Runners with Flat Feet Need Appropriate Footwear

Flat feet can range from “low arch to no arch,” says Dan Michaels, DPM, who describes the condition as “when your ankle and your heel collapse in, which in turn collapses the arch and makes the toes go off to the side.” In the most extreme cases, having flat feet means the soles of your feet flatten out completely when you stand up, and it’s common for people with flat feet to also experience Achilles pain and plantar fasciitis. 

Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum of flat-footedness, the best thing you can do is invest in appropriate footwear, Dr. Michaels says. And the sooner, the better — especially if you’re a runner. “Insoles are everything for people with flat feet,” says Dr. Michaels.  “I think [rocker bottom] are great for someone with Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, or flat feet,” says Dr. Michaels. “It just kind of propels you forward, and doesn’t put too much pressure on the ball of the foot and heel.”