The 7 Best Boots for Flat Feet, According to a Podiatrist

Having flat feet might not seem like a major deal, pain- and injury-wise. After all, the condition is fairly common, affecting 8 percent of adults in the United States, per a 2012 assessment by the Institute for Preventive Foot Health.

Flat feet can occur due to several foot problems, and cause a person's arch to flatten and their feet to turn outward, per the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). "When an adult develops a flattening of the arch, it [can weaken] the posterior tibial tendon that holds up the arch," says podiatrist Tea Nguyen, DPM. This can sometimes present pain and limit an adult's ability to perform daily activities, she says.

There are two ways to mediate pain associated with flat feet (or prevent it), Dr. Nguyen says: First, consult with a podiatrist. Next, choose appropriate footwear — that means opting for the best sandals and shoes for flat feet, and the best boots, too.

When it comes to boots, it's key to find ones with a sightly wider boot sole as well as strong arch and heel support, Dr. Nguyen says.

In addition to interviewing Dr. Nguyen on her top choices for the best boots for flat feet, we incorporated other criteria when compiling recommendations, including:

• Activity or climate in which the boots will be worn (i.e., hiking or in winter weather)
• Style
  
• Cost
• Durability

Dr. Nguyen is a big fan of this clean, simple boot from Anodyne. She notes that it's often best for folks with flat feet to aim for wider widths — and the No. 91 Casual Boot offers an extra-wide variation. The boot also offers a strong, supportive arch and is ideal for a variety of health conditions, including diabetes, neuropathy, bunions, hammertoes, claw toes, plantar fasciitis and flat feet.

Similar to the No. 91 Casual Boot for women, this boot from Anodyne contains ultra-supportive gel-foam inserts that support the arch and ensure a comfortable, pain-free stride. In addition to flat feet, those with diabetes, neuropathy, bunions, hammertoes, plantar fasciitis, arthritis and more can benefit from wearing them.

This shoe is available in black or brown.

A protective work boot needs to have abrasion- and injury-resistant materials and features, while still being ultra-comfortable — and the Boss boot from Dr. Comfort, one of Dr. Nguyen's top recommendations, delivers on both fronts. And with an extra-wide width and arch support, it's ideal for folks with flat feet, but also great for folks with a host of other orthopedic conditions.

Another boot on this list that can be useful for a wide range of health conditions, including arthritis, bunions and diabetes, the Orthofeet Florence Boots are designed to relieve foot and heel pain. The boot's special "Arch Booster" helps to realign the feet and improve body posture.

Merrell is a classic outdoor-oriented footwear retailer — but its boots are also flat feet-friendly, containing strong arch and heel support. The boot is also particularly durable, able to withstand heavy storms (it's 100 percent waterproof), while being lightweight.

Although a boot without a heel will offer the best support for flat feet, keeping the heel to a minimum (like in this 2.5" heel boot from Naot) is acceptable for a short period (in other words, for dinner out — not an entire workday), Dr. Nguyen says.

This shoe contains a cork and latex footbed wrapped in suede to mold to the foot shape of the wearer.

Another Merrell boot that contains molded, lightweight (but durable) foam arch support that can help alleviate pressure of flat feet, the Encore 4 Tall Zip Polar Waterproof Wide Width is an ideal boot for all-day wear in the rain or snow. It also contains a seam-sealed upper that lets moisture escape while shielding rain from getting inside, so feet can breathe and stay dry.

Although not wearing a heeled boot is optimal for reducing any pain associated with flat feet, according to Dr. Nguyen, shorter heels (around 2.5 inches or under) is ideal.

While arch support and width are Dr. Nguyen's two top priorities when recommending boots for flat feet, she says that any type of non-breathable materials or plastics should be avoided.

"Skip anything that has synthetic material, like Crocs," she says.

As Dr. Nguyen explains, if the boot's foot can fold easily, it's probably not the type of shoe you want to be wearing with flat feet. If a boot has enough arch and heel support, it should be entirely sturdy from the ankle through the sole.

"By supporting the arch, the posterior tibial tendon is supported," Dr. Nguyen says. "Without proper arch support, the tendon can overstretch and tear, leading to pain and possible surgery." She says that having a boot incorporated with proper arch support is key, but prescription custom orthotics are often your best bet for treating the condition.

Since the feet will typically turn outward when a person has flat feet, they'll naturally need a shoe that takes up more width and won't feel constrictive. Aim for boots that contain wide or extra-wide widths, Dr. Nguyen says.

Of course, not all widths on boots will have similar dimensions, so your best bet is to try on a variety of pairs before settling on the perfect one.