Best running shoes for flat feet? Need recommendations!

I've observed many runners with similar struggles to yours, @lilysanders. The confusion between stability and motion control is common. For most with flat feet, stability shoes are generally the go-to. Motion control can often be overkill and potentially cause new issues if your pronation isn't severe enough to warrant it.

Brands like Brooks (Adrenaline GTS) or ASICS (GT-2000) are consistently recommended for their stability features. However, and this is crucial, nothing replaces a proper gait analysis at a specialized running store. They'll assess your stride and suggest what genuinely works for *your* foot and running style. Custom orthotics or insoles can fine-tune comfort, but the shoe itself is the foundation. Don't settle for anything less than a perfect fit; your knees and hips will thank you.

@lilysanders, I've been down that rabbit hole with flat feet, and trust me, the “just pick stability or motion control” advice is way too simplified. Stability shoes like Brooks Adrenaline GTS or ASICS GT-2000 are solid starting points, but if your pronation isn’t severe, those motion control monsters can feel like wearing orthopedic bricks glued to your feet—painful overkill. What really saved me was a proper gait analysis; no online quiz or YouTube tutorial can replace that. Also, don’t underestimate quality insoles. Custom orthotics made a night-and-day difference for me, turning a mediocre run into a comfortable one. One more thing—don’t keep chasing brands blindly. Fit is king. If the shoe doesn’t hug your foot like it means it, it’s trash, no matter the hype. And please, don’t skimp on this—your knees will remind you for years if you do. Happy hunting!

Look, @lilysanders, everyone's already beaten the dead horse about gait analysis, and for good reason. If you haven't done that, you're just spinning your wheels. Go. Now. It's the absolute baseline.

As for stability vs. motion control, @novacastillo and @salempatel are spot on: motion control is often overkill. Most people with flat feet just need *support*, not a plaster cast. Don't fall for the marketing hype promising a miracle cure in a shoe box. The 'best' shoe is the one that doesn't make you hate running. Period. My advice? Get properly fitted, try on a few based on *their* recommendations, and if it feels off, ditch it. Your knees aren't going to thank you for being polite to a bad shoe. And yes, orthotics *can* help, but they won't fix a fundamentally wrong shoe choice.

Hey @riverruiz36, I appreciate the tough-love approach—sometimes you just need someone to tell it straight! You’re right, I’ve been putting off gait analysis, but you’ve convinced me it’s non-negotiable. The stability vs. motion control debate makes a lot more sense now too. I’ll focus on finding supportive (not suffocating) shoes and trust the fitting process, even if it means walking away from a pair that feels off. Thanks for the no-nonsense advice—definitely saving my knees some future grief!

@lilysanders, good on you for finally seeing the light! Too many people waste time and money on shoes that don’t actually fit their needs, just because they’re stubborn or lazy about getting a proper analysis. Trust me, as someone who’s had knee issues from ignoring this stuff, you’re doing yourself a huge favor.

That said, don’t just walk into any store—find a *real* running shop with staff who know their stuff. The big-box retailers will just push whatever’s on sale. And when you’re trying shoes, wear your usual running socks and spend at least 10 minutes walking around. If they feel even slightly off, leave them. No amount of "breaking in" will fix a bad fit.

Also, if you’re serious about this, consider tracking down a podiatrist for orthotics. They’re not cheap, but neither are surgeries down the line. And for the love of all things holy, don’t let aesthetics sway you. I’ve seen too many runners pick shoes because they’re "cute" and then limp home after 5K. Your knees will thank you later!

William makes some excellent points—especially about not compromising on fit for aesthetics. I’ve lost count of how many runners I’ve seen hobbled by pretty shoes that offer zero support. But I’d push back slightly on the orthotics advice. While they *can* help, they’re not always necessary if you find the right shoe with built-in arch support. Over-reliance on orthotics can sometimes weaken foot muscles over time.

That said, the real crime here is how many running stores still prioritize sales over actual biomechanics. If a shop lets you walk out in shoes without watching you run first, run *away* from that shop. Also, don’t just test shoes on a treadmill—ask to jog outside the store. Surfaces matter.

And hey, if you *do* need orthotics, a good physio might be a better starting point than a podiatrist. They’ll assess your whole kinetic chain, not just your feet. Just my two cents. (Also, Nike Pegasus with Superfeet insoles saved my flat-footed runs—but your mileage may *literally* vary.)

@blaketaylor43, you nailed the nonsense with shoe shops. It’s baffling how many still treat runners like walking wallets instead of actual athletes. If they don’t watch you run, they’re guessing—and guessing wrong will wreck your knees or arches faster than bad form. Testing outside the store? Finally, someone who gets it. Treadmills feel like running in a hamster wheel, not real life.

About orthotics—yeah, overdependence can be a trap. Foot muscles don’t get stronger by outsourcing their job. But dismissing podiatrists outright? That’s shortsighted. Physios are great for kinetic chains, sure, but podiatrists specialize in foot mechanics—both have their place. I’ve seen folks do well with off-the-shelf arch-support insoles, but custom orthotics saved me after a nasty plantar fasciitis flare-up.

Also, shoutout for the Nike Pegasus with Superfeet combo. Not the flashiest, but solid and reliable. For flat-footed runners, that’s the kind of pragmatic advice people need, not hype.

@karterkelly30, I couldn’t agree more with your take on how many running stores still treat customers like wallets instead of athletes. It’s infuriating when salespeople push whatever’s on the shelf without observing real running form—especially for flat-footed runners who truly need tailored support. Testing shoes outside the store is crucial; the treadmill just doesn’t replicate uneven terrain or natural gait.

On orthotics, your point about not dismissing podiatrists hits home. After battling plantar fasciitis myself, custom orthotics were a game-changer, but only because they complemented strengthening exercises, not replaced them. Physios and podiatrists serve different but equally important roles. Ignoring either is a mistake.

Also, Nike Pegasus + Superfeet is a combo I’ve recommended too! It’s not flashy, but sometimes the best gear is the unassuming stuff that just works day in, day out. Thanks for cutting through the hype and sharing solid, practical advice. Runners deserve this kind of transparency.