Do you have both narrow and flat feet and are having a difficult time finding shoes that are supportive and narrow at the same time? Having narrow and flat feet are two distinct foot characteristics that can affect a woman’s comfort, gait, and overall foot health. This can present unique challenges when it comes to finding well-fitting and supportive shoes. On the bright side, as a professional shoe fitter, I am suited to help you find the best narrow shoes for women with flat feet.
While some women are born with flat arches, for others, their arches will gradually fall over time due to age or the pressures of heavy or high-impact activities. The good news is that the correct type of shoes will straighten your feet by preventing them from collapsing.
Defining Flat Feet – Not All Flat Feet Are the Same!
To be on the same page, let’s get into defining flat feet. It is a condition in which the arches on the inside of the feet flatten when pressure is put on them. Flat feet can affect the alignment of your body as you are standing, walking, or running. As a consequence, this can increase the likelihood that you experience knee, foot, hip and ankle pain. Let’s take a look at a couple of images of women with flat feet:
Understandably, flat feet is a cause for an uneven distribution of your body weight. This may result in your shoes wearing down unevenly or more quickly than usual. This happens usually on one side and this can lead to other pain or injuries.
Keep in mind that certain women with flat feet might experience foot or leg pain, while some others can go on with their daily activities without experiencing any discomfort or pain.
About Narrow Feet
If your foot fits the length of a shoe, but has extra space on the sides, you probably have narrow feet. On the other hand, if your foot fits the length of a shoe, but it is very tight on the sides of the food feed, you may have wide feet.
The two main issues that people with narrow feet have are how their feet move too much inside the shoe, and how the heel keeps slipping out of the shoe. This can lead to foot issues such as blisters, calluses, and corns, just to name a few.
Bottom line, it’s important to keep in mind that everyone’s feet are unique, and there is no “one size fits all” solution when it comes to shoes. If you indeed have both narrow and flat feet, you need to be mindful of what shoes you choose to wear for everyday use.
How to Look for Shoes that Cater to Narrow and Flat Feet
In order to accommodate both narrow and flat feet, you’ll need to ensure that your shoes have most, if not all of the following features:
1️⃣ Narrow platforms. A snug-fitting platform is crucial to prevent your feet from sliding forwards and to avoid constriction and friction.
2️⃣ Narrow heel counters and toe-boxes. Having a narrow heel counter is especially important for women with narrow feet as it prevents your heel from slipping out of the shoe while walking.
3️⃣ Arch support and shock absorption. Opt for shoes that offer built-in arch support, which helps distribute weight evenly across the foot and alleviates pressure on the arches. This is essential for promoting proper foot alignment and reducing unnecessary strain.
4️⃣ Ankle support. Shoes with proper ankle support help control the motion of your foot, reducing the inward rolling that can occur during walking or running.
What a Difference the Correct Pair of Shoes Can Make!
Below there is an image of a flat footed woman standing barefoot. Do you notice how the women’s feet are collapsing and turning inwards?
Now let’s take a look at an image of the same woman wearing a pair of supportive shoes that I recommended. Do you notice how the woman’s feet are straighter?
Wearing the correct pair of shoes can help improve your foot posture, walking gait, and prevent foot or leg pain. It is a fact that depending on the degree of your foot condition you might need to wear orthotics as well.
Best Narrow Shoes for Women with Flat Feet – Choosing the Right Shoe Style
Below you can find a selection of the best narrow shoes for women with flat feet. Please click on the image to see all the different colors that the shoes are available in. Disclosure: Some links in this post may be affiliate links and we may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you click our links and make purchases.
- Fits women with narrow, medium, or wide feet
- Rearfoot and Forefoot GEL Technology Cushioning System helps attenuate shock during impact and toe-off phases
- DuoMax system enhances stability and support
- Engineered mesh upper improves breathability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your longest foot size
- Fits women with narrow or medium feet
- Rearfoot and Forefoot GEL Technology Cushioning System helps attenuate shock during impact and toe-off phases
- DuoMax system enhances stability and support
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your longest foot size
- Fits women with narrow, medium, or wide feet
- Rearfoot and Forefoot GEL Technology Cushioning System helps attenuate shock during impact and toe-off phases
- DuoMax system enhances stability and support
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your longest foot size
- Available in narrow widths
- DNA LOFT offers incredibly soft cushioning that now extends beyond the heel, allowing for an easy transition from landing to toe-off
- Removable foam insole for excellent underfoot comfort and support
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
- Available in narrow widths
- The Levitate StealthFit 5 offers a perfect blend of neutral support, cushioning, and max energy return to keep you comfortable
- The arrow-point pattern in the outsole allows the foot to move quickly from heel to toe
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
- Available in narrow widths
- High energizing cushioning
- Firm heel counter and supportive outsole
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
- Fits women with narrow or medium feet
- Seamless upper design helps reduce the likelihood of irritation
- Plush tongue and collar for added comfort
- DUOMAX® Support System is a dual-density midsole positioned to enhance support and stability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your longest foot size
- Fits women with narrow or medium feet
- AmpliFoam midsole is engineered to maintain durability at softer densities, providing better flexibility, comfort, and platform adaptability ideal for natural running
- Engineered mesh upper improves breathability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your longest foot size
- Fits women with narrow or medium feet
- Soft, lightweight Jacquard mesh upper delivers excellent airflow, keeping your feet cool and fresh throughout your run.
- Laminate mid-foot cage provides structural support
- Padded tongue and collar
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your longest foot size
- Fits narrow feet
- Rearfoot PureGEL™ technology for lightweight cushioning
- FF BLAST™ PLUS ECO cushioning midsole
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
Keep in mind that everyone’s feet are different, and what might work really well for some women with narrow feet might not work as well for others. Our feet are like snowfalls, no two are alike.
How to Order the Correct Shoe Size Online
Keep in mind that to get all the benefits and features that a good pair of shoes provides, you must wear them in the correct shoe size.
One of the most important features that your shoes need to have is that they must fit the shape of your feet perfectly. It’s important to know your exact foot size, especially if you are going to be buying your shoes online. Start by reading an article that describes the simplest, yet most effective way to figure out your foot size from home. Please click on the link below:
How To Measure Your Foot Size – The Most Simple And Effective Way!
Other Articles That May Be Of Interest
Many thanks for reading, we hope that you find this post informative and helpful. I will continue posting informative articles and keep addressing important topics such as this one. Feel free to share this post with your community on social media as well as your experiences in the comments section below. If you have any questions or need any further assistance, you can also contact us via e-mail and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
If you are interested in finding shoes for your flat and narrow feet, you may want to take a look at other related articles below. Make sure to read the description below each shoe to find out if it can accommodate your narrow feet:
The Best Sandals for Women with Flat Feet – Supportive, Comfortable, Durable, and Waterproof!
Best Hiking Boots for Women with Flat Feet – Supportive and Waterproof
Relatedly, if you are looking for shoes or orthotics recommendations for a little one in your family or a friend’s family, you can find helpful information on our partner website:
Let me know in the comments section below if you have any questions or if you have tried a specific shoe style that worked well for your narrow and flat feet combination.
Be the first to comment