Having high arches when you’re a runner can be cumbersome. A high arch often means a stiffer or more rigid foot. Having a high arch while standing doesn’t mean your arch stays that way during movement. For some, it flattens out. In that case, a shoe with exaggerated arch support can be more annoying than helpful. That’s why we put together all the Best Running Shoes for High Arches in one place. We want to make it easy for you to avoid discomfort.
Runners with high or stiff arches often don’t pronate enough, which often means their feet don’t absorb enough of the ground contact forces. This often results in increased injury risk.
A shoe alone can not prevent injuries or fix an injured foot. Often, runners with high arches need to work on foot flexibility. A local physical therapist or podiatrist may be able to help.
Runners with high arches should look for shoes with adequate arch support, a high volume (tall) upper, well-fitting heel areas for optimal lockdown, and lean towards wider toe boxes since people with high arches can be prone to bunions and hammertoes.
We’ve taken the time to test out shoes just for you so you can make your next purchase worth it. Check out our list below to find all the best running shoes for high arches.
Updated: 03.05.2025
Best Running Shoes for High Arches
Puma MagMax Nitro
The Puma MagMax Nitro is a fantastic running shoe and is ready to compete with all the other super trainers on the market. For us, it’s one of, if not our favorite long run shoe. It’s also getting worn when our legs need to be babied the day after a hard workout. It’s protective with plenty of cushion but also makes our stride feel fairly effortless with a nice bounce on toe off. The Puma MagMax Nitro is a powerhouse running shoe. Read the full review.
Fit: True to size, Drop: 8mm, Price $180
Asics Superblast 2
The Asics Superblast 2 is an all around improvement from last year’s cult classic. It’s versatile enough to handle anything a runner needs to do including easy runs, tempo runs, speed work, and race days. It’s wide foot friendly with an accommodating engineered woven mesh upper that molds to your feet. It also has plenty of volume for tall feet and an arch setup that works well for high arched runners.
The traction, stability, durability, and breathability are all top notch. And the great upper sits on top of a soft yet bouncy FF Turbo+/FF Blast Plus Eco midsole that delivers a fantastic ride. The Superblast 2 doesn’t have any glaring negatives (a rare occurrence in the shoe reviewing business). It’s one of the best shoes on the market. See the full review.
Fit: True to Size, Drop: 8mm, Price: $200
Hoka Mach 6
The Hoka Mach 6 is the best the Hoka Mach series has ever been. The Mach 6 and its bouncy super critical EVA midsole can do daily miles, speed sessions, and long runs while providing very good durability and fantastic impact protection.
If you’re a wide footer you’ll need to choose the wide version but otherwise the upper and its gully gusseted tongue is comfortable. The Durabrasion rubber outsole is both great in all conditions and durable. The Mach 6 is a shoe that does everything well and is well worth it’s $140 price. tag. Read the full review.
Fit: True to size, Drop: 5mm, Price: $140
Puma Deviate Nitro 3
The Puma Deviate Nitro 3 is a great all-around running shoe, with the only concern being a narrower fit (though there is a wide version on the Puma website). The Deviate Nitro 3 doesn’t feel great in terms of the initial step-in squish but feels amazing the more you run, and the faster you run. It’s a smooth ride with a cushion/plate combo that feels great during workouts and helps the legs recover quicker.
The upper is breathable and very comfortable. The outsole uses Pumagrip, the best rubber outsole compound currently available, so you’ll get 100% confidence in the traction no matter the conditions. The Deviate Nitro 3 is one shoe that can do it all and delivers value at the $160 price point because it can soak up daily miles and go uptempo with great results whenever needed.
Fits: True to Size, Drop: 8mm, Price: $160
Mizuno Neo Zen
The Mizuno Neo Zen keeps the exquisite, Smooth Speed Assist rocker geometry and the nitrogen-infused, ENERZY NXT midsole of last year’s well-liked Neo Vista. But the Neo Zen ditches the plate and brings down both the price and the stack to more accessible levels ($150 and a “mere” 40mm in the heel and 34 mm in the forefoot). The X10 rubber outsole bears the same, effective outsole pattern and should provide durability in-line with typical daily running shoes.
The breathable, fully knit upper has a bit more volume in the forefoot than may be necessary, and the lacing in that area isn’t the most effective. However, lockdown is achievable via the rest of the lacing; it may just take a few runs to dial it in completely. But the overall fit nicely accommodates a variety of foot shapes, including our wide-footed friends.
The Mizuno Neo Zen has an incredibly lively and smooth ride that offers an impressive amount of versatility for anything from recovery runs, to track work, to tempo runs, to long runs. The $150 price point and high performance echoes the adidas Evo SL, and we feel the Mizuno Neo Zen likewise provides plenty of value with a fun, bouncy feel. See the full review.
Fits: True to Size, Drop: 6mm, Price: $150
Asics Novablast 5
The Asics Novablast 5 has (to many) been the epitome of a daily trainer for a few years running now. While we at WearTesters enjoyed the added support and durability that the Novablast 4 brought, we felt it lacked the pop of the Novablast 3. We were thrilled to find that the Novablast 5 seems to marry the best parts of each to create a highly successful, do-it-all daily trainer that’s sure to be a hit with fans of the Novablast line – and it does so with a new midsole compound, FF BLAST MAX.
We first saw this new foam in the top layer of the Asics GlideRide Max, and it’s a squishier, softer foam than the FF BLAST PLUS ECO of last year’s Novablast 4. Luckily, its implementation here in the Novablast 5 gave us all the sink-in comfort we could want without blunting the hoped-for response when we took it through faster paces. While it may not be quite as speedy as the Novablast 3, it unequivocally feels faster and more versatile than the Novablast 4. It also offers great comfort, stability, and durability (thanks to the deeper pattern of the AHAR LO outsole rubber). The comfy tongue is even gusseted now, which should put an end to the slippery tongue issues of previous Novablasts. Asics has swapped the engineered woven upper for an engineered jacquard mesh that poofs a bit at the forefoot, which is perhaps our only cause for disappointment. But, seeing as that sacrifices aesthetics more than performance – and seeing as the upper swap may be in part responsible for keeping the price at an extremely competitive $140 – we can’t argue with the result. Its accommodating, true-to-size fit (plus availability of a wide version), excellent price, protective comfort, and incredible versatility make the Novablast 5 an easy shoe to point to for those looking for “one affordable shoe to rule them all.” Full review.
Fit: True to Size, Drop: 8mm, Price: $140
Mizuno Neo Vista
Perhaps one of the best under the radar shoes on the market, the Mizuno Neo Vista, sports a radical geometry (called Smooth Speed Assist) that pay dividends on long runs. The geometry makes you feel like you’re falling forward with every step and keeps your stride smooth as the miles drag on. The Mizuno Enerzy NXT foam and plant-based Wave Plate also provide good bounce. And though we were initially skeptical of the knit upper, it adapts well to most if not all foot shapes and can be considered wide foot friendly. The collar may hit too high on the ankle for some but it’s nothing a pair of crew socks can’t solve. The $180 price point feels high at first glance but you get everything you pay for with this ultra smooth, versatile, and fun shoe.
Fits: True to Size, Drop: 8mm, Price: $180
Nike Vomero 18
The Nike Vomero 18 is the first entry in Nike’s new Maximum Cushioning pillar. In fact, its 46mm heel/36mm forefoot gives it the highest stack ever in a Vomero. The combination of a thin ZoomX layer on top and a beefy hunk of ReactX foam underneath make for a ride that feels more like a hybrid of the Vomero 17 and the InfinityRN 4 rather than a true Vomero (minus the InfinityRN’s polarizingly prominent arch); the Vomero 18 loses some of the uptempo versatility of Vomeros of yore as a side effect. While all that extra cushion also means a significant weight increase that won’t escape notice, performance doesn’t actually suffer. The Vomero 18 successfully resists feeling at all clompy or bulky thanks to the improved rocker geometry and smooth ride. The result is a shoe that may be less inclined toward pacy stuff but that’s highly capable of keeping you turning over in comfort through even your longest of marathon training runs.
While lacing and the mesh upper are different from the Vomero 17, the added heel tab is the only significant upgrade regarding the upper. As for the outsole, there’s thick durable, waffle-patterned rubber where it counts and a less dense, boxy pattern in less high-wear areas to save a bit of weight. The waffle pattern gripped well on multiple surfaces, and, while durability may not be at the quite same (extremely high) level of the Vomero 17’s outsole, it should be in the typical 300-500 mile range. The fit is true-to-size in length; however, we’d suggest most wide footers opt for the wide version, as the standard Vomero 18 isn’t particularly accommodating. Ultimately, the Vomero 18 may sacrifice some speed in favor of cushion, but it’s a reliable, easy day and long-distance cruiser with a smooth, efficient ride – and it comes in at a surprisingly competitive price. See the full review. Price: $150
Fit: True to size, Drop: 10mm, Price: $150
New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4
The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 is New Balance’s most versatile and useful daily running shoe despite not featuring a higher end stack height. The Peba/EVA blend of FuelCell is bouncy and makes it easy to pick the pace (maybe too easy). The upper is accommodating and breathable. The Rebel v4 is also lightweight and stable with durable traction. It’s more shoe than previous Rebels but that makes it accessible to more foot types, and ultimately, more people. It’s one of 2024’s best all around running shoes. Read the full review.
Fit: True to Size, Drop: 6mm, Price: $140
Puma Magnify Nitro 2
The Puma Magnify Nitro 2 is one of our favorite daily runners. At $140, it’s priced right for a high-end cushioned running shoe and has the most cushion of any Puma shoe. The super comfortable knit upper provides an accommodating fit and molds to your foot over time. You also get lots of Puma Grip on the bottom that will provide top-tier traction. Your knees and feet will thank you for putting these shoes on for a run. Read the full review.
Fit: True to size, Drop: 10mm, Price $140
Puma Velocity Nitro 3
The Puma Velocity Nitro 3 is the best Velocity Nitro yet. The upper is improved and much more locked in than version 2 but still not wide footer friendly. The bounce from the Puma Nitro midsole feels great underfoot and can handle a lot of miles. The PumaGrip outsole is, as always, elite. The Velocity Nitro 3 provides great value and is a great shoe to recommend to friends and family that come to you for running shoe advice.
Fit: True to size, Drop: 10mm, Price $135
Hoka Bondi 9
Hoka has given the Bondi 9 a supercritical EVA midsole (with an additional 2mm of stack) that has considerably more life in it than previous versions. The upper, which Hoka describes as an engineered mesh, feels like a higher-end knit material, and the shoe has a plush and premium feel overall.
While you’re not going to be able to pick up the pace in it, the Bondi 9 is super comfortable for easy runs, recovery runs, some long runs, walking, and/or standing all day. The MetaRocker and upgraded foam allow this max-cushion, hulk-of-a-shoe to somewhat belie its bulk, making for a surprisingly smooth and stable ride.
We ultimately felt this foam and overall setup outperforms that of the recently-debuted Hoka Skyflow. Testers were split on whether the Bondi 9 truly earns its slightly higher, $170 price point compared to other strong performers in its category in the $160-$165 range. But one thing is certain: the Bondi 9 is easily the best-running Bondi that Hoka has made. Read the full review.
Fit: True to Size, Drop: 5mm, Price: $170
Topo Cyclone 3
The Topo Cyclone 3 is positioned to compete with shoes like the New Balance Rebel ($140) and Brooks Hyperion($140). With its Pebax Powered midsole and exceptionally lightweight build, it has a super quick feel with bouncy, responsive cushioning – albeit, in modest quantities (28mm in the heel and 23mm in the forefoot, to be exact). It’s primed for fast workouts on the track and uptempo runs.
The amount of range one can get out of the Topo Cyclone 3 is going to depend on the runner. While our bigger, taller tester found it best to stick to shorter/faster stuff that didn’t much exceed 6-8 miles due to the amount of cushioning available, our smaller tester was able to comfortably take the Cyclone 3 out for efforts topping the 90-minute mark. Our testers also had mixed experiences when it came to the traction: one found the Cyclone 3 was best kept to dry surfaces while the other had solid grip in rainy conditions. They agreed, however, that treading through snow and ice is best left to other shoes.
Universally praised was Topo’s phenomenally-executed fit, which allows plenty of room in the forefoot without sacrificing an ounce of lockdown. Despite being a rather flexible shoe, there is also enough support to feel secure while taking corners at top-speed. It’s a fantastically minimal but comfortable shoe that wastes nothing and has nothing extra.
While $150 is in the general ballpark for a shoe like this, it’d be much easier to sing the praises of its value proposition if priced closer to $140. But if you’re willing to chance whether the wet traction works for you, and the anatomical fit is the thing you’ve been missing most in other speedy trainers, it could very well be worth the few extra dollars. Read the full performance review.
Fits: True to size, Drop: 5mm, Price: $150
Best Budget Running Shoes for High Arches
Nothing currently. Check back soon.
Best Running Shoes for High Arches – Speed Day
Nike Zoom Fly 6
Nike finally has a distance training partner worthy of the Alphafly’s legendary race day performance. The Zoom Fly 6 may also be Nike’s long-awaited competitor to supertrainers like the well-loved Asics Superblast 2 ($200). In fact, the Zoom Fly 6’s $170 price tag is only slightly higher than many “regular” daily trainers that often sit in the $160 range.
While the shoe’s length feels very short at first, our testers were ultimately happy going true-to-size. The fit is surprisingly accommodating at the forefoot (for a Nike shoe), but true wide footers may still need more room, particularly through the very snug-fitting midfoot. Other cons include laces that easily come untied if you don’t have enough length to double-knot them, as well as the fact that everyone will hear you coming as you hit the pavement. But our testers loved the run experience. The Zoom Fly 6 sports a dual-layer cushioning setup of ZoomX and SR-02, with a full-length, carbon fiber Flyplate sandwiched in between. The result is a protective and responsive ride with a firmer feel. While we wouldn’t recommend it for anything other than road surfaces, the Zoom Fly 6 is more stable underfoot than expected given its midsole setup, and the well-performing, breathable upper especially shines in warm weather conditions. The Zoom Fly 6 is a versatile training option whose energy return keeps propelling you forward at any pace. It can take you through more relaxed daily runs as well as through uptempo and longer efforts without ever losing its fun factor. See the full review.
Fit: True to size, Drop: 8mm, Price: $170
Nike ZoomX Streakfly
The Nike ZoomX Streakfly is a high-performing lightweight, speedy shoe with a few flaws that are easy to overlook if you’re a shoe technology nerd. The principal flaws are the durability, sloppy upper, and support. But the ZoomX midsole, sleek design, versatility, and minuscule weight make the Streakfly a super fun shoe. Runners with high arches will appreciate the midfoot shank that keeps the midfoot sturdy. Read the full review.
Fits: True to Size, Drop: 6mm, Price: $160
Best Running Shoes for High Arches – Racing
Nike Alphafly 3
The Nike Alphafly 3 is the best Alphafly to date and its super bouncy nature makes it easy to maintain marathon pace. It’s more accommodating and comfortable than previous models and includes a less pronounced arch (but it’s still ever-present). It’s still not a very stable shoe around corners and a lot of the heel material is cut away so hard heel strikers will have better options. The price is high, but if you miss the original Alphafly magic, you’ll get most of it back by wearing the Alphafly 3. Read the full review.
Fit: True to size, Drop: 8mm, Price: $285
Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3
The Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3 is huge step forward for Puma’s racing line. It’s $20 less than most race days shoes that sit at $250 but performs just as well. It’s much lighter than the previous version dropping over 2 ounces, the bounce is upgraded, and Pumagrip, as always, is reliable in all conditions. The Ultraweave upper is breathable but very strong and helps keep the foot on the footbed while ripping around corners. And while it’s not the most stable marathon shoe, it’s now a great option for race day due to the weight savings and increased pop from the Nitro Elite and PWRPLATE combo.
If you want a soft, bouncy, fun, and dependable long distance racing shoe that’s not in the $250+ price bracket you won’t be able to do better than the Deviate Nitro Elite 3.
Fit: True to Size, Drop: 8mm, Price: $230
Best Running Shoes for High Arches – Trail
North Face VECTIV Enduris 4
The North Face VECTIV Enduris 4 impressed our testers with its forward-thinking tech, resultant versatility, and its highly competitive price. It’s a great trail all-arounder for beating up on all-day outings, for everyday miles, and even for racing. The combination of its comfortable DREAM midsole made of nitrogen-injected TPU, a rockered design, and a full-length, winged VECTIV 3.0 TPU plate offers a nice balance of plenty of stability and some added bounce and propulsion when you call upon it.
The upper is durable yet lightweight, breathable, and locks the foot down securely. The SURFACE CTRL rubber outsole and its 4mm lugs performed well on dirt, rocks, leaves, and even snow. It doesn’t necessarily blow the competition out of the water, but it’s rugged and sticky; and it also maintains enough flexibility to pair well with the rest of the more propulsive elements of the shoe.
The forefoot of the upper is wide-foot friendly with regard to fit, but some may find the additional support from the wings of the TPU plate to cause pain points at the medial and lateral sides of the ball of the foot. The only other con our testers found was that the Enduris 4 doesn’t drain water very well.
Overall, the North Face VECTIV Enduris 4 points to the future of versatile trail shoes with its innovative design. It offers a great balance of comfort, stability, and propulsive bounce, giving it a wide range of use cases for just about any training or racing modality on the trails. Read the full review.
Fit: True to size, Drop: 6mm, Price: $160
Best Running Shoes for High Arches – Coming Soon
None at this time
Best Running Shoes for High Arches – Now on Sale
Brooks Caldera 7
The Brooks Caldera 7 is a stable, max cushion shoe. It’s not nimble enough for the most technical of trails, but whether you’re trail running or hiking, the Caldera 7 is built for long hauls. The more miles you put in on trails, the happier you’ll be with the DNA Loft v3 underfoot and the well-fitting, plush upper. Read full review.
Fit: True to size, Drop: 6mm, Price $150
Got any suggestions for shoes we should add to our best running shoes for high arches list? Comment below or message us on Twitter or Instagram with your suggestions.
