Plagued with chronically throbbing feet, I believed the suffering was a necessary evil of long travel days—until a doctor said my flat feet could benefit from arch support shoes. I wasn’t surprised. Whether it was a daylong solo hike in Patagonia or an urban exploration throughout Scandinavia, I always found my legs propped up at the end of every travel day, desperately hoping I could reverse the pain.
Up to 37% of the population is believed to have some degree of flat foot, according to a National Library of Medicine study. For many, it can go unnoticed, but for others, every step can be excruciating. After a half-marathon where I pushed too far, my extreme case was diagnosed as posterior tibial tendonitis, an inflammation of my foot and ankle tendons.
Built-in support can be hit or miss since it’s not molded for individual feet, so for more extreme cases, consult a healthcare professional. But for those simply looking for a little dose of stability, here’s how to find the best arch support shoes for your travels. (My happy ending: I haven’t needed surgery and finished the Boston Marathon, thanks to proper physical therapy—and the right shoes.) Read on for 17 great options for travelers, all with enough arch support for a comfortable day on your feet.
FAQ:
Who should wear arch support shoes?
“For anyone who has symptomatic flat feet, the more they walk without proper support, the greater the chances for potential foot issues,” says Justin Hill, a certified pedorthist with Hanger Clinic. “For many travelers, these issues are worse when on a trip because they are more active than when they are at home. This is further compounded by wearing unsupportive shoes, such as slip-ons or flip-flops.”
What to look for in an arch support shoe?
A good test is to grab the shoe with both hands and twist in opposite directions. “I tell my patients if they can wring their shoe like a washcloth, they aren’t getting any support,” Hill says, adding that only the ball of the shoe should be flexible. “Any side-to-side bending is a clear indication of lack of support, which could contribute to eventual discomfort or pain.”
What brands design the best supportive shoes?
Running shoe and sneaker brands like Asics, Brooks, Hoka, New Balance, On, and Saucony have a model that’s designed to be more supportive. Usually these are geared towards those who overpronate (that means your feet turn in, which usually signals a low or no arch). Of course Birkenstocks are famous for its supportive sole and arch support, while Vionic also has the reputation with a wider range of shoes.
Sneakers
When I first started long-distance running, my local Fleet Feet analyzed my foot shape and gait and pointed me toward the Brooks Adrenaline GTS series because my flat foot required extra stability, which this shoe’s GuideRails technology is known for. The magic is in that it doesn’t try to correct your stride, but instead guides it in a direction that feels natural. All I know is that it got me through my first marathon training and became my go-to-shoe—after all, that’s what GTS stands for. With the newest version, on pre-order for a November 1 release, the extra nitrogen-infused cushioning is like walking on marshmallows—so I can go for 20,000-step travel days and not feel a tinge of tiredness.
After an injury, this was the first shoe I was able to wear comfortably without custom orthotics. This pick from New Balance’s Fresh Foam series ups the game with both stability and comfort. Since flat footers tend to overpronate, this shoe is engineered with what the brand calls a stability plane, but is basically a medial post, a device in the midsole that’s firmer than the rest of the sole, in order to keep feet aligned.
During the most wrenching of my foot pain, when every step I took hurt, an orthopedic doctor told me just to get a pair of Hokas and start running again. The brand may have led the way with oversized cushioned soles, but one of its best sellers is this stability shoe, with an H-frame to prevent archless feet from turning inward. This new summer update adds 3 mm more cushioning, resulting in a softer step without sacrificing security. It even bears an American Podiatric Medical Association seal certifying that it’s beneficial to foot health.
Support and cushioning are maximized in this aptly named Guide line from Saucony. The top priority here is comfort, with a sole that feels plush and absorbs shock, yet still gently directs the foot in the right direction, using a broad base platform underfoot combined with higher sidewalls to cradle the foot so it feels like it’s locked in place.
This stabilized running shoe is specifically designed for flat-footers and those with low arches, noting that it accounts for one of their most common traits—pushing their steps from their big and second toes. Its adaptive stability creates a more balanced stride, thanks to dynamic pods in the underfoot, while its 3D space construction improves compression with every strike of the foot.
Oofos may be known for its slides and recovery footwear (I wore a pair for a week after the Boston Marathon last year), but the same lightweight support strategies are applied to this classic walking shoe, introduced last month. The versatile design is paired with its trademark high-impact absorbing Oofoam. While the elastic laces are on no-tie slip ons, it means the shoes tend to run slightly larger, so consider sizing down a half size.
Known for its airy soles and plush cushioning, it’s hard to believe that On can take on stability. But it masterfully does so in the Cloudflyer with a heel counter that cradles the ankle, as well as a molded sock-liner to stabilize the foot. You can also feel good knowing that the cloud-like shoe is made of 100% recycled polyester.
Let’s face it: Hiking shoes can be a pain to pack—which is what makes this Columbia Konos hiking boot disguised as a sneaker so brilliant. When I saw there was rain in the forecast every day of my two-week trip to Thailand last month, I started auditioning shoes, making sure they could go the distance, running a few miles at home. These passed the test without any breaking in—and kept my feet completely dry every time a storm passed. Most impressively, during my Northern Thailand excursion with Intrepid Travel, they got me through an uneven and muddy four-mile hike to Huay Sathan Waterfall—with several slippery rivercrossings. Its sophisticated underfoot system provided ultimate support with maximum cushioning and traction so that I never doubted my stability any step of the way.
Boots
When it comes to technical gear, there are so many bells and whistles to consider that it’s easy to overlook the basics of the support. But Teva never goes wrong in that realm and uses its own Lite-Comf midsole for a cushiony step, along with a patented universal heel lock system and Vibram grip for traction on the outer, so there’s no reason to teeter, even on multiple-day hikes who variegated terrain.
The dependability that comes with Merrell’s high-performing outdoor wear is merged with Gore-Tex’s gold standard of waterproofness in this simple yet powerful hiking boot, that‘s become my go-to for the last few years. At 16.36-oz. per shoe, it’s a hearty design, which equals stability throughout. The Kinetic Fit-blend contoured footbed strengthens the heel and a molded nylon shank adds arch support, while Vibram traction on the soles prevents slipping on slick surfaces, eliminating any flat-footed hiker’s worries—and taking me on adventures I thought were out of my range.
On the outside, it’s a classic leather all-purpose Chelsea boot, but on the inside, it has Birkenstock’s Deep Blue Footbed, an insole that traces the foot anatomy, both hugging the heel and providing that boost in the arch in order to distribute the weight across the each step evenly. The result: all-day comfort with a dose of softness from the suede material.
Sandals and flats
The water-resistant version of Aetrex’s longtime favorite shoe is the ultimate beach companion. The EVA foam makes it feel weightless, while the contoured arch support and rearfoot, along with a forefoot support pod, work together to lighten the pressure, even during long walks on the sand.
Here’s what Vionic does best—take the patented footbed it's known for with orthotic-grade arch support and apply it to styles that don’t disclose your foot problems. This everyday loafer, made with post-consumer recycled materials, combines that solid support with extreme flexibility and a grippy sole. But the best part for travelers is how packable these loafers are—the upper (which comes in either super soft leather or suede) squishes easily, yet retains its shape and support. I’ve worn these to conferences and events, and often get asked what they are since it’s rare to find business casual shoes that are so supportive.
Another popular brand among foot specialists: Dansko. Natural arch technology is built into its removable EVA footbeds, allowing flexibility for those with custom orthotics. While Dansko is known for its professional clogs, many designed for medical staffers on their feet all day, the brand also offers boots, Mary Janes, and mules, among others. This leather loafer even offers odor control to keep you fresh and clean, no matter how far your day takes you.
The legendary support of Birkenstocks, which originated in the 1930s, holds up to this day. Not only does the design support arch health, but its deep footbed also helps hold feet in place. “That’s the top of the line,” said New York University’s Dr. Louis Iannuzzi, who is on the Pedorthic Footcare Association Board of Directors. Though best known for its cork and latex cores, this waterproof EVA twist is splash-friendly and beach-ready.
These shoes were made for walking! Vionic’s trademark arch supported footbeds are embedded in every shoe in the line, and this walking sandal is ready to go the distance. With hook-and-loop straps for an adjustable fit to dual-density support in both the footbed and midsole, this shoe may look simple, but it’s chock of features to support feet in need of TLC.
Arch support shouldn’t be ignored for laidback days on the beach or by the pool. Unassuming in appearance, these flip flops actually pack in firm arch support as well as a memory foam core and cupped heel—all the elements of the stability needed, along with extra traction and grip but those slippery boat surfaces.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
