We Tested More Than 50 Podiatrist-Recommended Shoes — These Are the 9 We Recommend If You Have High Arches

Of all of the shoes we tested, the Brooks Addiction Walker 2 gave us the most crossover in terms of functionality and support. It’s built like a walking shoe on the inside, with maximum support and soft cushioning, but it has the look of a more casual leather sneaker on the outside. While it is on the heavier side (just under 13 ounces), its combination of comfort and maximum support will help you stay on your feet for hours.

Health journalist Raki Swanson tested the Addiction Walker 2 for a week and noted that it actually looked better in person (great news if you’re concerned about an orthopedic vibe). The high-quality leather upper was easy to keep clean, and Swanson appreciated that the sizing options included wider widths, which helped her find a better fit.

In terms of wear, Swanson says that at first they seemed a bit stiff, firm, and heavy. However, after a week, they felt “lighter and actually quite supportive,” she says. While they didn’t have the “cloudlike” feel of other shoes she’s worn, she described the arch support as “fantastic,” and she felt that the shoes molded to her feet over time.

Overall, the Addiction Walker 2 is a great pick if you’re on your feet for hours and need a shoe that doesn’t scream “athletic wear.”

While the fit of the Brooks Ghost 15 runs narrow, we think that makes it a great option for anyone looking for a slimmer-fitting shoe. Not everyone with high arches needs a wider fit, and as always, the best fit is the one that works for your foot. The Brooks Ghost 15 gives you plenty of options in that regard, with narrow, medium, wide, and extra-wide sizes available.

However, we should note that when we say this shoe runs narrow, we mean it. Swanson ordered the wide width and still found it a little narrow for her feet. But despite the shoe being a bit tight around the toes, she described it as “very cushioned and soft,” as well as providing good arch support.

Swanson experienced some soreness after long periods of standing, likely due to the snug fit. She noted, however, that the shoes were amazing for walking, and after a few days of wear, they felt more molded to her feet and comfortable in the arches.

If you’re in the market for a narrower shoe with midsole support that works just as well for daily use as it does for longer walks, the Brooks Ghost 15 is a strong contender. Just don’t wait too long — this version is being phased out to make room for the next generation of the Ghost.

While the Ghost 16 is technically a “neutral” shoe (meaning it does not offer stability for underpronation or overpronation), it still felt incredibly solid and stable during testing. This is likely due to its enhanced upper, which is designed to create a secure feel.

I tested the Ghost 16 myself, and while I found the cushioning to be quite firm (despite the manufacturer describing it as “soft”), it contributed to the overall feeling of stability. As someone with wide feet and high arches, this feeling of a snug fit often causes my foot to fall asleep, but that was never the case with these.

They did take a few days to break in, and I felt a bit of initial soreness, but after a short adjustment period, my feet were just as happy after a full day of errands or a long walk as they were during a cross-training fitness class that included both weight lifting and treadmill running. Not a lot of shoes can handle that kind of range, but the Brooks Ghost 16 passed the test, and I’m still wearing these long after the testing period ended.

If you’re in search of a shoe that helps you feel firmly planted and offers a neutral but stable fit, we recommend checking out the Brooks Ghost 16.

Health writer Jana Pollack tested this pair and reports that these shoes felt “cushy.” She further notes, “I felt taller and like I was walking on a cloud.” While she found that the sizing was a bit snug in terms of the length, the shoes “felt broken in almost immediately,” with no blisters or rubbing. Instead, she reports that her feet felt “cradled.”

That said, not everyone will want this level of cushioning. The taller profile can take some getting used to, since these shoes do add to your height significantly and can create bulk around your feet. They may not be ideal for folks who find walking or balance more difficult in a larger shoe. Still, if you’re interested in a springy, soft, and supportive shoe, the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14 is a great pick, perfect for rest days or when you need to give your feet a break.

Testing gave us a good look at exactly how this shoe feels, and Emily Hirsch, RD, LDN, put the Flex Via through its paces. As a dietitian and wellness professional, Hirsch had high expectations, and these shoes delivered. “The cushioning provided excellent support, making them feel soft yet stable from the very first wear,” she says. “They were comfortable for walking, standing for extended periods, and wearing while I was working. I didn’t notice any pinching, stiffness, or pressure points with any activity during the trial period. The material conformed well to my feet, allowing for natural movement without restriction. Unlike some shoes that require time to loosen up or adjust to your foot shape, these felt ready to go right out of the box.”

Hirsch also notes, “After a week of testing, the shoes have remained consistently comfortable for casual walking. The support is great, especially in the arch and heel, which helps reduce foot fatigue for someone like me who has high arches.” This is where we think the Kuru Flex Via really excels — in supporting our arches and offering the heel support needed to prevent or alleviate the symptoms of plantar fasciitis.

Reducing foot fatigue with the right fit of shoe is all well and good, but lightening up the shoe itself can also make a big difference in terms of how your feet feel. However, finding a shoe that provides the support that people with high arches need without feeling heavy or orthopedic can be challenging. That’s why we love the Hoka Clifton 9: It has all the cloudlike cushioning that the Hoka brand has become known for, without feeling bulky or heavy. At just 7.3 ounces, it’s one of the lightest shoes we tested — almost half the weight of some others we tried.

Swanson enjoyed how lightweight and comfy these shoes were. “This shoe was beyond comfortable when I first tried them on. It was like standing on a cloud. So comfortable when standing, lots of cushion when walking,” she says. The fit may take some getting used to, because, as she also notes, “They also have a very tall heel — they added almost 2 inches to my height,” and they run slightly large. She also points out that the lighter nature of the shoe can come across as less sturdy at first, though she attributes this to “just a different feel” and not a lack of quality.

Lighter footwear not only works for making the general population more comfortable — it can be especially important for people with muscle weakness, such as those with multiple sclerosis, circulatory problems, stroke, or spinal issues, where lifting a heavy shoe could make walking more challenging. The Hoka Clifton 9 nails the sweet spot between function and flair, pairing lightweight comfort with bold colors and standout style.

One thing that many of the shoes we tested had in common was the price, with most coming in at well over $100 per pair. Fortunately, the Skechers Arch Fit 2.0 offered some welcome relief. While $95 is not exactly cheap, it’s a significant cost difference that might make a supportive shoe more accessible for some people.

Now, there are some drawbacks in terms of sizing limitations, in both length and width, and the fit may not work for everyone. However, we loved the machine washability as well as the many different varieties of fits and styles available in the Arch Fit lineup.

Hirsch tested a pair for us and notes that while the shoes felt snug at first, “after a week of wear, the shoes have softened slightly.” She also says that they were “comfortable for walking or standing for long periods because of the cushioned memory foam footbed and noticeable arch support. While they felt a bit clunky when walking, the firm structure actually provided good stability when standing, which helped reduce foot fatigue.”

Despite some fit issues with the heel and the top of the foot, we really like that some versions of this shoe from Skechers have a hands-free, slip-on design, making them potentially more accessible in form as well as price. If you’re finding yourself adrift in a sea of shoes that stretch your budget, these Skechers may be worth a try: They might just give your arches the support they’ve been missing, at a price that’s easier on the wallet.

In testing, I found the length to run true to size, but the fit was especially forgiving in terms of width, which is fortunate because these shoes only come in one width. The shoe was very accommodating to the shape of my feet, though it did feel a little loose at times. However, with the right socks, I was able to find a good balance of comfort and flexibility without feeling unstable.

I took the Cloudrunner 2 for a spin during long days on my feet, including some brisk 3-mile walks, and it offered plenty of room for foot swelling without discomfort. There was really no “breaking-in” period with these, as they were comfortable right out of the gate, but they did mold more closely to my arches after about a week.

I’ve owned other pairs of On shoes in the past, and they were never my favorites, but it’s clear the brand has made real improvements that create a more comfortable and functional shoe. I can easily recommend the Cloudrunner 2 to runners with high arches.

Having a high arch often means your foot requires more space vertically to feel comfortable in a shoe, and that can sometimes be accommodated by a wider width — that is, if one is available. Not only do we love the Hoka Bondi 9 for its wide and extra-wide sizing options — we also grew to love its ultra-plush cushioning.

Mary Sauer, our tester, is not only a health writer but also an avid hiker, so she knows a good shoe when she feels it. She says that “even though the intense sole was a weird adjustment, I ultimately think it is providing me with a lot of shock protection. I have pretty severe mechanical foot pain that impacts my entire foot, as well as localized heel pain, and these seem to help some.”

In addition, those with wide feet and high arches often want to use an orthotic or insert, only to find that the shoe can become uncomfortably tight. Sauer says that the Bondi 9 also “works well with my custom orthotic if I remove the sock liner,” which is music to our ears. She found these shoes to be excellent for standing and walking, and although they come with a hefty price tag of nearly $200 per pair, they’re worth it if your wide feet need relief.