'Arch supports make sure that the arch of the foot, in this case flat, is properly supported and can absorb that pain-inducing pounding many get when walking, running, or doing other activities,' adds Schaeffer. 'This will help to reduce the strain on your feet, ankles, and lower back by helping you to maintain proper posture,' Alvarez says. Optimal arch support is one of the most important factors to consider when picking out shoes for flat feet. Keeping this in mind, below are a few specific features to look for when shopping for the best shoes for flat feet. 'This is why finding the right shoes for your flat feet is important,' he emphasizes.

“The items that you get at Walmart or CVS are never going to be able to address your problems,” she says.Gregory Alvarez, DPM, FACFAS, a podiatrist at the Ankle & Foot Centers of America, points out that having flat feet can make you more susceptible to other foot problems, including bunions, back pain, and even tendon damage.

Lagana suggests seeing a podiatrist before buying insoles, because wearing the wrong type can make your foot problems worse. Thus, they last for 3 to 4 years when worn daily.”ĭr. Custom orthotics are made from different layers of the super high density foam called polypropylene and EVA. Over-the counter insoles will last 6 to 9 months typically. For dress shoes, boots, and activity-specific shoes, such as soccer cleats and tennis shoes, I advise seeing a podiatrist to get fitted for a pair of custom orthotics, which are thinner and may be placed over insoles in dress shoes. However, depending on the shoe and activity type, prefabricated inserts (also known as over-the-counter orthotics) may not always be sufficient because of their thickness. “Insoles should be used in all walking, running, activity shoes. There are so many different types and brands of insoles that choosing can be a challenge, says podiatrist Nelya Lobkova, DPM, of Step Up Footcare in New York City. “Over 40 percent of adults in the United States-and I was one of them-are wearing the wrong size shoe,” she says. Lagana recommends getting measured at a brick-and-mortar store.

It’s essential to have the correct-fitting shoe before even talking about getting arch supports.” To confirm your shoe size, Dr. Lagana, DPM, a podiatrist at UMass Memorial Health, says, “Many times a patient’s problem is not because they need arch supports it’s more because they are wearing the wrong shoes or the wrong size shoes. The first rule of wearing supportive insoles is to make sure you truly need them.

Arch support for flat feet