You may not realize it, but your feet are working hard for you every day. They have to support your entire body weight, and that’s a huge responsibility. Plus, they have to do it for hours on end, which is why it’s so important to take care of your feet.
One way of doing that is by wearing the best shoes for high arches running. High arches are bad news—they can cause pain in your feet, ankles and knees as well as lead to serious injuries like plantar fasciitis or metatarsal stress fractures. So if you have high arches, you need to get a shoe that supports them and helps control their movement.
Best Shoes For High Arches Running
7 Best Running Shoes For High Arches, 100+ Shoes Tested in 2022
The high-arched feet, or cavus feet, have arches (soles) that are higher than normal. This leads to uneven pressure distribution in the feet, which might cause pain and balance issues. Not every high-arched condition should be treated, it depends on how you experience the symptoms, if at all.
The most suitable type of running shoes for high arches are neutral running shoes, those that don’t have any supportive elements (like stability and motion control shoes). Making up 85% of all running shoes on the market, it is quite a selection. But we have tested over 100 pairs in our lab to select the top picks for high arches.
NOTE: If you’re experiencing severe pain caused by high arches, consult a physiotherapist or podiatrist instead of reading this guide.
How we test running shoes
We spend at least 7 hours on each shoe review to save your time in finding the best match for your running needs.
With our independent shoe testing lab and a team of dedicated runners, we never miss a shoe release. Here is how we test each pair of running shoes before claiming it the best for high arches:
Run at least 30-50 miles in the shoe to get a good feel of its support, comfort, and performance in a variety of conditions.
Take the shoe back to our lab, cut it into pieces and measure every imaginable parameter, including weight, stack, drop, softness, flexibility, (even shoelace slippage!), among 30 others.
To make it even more comprehensive, we gather all available expert and user reviews on running shoes for high arches and incorporate them into our scoring.
We receive no free shoes from the brands and purchase them with our own money to stay transparent.
The output is the CoreScore. It is a number from 0 to 100 which is assigned to every shoe that gets published on RunRepeat. It allows us to put it up against 1700+ other running shoes and sort out the best ones.
Best running shoes for high arches overall
Brooks Ghost 14
CoreScore
93
Superb!
Pros
All about comfort!
True to size
Lots of padding
Smooth ride
Really stable, even on light trails
Breathable
Great out of the box
Built for longevity (500 miles, easily)
Great grip
Cons
Lacks breathability for hot summer days
Not the best for long distances
Verdict
Making it to the very top of our list, the Brooks Ghost 14 has won over thousands of feet, and it has won over ours too!
After logging 50 miles in it, the Ghost has successfully ticked all our boxes as a comfortable running shoe for high arches. It’s well-padded, generating comfort in each step!
Although pillowy soft, it doesn’t bottom out. In our lab test, we have found that it’s 19.2N soft (much more flexible than the average 40.2N!) But don’t be fooled, it delivers a consistent, stable run through varied paces and terrain.
As a workhorse, it fits the bill. We took it out for some daily runs, and it proved plush and cushy. For 10-mile efforts, the shoe exceeded our expectations. And when we picked up the pace, it went along smoothly.
A weekend hike on the trails? Count the Ghost 14 in!
It’s really hard to find any flaw from the shoe, but if we were to do so for the cause of nitpicking, it’s that you should be wary of using it in colder weather.
Our lab test results show us a significant stiffening in the midsole after putting it for an hour inside a freezer. It hardened by 51.6% (!) The average shoes normally stiffen up to 37.6% only.
Overall, the Brooks Ghost 14 is a superstar among all jack-of-all-trades. It’s definitely in its A-game!
Running shoes for high arches with best cushioning
Saucony Endorphin Speed 2
CoreScore
91
Superb!
Pros
Fun, peppy ride
Runs like a race shoe
Lightweight
Plenty breathable
Smooth rockered transitions
Great lockdown
2 pairs of laces
One shoe Race, Tempo, Trainer
More flexible than other carbon-plated shoes
Reflective detail for night runs
Easy to put on (pull tab on the tongue and heel)
Cons
Learning curve needed for heel strikers or slower paces
Slipper on wet surfaces
Verdict
Jeez! The Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 is here again! After making it to our list of premier long-distance shoes, it’s here for another round of breaking records (quite literally).
And we couldn’t agree more. It deserves all the credits it could get! After evaluating tens and hundreds of running shoes, the Endorphin Speed continues to wow our soles!
What makes it our top choice for best cushioning is that it’s a five-star in blending all that cush, responsiveness, and above all – stability!
It’s got a plate sandwiched in the midsole, which is responsible for its quick and stable ride. And to keep the feet well-cushioned in all paces, it’s got a very light and soft foam, balancing out the rigidity of the plate.
Want more support? Worry not, the upper has got your back! It wraps securely around the contours of the foot. Contrary to its race sibling – Endorphin Pro 2 (which we also tested), it feels more locked-in.
In general, the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 is the shoe to pick if you want to smash some PBs without taxing the foot too much!
Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 full review
Best race running shoes for high arches
Asics MetaSpeed Sky
CoreScore
90
Superb!
Pros
Bouncy and responsive
Fast
Fantastic grip
Ultra breathable
Stable even at slower speeds
Ultra-lightweight
Perfect fit
Superb foot lockdown
Fits wider feet
Cons
Not so durable
Expensive
Not for cold weather
No heel tab
Verdict
The speed devil is at it again! We’ve paced the MetaSpeed Sky in all types of runs, and if there’s one way to describe it – it’s FAST! As in, lightning fast.
We even go as far as saying it’s THE best shoe we’ve ever come across. It’s really that good!
This speedster has all the ingredients to bolt you forward to your next PB. Calling it lively won’t bring justice to how good of a ride it actually is. If anything, its performance is the superlative of all race-day shoes!
It’s plated and the midsole is just bomb! It really sent us flying!
Whew, it’s so damn good it sounds like a marketing fluff! But believe us, it’s NOT. This shoe just does everything right and excels at it!
A bonus for a great racing flat, of course, is a superb fit. And a superb fit, you’ll get.
It’s very supportive all the way from the rear to the midfoot and has enough give up front for the toes to splay.
We’ve got nothing bad to say against the MetaSpeed Sky. Even in its weight, it does NOTHING wrong. In our lab test, we’ve gathered that it’s way lighter (6.7 oz) than the average 9.4 oz. So imagine all the speed you can get from this monster!
If you want to outrun the competition and feel like an elite, this is hands-down, the best of the best!
Best road high arch running shoes
Hoka One One Mach 4
CoreScore
92
Superb!
Pros
Glove-like fit
Perfect lockdown
Has an elf tab
Lightweight
Balanced
Superb comfort
Extremely stable
Large reflective elements
Cons
Stiff for an everyday trainer
Not a tempo shoe either
Break-in period needed
Verdict
The Ghost 14 from Brooks really fits the bill as the shoe for all runners. It’s a workhorse that’s comfy enough for easy days, responsive for tempo sessions, and is heavy-duty to handle light trails. Overall, a no-fuss daily trainer that will work for all your runs!
Best trail running shoes for high arches
Saucony Peregrine 11
CoreScore
88
Great!
Pros
Outstanding grip
Perfect foot lockdown
Great for mud, ice, rocks
Durable as a tank
Cons
For narrow feet only
Not breathable
Heavy
Verdict
If you’re looking for a trail beast, we can’t stress how solid (literally) of a choice the Peregrine 11 is.
We took the shoe out for some spin on the slick mud, snow, and stream crossings (both wet and dry), and this shoe just screams confidence. On softer terrain, its grip just gets even better!
It’s on the stiffer side alright. During the flex test in our lab, it took 33.6N to bend the shoe, whereas the average just requires 26.2N! Don’t worry, this is all in the name of protection.
This shoe just mutes out everything the trail throws your way.
From the ground up, the shoe is built like a TANK. It’s got all the makings to rake up miles and miles on the trails without it being worn out too quickly. 50 miles in, we still don’t see significant wear on the outsole or the upper. The midsole isn’t bottoming out too!
Ultimately, it’s a heavy-duty trail shoe that’s going to eat up jagged rocks and roots, and of course, distances on varied terrain! It’s made to go fast, and it’s made us run like it.
Best value running shoes for high arches
Asics Gel Contend 7
CoreScore
90
Superb!
Pros
Fits true to size
Good heel lock
Stable
A fair amount of cushioning
Value for money
Durable, grippy outsole
Guidance line keeps the foot steady
Cons
Rubber outsole is squeaky
Not comfortable on longer runs
Inefficient arch support
Verdict
It’s going to last and it doesn’t break the bank either. Everyone, the Gel Contend 7 from Asics!
Just like the rest of the running shoes in our lab, we put the Asics Contend 7 through rigorous testing. And we are happy to report, it breezed through all the scrutiny, becoming our champion for this category!
What’s there to not like about this shoe? It’s low-priced yet it has the qualities that most expensive shoes miss.
First, it’s comfortable and will keep the foot protected from impact. Trying it out on some high-mileage runs, time and time again, the shoe just keeps our feet and legs feeling fresh. It’s almost like the miles just passed us by!
Stepping it up in the comfort department, the shoe is also well-padded in the heel and opens up in the forefoot, giving the toes enough wriggle room.
And like a true Asics, the Gel Contend 7 is among the most durable budget shoes we’ve ever tested. After logging 50 miles, it still looks like it came out fresh from the box! We are expecting it to go 300-500 miles before retiring.
Although the shoe weighs just a tad more (9.5 oz vs 9.4 oz average, in our lab testing), it still feels as light as air on foot! It never weighed us down.
Sealing its name in having the best value that comes at an economical price, the Gel Contend 7 excels at everything! Whether it’s daily training, jogging, gym sessions, and aerobics, we’d take this shoe any day!
Most popular running shoes for high arches
Salomon XT-6
CoreScore
84
Good!
Pros
Fit true to size
Superb responsiveness
Quicklace system is a breeze
Zero Heel-slip
Amazing grip
Breathable
Super stable ride
Great protection
Stylish
Durable
Cons
Quite heavy as some trail shoes go
Stiff in colder conditions
Verdict
The Salomon XT-6 has been a hugely popular shoe for nearly a decade both for its looks and its ability to take you anyway on a trail. With heaps of protection, insane grip, and a responsive, speedy ride the XT-6 is still a relevant trail shoe to help you explore the less beaten trails. It’s a shoe that’s sure to leave you confident traversing steep gradients, or comfy at the end of a long hike.
Comparison of the 7 best running shoes for high arches
High arches need your attention if you’re experiencing pain, instability, soreness. Here, we’ll focus on what running shoes, and not other forms of arch support, can do for your high arches.
1. Do you have high arches?
First things first: discover your arch type. It doesn’t hurt to be sure, given that runners have poor knowledge of their foot type. You can check this visually and by scanning your overall condition and looking for symptoms. Visual confirmation is the best, especially when done with a specialist who observes your movement. Symptoms might appear or you might be lucky enough not to experience them.
Visual test: discover your arch type
The easiest and quickest way to check your arch type is the so-called wet test. You should: wet the sole of your foot (ideally both of them, one at a time), stand onto a piece of paper while allowing the moisture from your feet to sink into the paper, and step off.
If you have a high arch, the footprint will show only the front and heel of your foot with nothing in between. If there’s a thin line connecting them, you have a moderately high arch – better than the extreme.
If you’re not sure after doing this test or feel your feet need more attention, the best thing is to consult a podiatrist on this. They up the ante and use a dynamic approach which entails looking at your barefoot movement, pronation, tibia rotation, and heel deviation.
Symptoms of high arches
Can you feel the pain? Immediately stop your activities and rest. Look for professional help if the pain doesn’t go away or if it reappears.
If you’ve discovered that you have high arches based on the test, it’s also valuable to know how they feel. Cross-reference your experience to get a confirmation.
High arches can be asymptomatic or pain-free. However, your feet can get tired and achy easily. You also might have difficulties finding the shoes that are comfortable.
High arches don’t necessarily cause pain, though your feet can feel more tired and achy when you have them, and your legs stiffer. Highly arched feet can make it difficult to fit into regular shoes. Trying to wear shoes without enough room or support to accommodate a high arch can be painful because more stress is placed on the metatarsals. In this way, high arches can be instrumental in causing or worsening plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia.
Other known symptoms are knee, hip and low back pain, plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, hammertoes (bent toes) or claw toes (clenched like a fist), calluses on the ball, side or heel of the foot, instability of the foot.
2. Do you need arch support?
Not all high arches need support. If you aren’t experiencing pain or problems during running, there is probably no need to look for arch support. Just because you have a certain arch or pronation type, it doesn’t mean it’s something that should be fixed.
However, if you have a visual confirmation that you have high arches and you’re experiencing some of the symptoms, arch support is recommended.
Types of arch support in running shoes from least to most supportive:neutral or no support (Nike Air Zoom Pegasus)stability: support for mild to moderate overpronation (Asics Gel Kayano)motion control: supports severe overpronation (Hoka One One Gaviota 3)
3. Features to look for in high-arch running shoes
The imperative is to look for comfort. Then, take into account other features. The end goal is to lessen or prevent pain caused by high arches.
In the pursuit of high-arch support, these are the features of running shoes you should focus on:
Well-cushioned running shoes, especially in the ball and heel of the foot. They should offer good to maximum shock absorption to compensate for the decreased foot’s ability to absorb the shock
High arch support to help with the pressure distribution and pain by preventing the arch from collapsing too much
Neutral running shoes which help with supination through the cushion that supports the arch.
Saucony Axon was cut in half in our lab and is a good example of a high-arch running shoe.
Bonus tip: look for shoes with a removable insole, just in case you decide to go for special arch-support insoles or orthotics. Also, we analyzed 183,911 running shoes and discovered that the more arch support you request, the more expensive they become.
A removable insole from Nike Air Zoom Pegasus, a popular daily running shoe for high arches.
Treatment for high arches
Depending on the cause and severity of high-arches symptoms you’re experiencing, types of treatment may vary significantly. Leaving serious conditions that usually ask for surgical interventions aside, the most common treatments are:
1. High-arch running shoes
Covered in detail in this guide – these shoes should improve your overall running-with-high-arches experience.
2. Physical therapy
Great way to learn more about your body and be aware of how certain parts move and why. Stretching and strengthening techniques can go a long way in improving your muscle tone and tendon flexibility. These techniques can also be a part of your prevention plan.
3. Over-the-counter orthotics and insoles (shoe inserts)
They might help at first. If the issue is gone, good. However, if the pain comes back in the same or another area, it means you probably started putting more strain on other body parts. The sooner you look for professional help, the better.
Learn more about insoles and orthotics in our in-depth guide to find out which one is right for you.
4. Custom orthotics and insoles
These have a great success rate (can result in a 74% reduction in foot pain) and are highly recommended, especially because they are made for your feet only and might differ for the left and right foot.
5. Ankle braces
Their purpose is to support the ankle and prevent over supination.
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