<p>Before spiraling into a the visual abyss that is clunky, <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/g62673763/best-new-balance-dad-shoes/” target=”_blank”>chunky</a>, orthopedic-looking shoes, let us help you. As lovers of style and healthy arches, we found the best shoes with arch support to stop foot pain without compromising on style. Running sneaker, walking sneaker, everyday sneaker, these picks are trendy—and damn comfy. <br></p>” data-next-head/>
Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links. Here’s how we test products and why you should trust us.
Asics tops many a comfy shoe list, and this is one of ’em. That’s because they are the best. And if you’re dealing with irritated feet at any point, doing any activity, you need the best. Professional PT advice withstanding, the GT-2000 14 is one of Asics’s best and one of our go-tos for flatter feet that tend to overpronate. It’s a classic for runners, but even if you don’t run, you can enjoy a solid stride with a cushioned landing and bouncy response.
| Best for | Overpronation |
| Heel drop | 8 mm |
Hoka’s Bondi sneakers are beloved by runners and walkers of all kinds for a reason: Even if you don’t hit the pavement regularly, these are like walking on… something much bouncier than pavement. The curved sole is thick and bouncy but super lightweight, and the slight heel tilt helps your foot hit the ground in a comfortable glide.
I have mostly neutral arches that can get angry when I walk a lot; these are my go-to prevent-pain sneakers.
| Best for | Neutral and underpronation |
| Heel drop | 5 mm |
These AdiZeros are fun as hell. They’re fun to look at and they feel fun to wear. They are bouncy, with enough midsole support to not make said bounce uncomfy. You can run in them, but you don’t have to. We like them more for running errands type of running. The rocker shape is great, though the tongue feels a little cheap.
| Best for | Walking |
| Heel drop | 6 mm |
Sneaker lords blessed us with Brooks, and the Glycerin GTS 22s are some of our favorites for flat-footed runners. They feel well-made on, with a cushioned strike that still feels supportive. The underfoot design feels like it’s cradling your foot in place, while the actual structure of the midsole keeps you from overpronating. Love.
| Best for | Flat feet |
| Heel drop | 10 mm |
Oliver Cabell’s low-profile sneakers don’t look orthotic. But indeed, they are. They have a sold base for a healthy foot position: an orthotic insole, cupped heel, and a wide toe box. They are still rather flat, though. And with a 3-mm heel drop, these are better replacements for office or date shoes than running shoes.
| Best for | Casual support |
| Heel drop | 3 mm |
Also file these FitFlop sneakers under supportive shoes that don’t make us feel like total dorks. These have a classic retro runner shape—like an Asics Gel-Lyte or Saucony Shadow—which hikes up their ability to hide more support than a flat, low-profile shoe. And boy, do they. These are great for supporting neutral arches and keeping them pain-free with FitFlop’s signature three-part foot design—firm heel, cushioned middle, neutral toe.
| Best for | Neutral arches |
| Heel drop | Unlisted |
Vionic also makes a great all-white sneaker that is minimal and extremely discrete in the support it’s packing. Here, you’ve got a deep heel cup, a shock-absorbing midsole, and a supportive footbed that can be taken out for custom orthotics, if you’ve got ’em.
| Best for | Orthotic support |
| Heel drop | Unlisted |
New Balance’s 2002R flies under the radar in terms of NB’s hype cycle, and that’s a bonus. These are still cool as hell (especially in this mauve color, omg), but with great heel and arch support for neutral feet that need a little more love. They are laced with cushioning at the midsole and heel, a shock-absorbing outsole, and a “stability web” right at the arch of the foot.
| Best for | Neutral to flat feet |
Orthotic inserts are great when you really need them, but they can get pricey. And some shoes (like these!) have made better, built-in orthotic-style support. Kuru makes these casual shoes with a cupped heel and ergonomic insoles, which prevent foot fatigue—particularly if your arch needs come in tandem with plantar fasciitis.
| Best for | All-day support |
| Heel drop | 8 mm |
As the name would suggest, On’s Cloudflyers feel like walking on a cloud. Or like flying? Probably less like flying. You’ve got On’s signature support in the midsole, with a wider heel for better shock distribution. The cushioning delivers just the right support for flat feet while walking.
| Best for | Shock absorption |
| Heel drop | 9 mm |
This rerelease of the XT-6 (which originally dropped back in 2013) is just as beloved as the original. Especially if you live in Brooklyn. The updated version has more cushioning throughout the lug sole, so each step lands smoothly and with more stability—all without adding extra weight. They come in a million colors, too.
| Best for | Getting a fit off |
| Heel drop | 10 mm |
Arc’teryx brings Gore-Tex technology to a sleek, minimalist high-arch-support shoe. This surprisingly lightweight sneaker is designed for all-day comfort on trail hikes—which, if you’re someone who needs softness on high arches, you know is a nightmare situation. But not in these. Plus, they’re waterproof and super grippy, making them a personal favorite for wearing while “hiking” to the “summit” (going across the street to the bodega) in the rain.
| Best for | High arches |
| Heel drop | Unlisted |
Listen, sometimes your feet are in pain and you need something more than a Salomon. You need all hands on deck, all comfort on feet. The Saucony’s Echelon Walker 3s are great for wider feet that need a plush cushion. The springy, arch-supporting sole is all business.
| Best for | All-hands-on-deck arch support |
| Heel drop | 8 mm |
For really any foot type (though probably not too high of an arch), these OOfos are contoured for neutral support without having to think about keeping your feet in a healthy position. They are also a little bit IDGAF, but sometimes you don’t. For walking around the neighborhood, getting out the door quickly, all that—an easy, supportive option.
| Best for | Recovery |
| Heel drop | Unlisted |
How to Choose the Best Shoes with Arch Support
You’ve seen the options. What do you need to know before taking the next step? Consider this when deciding which pair of shoes is perfect for you.
Arch support: Before you do anything else, determine your arch type, because that changes everything. Do you have a high arch? A neutral arch? A low arch? This will help you pick a shoe that targets your specific needs. Simply dip your feet in water, then step on cardboard, concrete, or heavy paper and observe your footprint. You have a normal arch if the middle part of your arch is about half-filled.
Stability: Look for shoes that offer excellent stability throughout. That means features such as a reinforced heel, a sturdy midsole, a secure lacing system, and a durable outsole.
Cushion: Gravitate toward shoes that have extra cushioning to help with shock absorption, which can further protect your arches.
Fit: Pay attention to length, width, and depth to avoid any discomfort or potential foot problems down the road. Buying shoes with great arch support that don’t fit properly will do nothing for you.
Materials: If you’re worried about your feet smelling (and the rest of the world thanks you for being considerate), search for shoes made with breathable materials to reduce the likelihood of excess sweat or odors.
FAQs
How do you know if you need arch-support sneakers?
Unless you’ve been to a podiatrist, usually the first sign of needing arch-support sneakers is experiencing discomfort in your current shoes. You most likely need extra support if you’re working out and having trouble getting through a run or lift without feeling shin splints or pain in your feet. If you work in a job that requires a lot of standing or walking all day, you can get ahead of any pain before it even starts by getting a pair of shoes with extra padding and a built-in arch.
When should you replace your arch-support shoes?
Similar to experiencing pain before wearing arch-supporting shoes, you’ll know from the feel of the sneaker during prolonged standing or walking when it’s time to replace them. In some cases, the shoe itself may not need a full swap. Some arch-support sneakers, like many included on this list, can be updated with a fresh insole that will bring them back to life on the support front. Also, if the soles on your shoes are visibly wearing down, consider getting a fresh pair.
Why Trust Esquire?
We’re not going to say something is great unless it’s actually great.
Every product in Esquire’s roundups is carefully chosen by our fashion and e-commerce teams. When it comes to arch-support shoes, you can rest assured that we’re hand-selecting styles that we’ve personally tried, tested, and loved, along with options that the rest of our stylish colleagues here at Esquire endorse for their own wear.
We’ve had to go through a lot of trial and error, and these arch-support shoes are the ones that are simply the best. Every pick on this list (and our other lists!) comes from years of wearing different things, seeing what we love and what we don’t, and going from there. No two tastes are the same, and no two men are the same. Your proverbial mileage may vary. But if you’re looking for the right place to start, with advice from folks who care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.
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