts to place in your shoes, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">proper arch support<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">can make a huge difference in how your feet feel when you\u2019re out and about, as well as at the end of the day. Beyond offering orthotic inserts for women and men, Vionic specializes in contoured, shoes embedded with arch support and ankle support. No matter your foot or foot arch type , we\u2019ve got everything from <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/women\/sandals.html?icid=topnav_womens_sandals_plp\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">comfortable walking sandals<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/women\/sneakers\/active-sneakers.html?icid=topnav_womens_walking_sneakers_plp\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">walking sneakers<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to elevated wedges and work-appropriate loafers. When you browse our selection, we\u2019re confident you\u2019ll find something you love. If you\u2019re experiencing foot pain or aches, try a pair of orthotic shoes or pressure-relieving inserts today!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><br style=\"font-weight: 400;\" \/><br style=\"font-weight: 400;\" \/><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Aenumulapalli, Ashok et al. \u201cPrevalence of Flexible Flat Foot in Adults: A Cross-sectional Study.\u201d <em>Journal of clinical and diagnostic research : JCDR<\/em> vol. 11,6 (2017): AC17-AC20. doi:10.7860\/JCDR\/2017\/26566.10059<\/li>\n<li>&#8220;Flatfeet &#8211; doagnosis&#8221;. Mayo Clinic. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/flatfeet\/diagnosis-treatment\/drc-20372609\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/flatfeet\/diagnosis-treatment\/drc-20372609<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Sanah Faroke. &#8220;16 Best Shoes for Flat Feet to Buy in 2021, According to Podiatrists&#8221;. Prevention. Oct 19, 2020, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.prevention.com\/beauty\/style\/g20066372\/best-shoes-for-flat-feet\/\">https:\/\/www.prevention.com\/beauty\/style\/g20066372\/best-shoes-for-flat-feet\/<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Claire Sissons. &#8220;11 of the best shoes for flat feet&#8221;. Medical News Today. May 26, 2020, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/best-shoes-for-flat-feet\">https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/best-shoes-for-flat-feet<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Kim, Eun-Kyung, and Jin Seop Kim. \u201cThe effects of short foot exercises and arch support insoles on improvement in the medial longitudinal arch and dynamic balance of flexible flatfoot patients.\u201d <em>Journal of physical therapy science<\/em> vol. 28,11 (2016): 3136-3139. doi:10.1589\/jpts.28.3136<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><a class=\"more-link\" id=\"excerpt\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/do-flat-feet-need-arch-support\/\">Read More &gt;<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2621,284],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8151","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fashion","category-style","dwtl normal"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8151","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8151"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8151\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12858,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8151\/revisions\/12858"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8151"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8151"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8151"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}