Best Shoes For Wide Flat Feet (2022) | Wide Feet Gear (2024)

Flat feet, commonly known as fallen arches, are a condition where people have either a very low arch in their feet or none at all.

If you have flat feet, your feet are also more likely to be wider, and you may need to find the best shoes for wide flat feet.

For most people there is a gap beneath the inner part of the foot that is slightly raised off the ground. But this doesn’t mean that flat feet are uncommon. According to experts, approximately 20% – 30% of the adult population have low arches or flat feet.

When you have wide flat feet, and begin to experience problems, it may be time to consider shoes specifically designed for you.

Wide Feet vs. Flat Feet: What's the Difference?

Wide Feet Explained

Genetics usually decide whether or not you have wide feet. Wide feet aren’t necessarily a bad thing,especially if it doesn’t affect your health. You just need to make sure you’re buying the best shoes for wide feet as opposed to struggling with shoes that clearly weren’t meant for you.

Wearing shoes that don’t fit properly can also start making your feet look wider, because your bones and joints are shifted out of place in order to wear them.

Flat Feet Explained

In simple terms, you have flat feet when the arches on the inside of your feet are flattened, so the entire soles of your feet to touch the floor when you stand up. Flat arches are another genetic condition that can cause wide feet.

The foot can appear wider when people with flat feet stand up. Flat feet can be caused by too much stress on the foot from issues such as obesity, standing on your feet all day or other untreated injuries. Flat feet and wide feet seem to go hand in hand.

1. Ryka Devotion Plus 2 Walking Shoes

Best Shoes For Wide Flat Feet Women (Editor's Choice)

The Ryka Women's Devotion Plus 2 are the best shoes for wide flat feet women that you can get. Ryka has developed a reputation for providing athletic shoes, exclusively engineered for the female feet.

The woman's muscle movement, foot shape and build, are considered when creating these specifically designed shoes, as opposed to just smaller male shoe versions.

Design

Feminine, flowing and seamless overlays, with a four way gradient print on the breathable mesh, which adds style and visual appeal are just a few of the incredible designs of the Ryka Women's Devotion Plus 2.

Its ability to hold the feet still while also providing comfort is exactly what a person with flat feet needs. These shoes are perfect for any type of physical activity as they do a good job of holding the heels stable while offering loads of special arch support.

Persons with wide flat feet get stability with every step because the devotion plus 2 delivers the highest ease. It flawlessly combines the exclusive ‘re-zorb’ active foam, a lyrca lined tongue and comfort collar with built in cushion for painless movement.

You can find the devotion Plus 2 shoes in practically any color you want. It’s a welcome update to the renowned heritage devotion line.

Features

Even though these shoes feature a stylish look they are also great for women with wide flat feet. It has responsive cushioning so you get impact protection and shock absorption.

The arch support is undoubtedly the best feature of the devotion Plus 2. It should be the top choice of any woman with wide flat feet and plantar fasciitis. You can expect an exceptional multilayer structure for ease of wear.

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2. Brooks Ghost 12 Shoes For Wide Flat Feet

Best Shoes For Wide Flat Feet Men (Editor's Choice)

The Brooks Ghost 12 is the best wide width men’s shoes that you can get. Those with wide flat feet can take comfort in knowing that Brooks manufactures wide width shoes especially as they are one of the best shoe brands in the world.

Design

The Ghost 12 is lightweight giving a smooth feel as well as adequate cushioning for wide feet. It also includes a mesh upper that will allow for better overall breathability.

The newly designed mesh as well as the 3D Fit Print will hold your feet firmly place by expanding around it, so you avoid any bruising. Because it’s one of Brooks’ most popular models, the Ghost 12 comes in a variety of colors.

Features

The shoe is plush, soft and smooth, giving a seamless heel-toe transition. If you have wide feet, you get a supreme protective layering that give cushion with your every step.

The fact that these shoes are excellent for not just wide feet, but also for those with supination is a testament to its many great features.

Regardless of your walking or running style, there is a segmented crash pad on the bottom of the shoes which assists in shock absorption, so the impact will be reduced despite the way your feet lands.

The Ghost 12 shoes are also perfect for long distance walks as well as cross-training. It’s also recommended for on any surface, including roads and nature trails. If you have wide flat feet, you will enjoy these shoes.

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3. New Balance 623 V3 Casual Comfort Shoes

Extra Wide Shoes For Wide Flat Feet

The New Balance 623 V3 Casual Comfort Shoes are one of the most comfortable shoes for extra wide flat feet.

The New Balance Company creates shoes that are a seamless blend of fashion and function, making them world renowned.

Design

These shoes are designed with ‘ABZORB’ cushioning in the midsole to absorb harsh impact through cushioning for reliable compression resistance.

The 623v3 training shoe treats your feet to next-level comfort all-day long with a firm but flexible injection-molded EVA foam midsole. It builds upon the previous models’ versatility, breathability and durability with its state of the art athletic design and an athletic look.

If you have flat wide feet, you will be pleased with its internal midsole shank that adds mid-foot structure and support for added stability with each and every step.

Features

The 623v3 running shoe is stylishly designed so you can wear them almost everywhere. Be prepared for anything with this water-resistant, 100% leather upper and durable rubber, non-marking outsole comfortably standing up to everyday wear-and-tear.

These sneakers are engineered with an internal midsole shank for mid-foot structure and support of your wide flat feet. It also comes with a reinforced collar foam adding comfort suitable for all-day wear as well as keeping your workouts on steady.

The leather uppers of these sneakers will have you covered in rainy weather but it’s not just for outdoors. You can work out with confidence on indoor surfaces as well, because of the non-marking outsole on this versatile performance shoe.

These shoes stand out with an athletic and stylish upper, secure lace-up closure and classic New Balance branding. It was designed for style as well as performance.

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4. HOKA ONE Clifton 6 Running Shoes

Hoka one one’s original goal was to advance endurance race times by creating a shoe that would go downhill faster. In doing so, they unintentionally came up with a new type of shoes.

They use a bold and often unconventional approach; HOKA empowers all of its wearer to feel comfort at the highest level.

Design

The Clifton 6 delivers the perfect mixture of a soft and light feel, building upon the Clifton’s best qualities. The Clifton 6 gives women with wide flat feet a more comfortable fit and includes a sewn design for stability without constriction and extra weight.

It was designed with enhanced cushioning, inherent stability and problem-solving inspiration to meet the outdoor needs of a wide variety of users. This shoe changed runners’ perceptions of what Hoka one one could be, and joins the award-winning Clifton family.

Features

The Clifton 6 features embroidery reinforcement which reduces layers and offers support and mid-foot lockdown. Its reinforced eye-stays give increased durability while the full compression EVA midsole offers the signature Hoka one one cushioning.

Women with wide flat feet get a smooth transition from the moderate heel bevel. They also get full ground contact and strategic high-abrasion rubber zones to reduce weight. It improves upon its predecessor Clifton 5. It is also perfect on a road surfaces and has lace-up closure and a heel pull loop.

To give even more comfort, there is a padded tongue and collar giving a luxurious feel with each movement. There’s a removable foam insole as well as breathable textile lining for even more in-shoe comfort.

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5. Orthofeet Sneakers Lava

Most Comfortable

Orthofeet is regarded by millions as the world's most comfortable orthopedic shoes so a high level of comfort can be expected.

You’d be able to walk comfortably and pain free especially if you have wide flat feet. The Orthofeet Men’s Sneakers Lava was specially created for men who suffer from Plantar Fasciitis and diabetes.

Design

With its bio-mechanical expertise Orthofeet is dedicated to designing the world’s most comfortable men’s shoes for persons suffering from plantar fasciitis, diabetes, orthopaedic conditions, flat feet, wide and extra wide feet.

The lightweight sole and ergonomic design offers greater cushioning so your feet will be pain free. If you have neuropathy or plantar fasciitis, these orthotic shoes are the perfect choice.

It’s has anatomical arch support and multiple cushioning layers to give pillow-like support that will work wonders to ease foot pain. It also has an improved effect on the heel, knees, hips and lower back.

The one of a kind therapeutic design helps to reduce stress on the joints, while heightening stability and ease while doing physical activity. They are super comfortable with soft, non-binding uppers and give a perfect fit.

Features

With a wide and roomy toe box the shoe gives a comfortable, non-binding fit in the front area of the foot, to ease pressure on bunions, hammertoes and swollen feet.

To provide greater comfort and safety for sensitive feet, it features a smooth interior lining and extra foam padding. It’s the ideal footwear solution for men with wide flat feet.

The extra depth design has removable insoles which are ¼” thick in the forefoot area, and provides ample space for custom-made orthotics, that you would insert.

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6. Hoka ONE Bondi 6 Running Shoes

Hoka one one is known for using a bold and often unconventional design approaches to empower their wearers to feel comfort at the highest level. They came up with a new type of shoes when trying to advance endurance race times.

Design

The revolutionary Bondi is by far the most cushioned shoe in Hoka one ones road-shoe line-up. It provides a smooth, balanced ride from its amazing full EVA midsole, the comfortable and breathable upper.

The Meta-Rocker technology supplies an unfailing experience of luxury for all distances. The Bondi 6 will take you far and wide in comfort as it was made for wide flat feet.

The open engineered mesh structure really helps to optimize breathability and ease of movement. The internal heel counter provides a snug and cosy fit while giving support.

The Bondi 6 comes with a redesigned rubber outsole that reduces weight while optimizing durability along with the bevelled heel designed for a smooth transition and increased level of sturdiness.

Features

Another great feature is that these shoes are 100% Vegan, for those who prefer it. It also features a symmetrical bed of cushion without additional prescriptive technologies. It aims to provide the support you want without anything you don't as it’s also great for supination.

The Lycra comfort frame heel offers enhanced support and the molded ortholite foot-bed maps the outline of the feet to give even more comfort with each wear.

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7.ASICS Gel-Venture 7 Running Shoes

Another very comfortable selection is the ASICS Women's Gel-Venture 7 Running Shoes. This shoe is an update to its predecessor, the GEL-Venture 6, with many great improvements for flat and wide feet.

ASICS consists of a team of dedicated research scientists that solve complex problems and meet the needs of their customers. They are good at identifying the key performance features required by their users.

Design

The Gel Venture 7 assures comfort as well as support, and will give you the advantage you need every time. It has a lightweight fit and flexible response cushioning for under your feet.

For additional underfoot stability and security, it is designed with a removable foam insole. It is a highly breathable shoe and the fabric lining offers a comfy in-shoe feel because of durable mesh and synthetic upper materials.

It has an incredible trail-specific outsole that is engineered with reversed lugs for optimal uphill and downhill traction on any terrain. In order to achieve a smoother transition to mid-stance, there is a rear-foot gel cushioning system which acts as a shock absorber.

This shoe is made for athletes who love to run in the great outdoors, and women with wide feet who need a perfect fit.

Features

The Gel Venture 7 shoe is perfect for training if you're one of the people who always have trouble finding comfortable shoes. The EVA midsole protects your feet against harsh impact and increases the recoil, giving you a bouncy feeling as you move.

The plush tongue and collar caress your feet with each movement. It also features an ASICS High Abrasion Rubber (AHAR) rubber outsole, which is placed in important areas of the outer-sole for outstanding durability.

The ortholite sock-liner aids in moisture management. They mold to your feet shape and also provide an added layer of cushioning, so that each run is more comfortable than the last.

You will be pleased to find a shoe that gives you the ease of wear needed because of the way they fit. If you have sensitive and wide flat feet then wearing these shoes will be a great experience. You can keep them on all day long.

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Your Feet Condition

Because you have wide flat feet, you need a wide fitting shoe. Generally, you should aim to avoid shoes that are narrow at the front. The toe box needs to be high enough so it won’t squeeze your toes and cause discomfort.

The benefit of having wide shoes is that they allow your toes to spread out, thus reducing pressure on the front half of the foot, preventing major pain and blisters.

People with wide flat feet should find shoes with a firm heel counter to provide adequate support. This will safeguard the heel and the Achilles tendon from pain and damage.

Material

It’s important to consider what material with which the shoes are made. Breathable leather is definitely something you should look for especially if you’re a wearing the shoes for long periods. You want to ensure that your feet stay cooler and prevent sweating.

Also look at the material of other parts of the shoe, especially the insole. If you have wide flat feet then a proper insole is your best friend.

Look at the outer soles and ensure that they provide traction. Rubber tends to provide better overall traction. This is a major concern when it comes to durability. In most cases, rubber soles will also do a good job of preventing you from slipping on wet or smooth surfaces.

Insole

A stable insole and proper heel support can prevent the foot from rolling inward (over-pronation) a common issue for people with wide flat feet.

Find insoles that feature a harder material for structural support and stability. You tend to derive comfort from the increased structural stability rather than just a lot of cushioning.

Supportive insoles work best for physical misalignment. This can manifest not only as foot pain, but discomfort in the neck, knees, ankles, hip, back or head. Support insoles reduce the inclination of the feet to either supinate or over-pronate when engaged in physical activity.

Ventilation

Proper ventilation is crucial for any type of shoes. No one wants to remove their shoes and have an unpleasant smell caused by foot perspiration. Breathable shoes allow adequate airflow throughout the feet to prevent too much of sweat.

Excessive sweating is a prevalent foot condition. You need to choose materials that allow the feet room to breathe. Mesh uppers are generally more breathable than textile uppers, so your feet are more likely to stay cool.

Final Words

Undoubtedly, the best shoes for wide flat feet are the Ryka Women's Devotion Plus 2. Their shoes are made specifically for a woman's muscle movement, foot shape and build, as opposed to just smaller male shoes.

On the other hand, the best shoes for men with wide flat feet that you can get are the Brooks Ghost 12.

They are both great when it comes to comfort because they both have a memory foam insole for, long-lasting, padded ease and shock absorption.

Both these shoes are great for physical activities and designed specifically for the intended sex. They have a stylish look but are also specially designed for persons with wide flat feet.

With a lightweight construction, extended durability and breathable linings, you get everything you need.