The Best Sneakers With Arch Support

Arch support is essential for preventing common foot conditions such as heel spurs, ankle sprains, and plantar fasciitis. As such, sneakers with arch support should be an essential addition to your wardrobe, particularly if you lead an active lifestyle. Take a moment to look at our guide to the best sneakers with arch support, and put some spring in your step.

Q & A About Arch Support

• Is Arch Support Really Necessary?

  Ill-fitting footwear is not just uncomfortable but can affect your mobility and day-to-day health. Sneakers with arch support can help you go through your days pain-free while protecting from chronic foot problems. Investing in a pair of quality insoles is also a great idea for preventing foot pain.

• Can Too Much Arch Support Hurt Your Feet?

  While any new shoes can be slightly uncomfortable at the beginning, arch support is unlikely to hurt your feet. What can make your feet sore are poorly fitted shoes. Arch pain is usually caused by footwear that lacks room in the toe box, not the arch support itself.

• How do You Strengthen Your Arches?

  The abductor hallucis muscles at the bottom of the arches are responsible for appropriate foot posture, or pronation. Improper pronation can cause your feet to roll to the left or right. Luckily, simple exercises such as toe curls can strengthen the arch muscles.

• Are Shoes with Little or no Arch Support Bad for Your Feet?

  Footwear that does not support your arches can be bad for your feet. Lack of arch support can put your body out of alignment, placing pressure on your heels and forefeet. This in turn can lead to conditions such as plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia.

Related Conditions

If untreated, arch problems can lead to more serious conditions. Speak with your podiatrist, if you have any questions.

• Plantar Fasciitis

  Plantar fasciitis is caused by placing too much pressure on the plantar fascia ligament, or the band of tissue that connects your toes and heels. The condition is often characterized by heel pain and can be caused by a lack of good arch support that results in the tearing or inflammation.

• Achilles Tendonitis

  The Achilles tendon runs between the heel bone and the calf muscles. Often caused by low arches and overpronation, Achilles tendonitis is characterized by swelling, redness, and tenderness at the back of the ankles.

• Hammertoe

  As its name suggests, hammertoe affected the toes. The condition occurs when the toes are pushed out of alignment due to an imbalance between the toes and forefeet. While hammertoe can be genetic, it can also be caused by ill-fitting shoes, arthritis, bunions, or overly flat or high arches.

• Morton’s Neuroma

  Morton’s neuroma affects the toes and forefeet. The condition is caused by a swollen nerve at the base of the toes and can result in tingling, burning, and numbness. One of the main causes of Morton’s Neuroma is rigid arches or flat feet.

Weighing All the Factors

After reviewing numerous sneakers with arch support, ASICS’ women’s gel-kayano running shoes came out on top as the best sneakers with arch support on the market. Combining lightweight design and heavy-duty arch support, they offer both comfort and shock absorption. Our other 2 picks, Brooks’ men’s ghost 12 running shoes and Brooks’ women’s ghost 12 running shoes, are also great options worthy of your consideration.