Our Top 7 Picks of the Best Tennis Shoes for Flat Feet 2023

Do you suffer from fallen arches or do you have flat feet? Finding the best tennis shoes for flat feet can help keep you comfortable and pain-free on and off the court.

We all know finding the right sports shoes can be challenging with so many to choose from on the market. To make your life easier, here are our top 7 picks of supportive, cushioned tennis shoes that could suit your flat feet.

 

Top Points: What to Look For

• Arch Support.
• Cushioning.
• Width.
• Adidas Barricade Tennis Shoes.
• Mizuno Mens Wave Inspire 13.
• Babolat Propulse Fury Tennis Shoe.

 

Quick Review of the best tennis shoes for flat feet for men and women

1. Adidas Barricade Tennis Shoe

Adidas has thrown a slew of features into this tennis shoe. There are styles available for both sexes in a range of sizes. The laces lock your feet down in the shoes, while superior stretch and support provide comfort for flat feet.

 

2. Mizuno Men’s Wave Inspire 13

Mizuno’s patented double wave support built into the midsole of these shoes adjusts to the shape of your feet, helping keep you stable. The company has added other features for cushioning and stability to help correct your gait and provide comfort.

 

3. Babolat Propulse Fury Tennis Shoe

Replacing earlier models, the Babolat Propulse Fury has power straps to lock the midfoot in place. An EVA pad designed for tennis movements cushions your feet and protects your heels. The Michelin rubber sole provides traction and stability.

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4. Prince T22 Tennis Shoe

These shoes from Prince with a spacious toe box come in styles and sizes for women and men. There’s patented SoftSpring combined with an EVA midsole that gives support, cushioning, and comfort. Mesh uppers allow feet to breathe, keeping them fresh.

 

5. K-Swiss Bigshot Light 3

K-Swiss is a brand loved by many with wider feet. They’re roomy and supportive for flat feet with EVA insoles and footbeds. Fabric and synthetic uppers hug your feet while allowing air to circulate, and the outer soles give stability and traction.

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6. ASICS Gel-Challenger 12 Tennis Shoe

Lightweight but supportive, the Gel-Challenger 12 from Asics has lots of patented attributes contributing to their comfort. There’s a gel in the cushioning to absorb impact, along with an OrthoLite insole. The Trusstic System technology helps reduce the weight of the sole while maintaining its function.

 

7. New Balance 1260V7 Running Shoe

New Balance is a popular brand for people with flat feet. It offers these shoes in a range of widths, sizes, and colors, making choosing a pair easy for men or women. An air mesh upper gives breathability while a dual-density midsole and blown rubber outsole support and cushion your feet.

 

 

In Depth Reviews

We’ve looked at a multitude of tennis shoes available on the market, and these are our top 7 picks to protect dropped arches. They have all the support and cushioning you need to prevent overpronation and keep your feet comfortable.

 

1. Adidas Barricade Tennis Shoe

Adidas is a major player in sportswear brands. Its tennis shoes are favorites with many people for sports and casual wear.

 

The Barricade is available for both ladies and gents. Men can choose from sizes 4.5 to 14 and women from 5.5 to 11.5. Half sizes are available, and there’s a choice of 10 colors for men — but only one for women.

 

Seamless mesh uppers stretch, giving you a comfortable adapted fit. A flexible soft tongue combined with a bootie style keeps your feet stable and snug. Your feet are further locked down by the laces helping support your ankles.

Adidas has applied a lot of its patented technology in making these shoes. Adituff, an abrasion-resistant compound, wraps around the midfoot and toes. It holds your feet steady during lateral movements, and twists and turns.

Adiprene cushioning absorbs impact in the forefeet and heels while an Adiwear outsole provides traction and durability. These shoes can be worn on all different tennis court surfaces and also for everyday wear.

There are no width options to choose from, and some find them narrow.

Pros

• Stretchy mesh uppers are close-fitting.
• Cushioning and support throughout.
• Rubber sole is durable and provides traction.
• Anatomical fit to align gait.
• Breathable.

Cons

• Might not be the best option for very wide feet.

This footwear is enhanced by many of Adidas’ patented technology, giving a snug anatomical fit with support throughout. Cushioning for your arches keeps them comfortable while the rubber soles provide stability and traction.

 

2. Mizuno Men’s Wave Inspire 13

While Mizuno’s been producing sporting goods since the early 1900s, it didn’t make its first sports shoes until 1982. In 2007 the company introduced its patented Wave technology, which guides and stabilizes the feet. It helps prevent overpronation in flat feet as well.

 

The sizes on offer are from a 7 to a 14 in half size increments. There are six colorways to choose from, including grey and clownfish, and safety yellow, black and blue.

Proprietary U4ic places a unique compound in the midsole that’s lightweight but cushions the feet and absorbs shock. Both durable and responsive, it makes these shoes very supportive for flat feet.

The mesh uppers allow your feet to breathe and are flexible. A soft collar placed at the ankles helps prevent irritation to the tendons and bones in this area while keeping heels locked down.

On the downside, some find the soles of these shoes a little hard and inflexible.

Pros

• Breathable uppers.
• Supportive technology loaded midsoles.
• Absorbs impact.
• Choice of sizes and colors.

Cons

• Some find the soles inflexible.

Patented Wave technology helps stabilize and guide feet in these shoes, making them good for people who overpronate. The mesh uppers allow your feet to breathe, and a cushioned collar locks your heels down in the shoes.

 

3. Babolat Propulse Fury Tennis Shoe

Babolat is a French company that’s been manufacturing tennis goods since 1875 when it was credited with inventing strings for tennis racquets. It partnered with Michelin in 2003 to bring its tennis shoes to market.

 

The Propulse Fury are all-court shoes available for men in sizes 6.5 to 13. There are five colors on offer, including Wimbledon white, and black. For the ladies, sizes range from 5.5 to 10 in three colors.

 

Babolat technology in these shoes helps lockdown and support your midfoot for comfort in the arch area. There’s a flexible wide strap from a Power Belt feature that adapts to your feet. Cushioning comes from a KPSRX EVA pad that absorbs shock in the heel area, and an OrthoLite insole.

The Michelin rubber sole uses Premium Din material to make it durable and able to resist abrasion during the many moves associated with tennis. Babolat is confident in the quality of the outsole, offering a six-month durability guarantee.

Some find the shoes come up a little small, so be prepared to select about a half size up.

Pros

• Flexible strap adjusts to hold midfoot in place.
• Dual-layer cushioning.
• Michelin rubber outsole.
• Six-month durability guarantee on the outsole.

Cons

• Sizing up might be necessary.

With styles available for men and women, these tennis shoes from Babolat offer plenty of midfoot support. There’s a Power Belt feature to keep feet locked down and cushioning from an EVA midsole and OrthoLite midsole. The durability of the outsole is guaranteed for six months.

 

4. Prince T22 Tennis Shoe

Prince is a well-known brand in the world of tennis, delivering clothing, tennis racquets, and footwear to the market. It’s sponsored many successful players, including Andre Agassi and Maria Shriver.

 

The T22 is offered in sizes 6.5 to 14 for the gents and in three colorways, including blues, whites, and blacks. The ladies get to choose from sizes 6 to 10 but only one color, white with silver accents.

 

Mesh in the uppers allows air to circulate around your feet while synthetic accents are placed strategically for support. They’re also flexible making them comfortable.

The midsoles of the shoes have a multitude of patented features. EVA foam combines with Prince’s proprietary Shock Eraser for impact absorption while Soft Spring under the balls of the feet bounces energy back. A wishbone shank reinforces the arch support.

A durability six-month guarantee is in place for the PRC 1000 rubber outsole. This compound has longevity and provides adequate grip and stability on many different surfaces.

On the downside, there seem to be manufacturing inconsistencies in these shoes. Occasionally the quality is lacking with soles separating, uppers wearing quickly and sizing being way out of kilter.

Pros

• Patented impact resistance.
• Support and cushioning for the whole foot.
• Rubber outsoles with traction.
• Classic herringbone tread.

Cons

• Inconsistencies in quality and sizing.

Prince is a company with a vast experience in producing tennis goods. These shoes have support and cushioning for the whole foot, especially the arches. Flexible uppers and traction from the soles complete the package.

 

5. K-Swiss Bigshot Light 3

K-Swiss debuted its tennis shoes at Wimbledon back in the mid-1960s. The company’s shoes are renowned for their roominess, making them a good choice for wider feet.

 

The Bigshot Light 3 is offered in sizes 7 to 14 for men and 5 to 11 for the ladies. There’s only one color choice for men, white with black and silver accents. Ladies get spoiled for choice with 10 colorways, including pinks, oranges, greens, blacks, blues, and white.

 

A padded collar on the synthetic uppers provides ankle support, while the molded EVA midsole buffers your feet. A cushioned insole absorbs impact and bolsters your arches.

Non-marking rubber outsoles offer traction and slip-resistance with the classic herringbone tread. These shoes are flexible and lightweight, taking the stress off your feet and lower legs.

K-Swiss is a popular brand for many racquet sports, including pickleball players. You’ll see them worn regularly as casual footwear with jeans as well.

Some find that you need to break these shoes in before they become comfortable.

Pros

• Roomy shoes for flat, wide feet.
• Supported and cushioned arch and midsole.
• Slip resistance and grip.
• Breathable, flexible, and lightweight.

Cons

• Could take time to wear in.

These tennis shoes have plenty of support and cushioning for your flat arches. There’s stability and traction from the rubber outsoles while the breathable uppers keep feet cool.

 

6. ASICS Gel-Challenger 12 Tennis Shoe

Asics has manufactured a wide variety of sports shoes since its inception in 1949, from baseball to basketball, wrestling, track and field, and tennis. The innovative technology keeps the company at the forefront of its game.

 

The Gel Challenger 12 is available in a variety of colors and sizes for men and women. Men can choose from 6 to 15 in six bright or muted colors, and ladies 5 to 12 in bright blue or pink with white accents. Half sizes are available up to a 12.5, and 11.5, respectively.

 

These feature-packed shoes are constructed from man-made fabrics. A lightweight compound called Solyte is used in the midsole, with a gel in the rearfoot and forefoot. These combine with an OrthoLite sock liner to cushion and support your feet.

Asics’s Trusstic System reduces the weight of the soles, without compromising the structural integrity of the shoes. An AHAR (Asics High Abrasion Rubber) in the high-wear areas offers durability. There’s also a proprietary PGUARD toe protector.

The laces in these shoes might be a little on the short side in the larger sizes, but you could always change them out.

Pros

• Gel and an OrthoLite insole for cushioning.
• Lightweight.
• Bolstered rubber soles.
• Arch support for flat feet.

Cons

• Laces might be too short on the upper size range.

Asics brings us tennis shoes for men and women with a wide range of sizes on offer. They have patented features to give relief to arches and cushion feet from impact. You can remove the insoles to fit custom orthotics.

 

7. New Balance 1260V7 Running Shoe

New Balance manufactures many sports shoes that are suitable for flat, wide feet. The four widths on offer include narrow, regular, wide, and extra-wide.

 

This model, assembled in the USA, comes in styles for both sexes. Men can choose from a 7 to 16 and ladies from a 5 to 13. The color selections include grey and two shades of blue with bright accents for men and for ladies three shades of blue as well as vintage indigo or dark grey and purple.

 

The air mesh uppers allow your feet to breathe, offering flexible movement as well. They’re constructed in a “no-sew” material application meaning there won’t be seams to rub your feet.

Patented nitrogen-infused FuelCell and ABZORB, a compressed foam rubber, make up the midsoles. This provides adequate support for your feet while giving them protection from impact, and cushioning. The blown rubber outsole adds to these comfort features.

Suitable for people with flat feet who overpronate, these shoes might qualify for Medicare reimbursement.

Although there are width choices, it seems these shoes come up a little narrow. You could size up in width and length to accommodate this.

Pros

• Choice of four widths.
• Patented midsole for cushioning and support.
• Seam-free construction.
• Assembled in the USA.

Cons

• Might need to choose a larger size.

Four widths are on offer in this New Balance tennis shoe, which is suitable for flat feet and overpronators. It has multiple patented features to cushion your midsole and offer support for your arches.

 

Flat Feet Explained

Flat feet is the name used to describe the condition that manifests when all of the soles of your feet make contact on a hard surface when you stand. You might also hear it referred to as “fallen arches.”

The two categories that flat feet fall into are rigid and flexible. The rigid type is flat all the time while the flexible ones will display an arch when you aren’t standing up. Flexible flat feet will appear flat when you stand.

Approximately 25 percent of people have this condition, which doesn’t always cause discomfort or pain.

 

Reasons Why You Have Flat Feet

A few things can cause flat feet. These include:

• Genetics: Flat feet can be a hereditary condition, so if your parents have flat feet, you might as well. It’s also something that can develop as your feet form when you’re very young. Many children have flat feet before the arch begins to form, but this doesn’t always happen, and the feet remain flat.
• Age: As we age, the years take their toll, and our bones and tendons begin to weaken. This can cause the arch to drop, which in turn can result in weakness in the knees and ankles. It can throw the body out of alignment so you don’t walk as you should.
• Predisposing factors: Certain illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes, or being overweight can cause arches to fall.
• Trauma: Damage to your feet or ankles due to accidents can also cause flat feet.

 

Symptoms Associated With Flat Feet

People with flat feet don’t always present with any symptoms. When they do manifest, it’s usually in the form of pain in your feet, generally in the heels or arches. On occasion, it can cause your ankles to swell.

Any time you experience foot pain, you should seek medical advice.

 

Treating Fallen Arches and Flat Feet

If you don’t experience any symptoms, then treatment may not be necessary. There are corrective measures a podiatrist or medical professional might suggest to help alleviate or prevent pain. These include:

• Wear the right shoes: Soft shoes or sandals might not provide the support that flat feet need. Your doctor might suggest you wear wide shoes with comfortable low heels.
• Orthotics: Insoles that mold to the unique contours of your feet, or ones with arch support, can help relieve discomfort. These include custom-made options, or those purchased at the store, pharmacy, or online. You can read more about this in our article, the best memory foam insoles.
• Exercise: Foot stretches can help build strength in the tendons in your feet. This video explains flat-footedness and shows you some exercises that can help.

• Pain relief: Taking over the counter or prescribed painkillers can help alleviate discomfort.

This video talks about the causes and symptoms of flat feet.

 

Features to Consider in Tennis Shoes for Flat Feet

Not all sports and tennis shoes are made the same. Here are some of the features to consider when choosing tennis shoes for flat feet:

• Arch support: Flat feet can cause you to turn them in as you walk, a condition called overpronation. This can lead to pain in the feet, ankles, and back. Having arch support can realign your body, improving your gait — light support is often enough as too high an arch in a shoe could actually cause more pain.
• Shock absorption and cushioning: The insoles and midsoles of the shoes can help redistribute your weight and make the footwear more comfortable. Check out the level of cushioning the shoe offers from foam made of polyurethane or EVA, or that adapts to the shape of your feet. These materials are also durable and can protect you from impact as you walk, run, or play sports.
• Width: While it’s not always the case, flat feet do tend to be wider. Check out whether the uppers are flexible, and whether the toe area is roomy. These are more likely to accommodate broadness.
• Removable footbed: The insoles that come with your tennis shoes might not be suitable for all, even if they’re cushioned, supportive, and contoured. They can also wear out long before the uppers and soles. Having removable inserts means you can always change them out for an orthotic better suited to your arches.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the Right Tennis Shoes Cure Flat Feet?

Unfortunately, it seems there isn’t a remedy for flat feet. However, choosing supportive, cushioned shoes can help alleviate pain and align your feet so your walk as you should.

How Do I Know If My Feet Are Flat?

You can do a simple test at home to check if your feet are flat:

• Wet the bottom of each foot.
• Stand on a paper towel or cardboard on a hard floor, or a tile where you’ll be able to see the imprint left behind.
• Gently lift your feet and step off the surface, and look at the print your foot has made. If you can see the shape of the entire bottom of your foot, the chances are you have fallen arches or flat feet.

This video details the cardboard and water flat feet test.

 

Do I Need to Replace My Tennis Shoes Often If I Have Flat Feet?

In most cases, this will depend on the amount you wear your tennis shoes and the activity you’re doing. Here are some signs to look out for that your tennis shoes need to be retired and replaced with a new pair:

• The “rocking” test: Place your shoes on a flat surface; if they rock or fall over when you apply gentle pressure to the sides, then it’s time for a new pair.
• Excessive wear: Look at the soles of the shoes. If they’re worn more in one area than another, rather than evenly, it could be a sign to change them out.
• Midsole: Look for visible wrinkles in the middle area of the sole. This is an indication they have compressed and might no longer be offering the support and cushioning they should.
• Interiors and uppers: Wear in one area, holes, or a distorted shape indicate deterioration in the interior or top of your tennis shoes. Worn heel collars and holes at the toes are also common telltale signs your shoes are past their sell-by date.

Use your intuition and common sense. When your shoes don’t feel as good as they should, and aren’t supporting your feet, buy a new pair.

 

Time to Serve

Wearing the best tennis shoes for flat feet can help keep you on top of your game. They’ll support and cushion your arches, correct your gait, and help keep your feet comfortable.

Whether on or off the court, choosing the correct tennis shoes for your fallen arches can help alleviate pain in your lower body.

Let us know which ones you choose by leaving us a comment. Also, don’t forget to share so fellow flat footers can benefit as well.