If walking brings you pain and your footprint has no raised arch, you could be suffering from flat feet. Wearing a pair of shoes that doesn't accommodate flat feet can make the pain worse. Flat feet need shoes that provide adequate support and control to help keep your feet from rolling inward as you walk.
Shoe Type
If you have flat feet, you may need different shoe types for different activities. For walking, running or jogging, opt for a running shoe. If you are going for an activity with a lot of variation of movements, such as an aerobic, step or dance class, you'll do better with a cross trainer over a running shoe. Running shoes beat walking shoes by offering more support and less flexibility than walking shoes, but they can be painful for flat feet if you're moving in directions other than forward and back.
Support
Arch support is vital for flat feet, so look for a cushioned and raised arch area in any type of shoe. You can test the support of a shoe by gauging how easily it bends. When searching for new shoes, place the shoe vertical with the toe on the ground and the heel in the air. Press the heel down towards the floor with the toe of the shoe still in place. A shoe that has adequate support for your flat feet will not bend in the middle when you press down on the heel.
Control
Flat feet tend to overpronate, or roll inward when you walk. To compensate, look for a motion control shoe that offers enhanced stability to stop your foot's inward motion. Also pay attention to the shoe's last, or shape and mold. A straight last works best for flat feet, rather than one that is curved inward. Examine the bottom of the shoe to determine the last. Straight lasts will most resemble a wide board with only a slight indentation at the middle of the inner foot. A curved and semi-curved last will dip inward at the inner foot.
Flexibility
Because flat feet already have a flexible arch, you'll do best with a shoe that is not flexible. Shoes molded from a stiff fiberboard last, also called board-lasted shoes, give your flat feet a rigid base for optimum support. The last is attached to the shoe's upper and lies atop the shoe's midsole and fiberboard, providing an additional layer of control.
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