The Best Shoes for High Arches

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It’s one thing to find a pair of kicks that feel comfy, but it’s an entirely different, better thing to come upon some that truly fit your feet—from the length to the width to the arch. As challenging as it is to find decent footwear for flat feet, it can be tricky to spot the best shoes for high arches too.

“One misconception is that high arches need arch support,” Anne Holland Johnson, MD, AOFAS, an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon at HSS in New York City, tells SELF. “Flat arches need more arch support, whereas high arches need less.” That doesn’t mean you can slip on any flimsy old flat and hope to have a good time (unfortunately). There are still a few key design elements to look for when shopping for walking shoes that suit the height of your arches. We got the deets from foot health experts, then selected the very best shoes for high arches, according to their criteria and our shoe-savvy testers.

Our top picksBest Overall: Vionic Walk StriderBest Budget Pick: Ryka Devotion X MaxBest Max Cushioning: On Cloudmonster HyperBest for Plantar Fasciitis: Asics Gel-Nimbus 27Best for Underpronation: Brooks Glycerin 21Best Sandal: Birkenstock Milano Big Buckle SandalShop the best shoes for high arches

These sneakers and sandals won’t cramp your style—or your arches. Check out our picks below.

Best Overall: Vionic Walk StriderVionic

Walk Strider Sneaker

ProsStabilized, reinforced heelFlexible midfootAccepted by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)Designed for long periods on your feetConsCan take time to break in, per the brandJust like Dr. Johnson said, you don’t need a ton of midfoot support if your arches are high—and our tester loved that the Vionic Walk Strider doesn’t overdo it in that department. “Even though I have high arches, I shy away from shoes that tout their ‘arch support’ because, more often than not, the insole’s crest hits at an uncomfortable part of my foot,” they said. “The Vionic’s instep, however, is just right. When wearing these sneakers, my feet feel held in a neutral position, helping me avoid overpronation.”

That cradled sensation is thanks in large part to the Walk Strider’s stable rearfoot—it has a rigid design that holds your heel in place, encouraging neutral alignment for your entire foot. The rest of the shoe, which is accepted by the APMA, a sign that podiatrists approve it for foot health, is more flexible, so it’ll still move with you on your strolls.

Sizes: US 5 to 13 | Widths: Medium and wide

Best Budget Pick: Ryka Devotion X MaxProsLots of lightweight foamUnder $100Good for wide feetAPMA-acceptedConsLarge, distracting logoSELF’s senior commerce editor, who has high arches and high expectations for her walking shoes, was highly impressed by Ryka’s Devotion X Max when she tested it for SELF’s Sneaker Awards last year. It may look clunky, but it’s pretty lightweight compared to other maximalist sneakers—and the thick, foam sole is slightly springy, to boot.

Between its clever cushioning and just-right arch support, it made our senior editor’s walks and errands immensely more enjoyable. “After miles of test walks, this shoe only feels more comfortable,” she wrote in her review. “It cradles my arches and helps me trek farther before I get that telltale ache in my heels that comes with a day spent strolling around New York City.”

Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium and wide

Best Max Cushioning: On Cloudmonster HyperOn

Cloudmonster Hyper

ProsStable for a max cushion shoePropulsive ride—suitable for running as well as walkingCool, sporty look that pairs well with everyday outfitsConsMost expensive pick on our listRuns narrowSpeaking of max cushion shoes (and Sneaker Award–winners), On’s sporty-yet-stylish Cloudmonster Hyper is a great pick if you love a chunky sole. With its bouncy foam midsole and rocker bottom, it buoys your feet and makes long-distance walks and runs feel a little closer to effortless.

Our tester described the ride as nothing short of “perfect,” noting that her outings in the Cloudmonster Hyper were all-around great for her feet. “My high arches felt supported and comfortable throughout hour-long runs. My feet didn’t hurt, they felt secure as I ran, and I didn’t twist my ankle (which happens with some higher platform sneakers).”

Sizes: US 5 to 11 | Widths: Medium

Best for Plantar Fasciitis: Asics Gel-Nimbus 27ProsMade to absorb the impact of your stepsBreathable mesh upperFoot-hugging designConsOver $150Carla Gamez, DPM, a podiatrist at Illinois Bone and Joint Institute (IBJI), previously recommended Asics’s shock-absorbing Gel-Nimbus line for those seeking some relief from plantar fasciitis (the common foot condition characterized by stabbing heel pain). When we tried the Gel-Nimbus 26 a while back, our tester loved its shock-absorbing feel and supportive (but not intrusive) fit. “I always wear my Nimbus 26 for recovery runs and on days when my feet could use a little more cushion underneath them,” she said. “They’re super supportive and hug my high arches.”

The latest iteration of the model, the Gel-Nimbus 27, keeps that foamy, foot-mapping goodness and improves upon the 26’s breathability with a redesigned mesh upper that keeps air flowing (see ya, sweaty feet).

Best for Underpronation: Brooks Glycerin 21ProsGood for average and high archesWide platform for extra stabilityAPMA-acceptedConsSome Brooks reviewers found the wide sole too clunkyOver $150Having high arches makes you more likely to supinate (or underpronate) while you walk, meaning your weight stays concentrated on the outside of your foot, rather than evenly across the sole. That can make it harder for your feet to absorb shock and maintain balance properly, so it may be helpful to shop for shoes made with underpronation in mind—like the Brooks Glycerin, a bestseller with a neutral design. Compared to stability shoes, neutral shoes are better for supinators because they don’t have any additional structures that could force your arch even farther upward.

In addition to its construction, which should appeal to people with average and high arches alike, the Glycerin has ample cushioning that feels downright plush underfoot.

Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium and wide

Best Sandal: Birkenstock Milano Big Buckle SandalBirkenstock

Milano Big Buckle Sandal

ProsAdjustable strapsBack strap maintains a secure fitElevated toe groove prevents undue grippingBuilt to lastConsOnly available in one widthOver $150Here’s another fave from our senior commerce editor, who wears her pair of Milano Big Buckle Birks from May to September year after year. “They have excellent arch support that meets my feet where they’re at,” she says. “As the footbed breaks in, the arch support molds to your feet to feel even comfier!”

That gradual break-in period is great for people with high arches, because you’ll eventually end up with an insole that fits the shape of your foot—and doesn’t hoist it into an uncomfortable position.

Sizes: EU 35 to 42 | Widths: Medium/narrow

Best Hiking Shoe: Merrell Moab Speed 2ProsExcellent tractionGreat ankle supportWide toe boxUnder $150ConsNot suitable for very rugged or technical trailsThis Sneaker Award–winning hiking shoe kept our tester comfy on treks through state forests, prairie-like conservancy areas, and meadows—it even felt great when she wore it to the airport and around town.

“I have a dainty foot (slightly wide) with very high arches,” she said. “The shoe is very flexible, so it maps to the shape of my foot nicely, while allowing room for breathability and comfort.” She also noted that, even for a low-cut shoe as opposed to a hiking boot with a higher shaft, the Moab Speed 2 supported her weak ankles and prevented them from rolling while on the trail.

Sizes: US 5 to 11 | Widths: Medium and wide

Best Gym-to-Office-to-Brunch Pick: Saysh One SneakerProsVersatile look and designBalanced cushioningBreathableConsLaces tend to tighten and may need loosening throughout the dayOnly available in one widthThe sleek Saysh One is streamlined enough to wear to work, cute enough for weekend hangouts, and lightweight enough for casual workouts—how’s that for versatility? “I reach for these all the time,” one high-arched SELF staffer says. “They don’t stick out at the office but they’re also easy to wear while walking through Central Park or on the treadmill.”

It has a mostly narrow shape that widens at the forefoot, so you can expect a snug fit around your midfoot but plenty of wiggle room for your toes.

Sizes: US 5.5 to 13 | Widths: Medium

Best for Recovery: Oofos Ooahh SlideProsExtremely comfortableWide size rangeUnder $70APMA-acceptedConsNot great for long periods of standing or walkingSlides are the perfect shoe for when your feet are tired and just need something cushy underneath them—and few pairs are as cushy and comfy as Oofos’ Ooahh Slide. “These squishy sandals are perfect for running errands, going to the beach, camping, or sliding on as a recovery shoe post-run,” one SELF writer says. “I have high arches, and these provide a comfortable amount of contouring to help them feel properly supported…. They feel like a massage for my tired, achy arches.”

Sizes: US 5 to 16 | Widths: Medium

Most Stylish: Adidas GazelleProsTimeless lookAvailable in 31 colorwaysUnder $150ConsHeels tend to pull down the backs of socksOnly available in one widthAdidas’s always-in-style Gazelle is our senior commerce editor’s go-to for long walks. “I have high arches, and if I don’t wear the right shoes (or insoles), I’ll get very sore and painful arches after two or three hours of walking around,” she says. “[But the Gazelles] have a perfect little pod of support right under my arch that helps me walk longer and farther pain-free.” Oh, and it just happens to go with everything—how often does that happen?

Also, we’d be remiss if we didn’t share her shoe-shopping hack here—if the women’s sizing isn’t working for you, give the men’s version a try. “When I tried the women’s Gazelles on, the support wasn’t in the right spot, so I tried the men’s version and never looked back,” our senior commerce editor says.

Sizes: US 5 to 15 (based on Adidas’s men’s-to-women’s sizing conversion) | Widths: Medium

Frequently asked questions about shoes for high archesHow can you tell if you have high arches?

“Many people can live their entire lives without realizing that they have a ‘high arch,’ and it does not affect them,” Megan R. Wolf, MD, FAAOS, FAANA, ABOSD, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in foot and ankle issues with the Connecticut Orthopaedic Institute, tells SELF. But, if you find that your current shoes feel uncomfortable and you think you might have high arches, there are a few easy ways to check.

First, look at your footprint—if you don’t see much of your inner foot and mainly see your toes and heel, that’s a sign of a high arch, Dr. Wolf says. Second, she recommends looking at the outsoles of your shoes—if they’re mostly worn on their outer sides, that’s also an indicator that your arch is higher than average.

How to choose the best shoes for high arches

As we mentioned earlier, people with high arches don’t necessarily need shoes or insoles that have high arches. “This will actually make their lateral foot overload worse and can lead to more pain,” Dr. Wolf says.

Some shoes designed for stability will have high arches as part of their insole, making them a not-so-great choice if you have high arches, Dr. Johnson says. She adds that neutral shoes (ones that aren’t made with any additional support features) should feel good for most people with high arches.

However, some stability and motion-control shoes don’t necessarily have dramatically lifted arches, but simply surround your foot with a stiffer structure that helps prevent rolling, Dr. Wolf says. Those pairs are worth a try if you find that your tendency to put more weight on the outside of your foot makes you feel wobbly.

Before we get too bogged down in sneaker terminology, here’s a reminder about the importance of trial and error: Dr. Johnson says the best way to know if a shoe will map correctly to the shape of your foot is to try it on in-store (or get it from an online retailer with a great return policy). As Dr. Wolf puts it, “the most important thing is to make sure that the shoe fits and is comfortable on the first step.”

Both Dr. Johnson and Dr. Wolf note that high arches can make you prone to ankle injuries, mainly because you tend to walk on the outside of your foot (as mentioned above). “High arches tend to make you feel as though you may roll your ankle, and you may be prone to ankle sprains,” Dr. Johnson explains. With that in mind, it can be helpful to look for shoes with added ankle support, like high-tops.

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