Nike Air Max Assail III

Although I love the way Nike shoes look, it can be difficult to recommend them because they are often too narrow or don't offer enough heel stability for the flat-footed person. The Nike Free 5.0 is a particularly bad example of a shoe which fit very badly and seemed unstable on my foot.

I love the Air Assail trail running shoe, however. They have nice wide heels and plenty of stability, as well as a rugged, firm sole which is meant to ease your progress as you run over rocks. These are my current off-road running shoes.

They are not terribly expensive, either - currently $59.99 at Sports Authority.

Nike Air Max Assail III

Sports Authority

New Balance 992

The New Balance 992 is a shoe you see quite frequently. It's attractive, although a bit conservative, and many people find it comfortable. It's also somewhat expensive - $124 at Zappos.

The 992 is built on a foot model known as the Sl-1 Last. Theoretically, this shape is for people with medium arches. However, the fact that the 992 is available in a variety of widths means that a wider shoe may offer a solution for flat-footed buyers.

I tried these on in a 4E (extra wide) and found they fit reasonably well. I definitely liked the way they looked.

They are available in wide or extra wide at Zappos.com.

Men's New Balance 992

Flat-Footed People of the World, Unite!

I started this blog because I have trouble finding shoes thanks to my flat feet. How much trouble? A ridiculous amount. I comb shoe stores searhing for the perfect fit only to be disappointed over and over again. I know I'm not alone in this!

How did I wind up with flat feet? Actually, it's flat foot; for some reason my left foot is flat as a pancake. It wasn't flat when I was a kid, but now it is. And I just have to deal with it.

This is a particular problem when you want to buy running shoes. The repetitive stress of running can cause serious foot pain if you are wearing the wrong shoes. And not everyone has the luxury of shopping at a well-stocked specialty running shop.

I started this blog to offer reviews of shoes that in my experience are comfortable for flat-footed people. I am going to start with men's shoes, since I can't try on women's shoes. However, if you have tips on comfortable shoes, or if there are shoes you'd like me to review, please email me or leave a comment on the blog. Thanks!

Email: shoesforflatfeet at gmail dot com