fashion
From working out to casual wear
By Olivia Dubyak
•
Published Apr 6, 2024
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Paula Boudes for PureWow
Whether or not you have foot issues, a pair of sneakers with arch support will help make sure you’re comfortable for anything from your intense HIIT class to sight-seeing with the kids. Not all tennis shoes are made the same, especially when it comes to cushioning and arch support, so you’ll want to keep a few things in mind when finding the best pair, like type of insole, heel thickness and cushioning. Don’t worry, we aren’t going to suggest you buy big hunks of foam for your feet because stylish sneakers that support your feet do exist (and we found ‘em).
The Best Sneakers with Arch Support at a Glance
1
Best for Outdoor Running/Walking
Hoka Bondi 8
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From $165; $132 at Hoka
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Meet the Experts:
- Dr. Brad Schaeffer, DPM is a Board Certified Foot Surgeon with the ABFAS at his NYC podiatry office, Central Park SOLE. Dr. Schaeffer earned his medical degree from Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in Philadelphia, PA. He spent three years as a resident at Hoboken University Medical Center in the Comprehensive Foot & Ankle Reconstructive Surgical residency program.
- Dr. Jacqueline Sutera, DPM is an NYC-based podiatrist and foot surgeon who specializes in women’s foot care. Dr. Sutera earned her medical degree from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine in Manhattan. She performed her residency at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in Queens, where she served as chief resident.
How We Chose the Best Sneakers with Arch Support
Our editors love a good sneaker with arch support, so we gave our top recommendations and considered the features suggested by podiatrists Dr. Jacqueline Sutera and Dr. Brad Schaeffer when searching for other picks. We looked to our most loved and trusted brands and surfed highly rated shoes, too.
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Hoka
Best for Outdoor Running/Walking
1. Hoka Bondi 8
Hoka
We love our Hokas here at PureWow and commerce editor Olivia Dubyak can attest to the supportive nature of these sneakers. “I have narrow feet with mid-to-high arches and these sneakers make my feet feel supported when I run and walk and offer enough room without feeling like my foot is sliding around inside,” she says. These sneakers have a four-millimeter heel to toe drop so as not to arch your foot more. They also have thick padding to absorb shock while running and bounce with each step.
Fast Facts
- Promising Review: “There’s a wide toe box and supportive, cushioned midsole that keeps my arches well braced without feeling like I’m going to roll my from too much lift.” — Olivia Dubyak, Commerce Editor
- Size Range: 5 to 12
From $165; $132 at Hoka
From the laceless design to the Propelium cushioned insole, these sneakers take efficiency and comfort to the next level. “They support my flat feel while still feeling super lightweight and movable and the lace-less style is a game changer when I'm trying to leave quickly (and when I'm walking the dog I don't have to worry about juggling him and the rest of my things if my laces come untied!),” says assistant commerce editor Natalie LaBarbera. They’re incredibly light (weighing only seven ounces) and have a stretchy, breathable upper which makes slipping them on with the heel tab super easy. The cushioned insole is designed to maintain its supportive and padded construction for longer periods of time than EVA cushioning.
Fast Facts
- Promising Review: “[They’re] super comfortable. I do not run in them, so I would not know how they work for running, but for walking and day to day [wear], they are amazing.” —a Zappos customer
- Size Range: 5 to 11
On running sneakers are known for their springy design and cool outsole design. When it comes to the Cloudmonsters, the arch support is next level. “The first time I put on the On Cloudmonsters, I was struck by how supportive they felt on my arches and the balls of my feet (aka the midfoot) specifically. So, having that concentrated support right where I land has been a game changer [on my runs],” says senior commerce editor Stephanie Maida in her review. The brand’s patented CloudTec cushioning lends its fan-favorite bounce. It’s also designed to have a forward roll so you can effortlessly gain momentum with each stride.
Fast Facts
- Promising Review: “[These are] super comfortable and springy. I was worried they would be too bulky or heavy, but they look great on the foot and are amazingly lightweight. I’m on my feet as a nurse all day and these are magical.” —a Zappos customer
- Size Range: 5 to 11
These bestselling sneakers are loved for their comfort, style and sustainability. The upper is made of eucalyptus (sourced responsibly from FSC-certified forests), providing ultimate breathability, and the SweetFoam midsole is supportive and bouncy. “I have wide feet, so I love that my Allbirds accommodate my bunions—they never feel squished. They also have an incredible insole with a supportive built-in arch. My feet are also quite flat, so I immediately feel the difference when stepping into these—it's a literal lift! I can feel the support in my knees, too,” says Associate Editor, SEO Marissa Wu.
Fast Facts
- Promising Review: “It's so easy to walk miles in these shoes, and they're also washable (soles included), which is a huge plus.” —Marissa Wu, Associate Editor, SEO
- Size Range: 5 to 11
$105 at Nordstrom
If you’re looking for everyday sneakers for casual wear, we can’t recommend these Vionic ones more. They’re made with a leather or suede upper (depending on the design you choose) but are designed to offer flexibility for your feet when they bend with each step. The built-in arch support ensures reduced pressure and ease when walking while the heel sits deeper for a more optimal foot position. “I recently got these sneakers and have been wearing them constantly because they’re so comfortable and my feet arches are lifted,” says commerce editor Olivia Dubyak.
Fast Facts
- Promising Review: “I am so happy I got these sneakers. They are very stylish and comfortable. I walked so much in them (without my own arch support inserts), and my plantar fasciitis did not flare at all!” —a Vionic customer
- Size Range: 5 to 13
These running shoes are made with GuideRails technology so your feet are optimally supported and stay in place when you’re moving. The insole is removable if you decide to ditch the additional cushioning because of the supportive DBA loft foam midsole.
Fast Facts
- Promising Review: “I ordered wide width for the first time and I am so glad I did. Sometimes during running my toes get smashed a little but not with these. The fit and style are perfect! I changed out the laces because they seemed to come untied too often and I replaced them with bright pink which complements nicely.” —a DSW customer
- Size Range: 6 to 11
Designed for support and style, these everyday sneakers are great for someone with plantar fasciitis. They’re available in leather or canvas and have a rubber outsole for durability. The brand’s ultimate insoles are intended to offer full sole support that molds to the bottom shape of your foot to optimize the support it gives. Beware that the shoes are relatively heavy, at about 11 ounces per shoe.
Fast Facts
- Promising Review: “I am so happy that I bought these—my heels suffer from plantar fasciitis. I broke these in for a couple of hours per day and I was happy how comfortable they are! I worse them to work for two days and was thrilled with the results when I got home. I am a hairstylist and I work three-to-10-hour days, and these are a miracle! —a Kuru customer
- Size Range: 5 to 12
These sneakers have maximum cushioning for a ton of bounce and support. They’re made for neutral feet and underpronation (aka high arches) to add padding to the space under your arches. They have a knitted upper that is highly breathable and flexible to give your feet ventilation and space to stretch.
Fast Facts
- Promising Review: “[It] took a few weeks to break these in, but now that I did, these are THE best shoes. Meant to LITERALLY push you forward for a longer, smoother run, they do just that. Would recommend these to anyone who is new to running!” —an Asics customer
- Size range: 5 to 13
New Balance is among one of the most popular sneaker brands on the market right now. The iconic styles and “N” logo is somewhat vintage (an homage to the ‘90s dad sneaker style). These sneakers have the brand’s Fresh Foam midsole cushioning to offer midfoot support and absorb the shock in your heel with each step. They’re made for athletic wear and have a fresh, sleek style to them that will have you wanting to wear them every day.
Fast Facts
- Promising Review: “I love my pink sneakers; they have lots of cushion and they are comfortable to wear while I work out. The price was great, and I love that they are my favorite color!” —a New Balance customer
- Size Range: 5 to 12
Designed to withstand rough terrain during trail running or hiking, these sneakers are supportive, protective and keep your feet stable. They have soft cushioning in the midfoot and heel for support while the shape is made to stabilize your feet so they don’t move around on the more rugged spots on the trail. The outsole is also designed for durable and effective traction to avoid slipping.
Fast Facts
- Promising Review: “I had two pairs of Cascadia, took a break and tried a few other trail shoes, but glad I circled back. These shoes are excellent, first time I put them on, the heel felt funny, but after the first run the shoes had settled and fit great.” —a Brooks customer
- Size Range: 5 to 12
What to Consider When Shopping for Sneakers with Arch Support
Shopping for sneakers that support your feet in general is very important for comfort and overall foot health. Keep these few things in mind when you’re searching for a pair:
- Arch support: Depending on your foot shape, you’ll need to test which level of cushioning in the midsole is appropriate for your feet. “[I always look for] a neutral type of shoe, which means you don't want to overpronate or over supinate,” advises Dr. Schaeffer. He explains that your foot shouldn’t feel as if it’s sitting too far right or left when you move or stand.
- Wider toe box: To reap the benefits of a well-supported shoe, opting for a wider toe box will allow your toes more room to spread, which helps with balance and comfort. “Avoid a tight, narrow and stiff toe box. Make sure the width can accommodate your toes without cramming,” says Dr. Sutera. A foot that feels shoved into a small space will just cause soreness in other areas.
- Material and breathability: A breathable shoe indicates a well-ventilated material that likely has some stretch to it, like mesh. “I like a mesh shoe that isn't too tight and can hurt my feet,” suggests Dr. Schaeffer. Giving your foot that extra range of motion will make you feel even more comfortable with a lot of movement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Know If I Need Sneakers with Arch Support?
While of course we recommend talking to your podiatrist to decide what kind of sneaker support and design is right for you, arch support can be highly beneficial for many feet types, especially if you have high arches. Arch support inserts or padding in shoes can add cushioning to the space between your arch and the shoe bottom so your feet are supported with your steps. “If someone wants to look for a sneaker with arch support, yes, of course this is always a benefit, unless it's throwing you too far off to the right or to the left, which is called over supination or overpronation. You just have to make sure you are landing neutrally, which is our desired spot to land,” says Dr. Schaeffer.
What If I Need Even More Arch Support?
Whether your arches are just super high, or you feel like your favorite shoes’ insoles are starting to wear down, but you aren’t ready to part just yet, an orthotic insert is the way to go. “I'm very much about putting in inserts that will help you today, tomorrow, and forever. This can be something with a great mix of cushion and stability, but I do always like adding my own insole in there,” says Dr. Schaeffer.
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Olivia Dubyak
Commerce Editor
Olivia Dubyak is PureWow's Commerce Editor and textbook Capricorn. She studied journalism at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but has gone from New York City to...
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Why You Should Trust Us
PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.
