Best Running Shoes for High Arches
From bunions to bursitis, your feet can come with a slew of potential issues (some more painful than others). And the anatomy of your feet often has a hand in what kind of foot pain or injuries you might experience, whereas your lifestyle and activity level is more indicative of how often these problems may occur.
Whether your feet are narrow or wide, long or short, 2021Shoes no one foot shape or size is safe from some inevitable strife. That certainly goes for all those out there with low or high arches, too
Even if you’re not familiar with the term “flat-footed,” which refers to an often irksome condition when one or both feet have little to no arch in the mid-foot between the ball of the foot and the heel, having high arches in your feet is no walk in the park.
To note, there are varying degrees of foot arches — from the very low to the very high — and there isn’t a threshold that needs to be met for someone to be “diagnosed” with a high arch. However, in cases when the arch is much higher than average, doctors often refer to this as cavus foot.
However severe your high arches might be, this curvature of the foot makes you more vulnerable to certain issues. Specifically, “an increase in the height of the arch leads to excessive pressure on the ball of the foot and extra pressure on the joints of the midfoot,” explains Hillary Brenner, D.P.M., NYC- and NJ-based podiatrist.
This can lead to hammertoes, calluses on the ball of the feet, pain in the mid-foot when standing or walking, and even an increased risk for ankle sprains due to instability in the ankle as a result of the positioning of the heel. High arches can also cause supination (when the foot turns outward), which may lead to pain or tenderness in the Achilles tendon.
What’s more, all of this can be compounded by activity, so if you’re a regular runner out there pounding the pavement, choosing the proper footwear for high arches is incredibly important — not just for the health of your feet, but for your running performance as well.
“I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to wear the correct running shoes for your foot type,” says Brenner. “When you have high arches your center of gravity 2021 Yeezy Boost is thrown off, which causes your back to arch, the pelvis and chest to thrust forward, the butt to stick out, and the calf muscles tighten. This causes instability throughout the skeletal system.”
Not exactly what you had in mind for proper running form, right?
“Your body tries to compensate [for this instability] but without proper support, it can’t keep up, so you can experience ankle sprains, tightening of the achilles tendon, and hip, knee, neck or back pain,” during and after runs, she explains. Over time, not wearing appropriate shoes to run can lead to stress fractures and tendonitis in those with high arches, she says.
The point here? Wearing the proper shoes for your foot type is always important, but if the possibility of a stress fracture says anything, it’s that buying the best running shoes is that much more important than, say, what you put on your feet for your work at a desk job.
How to Pick the Best Running Shoes to Support Your High Arch
When on the hunt for the best running shoes for high arches, you want to look for shoes with a higher shaft for better ankle support, an insole with a thick, cushioned arch and wide heel, a wide toe box, a platform sole, and a rigid shank (an internal part of the shoe between the insole and outsole that provides a rigidness and stability). All in all, these features provide the stability and support needed for those runners with high arches.
When in doubt, though, always go for comfort, says Paul Langer, D.P.M., a podiatrist in the Minneapolis-St.Paul, Minnesota area.
“There is not one brand or model that works for all runners or all foot types,” he notes. “Instead, focus on the feel and the fit, and trust your instincts.”
be sure to give your running shoes a real test drive, as what might feel comfortable while walking the length of the department store might not work when you’re actually out their clocking mileage.
“Comfort decreases from standing to walking to running, so when selecting running shoes, you have to run in them,” says Langer, who recommends trying on at least three shoes before making a final selection.
Luckily, if you have high arches but are partial to your favorite pair of broken-in running sneakers, you have options to make them better suited for your foot needs. New Air Force 1 Custom orthotics can be specifically designed for your feet — no matter how high the arch, with Brenner explaining that there are many ways orthotics can be designed to help alleviate supination as well as pressure on the ball of the foot. Just keep in mind that orthotics alone can’t turn any poorly designed sneaker into a safe running shoe for you.
7 Podiatrist-Recommended Running Shoes to Buy for People With High Arches
Brooks Glycerin 19 Men’s Road Running Shoes
Mile 10 will feel just as comfortable as your first few strides with these ultra-cushioned (but still really supportive) sneakers. Plus, a newly designed mesh upper offers a nice stretch so the tops of your feet won’t rub.
$150 at BrooksRunning.com
Saucony Men’s Triumph 18 Running Shoes
Utilizing what the brand calls PWRRUN+ cushioning, these running shoes will give you a smooth, spring-like stride. The midsole is sturdy with an added bonus of a toe spring making for easy transitions from foot to foot.
$115 at Saucony.com
ASICS Men’s Gel Nimbus 23 Running Shoes
These running shoes were actually designed with people with over-pronation (aka excessive supination, which people with high arches often experience) in mind. Plus, the brand’s GEL technology provides stellar shock absorption — great for the extra load on the balls of the feet and heels.
$150 at Asics.com
New Balance Fresh Foam 880v11 Men’s Running Shoes
Featuring a molded heel counter and the brand’s signature Fresh Foam midsole, these shoes were made for a comfortable run that takes you the distance.
$129.99 at NewBalance.com
HOKA Men’s Clifton 8 Running Shoes
The latest version of the super-cushioned HOKA shoes offers a new midsole that the brands says is one of their lightest, bounciest yet. The shoe also earned The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance, so you know it has the stamp of approval from the foot pros.
$130 at Hoka.com
Altra Men’s Escalante 2.5 Road Running Shoes
For those who want their feet to feel cushioned but hate the bulkiness that often comes with that, these running sneakers provide a lower-profile cushion that’s the perfect compromise. The midsole is designed to be flexible and responsive while still being supportive.
$130 at AltraRunning.com
INOV-8 Bare-XF 210 V3 Men’s Natural Training Shoes
This is a good choice for anyone who prefers minimalist footwear for a more natural feel that still protects your feet. You’ll find this style to offer a lot of versatility for however you like to move, and it’s lightweight and breathable, helping to ensure your foot moves freely.
$120 at Inov-8.com