5 Graceful Flats With Arch Support (Yes, it’s true!)
Flats with arch support could be considered an oxymoron. Arch support is curvy, flats are flat. However, more and more shoe brands are sneaking in as much as they can without forcing the shoe out of the “flat” category into “comfort loafer.” I’m not promising the same kind of support you’ll find in your New Balance tennies, but your arches will notice anywhere from moderate to excellent support in one of these options (see our category dedicated to comfortable flats for women for even more ideas):
Revere Nairobi
I own these classic flats with arch support, the Revere Nairobi (see my complete review here). The removable footbed offers the best arch support and cushioning I’ve found in any pair of flats. Bonus feature: the envelope vamp is bunion-friendly. Find the Revere Nairobi in sizes 5-12 for $129.95 from RevereShoes.com and Zappos.
Dansko Larisa
Dansko keeps improving on their stylish flats with arch support, and this season the Larisa makes her debut. How they sneak in enhanced arch support while maintaining a sleek profile, we’ll never know. The Larisa works well for a wider forefoot, high volume foot. Find the Dansko Larisa in euro sizes 36-42 (5.5-11.5) for $125 from Dansko.com, Zappos, and Walking Co.
The Vionic Caroll is back for another season due to its popularity with women seeking classic, supportive flats for work. A happy Zappos customer reports:
“I was recently diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, and have been searching high and low for a supportive pair of flats for work. I’m on my feet all day and these shoes are very comfortable, and cute. They have great and arch support for flats.”
The round toe box and lower vamp should cover bunions without irritating them. Find the Vionic Caroll in sizes 5-12, medium and wide widths for $119.95 from Zappos, Vionic.com and Amazon.
The L’Amour des Pieds Xavar flat is a quality-made beautiful shoe with a memory foam insole and moderate arch support–more than you’d find in a typical flat. Find it in sizes 5.5-11 for $239.95 from Nordstrom and Zappos.
In a world of thick-soled loafers, the handcrafted Paul Green Daphne remains true to the classic loafer silhouette. Austrian-made, the Paul Green Daphne features soft Italian leather uppers, a cushioned insole with arch support and a horse-bit hardware feature across the vamp. Online reviews are overwhelmingly positive for fit, feel and quality. Find the Paul Green Daphne in sizes 6-10.5 for $329-389 from Zappos, Nordstrom, and Amazon.
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30 Responses to 5 Graceful Flats With Arch Support (Yes, it’s true!)
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I can’t say enough about Cobb Hill. Owned by New Balance, they’ve come into their own these past two years for making good quality, stylish footwear that I think is pretty reasonable! Plus many styles come in narrow to wide widths.
I was super sceptical of Cobb Hill at first. I work at a pedorthic shoe store and when we brought in the line my initial impression was “Meh, they are cute, but there just isn’t much to them.” Boy have they proven me wrong! I have sworn by Aravon for a long time, and while I still maintain that they aren’t quite as supportive, Cobb Hill is definitely great for the money and have a lot of really cute options. I have 2 pair now, and they definitely aren’t “work” shoes but they are great for my days off. I have a stupidly short and wide duck-foot with Hagland’s deformity so am very tricky to fit, but New Balance has fit the bill once again! Thank you New Balance!!
Thank you very much for posting this! I am in my mid 20s and officially have flat feet. I have been frantically searching for cute flats with support. This helps out tremendously! Thank you!
Thanks for this post!
What I wouldn’t do to be able to wear a ballet flat – even one with little arch support! I wear an 11.5/12AA and cannot find a flat that will stay on my foot. Sigh.
Just curious if you have tried the flats by Rothys or Betabrand? They are both super cute but I’d love to hear how they treat problem feet.
Hi,
Can you suggest me good shoes to wear in office (that goes with formal workwear)? I have flat feet and have arch pain . I prefer lace ups (as in oxfords, but not tried them yet) as any other would fall off my feet and cannot walk in them.
What are the prices?? I’m interested n the flats. Thnx!
Hi Janis,
We point people to online retailers (we’ve included prices in each paragraph below photo). Just click through the underlined links to find the shoe at a retailer.
I am looking for very attractive flats in size 12M. Everything that I see are only available up to size 11
I’m curious about the Rothy’s, too. Are they deep enough for an orthotic? I did notice the liner comes out, and they say women often order a half size up to accommodate the pointy toe version.
Thank you so much for your great site. I am wondering if you could perhaps guide me around your site. I am having difficulty reaching some of the links. I would like to find a pair of flats with arch support, that have a pointy toe. One foot is wide because of a bunion, but my feet do not look nearly as wide in a pointy shoe versus a rounded toe. Alternatively, a cute pair of sandals or loafers – but so many of the links aren’t leading me to a place to purchase. Thank you for your help.
Hi Sallie,
Take a look at the Vionic Posey–it’s a pointy toe flat with arch support (a hard combo to find), and it comes in a wide width.
I tried Rothy’s and returned them. The insoles that came with them are laughable, but I didn’t even try to put my own insole in because the back of the shoe was stiff and chafed my heel. Plus they were much uglier in person.
Interested in flats with arch support.
Looking for flats that feel like there’s more between the bottom of my foot and the road than a thin slice of leather. Even if I add a padded insole I can’t walk more than a few yards in most.
I think that Earth does a great job of padding their flats with substantial cushioning without an overall bulky look.
Hi…I feel your pain. I’m the same size and can find nothing much. I have plantar fasciitis and only wear vionic flip flops in the summer. The cold weather is a problem
I have several pairs. They are great for my bunion. I slip an arch support inside. I’m not sure they have the best support, being a ballet shoe. I wear them all day at work, needed no break in at all. Do not rub on my heels or anywhere. They will take an orthopedic insole made for ballet shoes. I use Aetrex.
I have Rothy’s and like them, but they aren’t good for all problems.
Specifically, they have a nice, forgiving upper, so I’d think they’d be good for bunions, as well as feet that often have shape issues with flats (my toes are wide but my heel isn’t, and most flats don’t really play nice with that).
But there’s basically no support. The sole is fairly flexible, and there’s absolutely zero arch support. That said, the insole is replaceable. I shoved a pair of Naot inserts in, and the result is actually *very* comfortable, but some sort of insert is absolutely essential, and I don’t know what the best options for that are.
I do sometimes wear them with the default insert, but every time I’ve done any real walking without slipping in the Naot inserts, I’ve regretted it.
Very helpful info re: Rothy’s! Thx.
Thank you for all the information. I love flats and want some badly. What do you think about Me Too’s Halle and Olympia?
Me Too flats (at least those styles) fit like a glove and have good cushioning, but don’t have much in the way of arch support. Depends on whether you need that or not…
I’m looking for simple black dressy pointed toe flats with good arch support. Recommendations????
I totally feel this pain! I have size 12 shoes and struggle with ballet flats for the lack of arch support as well (it seems to make my feet even bigger)…
Due to these issues, I’m trying to start a site dedicated to women’s shoes sizes 10+ as well as wide & narrow-width shoes as well. We’re still building up inventory, but check out our blog and give us a follow if you’d like to stay updated as we grow! Thanks for reading 🙂
See our Rothy’s flats review!
I started wearing Rothys last year. Super cute. Bought 4 pairs. I have a very high arch. Rothys are very stretchy and cloth so conform over toes and bunions. That said, if you have a bunion it really shows up when your foot is in the elastic type shoe. I also developed a case of raging plantar fasciitis last year that I’m still enduring, maybe from the Rothy wear? I have Rothys in 8:5 and 9, sizing isn’t terribly consistent. They are probably better on narrow feet, when I take a step they tug downward on my sore heel. I’ve tried multiple orthotics but they elevate my foot such that it won’t stay in the shoe and looks like my foot is exploding out of the shoe. So cute but no support and not a spec of cushioning .
I have high arches and a narrow heel. Vionic and the walking company shoes are too big in the heel for me I am a size 71//2 or 8 . Help
Same here!
Which of these would be best for Hallus limits & can accommodate orthotics and bunions? I need dress flats or heels for Hallux Limits for a business formal environment now that I’m going back to some in-person mtgs. Lastly, I have narrow heels and wide toes. I love this website!