Flats with arch support: Podiatrists explain what to look for
NBC Selected named supportive flats from Vivaia, Cushionaire and Naot, with podiatrists warning that very flat shoes can trigger pain.
By Tom Brennan · Health & Medicine Correspondent
3 min read
NBC Selected’s latest guide to flats with arch support points shoppers toward styles that look polished while offering more structure than a typical ballet flat. The guidance matters because podiatrists cited by NBC Selected said shoes that are too flat can leave feet poorly supported and contribute to pain beyond the feet.
Dr. Gregory Alvarez, a podiatrist at the Ankle and Foot Centers of America, told NBC Selected that arch support helps keep the foot aligned and spreads pressure more evenly. When pressure is not distributed well, he said, strain can move into muscles, ligaments and joints.
What are the best flats with arch support?
NBC Selected named the Vivaia Square-Toe All-Day Standing Flats its best overall choice. The guide listed them at $139 from Vivaia and cited their light feel, breathable upper and machine-washable design, while noting they are on the pricier side.
For a trend-focused option, NBC Selected highlighted the Cushionaire Siesta Modern Lattice Ballet Flats, listed at $39.99 on Amazon, Cushionaire and Target in the guide’s price comparisons. Dr. Samantha Landau, a podiatrist and professor at New York College of Podiatric Medicine at Touro University, recommended the style based on its apparent cushioning, and Cushionaire says the insole includes extra padding at the arch, according to NBC Selected.
The guide’s splurge pick was the Naot Purini Flats, a Mary Jane-style shoe listed at $199.95 at Zappos and DSW and $200 at Nordstrom. NBC Selected said Landau recommended the shoe, which has a leather upper, adjustable strap, removable cork-and-latex footbed and slip-resistant outsole.
Vivaia Square-Toe All-Day Standing Flats: NBC Selected’s overall pick, with built-in arch support and a cushioned insole.
Cushionaire Siesta Modern Lattice Ballet Flats: a jelly-style flat with a cushioned insole and six color options, according to the guide.
Revitalign Women’s Siesta Serenity Flats: a sportier slip-on that Landau praised for built-in cushioning and arch support.
Naot Purini Flats: a work-ready Mary Jane with an adjustable strap and removable supportive footbed.
Birkenstock Santa Clarita Flats: a wide toe box-style option with a contoured footbed and strap across the top of the foot.
Why do flats need arch support?
A flat shoe can feel easier than a heel, but NBC Selected’s experts said the lack of structure can create problems. Arch support is the raised area under the middle of the foot that helps hold the foot in a steadier position and limits excess pressure in one spot.
Landau told NBC Selected that unsupportive flats may cause pain in the arch, plantar heel, posterior heel and ball of the foot. She also said they can contribute to knee, lower-back and hip pain, and may be linked with inflammatory conditions such as Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis.
How should shoppers choose supportive flats?
NBC Selected said shoppers should first look for a raised section in the center of the insole and a heel cup that helps keep the foot from sliding. The guide also recommended checking how the sole bends: Landau said it should flex at the ball of the foot, rather than folding through the middle.
Landau also advised looking for a small heel drop, meaning the heel sits slightly higher than the forefoot. She told NBC Selected that 7 to 10 millimeters is ideal, though shoppers may be more likely to find about 3 millimeters in flats.
For flats that lack built-in support, NBC Selected said insoles can be added. Landau said many supportive insoles are slim enough for sleeker flats and that she often adds her own custom insoles to flat shoes.
This story draws on original reporting from NBC News.