What To Look For
The best New Balance shoes for flat feet feature motion control constructions, allowing the shoe to prevent injury. Runners with flat feet may notice that their feet roll slightly inwards as they run. Over time, this tendency, called overpronation, can put stress on your feet, legs, and hips, causing shin splints and stress fractures. The New Balance shoes that address this problem have extra padding under the arch of the foot, a stiffly-constructed exterior to hold the foot in place, and a cushioned mid-sole. New Balance models 1224 and 850 have an excellent reputation for motion control among flat-footed runners.
Common Pitfalls
Don't assume that all New Balance shoes will work for flat feet. In fact, New Balance's shoes address a wide range of issues, including extremely high arches. Stick with models constructed precisely for runners with little to no visible arch. If you have doubts about whether the shoe addresses this issue, look at its shape; straighter shoes will help you correct the changes in your stride due to overpronation, while curved shoes will exacerbate the problem.
Where To Buy
The best place to buy New Balance shoes for flat feet is in person at a specialty running store. However, it can be difficult to find these stores outside of large cities, and any large athletic chain, such as City Sports, will carry different models of New Balance shoes. While you will pay slightly more for these shoes than you would online, the importance of trying on your first pair of new running shoes cannot be overstated as a way to prevent future injuries.
Cost
New Balance shoes cost about as much as the average pair of running shoes; expect to pay between $90 and $125. The best New Balance shoes for flat feet should not cost you any more.
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