Best Basketball Shoes for Flat Feet
- By Team Shoethority
We tested 40+ products and found the Adidas Harden Stepback 2 Basketball Shoe to be the best basketball for flat feet.
For this article, our testers spoke to numerous basketball players who have flat feet. We wanted to establish the key features you should look for when you’re choosing a basketball shoe. We also asked about what features you should avoid.
Our testers loved the Adidas Harden Stepback 2 Basketball Shoe. This is a stylish unisex sneaker. It scored top points for its supportive fit and highly comfortable cushioning. It’s a quality shoe at a competitive price point. We think it’s a great choice for players with flat feet.
We tested a wide range of basketball shoes. We included low and mid-top designs, and popular brands. Our testers looked for shoes that deliver comfort, foot support, and breathability, as these are all important features. We tested durable outsoles for use on outdoor courts and non-marking soles for indoor use. We also looked for shoes that come in half sizes, which gives you space to put in an orthotic insole if you need to.
Keep reading to learn about our recommendations. And check out our buying guide for more information on how to choose a pair of basketball shoes for flat feet.
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Table of Contents
Best Overall
99/100
Our Score
Adidas Harden Stepback 2
Adidas Harden Stepback 2
Why this product?
Top pick for players with flat feet. It’s stylish and supportive with comfortable, quality cushioning.
99/100
Our Score
Our testers voted this unisex shoe their top pick for players with flat feet. It’s stylish and supportive with comfortable, quality cushioning.
A lightweight EVA Bounce midsole provides comfy and responsive cushioning, and impact protection. It is flexible, to allow your foot’s natural movement. The uniform sole promotes correct foot posture. Our testers say the generous width allows room for a slim orthotic if needed.
The supple textile upper hugs the foot. Its snug fit and high eyelets on the upper bring support and stability to the ankle area. This helps prevent pronation and supination which are common problems in flat feet. An external heel counter secures the heel for optimum stability. The generous toe box lets your feet spread and splay.
A sturdy rubber outsole delivers reliable traction and foot protection. It is hardwearing and suitable for outdoor courts. The wide base gives increased lateral stability.
This is a good quality, supportive shoe at a budget price. You can buy it in three color combinations of black/white, black/multi and black/red.
Pros
- Provides impact protection
- Promotes correct foot posture
- Hardwearing
- Budget price
Cons
Best Nikes (Women)
99/100
Our Score
Nike Women's Court Vision Mid Sneaker
Nike Women's Court Vision Mid Sneaker
Why this product?
The EVA foam insole has a breathable mesh overlay. It delivers impact protection, cushioning and stability.
99/100
Our Score
This is a retro 80s style mid-top basketball shoe with an affordable price tag. Our testers like the comfy fit, which is specifically engineered for female feet.
The sturdy leather upper has a stylish, minimalist design. The leather has perforations and is breathable, which helps to keep your feet fresh and dry. A padded tongue and ankle collar give ankle support. The traditional lacing system gives an adjustable, custom fit.
The cushioned midsole is comfortable and supportive. Stitching along the midsole gives enhanced durability. The EVA foam insole has a breathable mesh overlay. It delivers impact protection, cushioning and stability.
The shoe has a hardwearing rubber cupsole (a cup-shaped molded outsole with tall sidewalls). This cradles your foot and gives you increased protection from impact. The outsole’s circular tread pattern provides excellent traction.
These shoes are available in half sizes, so you can go up a half size and insert a custom orthotic if you prefer. They’re available in black/white color combinations.
Pros
- Comfortable fit
- Breathable
- Durable
- Delivers impact protection
Cons
Best Nike (Men)
95/100
Our Score
Nike Men’s KD Trey 5 VIII
Nike Men’s KD Trey 5 VIII
Why this product?
The shoe has shock absorbing qualities to protect your feet and joints from impact. This helps prevent injury.
95/100
Our Score
This budget-friendly mid-high basketball shoe is perfect for outdoor courts.
The flexible textile upper has a padded collar and lace-up closure. This gives you a comfy snug fit and great ankle support. The two-layer textile is lightweight and breathable to keep your feet cool when you’re on court. A padded Flyknit tongue gives extra comfort and breathability.
The sturdy rubber outsole is hardwearing and protective. Its wave tread pattern aims to deliver exceptional grip and control on any court surface. A wide base and uniform sole encourage stability and balance.
Our testers like the comfy, dual density foam midsole. It uses Nike’s Renew technology to deliver highly comfortable, responsive cushioning. It has shock absorbing qualities to protect your feet and joints from impact. This helps prevent injury. The shoe is available in half sizes. So, you can opt for a slightly larger fit to accommodate an orthotic insole, if you prefer.
This stylish, comfortable shoe is available in an eye-catching range of colorways.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Comfortable snug fit
- Breathable
- Responsive cushioning
Cons
Best for Indoors (Men)
99/100
Our Score
Adidas Men’s Own the Game
Adidas Men’s Own the Game
Why this product?
The wide base increases stability. It helps to prevent pronation and supination in your feet.
99/100
Our Score
This versatile and stylish basketball shoe is ideal for indoor wear.
The comfortable midsole uses Adidas’ Cloudfoam cushioning. This EVA foam compound works as a shock absorber. It minimizes impact on your joints and delivers energy return or ‘bounce’ on the court. An Ortholite sockliner provides supportive cushioning to the arch of your foot. It is removable, so you can replace it with a custom orthotic if you prefer.
The flexible outsole is ‘Adiwear’, an extremely durable, non-marking rubber. It delivers reliable traction and maneuverability. The design provides additional support to your foot’s medial arch.
The upper is a flexible combination of mesh and synthetic leather. A lace-up closure secures your foot, and the mid-top silhouette allows ankle flexibility. A heel pull makes it easier for you to take the shoe on and off.
Our testers liked the roomy fit, which lets your toes splay comfortably. It allows ample space for a custom orthotic. The wide base increases stability. It helps to prevent pronation and supination in your feet.
This stylish, comfortable shoe comes in a variety of colors.
Pros
- Supportive
- Removable sockliner
- Flexible outsole
- Prevents pronation and supination
Cons
Best for Indoors (Women)
99/100
Our Score
Adidas Adult D.O.N. Issue 2
Adidas Adult D.O.N. Issue 2
Why this product?
A responsive EVA foam Bounce midsole delivers plush cushioning and shock absorption. This protects your feet and joints from impact.
99/100
Our Score
Our testers loved the snug and highly supportive design of this attractive shoe. It is designed for women’s feet.
A responsive EVA foam Bounce midsole delivers plush cushioning and shock absorption. This protects your feet and joints from impact. It aims to give increased ‘bounce’ when you move.
The hardwearing rubber outsole delivers reliable traction and foot protection. It has arch support built in to support your foot. The roomy base gives enhanced stability.
The breathable lightweight mesh upper is soft and flexible. The elevated upper and high eyelets provide good ankle stability and a secure fit.
This affordable, well designed shoe comes in half sizes in an array of attractive colors.
Pros
- Protects feet and joints from impact
- Supportive
- Breathable lightweight mesh
Cons
Best for Outdoors
96/100
Our Score
Adidas Unisex-Adult Dame 7
Adidas Unisex-Adult Dame 7
Why this product?
The shoe is lightweight, stable, and supportive. The shoe’s generous width allows room for an orthotic insole.
96/100
Our Score
This unisex shoe is our tester’s choice for outdoor courts. It is lightweight, stable, and supportive.
The upper is stretchy, breathable synthetic mesh. It supports your foot whilst allowing natural movement. The breathable mesh maximizes airflow. This keeps your feet cool and comfortable during hot games. An integrated lacing system gives you a supportive custom fit.
The comfortable midsole uses flexible ‘lightstrike’ cushioning. It is extremely lightweight and responsive and delivers a reliable court feel. There is additional padding around the heel area. The shoe’s generous width allows room for an orthotic insole.
A durable rubber outsole performs well on concrete and asphalt courts. The meta-rocker construction combines a low heel to toe drop with a wide, rounded base. This gives you better lateral stability and increased momentum on the court. It promotes a smooth, efficient gait.
This good value shoe is available in a choice of three stylish colorways: black/white/ brown/orange and black/pink.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Stable
- Supportive
- Durable rubber outsole
- Good value
Cons
Most Breathable
96/100
Our Score
Adidas Unisex-Adult D Rose 11
Adidas Unisex-Adult D Rose 11
Why this product?
The textile upper features Adizero technology. This delivers a super lightweight and highly breathable shoe.
96/100
Our Score
This is a lightweight and highly comfortable unisex mid-top shoe.
The textile upper features Adizero technology. This delivers a super lightweight and highly breathable shoe. The supple sock-like fit hugs your foot snugly. The lacing system provides a secure, custom fit and increases foot stability.
‘Lightstrike’ cushioning in the slim midsole supports your foot’s arch. It protects your feet from impact. The shoe has extra cushioned support in the heel area for comfort and protection. The roomy outrigger (the area on the outside of the forefoot) gives additional support. It increases your lateral stability on court.
The durable rubber outsole delivers excellent traction on court. It is supple, so your feet can bend and flex. A supportive heel counter locks your foot in place for optimum support and stability.
This stylish shoe is available in green/red and beige/green color combinations.
Pros
- Supportive
- Provides custom fit
- Increases foot stability
- Durable rubber outsole
Cons
Most Comfortable (Women)
94/100
Our Score
Under Armour Women's HOVR Havoc 2
Under Armour Women's HOVR Havoc 2
Why this product?
This highly comfortable shoe. A roomy toe box lets your foot bend and splay naturally.
94/100
Our Score
This super comfortable, women’s basketball shoe is stylish and supportive.
The molded textile upper is comfortable, flexible, and highly breathable. The mesh tongue helps maximize airflow to keep your feet cool. High eyelets on the webbed lacing system support your ankle. They deliver a snug fit and increased stability. A roomy toe box lets your foot bend and splay naturally.
The EVA foam sockliner comfortably secures your foot. It delivers underfoot cushioning and arch support.
A lightweight midsole combines Under Armour’s HOVR foam and ‘Energy Web’ compression mesh. This dual technology delivers responsive cushioning and shock absorption. It also gives maximum energy return. A supportive TPU heel counter securely wraps around the heel and midfoot. This increases lateral stability on court.
The sturdy rubber outsole has a herringbone tread pattern which provides excellent traction. Our testers like the molded construction which gives extra support to the arch of your foot.
This highly comfortable shoe is available in black or white.
Pros
- Flexible
- Highly breathable
- Lightweight midsole
- Delivers responsive cushioning
Cons
Most Comfortable (Men)
96/100
Our Score
Under Armour Men's HOVR Havoc 2
Under Armour Men's HOVR Havoc 2
Why this product?
The midsole uses HOVR technology. This delivers impact absorption, responsiveness, and energy return.
96/100
Our Score
This extremely comfortable mid-top shoe offers lightweight, supportive cushioning.
The molded textile upper is supple and supportive. It hugs your foot securely whilst allowing its natural movement. The textile is perforated to allow maximum airflow, to keep your feet cool during games. The mesh tongue is also breathable. The lacing system and high eyelets support the ankle and provide a secure, locked-in feel.
A full-length lightweight foam midsole supports your foot’s arch. The midsole uses HOVR technology. This delivers impact absorption, responsiveness, and energy return. A sturdy TPU heel counter secures the heel and midfoot areas. It gives enhanced lateral stability. The comfy EVA foam sockliner has extra cushioning.
The hardwearing rubber outsole has a herringbone pattern which gives excellent traction. The molded outsole gives additional support to your medial arch.
This stylish and comfortable shoe is available in a wide range of vibrant colors.
Pros
- Offers supportive cushioning
- Allows natural movements
- Provides locked-in feel
- Delivers impact absorption
Cons
Best Lows (Women)
95/100
Our Score
Adidas Women's Hoops 2.0 Sneaker
Adidas Women's Hoops 2.0 Sneaker
Why this product?
The shoe’s wide base increase stability. The outsole is flexible to allow your foot to bend and splay naturally.
95/100
Our Score
This is a classic, low-top shoe at a competitive price. It is stylish, supportive, and comfortable.
The flexible synthetic leather upper has a perforated toe area. It increases breathability to keep your feet cool. The low-top padded mesh collar adds comfort and freedom of movement. The lacing system secures your foot comfortably for a custom fit. A central tab on the tongue helps to keep it in position.
The EVA foam midsole provides comfy cushioning and supports your medial arch. A removable sockliner gives additional support.
The molded outsole is hardwearing rubber. It has a herringbone tread pattern which delivers reliable traction. The shoe’s uniform sole and wide base increase stability. A high walled cupsole cradles and protects your foot. The outsole is flexible to allow your foot to bend and splay naturally.
This stylish and versatile shoe comes in combinations of white, grey, and black. It is available in half sizes, so you can go up half a size to accommodate a custom orthotic if you choose. Our testers say the fit is true to size.
Pros
- Competitive price
- Supportive
- Adds freedom of movement
- Flexible outsole
Cons
Best Lows (Men)
95/100
Our Score
Nike Air Mavin Low Men’s
Nike Air Mavin Low Men’s
Why this product?
This stylish low-profile shoe is a good budget choice. The adjustable lace closure allows a custom fit.
95/100
Our Score
Our testers gave the thumbs up to this affordable low top shoe and its stylish retro design.
The upper is a combination of durable leather and synthetic textile. Breathable mesh panels at the sides keep your feet cool. A padded collar gives extra comfort and ankle support. The adjustable lace closure allows a custom fit.
A comfy foam phylon midsole delivers responsive, lightweight cushioning and foot support. It promotes a low to the ground feel.
The sole has a pressurized air unit beneath the heel. This provides additional cushioning and shock absorption. It alleviates impact on your feet and joints. A molded sock liner hugs your feet snugly. It supports your foot’s arch and encourages correct foot posture.
The rubber outsole is both flexible and durable. A herringbone tread pattern and deep ridges give solid traction.
This stylish low-profile shoe is a good budget choice. It’s suitable for everyday wear on both indoor and outdoor courts. It’s available in colorways of black, white, and grey.
Pros
- Provides ankle support
- Delivers responsive cushioning
- Alleviates impact on feet and joints
Cons
Best Mids (Women)
93/100
Our Score
Adidas Women's Entrap Mid
Adidas Women's Entrap Mid
Why this product?
An Ortholite sockliner gives additional foot support. It contains antibacterial properties to promote foot health.
93/100
Our Score
This stylish retro design shoe is lightweight, comfortable, and competitively priced.
The supple mesh and leather upper has perforations, to encourage airflow to your feet. Our testers like the padding on the ankle collar and tongue. It gives additional comfort and support.
The flat sole and wide base increase foot stability. The rubber outsole delivers solid traction and durability. It has a cupsole construction (high walls that cradle the foot). This provides efficient protection from impact.
The midsole delivers comfy cushioning and supports the arch of your foot. An Ortholite sockliner gives additional foot support. It contains antibacterial properties to promote foot health.
This versatile shoe is a great all-rounder and is suitable for wear on and off court. It is currently available in white, black or white/orange, and comes in half size fittings.
Pros
- Comfortable
- Supportive
- Delivers solid traction
- Provides protection from impact
Cons
Best Mids (Men)
93/100
Our Score
Adidas Men’s Entrap Mid
Adidas Men’s Entrap Mid
Why this product?
This is old school basketball shoe. The flexible cushioned midsole supports your foot’s arch. It promotes correct foot posture.
93/100
Our Score
Our testers were impressed with this old school basketball shoe. It delivers out of the box comfort and support at a reasonable price.
The leather and mesh upper is lightweight and flexible. The forefoot area is ventilated to keep your feet cool. Padding on the ankle collar and tongue gives added comfort and stability.
The flexible cushioned midsole supports your foot’s arch. It promotes correct foot posture. Additional arch support comes from an Ortholite sock liner. This is antibacterial to encourage healthy feet. The sock liner is removable, so you can replace it with a custom orthotic if you prefer.
The rubber outsole is hardwearing and delivers reliable traction and stability. High walls on the cupsole give sturdy foot protection. A generous fit and roomy toe box provide increased comfort and stability.
This very comfortable, versatile shoe can be worn on and off court, and comes with an attractive price tag. It’s available in, black, white, and black/red combinations.
Pros
- Reasonable price
- Supports foot’s arch
- Promotes correct foot posture
- Delivers reliable traction
Cons
Best Basketball Shoes for Flat Feet Buying Guide
The arches in our feet work like springs. They flex, bend and recoil to produce and absorb impact. This happens every time we run, jump, walk or land.
When we have flat feet, the medial arch collapses. When this happens, those “springs” don’t work properly anymore. This forces us to use more energy to run, walk or jump. It also means the foot can no longer absorb impact properly. This is why flat feet often lead to knee pain, hip pain and even back pain.
The best basketball shoes for flat feet do two things. First, they improve foot posture and support the arch so our feet can work properly again. Second, they provide much-needed cushioning to replace the arch’s impact absorption. This second feature is especially important in a jumping sport like basketball.
The specific features you want to look for are…
Cushioning
During a game of basketball, your foot has to absorb a lot of impact. You’re stressing it every time you run, jump, land or change direction quickly.
With healthy feet, this isn’t a problem – but flat feet can’t absorb impact properly. This means we need extra cushioning.
Quality basketball shoes will have EVA foam, which is soft and bouncy. Gel and air inserts, like the ones you see in Nike’s classic Air Max models, are also good.
Just be careful to avoid shoes with extra-thick soles. This can reduce sensory feedback and make you strike the ground with excessive force.
Space for Insoles
Flat feet need insoles that are extra supportive. These insoles should be smooth, soft, and rubbery.
Ideally, we want a deep heel cradle and a little elevation around the mid-foot. It’s rare to find a sole like this in regular basketball shoes – so we need a workaround.
That workaround is orthotic insoles. These can be worn instead of your basketball shoes’ original insoles. They can also be worn over them.
What matters is that there’s enough space in the shoe to accommodate the orthotic insoles, which can be thicker than usual ones.
Rubber insoles are best for sports, since they stop the foot from slipping inside the shoe.
Arch Support
A good basketball shoe can bring the arch back into its proper posture. This improves the foot’s ability to stabilize and absorb impact.
There are several specific features to look for here.
- First, orthotic footbeds and EVA foam insoles that mold to your foot over time. Both can help support your arch.
- Second, unique technologies that support the arch while reducing foot fatigue.
- Third, a quality outer sole.
The perfect outsole is made of hard, durable materials. This can mean tough rubber; it can mean a rigid arc frame.
Either way, you want the outsole to be tough, especially around the middle. This will stop the arch from collapsing.
Foot & Ankle Stability
A flat foot is more likely to roll outwards or inwards. Athletes with flat feet are more likely to roll their ankle.
They’re also more likely to have a poor walking and running gait. A gait like that – where your feet are always rolling inward or outward – is no good. It makes you more likely to slip during a game, and it makes on-court activities harder.
Fortunately, this can be corrected with stability features. Outriggers, which widen the sole of a basketball shoe, are good. So are high eyelets that let us stabilize the ankle joint. Orthotic features and broad sole bases are desirable too.
A Flexible Upper
Having flat feet changes the volume of your foot. This means that rigid materials – including thick leather – are a poor choice.
They can constrict your foot, leading to rubbing; sweating; chafing. More importantly, they make it even harder for a flat foot to move properly, leading to poor mobility, joint pain, etc.
The solution is to find a flexible upper. Look for mesh materials and soft, pliable leather. As a bonus, these kinds of materials also tend to be more breathable.
Uniform Soles
A shoe with an elevated heel can help you run faster. It can also put your feet into the same position as heels or pumps.
Jumping, running, and walking in shoes like this – especially when you have flat feet – is tough on the body. It stresses the knees, lower back, ankle, and more.
A small heel drop of a few millimeters is okay, but generally speaking, we want a uniform sole.
A Wide Toe Box
Having a collapsed arch makes your feet a little longer. It also makes the toes work harder to compensate for the immobile arch.
A wide toe box helps accommodate the extra length and extra toe movement. It gives your toes the space they need to bend, extend, and spread comfortably when at rest.
Aesthetics
Modern basketball goes hand-in-hand with sports fashion and urban fashion. Flat feet or no, we need to look at shoe models that look good on the court.
We’re looking at colorway choices, upper material quality, and overall style. Everyone has a different sense of taste – but avoid objectively ugly shoes.
Conclusion
Our testers voted the Adidas Harden Stepback 2 Basketball Shoe as the best choice for players with flat feet.
We particularly liked the super comfy cushioned midsole, and the supportive design. This stylish unisex sneaker gets another tick for its wallet-friendly price tag.
Call to Action
You can buy the Adidas Harden Stepback 2 Basketball Shoe by clicking on the link right here.
