The Ultimate Guide to Finding the Best Shoes for Fallen Arches (2024)

Best Shoes for Fallen Arches:

Got fallen arches or flat feet? If so, you're not alone. It's something one in five adults in the UK deal with. In this fallen arches shoe guide, we will discuss what are the best shoes for fallen arches and supportive footwear for flat feet.

If you suffer with fallen arch, you're probably all too familiar with the aches and pains that come with it – those strained ligaments and annoying discomfort in your arches and heels. Let’s not also forget the flattening of the foot arch, where the entire foot might seem to make contact with the ground.

There’s also the overpronation – that awkward rolling in of the ankles. It's a real pain, and not just in your feet. This can throw your whole body off balance, leading to alignment issues that go all the way up from your legs to your lower back. Such symptoms can significantly hinder daily activities, especially those involving intricate foot movements, so can cause great discomfort in your day-to-day life.

What causes Fallen Arches?

Dealing with fallen arches can feel a bit overwhelming, but knowing what's going on down there is the first step to finding some comfort.

For those wondering how their flat feet and fallen arches happened, it may come as a surprise at just how many factors can cause the ailment, including genetics, ageing, weight gain and injury. Those working in jobs which involve long hours on their feet are also at risk while the condition may also have been triggered simply by wearing the wrong footwear.

But living with fallen arches doesn’t mean the end of comfortable and stylish fashion – in fact choosing the right footwear is the best way to tackle pain relief and swelling. Long gone are the days of plain and bulky orthopaedic shoes, and instead there’s an excellent choice of stylish, supportive footwear for flat feet available to suit any style, day or night.

But we will move on to the best shoes for fallen arches later!

Fallen Arches symptoms:

If you suffer with fallen arches, some of the key symptoms you may experience include:

- Painful arches

- Painful heels

- Swelling on the underside of your feet

- Restricted movement in your feet, including difficulty standing on your toes

- Difficulty balancing

What to Look for When Shopping for Walking Shoes for Flat Feet?

When shopping for shoes for fallen arches, it's important to consider several key features. Look for shoes that offer robust arch support and supportive underfoot cushioning, as well as shock resistance in both the heel and toe areas. Given that flat feet have arches that are lower to the ground, it's essential to choose footwear that provides the necessary support. Without this, your feet may be prone to experiencing sharp shocks, especially in the heel and toe areas, otherwise known as Plantar Fasciitis.

If you are a woman who lives with flat feet you will more than likely need to opt for a wider fit shoe for fallen arches, as this helps to prevent cramping in your toes. Sole Bliss offers a range of shoes with deep and wide toe boxes so you can find the perfect match without compromising on style. Our shoes are available from sizes 3-9 including half sizes so you can find the perfect fit.

Additionally, watch out for shoes with a structured design which provides better support compared to overly flexible shoes. This helps maintain proper foot alignment.

Video: How to Choose Shoes for Flat Feet
Founder and Designer of Sole Bliss, Lisa Kay shares her top tips on how to choose shoes for Flat Feet.

Let’s go shopping! What are the best shoes to support Fallen Arches and Flat Feet, according to experts

Sole Bliss works closely with leading podiatrist, Dr Brad Schaeffer to design comfortable shoes for fallen arches and supportive footwear for flat feet. We have selected the best shoes for flat feet that you can wear on a day-to-day basis. From heels to flats, sneakers to boots, Sole Bliss has something to suit all styles and occasions:

• Sneakers for women with flat feet
• Loafers for women with flat feet
• Flats for women with flat feet

Best Overall Shoes for Flat Feet

Feather, our new light-weight sneaker is not only chic, but also crafted from super-soft leather and is fully leather lined with an anatomically contoured and luxuriously padded footbed which provides extra support for fallen arches. A perfect every-day wear!

Best Budget Shoes for Flat Feet

Anything but basic! Our classic Ballet Flats have 3 layers of soft and supportive underfoot cushioning. They feature our ingenious stretch panel for bunions, which sits exactly where ordinary shoes have seams. These shoes are perfect for dressing up or down, meaning you get your money's worth while enjoying the ultimate in comfort.

Best Shoes for Bad Knees

The Savannah Flat is not only fabulous in style but also boasts a full leather lining, triple-layer underfoot cushioning, and a spacious toe-box which is ideal for wide feet. Slip-on shoes are particularly perfect for those with knee issues and the extra strap provides additional support. A small heel provides a little lift off the ground while remaining super comfortable.

Best Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis

OurMiracle Sneakers are a great choice for those living with plantar fasciitis – which is an inflammation of the fibrous tissue along the bottom of your foot that connects your heel bone to your toes. Comfort aside, we simply adore this design's luxurious Italian leathers and denim glitter stripe detailing.

Best Shoes for Long Walks

Panther -amodern take on the loafer - is an ideal solution for those who enjoy walking long distances. Designed with a black luxe Italian leather upper, these loafers come with a sturdy sole and all the signature comfort features which make Sole Bliss shoes so comfortable for fallen arches.

Best Cushioning Shoes for Fallen Arches

Lizzie Pale Gray Suede - Cushioned Flats for Fallen Arches

Our oh-so adorable flats are luxuriously comfortable and designed to comfort sensitive feet. Our Lizzie design features three layers of cushioning under the entire length of your foot and the ingenious Bunion Bed stretch panel to accommodate wide feet and bunions.

Best Shoes for All-Day Wear

Terri Black Leather - Best Fallen Arches Shoes for All-Day Wear

Terri: This super-stylish chunky loafer is perfect to take from day into night. Featuring a luxe black leather upper, full leather lining and an ingenious seam-free design, Terri is made differently from all other loafers. Our iconic Bunion Bed cushions painful joints which are often irritated by the stitching inside ordinary loafers. Terri is complete with luxurious underfoot cushioning and an on-trend chunky platform sole.

Frequently Asked Questions about Fallen Arches

How Can Fallen Arches be Diagnosed?

Fallen arches are typically diagnosed via a physical examination by a medical professional. During the examination, the doctor will inspect both feet while the patient is standing and sitting to assess the arches and how the soles make contact with the ground. Discussing symptoms such as foot pain or discomfort is an important part of the process, and if necessary, further investigations might be made such as a foot x-ray, MRIs, or CT scans.

What are the Treatment Options?

We would always recommend wearing supportive footwear for flat feet and comfortable shoes for fallen arches. Treatment options depend on the severity of the condition, and for most symptoms can be helped with choosing the correct footwear. Flat feet tend to need a wide-fit shoe. We recommend looking for wide flat feet shoes where the toe-box is spacious to prevent cramping your toes. As well as this, look for a well-defined heel cup to keep your foot secure and opt for shoes that are flexible to accommodate natural foot movements.

Can Fallen Arches be Prevented?

Preventing fallen arches can be challenging, especially if genetic or medical factors come into play. However, there are some steps that can be taken to help reduce the risk of the problem, especially in cases which develop over time. Ways to support this include maintaining a healthy weight, wearing supportive footwear for flat feet, avoiding excessive foot strain, regularly exercising your feet, and having regular visits to a podiatrist.

Can Children Outgrow Flat Feet?

Yes, many children naturally outgrow flat feet as they grow and develop. Flat feet in children are often a normal part of early development, and the arches of their feet may not fully develop until later in childhood.

What Makes Sole Bliss the Best for Flat Feet?

Comfy shoes are an essential part of everyone’s wardrobe, and when you are working a tiresome shift, teaching long classes all day, or doing anything that requires you to be on your feet all day or night, it is important to know which shoes are the best for comfort, and why they need to be well-fitted. Functionality, comfort, and fashion are not often associated together, but in our Sole Bliss shoes, you get the utmost comfort and style, and versatile options which you can wear for hours on end, from day to night.

You can browse our full collection of shoes for fallen arches, flat feet and overpronation here!