A proper hiking boot must provide you with wraparound ankle support for flat feet and balance gait support, among other features. So, if you have flat feet, hiking boots should be worn accordingly. Or else, you’ll end up hurting joints or may result in some serious injury if continued. Being a flat-feet person, I’ve tried and tested dozens of the best hiking boots for flat feet, and here is your list to make sound decisions:
Comparison of Best Hiking Boots for Flat Feet
No. | Image | Name | Price |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Columbia Newton Ridge Perfect Flat Feet Boot | Check for Men Check for Women | |
2 | Merrell Moab Boot for Flat Arches | Check for Men Check for Women | |
3 | Lowa Renegade GTX Mid Hiking Boot | Check for Men Check for Women | |
4 | KEEN Men’s Targhee 2 Waterproof Hiking Boot | Check for Men Check for Women | |
5 | NORTIV 8 Ankle Support Comfortable Insert Boot | Check for Men Check for Women | |
6 | Salomon Cross Mid Gore-tex Hiking Boot | Check for Men Check for Women | |
7 | XPETI Women’s Fastrail II Flat Feet Boot | Check for Women | |
8 | Vasque Women’s Talus at Ud Mid Hiking Boot | Check for Women | |
9 | Xcursion Fusion – Women Hiking Boot | Check for Women |
Best Hiking Boots for Flat Feet
1. Columbia Newton Ridge Perfect Flat Feet Boot
Sometimes, flatfeet put a strain on the arch and heel area. This is directly linked to the adverse boot shape. Therefore, I especially researched and found this Columbia Men’s Newton Ridge plus Ii.
I visited Yosemite National Park recently wearing this boot. The experience was swift and pain-free due to the ideal comfort under the feet.
It is one of the most comfortable and well-fitted hiking boots I’ve ever owned. Its stylish design and durability in-built did a fair job on trekking, keeping my flat feel balanced.
What I noticed, unlike this boot, is its extremely comfy padding and arch support that kept comfort around on bumpy roads.
Due to its perfect fitting, I didn’t need to break in at all, plus the cushioning and significant padding justify the fitting.
Its 5’’ inches of shaft measurement andante-slip outsole for my flat feet proved reasonable on slippery hiking grounds.
Its zero-slip outsole synthetic material and the lightweight constructions have been the ultimate factors why I liked its performance.
Its waterproofing mesh and leather upper kept my feet warm and dry throughout the journey.
In short, this Columbia Men’s Newton is a perfect boot for flat feet. It has warm ankle support and the best cushioning that never causes rashes on the skin. And it’s also available for women.
Pros
- No need to break in; it fits right out-of-the-box
- Balanced arch support keeps feet sprain-free
- Ultra-durable and comfy
- Waterproof and mesh uppers
- Impact absorption and high energy return against injuries
Cons
- None
You can also check this boot on other online stores as mentioned below:
2. Merrell Moab Boot for Flat Arches
Due to my flat feet, I must trek and hike on the specified ground. But when I switched to Merrell Moab, it was a lifesaver.
This time, this Merrell Moab 2 mid waterproof has the most natural fitting design with its Kinetic Fit ADVANCED removable contoured insoles inside.
Its design is subtle, but the performance on various grounds is supreme. For example, this boot felt supportive air cushioning and warmer due to plenty of padding inside.
It also helped me easily ascend while I was jogging on steeper paths. Without any stress and pressure on my toes, Merrell Moab did a fine job of relaxing my feet.
Also, the traction parameter is great.
The outsole pattern is durable and doesn’t wear very well. Its stability with molded nylon arch shank helped me with each step I took for hiking.
One of the best features this boot has for my flat feet shape is it’s lightweight.
Its durability is not only for hiking but also for fishing, mountaineering, hunting, and other foot works. I wore it for about 200 miles, and there were no wearing signs. This was a relief for the money I spent.
In my experience, Merrell Moab is the best hiking boot for flat feet men, and the same line is also available for women. You can check it out here.
Pros
- Air cushioning and lightweight
- Well-stitched design and rugged outsole
- EVA midsole for better support and responsiveness
- Neat built with metal hooks
- Its tongue keeps off dirt
- Protective toe cap for maximized safety
Cons
- None
3. Lowa Renegade GTX Mid-Hiking Boot
Lowa hiking boots always offer something exceptional in their design. I prefer a boot that saves my feet from injuries for hiking and outdoor sports that lasts for several days.
Due to my naturally flat feet shape, I chose this Lowa Renegade GTX boot, and the experience was worth it.
First of all, its all-black appearance casts a dainty impression. And when I wore it, the comfort and supportive interior felt just right under the arch support.
Unlike the above-mentioned choices, the Lowa Renegade boot has a robust Vibram Evo outsole for abrasive and uneven hiking grounds. I never felt a loose grip while descending.
Lowa Renegade is among the best waterproof boots for flat feet with a high-ankle design and full-length nylon shaft design.
The shaft measurement is ‘’inches, whereas the Heel measures and platform measurements are 1.75″ and 1’’ inches, respectively. Lowa Renegade is one of the safe designs for foot protection during cold climates.
My flat feet naturally remain comfortable with its GORE-TEX waterproofing and perfect custom fitting. I walked and hiked several miles thanks to the strong and thicker lugs with the nonslip property.
Also, you can find this same boot for women if you’re planning to go on a couple hiking!
Pros
- High ankle design protects from injuries and abrasion
- Wraparound arch support
- Suitable for backpacking and hiking
- GTX waterproofing and breathability
- Vibram outsole with zero slipping
Cons
- Its seams are less flexible
- The outsole may feel a bit too soft
4. KEEN Men’s Targhee 2 Waterproof Hiking Boot
Putting forth another hiking boot (also available for women) for flat feet is this Keen Targhee. I bought this boot at an affordable price range, which is a great advantage.
However, what I found great for my wider and flat feet shape is its wider toe box design!
Also, this hiking boot comes with the best of the best soft padding that didn’t cause chafing or rubbing my skin. That was the reason why I could hike more than 50 miles on different grounds.
For flat feet shape, this Keen Targhee mid-height boot has a comfortable and gripping fit with 0.75″ platform measurement and 1.5’’ inches of heel measurement.
Its rounded toe design, strong outsole grip, and springy comfort liners further amplified support for my flat feet shape.
So, it kept up with the perfect blend of balance on rocky and uneven terrains.
Apart from its fitting and balance arch support for flat feet, I also appreciated its snug interior and the Keen Dry waterproofing design.
So throughout the hiking session, my feet remained extremely comfortable without losing the grip.
The 4mm multi-directional lugs and easy heel pull tab helped maintain mobility and quick wearing of ergonomic feet.
Overall, I’m quickly satisfied with its performance for hiking and baking though its design can be a bit stylish!
Pros
- The wider toe box design keeps off the strain
- Deeper lugs for high traction grip
- Removable metatomical footbed
- KEEN.DRY, waterproof, and breathable
- External support shank helps maintain arch support
Cons
- Not quite stylish
- Mid-ankle support only
- Wider toes might not be suitable for slim feet
You can also check this boot on other online stores as mentioned below:
5. NORTIV 8 Ankle Support Comfortable Insert Boot
Flat-footed people must choose hiking boots carefully because they don’t have an arch on their feet.
So I especially looked for well-padded boots that can compensate for my feet ‘shape with the best support.
NORTIV 8 surprised me with its hiking efficiency, robust traction, and extremely supportive comfort.
Its rubbery outsole, in combination with fabric-and-synthetic uppers, is all about flexibility and resilience for foot mobility.
I easily hiked up to 15 miles without pressure on my toe joints.
Its anti-slip design, cushioning with soft flexibility, and energy return approach made sure I chose the best hiking boot for rocky terrains.
Its 6’’ inches of nice and supportive shaft measurement have been great for my aggressive hiking sessions.
Its supportive heel and rounded protective toe cap design further backed me up on turning the pace abruptly. However, its waterproofing needs improvements.
With arch support, its lightweight and fatigue-free EVA midsoles played a central role in day-long hiking. I never felt pain in my joints due to pressure on my feet.
It’s a perfect flat-foot boot with anti-shock padding and swiftness for walking/running.
Talking about the design, I liked its sober design and compact build for outdoor activities, including cycling, fishing, running, backpacking, trekking, hunting, camping, climbing, mountaineering, traveling, etc.
Pros
- Affordable in price
- Decent arch support for climbing and hiking
- EVA lightweight midsole
- Antic-shock cushioning
Cons
- Not suitable for snow hiking
- Poor waterproofing means feet may become damp at times
6. Salomon Cross Mid Gore-tex Hiking Boot
For comfortable hiking and enhanced speed, Salomon Cross hiking boots always come to mind.
As you know, flat feet have less arch support, so I needed a hiking boot that offered support and helped in great fitting.
Salomon Cross offered me significant fitting, generous padding, and softer insoles for easy foot mobility.
In short, its performance for flat feet is amazing.
Its amazing traction on steeper pathways, superb fit, and laces followed by the warmer tongue is all the quality features that played a role in safe hiking.
Moving forward for this traction and durability, this boot has the capacity to work on abrasive and uneven grounds without any major signs of wear and tear.
But its unique factor is its design. Such as its quick lace design is another feature that was helpful for a swift take-it-off.
The stylish built and fully protected toe box always helped me with aggressive and energetic climbing on rocks. Also, I walked on loose gravel without hurting my feet.
No matter where I placed my feet, on snow melt puddles or on damp grassy retain, its GTX waterproofing performance kept winning my trust.
Therefore, I also bought a pair of boots for my wife from the same line for women.
Pros
- Suitable for backpacking and trekking
- It offers great under feet support and fitting
- Durable for several miles of hiking
- Robust GTX waterproofing
Cons
- Its tongue is a bit saggy
- The debris may slide inside the boot
7. XPETI Women’s Fastrail II Flat Feet Boot
My wife often complains of painful feet after returning from hiking. So I decided to buy her a suitable choice for her flat feet shape.
In search of the best hiking boots for flat feet women, I landed on XPERIA Fastrail boots. I asked her to review this boot for me and share her hiking experience with XPETI Fastrail.
In many ways, she appreciated this boot; for example, its lightweight offered her extreme support from the ankle and heel area.
But what she found relief is its well-balanced cushioning and padding.
Therefore, she usually hiked more miles wearing this boot.
Additionally, its waterproofing and breathability in uppers also assured her great performance on hot and humid days of hiking.
Overall, its responsive and bouncy feel remained her ultimate reason for finding this boot great.
Also, its abrasion-resistant fabric design felt friendly and promoted foot mobility with zero chafing and rashes on her sensitive skin.
Also, its lightweight design but ideal traction maintained balance and let her walk and hike confidently.
She also told me this boot has been kind to feet thanks to the TPU molded shank foam insole. For flat feet, its arch padding offered reasonable support.
Pros
- Pretty stylish with purple lining
- Lightweight with ultra traction
- Waterproof and X-Dry breathability
- Reduce fatigue for day-long feet work
- Offer generous padding under feet for flat feet
Cons
- Not suitable for wearing without socks
- The right boot may leak
8. Vasque Women’s Talus at Ud Mid Hiking Boot
Vasque is the brand for trust and quality. Recently I bought this boot from the Talus line and it was a surprise gift for my sister.
She has a flat foot shape and often struggles to find the right balance.
After returning to hiking, she instantly titled this boot one of the perfect hiking shoes for flat feet women.
Its design is soft, and the interior always felt the most comfy, even on aggressive grounds and bumpy roads. Therefore, she claimed this boot was comfortable in most adverse hiking situations.
Not to mention how its rounded toe box design and snug fitting felt protective.
It offers a balance between being stiff and soft which is amazing for hiking and privilege. Also, its shaft measurement is ankle from arch which is great for both support and grip on slippery grounds.
There are not many downsides, but according to my sister, this boot is slightly off in its style parameters. Maybe she wanted a pink boot!
Its all-terrain performance for traction is best for professional hikers.
The stability and gripping outsole pattern is what she also liked after its flat feet fitting. Wearing this Vasque Talus, she hiked more than 37 miles without blisters and chafing complaints.
Pros
- High ankle support for better fit and protection
- Abrasion-resistant mesh
- Extreme 18mm waterproofing uppers
- Laces never come undone or loose
- Less break-in time with Dual Density EVA footbed
Cons
- Expensive
- Narrow toe box
9. Xcursion Fusion – Women Hiking Boot
I purchased from this Xcursion Fusion hiking boot brand for the first time. This is a women’s boot, and I picked this pair for my wife for our hiking trip.
I thought she didn’t like it at first, but she mostly gave positive reviews about its interior, especially given her flat feet shape.
She found its “zero drops” heel design “excellent” for her feet.
Also, its waterproofing performance for dry feet is reliable. She mostly didn’t complain about its breathable and waterproofing.
This boot has plenty of padding and thick cushioning that absorbs shocks like a pro.
Its core features, such as a 10 mm FeelTrue® sole and the most rugged outsole for robust traction, gave her a satisfied approach to keeping their feet safe.
As the brand says, this boot is a just-right selection for rugged outdoor adventure, and the mesh uppers with flexible interior padding ensure the wearer always gets the due support.
One of the noticeable factors of Xcursion Fusion is that she felt the ground under her feet (unlike the thickset soles), yet the grip was nice, and she never hurt her feet while hiking.
For flat feet, this boot has reliable support and an arch design that offers comfort to the feet.
It’s pretty much a well-made boot and bed for camping, hiking, trekking, and other such activities. Also, the ankle support is comfy for safety.
Pros
- Minimal design and lightweight
- Waterproof design
- Ankle support is best
- Wider toe box and “zero drop” heel
Cons
- They need a proper break-in
- Not suitable for snow hiking
Buying Guide
When you have flat feet, choosing hiking boots that provide proper arch support, stability, and comfort is important. Here are some key factors to consider when buying hiking boots for flat feet:
- Arch Support: Look for hiking boots that offer good arch support. Flat feet lack a natural arch, so finding boots with built-in arch support or removable insoles that can accommodate orthotics is essential. This helps maintain proper foot alignment and prevents excessive pronation.
- Stability: Opt for boots with excellent stability features. Look for models with a firm midsole and a supportive heel counter. These features provide stability and help control overpronation, reducing the risk of ankle rolling and foot fatigue on uneven terrain.
- Cushioning and Comfort: Comfort is crucial when choosing flat-foot hiking boots. Look for boots with ample cushioning in the midsole and footbed to absorb impact and reduce strain on your feet. A padded collar and tongue can also enhance comfort and prevent chafing.
- Footbed and Insole Options: Some hiking boots come with removable insoles, allowing you to replace them with custom orthotics or insoles specifically designed for flat feet. This customization option can greatly enhance comfort and support for individuals with flat arches.
- Width and Sizing: Ensure that the hiking boots you choose are available in various widths, including wide and extra-wide options. Proper sizing is crucial for flat feet to accommodate the wider foot shape and prevent discomfort or pressure points.
- Waterproofing and Breathability: Consider the climate and terrain you will be hiking in. Use waterproof boots to keep your feet dry if you plan to hike in wet or muddy conditions. Look for models with breathable materials or ventilation features to prevent excessive moisture buildup and maintain foot comfort.
- Traction: Hiking boots with a reliable outsole and good traction are important for stability and safety on various terrains. Look for boots with deep lugs and a durable rubber outsole for excellent grip and traction on wet or slippery surfaces.
- Ankle Support: Flat feet can benefit from additional ankle support to prevent overpronation and provide stability. Mid or high-cut boots with a supportive ankle collar can help prevent ankle rolling and provide extra support for flat arches.
- Weight: Consider the weight of the hiking boots. Lighter boots are generally more comfortable and allow for easier movement on the trails. However, be sure not to compromise on stability and support when opting for lighter models.
- Quality and Durability: Invest in well-constructed hiking boots made from durable materials. Quality boots will last longer, providing you with better value for your money. Look for reputable brands known for their hiking footwear.
- Fit and Break-In Period: Ensure the boots fit properly and allow for toe wiggle room. Try them on with the socks you plan to wear while hiking. Remember that hiking boots often require a break-in period, so allow time for your feet to adjust to the new footwear.
- Professional Fitting: If possible, visit a specialty outdoor footwear store where experts can assess your foot type, measure your feet accurately, and provide recommendations tailored to your needs. The professional fitting can help you find the perfect pair of hiking boots for your flat feet.
Remember, everyone’s feet are unique, so it’s important to find hiking boots that suit your specific requirements. By considering these factors, you can find the best hiking boots for flat feet that offer the support, comfort, and durability you need to enjoy your outdoor adventures.