If you have high arches, finding comfortable shoes can be surprisingly tricky—and the discomfort can extend beyond your feet. High arches, or pes cavus, don’t absorb shock as well as flatter feet, placing extra stress on the heel and ball with each step. Over time, this can lead to heel pain, ankle instability, calluses, plantar fasciitis, and even knee, hip, or back discomfort.
At Foot & Ankle Centers in Frisco, Little Elm, and McKinney, Texas, Dr. Tavakoli, Dr. Knapp, and Dr. Treleven help patients understand how foot structure affects comfort and mobility. For high arches, the right shoe features often matter far more than the brand name.
Why High Arches Need Specialized Support
High arches tend to be more rigid than low or neutral arches. Because they don’t flatten much during walking or running, they fail to absorb impact naturally. This means your feet—and joints above them—take on more force with every step.
Without proper footwear, people with high arches are more prone to:
- Heel and forefoot pain
- Ankle sprains due to instability
- Stress fractures
- Chronic foot fatigue
- Pain that travels up into the knees or back
The right shoes can help counteract these issues by improving shock absorption, stability, and alignment.
Structured Arch Support Is Essential
One of the biggest mistakes people with high arches make is wearing flat shoes or shoes with minimal support. While flexible or minimalist styles may feel comfortable at first, they often lack the structure needed to properly support a high arch.
Look for shoes with built-in arch support that maintains contact with the middle of your foot. This helps distribute pressure more evenly and reduces strain on the heel and forefoot. In some cases, custom orthotics prescribed by a podiatrist can provide even more precise support.
Our podiatrists at all of our Foot & Ankle Centers DFW locations can evaluate arch structure and gait to determine whether patients would benefit from custom orthotics in addition to supportive footwear.
Extra Cushioning in the Midsole
Because high arches don’t absorb shock well, cushioning is not optional—it’s necessary. Shoes with ample midsole cushioning help compensate for the lack of natural shock absorption.
When shopping, pay attention to how the shoe feels under the heel and ball of your foot. You should feel protected from hard surfaces, not like you’re striking the ground directly. Cushioned midsoles can significantly reduce foot fatigue and pain during long periods of standing or walking.
Patients often report noticeable improvement in daily comfort simply by switching to shoes with better midsole cushioning.
A Slightly Flexible—but Not Rigid—Sole
While support is important, shoes that are too rigid can actually increase stress on high arches. Ideally, you want a sole that provides stability while still allowing for natural movement.
A good test is to gently bend the shoe at the ball of the foot. The Foot & Ankle Centers team recommends that a shoe should flex slightly where your foot naturally bends, without folding in half or feeling stiff as a board. This balance helps reduce pressure points and supports a smoother walking motion.
A Deep, Supportive Heel Cup
A deep heel cup plays a major role in stability for people with high arches. It helps keep the heel properly aligned, reducing excessive motion that can strain the arch and ankle.
This is especially important if you’re prone to ankle rolling or frequent sprains—both common concerns with high arches. A stable heel can make a noticeable difference in balance and confidence while walking.
Heel stability is key when choosing everyday shoes, work shoes, or athletic footwear.
When to See a Foot and Ankle Specialist
If you’ve tried multiple shoes and still experience foot pain, it may be time to see a podiatrist. Persistent discomfort, frequent ankle injuries, numbness, or pain that interferes with daily activities are signs that your feet need professional attention.
At Foot & Ankle Centers our expert podiatrists take a personalized approach—evaluating foot structure, gait, lifestyle, and activity level to recommend footwear, orthotics, or treatment options tailored to your needs.
Take the First Step Toward Comfortable Feet
Living with high arches doesn’t mean living with pain. With the right shoes and expert care, you can stay active and comfortable every day. At Foot & Ankle Centers, Dr. Tavakoli, Dr. Knapp, and Dr. Treleven help patients in Frisco, Little Elm, and McKinney find personalized solutions for lasting foot relief.
If foot pain is holding you back, don’t wait. Schedule an appointment today and take the first step toward healthier, more comfortable feet.
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