The Best Sandals With Arch Support

Composed of ligaments, tendons, and bones, your arches are more complex than you may think. As such, they can be affected by an injury, overuse, or normal wear and tear associated with aging. Luckily, wearing sandals with arch support can protect your arches from the stress of walking. Take a look at our guide to find the best sandals for arch support.

Causes of Arch Pain

Whether you lead an active or a sedentary lifestyle, arch pain can be a problem. Here are just some of the most common causes of arch pain.

• Plantar Fasciitis

  The plantar fascia ligaments run at the bottom of the feet, from the heels to the toes. These ligaments can become inflamed and sore due to overuse or an injury, causing arch and heel discomfort. Plantar fasciitis can be particularly painful in the mornings, as the plantar fascia ligaments contract at night while we sleep.

• Overpronation

  Sometimes referred to as flat feet or fallen arches, overpronation is caused by walking style. People who overpronate strike the ground first with the outer edges of their heels. This, in turn, causes the feet to roll inwards and onto the arches, flattering the feet. Overpronation can cause arch pain, as well as knee, hip, or back pain, and corns and calluses.

• Cavus Foot

  Cavus foot leads to high arches. It is often caused by a genetic predisposition, or a neurological condition such as a stroke or cerebral palsy. Other than arch pain, cavus foot is also associated with calluses, claw toe, and hammer toe. Cavus foot can also lead to foot instability, making you more prone to ankle sprains and other injuries.

• Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD)

  PTTD is caused by an injury or inflammation of the posterior tibial tendons, which connect the inner parts of the feet to the calf muscles. This can leave the arches unsupported and cause pain. PTTD pain is usually also felt in the back of the calf muscles and inner ankles, and gets worse during activities such as running.

Arch Pain Q&A

Want to learn more about sandals with arch support? Look no further!

• What Exactly Constitutes the Arches?

  The arches are composed of metatarsal and tarsal bones, as well as ligaments and tendons. The posterior tibialis tendons, which run from behind the shin bones down to the tarsal bones in the ankles, also form a part of the arches.

• Can Massage Help with Arch Pain?

  Massage is a great way of soothing sore and fatigued arches. It can also alleviate the pain of conditions such as plantar fasciitis. Massage balls and rollers, in particular, have been specifically designed to reach small areas of the feet to loosen overly tight muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

• What Are the Symptoms of Arch Problems?

  Arch pain can manifest itself in a variety of ways, such as cramping, burning, or shooting. Your pain can be worse in the morning and gradually decrease, or it may increase as the day goes on. If you have any doubts or questions, always consult your doctor or podiatrist.

• How to Treat Arch Pain?

  People often say that rest can be the best medicine, and this is definitely true when it comes to alleviating arch pain. As such, try to stay off of your feet as much as possible and avoid high-impact activities such as running and jumping. In addition, think about investing in quality orthotics to ensure comfort and support. If all else fails, pain medication such as Ibuprofen can also be a good short-term solution.

Weighing All the Factors

After a thorough review, our pick for the best sandals with arch support are Vionic’s women’s tide II toe post sandals. Featuring biomechanical footbeds and dual-layer leather uppers, they are comfortable and absorb the shock of each step as you go about your day. Following in a close second are Birkenstock’s unisex Arizona EVA sandals and KEEN’s men’s newport H2 sandal. The choice is yours!