7 Flats with Arch Support
Finding flats that aren’t flat is my job. It makes me happy to show you seven styles with moderate to excellent arch support to help with all those pesky problems that come with wearing your run of the mill ballet flat: over-pronation, knee, hip and back pain and plantar fasciitis.
Upper left: Ahnu Karma Latitude. The Karma came out a few years ago and Ahnu keeps improving on this yoga-inspired slip-on. The Karma Latitude features a contoured EVA footbed with good arch support. The Karma Latitude style adds adjustable velcro cross straps unlike the regular Karma style. Tends to run large, order down if between sizes. $94.95 at Zappos and Acacialifestyle.com. Find deals on the Ahnu Karma at Amazon. I have a pair of the regular Karmas and get a lot of wear out of them in the summer.
Upper right: Olukai Pueo Perf. Have you ever checked out Olukai? They make great flip-flops with arch support for summer but recently released a pretty ballet flat with a removable, anatomical contoured footbed. And our burgeoning men’s shoes section has a great review on the new OluKai Moloa. No reviews yet, but the Olukai Nohea loafer with the same footbed gets five star reviews for all-day comfort. The Pueo Perf is available for $110 at Olukai.com and Zappos.
Middle left: Earthies Vanya. While the previous two shoes featured offer moderate arch support, Earthies adds even more. And I have to hand it to them for keeping the style sleek and non-orthopedic. According to reviews, customers like the coverage (no toe-cleavage), the excellent arch support for a flat, wide toe box, 1″ hidden wedge heel. $60-160 at Amazon. Anyone that has read this blog for a while knows that I’m a big fan of Earthies with several reviews throughout my blog.
Middle, center: Mephisto Amelia. I feature this shoe not because it has phenomenal arch support but rather because it’s an extremely well-made shoe with a removable footbed to accommodate your own dress orthotic. The premium leather upper is soft and forgiving of bunions and sensitive toes. The topline is elasticized for a good fit and the Soft-Air midsole (constructed of latex foam) reduces the shock of walking, protecting your joints and back. $299 at Amazon, $249 at Nordstrom, $199.95 at FootwearEtc.com, $159.99 at 6pm.com.
Middle right: Naot Kirei. This is a wonderful travel shoe. The cork/latex footbed is removable to accommodate an orthotic, but provides enough support you probably won’t need to replace it. The polyurethane outsole is durable and shock-absorbing and the soft leather uppers won’t irritate hot spots, plus the instep strap is adjustable should your feet swell. And now for the first time ever, the Kirei is available in a wide width (black leather only). $185 at Zappos, $149-185 at Amazon,. If you have a pair of Kirei’s or other styles from Naot’s Koru collection, did you know you can buy replacement insoles for $55 at Zappos?
Lower left: Earthies Bindi. With the same supportive footbed as the Vanya featured above, the Bindi has pretty lace-inspired cut-outs throughout the leather upper and comes in neutrals, brights and jewel-tones. Good news! Some colors come in wides. $68-81 at 6pm.com.
Lower right: Keen Mercer Ballerina: I picked this shoe based on a few good reviews and then made the graphic. Today I read more reviews stating the arch support isn’t that great in this sporty kick-around shoe. I can’t really recommend it but had already included it in the photo! Let me make a runner-up suggestion instead: the Cobb Hill REVchi (owned by New Balance): see number 2 in this post for more information.
As always, I love to hear from you. What are your favorite flats with arch support?
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17 Responses to 7 Flats with Arch Support
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I am a HUGE fan of Earthies! I have very high arches and PF. I own the Earthies Vanya in black, and the Bindi in Biscuit, Black, Pacific Blue and Fern green. LOVE these shoes! I can wear them all day and get tons of compliments on how cute they are.
The Bindis are adorable, but I need a lot of room in the toe box. Any idea if they will accommodate a wider foot?
I just noticed that Zappos has them in a wide!
I love Olukai flipflops and wear them very often. I love the look of their Pueo Perf and am going to try a pair. I will also try the Earthies Bindi. Both really pretty shoes!
I can’t wear Keen. They cause me to have almost instant plantar fascia issues.
I can suggest the Naturalizer Creston, and Aerosole had a cute comfy flat a few years ago.
I want to add that I just can’t bring myself to wear maryjane type shoes. I feel like I’m wearing little kid shoes. 🙂
I love my Ahnu Karmas, but they get oddly stinky and I haven’t figured out how to clean them. I don’t have odor issues with any other shoe.
I recently picked up a pair of Taos mary jane flats that are incredibly comfortable! I haven’t had any pain at all since I got them and there was no break-in period.
I love my Olukai flip flops too. The Bindi is very comfortable for me, and looks great with skirts and skinny jeans. I feel the same about the Mary Jane styles. I’m 58 and too old for Mary Janes.
I just bought a pair of the Ahnu Karma in blue on 6pm.com for $53. They look so comfy! Can’t wait to try them out!
I also have OluKai flip flops that I got on sale in Cape Cod at the end of last season for almost nothing. Looking forward to wearing them this summer with long skirts.
I’m a Naot girl! Have the Kirei in black suede and seriously considering ordering the blue and grey pairs. Also have and love the Paris and Dorith sandals, in 2 colors each. All are so supportive and comfy which is necessary after having surgery on my foot and ankle. I just can’t wear cheaply made shoes anymore.
I loved the Dorith at first, but it stretched out pretty quickly. Donated them. 🙁
I have several old style Tsubo flats that I have loved. I have worn them out and their new styles are very different- mostly very high heels. I miss the sportier, flatter styles. Any suggestions for a good substitute? I wore these all over Tunisia on my honeymoon including on rocky trails and old stone pavements and they were great.
Weirdly enough, my silver Dorith stretched out but the teal patent did not. I can still wear both though.
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I need dress flats with arch support and find the ones you listed are still too casual or down right ugly, I have a couple pairs of Vionics but want to try other brands. I usually wear heels but due to knee replacements recently need some flat options. Any further suggestions?
Try Taryn Rose, Beautifeel, Paul Green or even Gentle Souls for a dressier flat with arch support.
What about arch support for narrow feet – I have a flexible arch, and I am on my feet a great deal. Sadly, my new job requires completely closed-toe shoes despite the heat in NOLA.
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