The 13 Best Sandals for High Arches, Approved by Podiatrists
Olivia Cigliano
Commerce Writer & Producer at Footwear News and WWD
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Footwear News may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Summer offers so many possibilities for outdoor fun and physical activity. But if you need arch support, it’s vital to browse the best sandals for high arches so your feet receive optimal support. Durable sandals for high arches can last through multiple summers and prevent foot injury or pain, so you can focus on enjoying the beach, hiking trails, or daily adventures under the sun.
Before you shop for arch support sandals, determine your foot type. “The easiest way to tell whether you have a high arch is what I call the ‘wet foot test,'” says podiatrist Dr. Anne Sharkey. “Wet your feet and step onto pavement, then look at the shape of your foot. If the shape of your foot is wide and looks like an elongated oval, this is a flatter foot structure. If the shape looks like a “C” this is a higher arched foot type.”
While you hunt for the best arch support sandals, Dr. Sharkey recommends avoiding a sandal with too much flexibility, as they won’t offer adequate foot support. She explains to “choose a sandal that has some rigidity to it, meaning that you cannot entirely twist it or bend it in half with just one hand.”
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Arch-supportive sandals come in a variety of stylish options, including slip-on slides, gladiator sandals, airy clogs, comfortable wedge sandals, and strappy platform heels. These sandals function as shoes for standing all day, walking, hiking, boating, or even pain recovery, thanks to innovative shoe technology from top brands like Vionic and Chaco. Some arch support sandals are super sporty, while others look fashionable enough to wear to brunch or style with a dressy outfit for a summer party.
Keep reading to check out our top list of comfortable walking sandals for high arches, informed by careful research and expert insight from Dr. Sharkey and podiatrist Dr. Mark Mendeszoon.
Keep reading to check out our top list of comfortable walking sandals for high arches, informed by careful research and expert insight from Dr. Sharkey and podiatrist Dr. Mark Mendeszoon.
Colorways available: Black Oiled Leather, Blue Oiled Leather, Brown Amalfi Leather, Habana Oiled Leather, Iron Oiled Leather, Khaki Oiled Leather, Tobacco, Taupe
Special features: Raised toe bar, contoured soft foam footbed, deep heel cup, EVA shock-absorbing outsole, footbed made of renewable and sustainable cork
What reviewers say: One customer said, “Love these sandals! No breaking in period at all for me and they have better arch support than the rubber flip flops I’ve been wearing.” Another wrote, “It’s a perfect fit. I am a full medium so the narrow aren’t wide enough and regular maybe a tad wide but more comfortable and accommodates swelling in the summer heat. The arch support is great for my high arches and high instep. The oiled iron color is a great neutral and a pretty color.”
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Colorways available: Black, Gray, White, Cork, Shifting Sand, Mist Green, Vibrant Orange, Passionfruit, Pink Yarrow, Pale Mauve, and 5 others
Special features: Molded sugarcane EVA midsole, molded EVA outsole, ventilated air flow channels
What reviewers say: One customer said, “I love my Hoka Slides. They greatly helped my plantar fasciitis.” Another wrote, “I’ve worn Hoka recovery slides for years for comfort and, most recently, to alleviate pain from plantar fasciitis. The newest design of this slide is so good – the heel cup is deeper, the toe grip is more pronounced, and the top strap is nicely contoured. Highly recommend!”
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Colorways available: Black, Bracken White, Gray, Granite, Fossil, Cress Green, Ocean Blue, Outskirt Fuchia, and 33 others
Special features: Adjustable jacquard webbing strap, EVA midsole, high abrasion EVA
What reviewers say: One customer wrote, “These are so comfortable! I have high arches and wear custom arch supports in all my enclosed shoes, but it’s a pain to wear them with sandals. The built in arch support on these is perfect! I bought these for camp shoes, but love them so much I ordered another pair for daily wear.” Another wrote, “These are so comfortable for my high arches. I have walked great distances on sidewalks in these shoes.”
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Colorways available: Black, Dark Olive, Honey Brown, Orion Blue, Light Multi, Dust Lavender
Special features: Cushioned webbing up with added filler, cushioned synthetic insole, Max-Comf outsole, adjustable ankle strap, thick platform, constructed with a minimum of 20 percent recycled material
What reviewers say: One customer said, “Very comfortable and the arch support is great.” Another wrote, “Thanks to several medical issues with my feet that include arthritis and neuropathy, and a torn fascia cord on the left foot, the only type of that I can walk in is the Zymic. They are very comfortable and I wear them to walk an average of two miles a day.”
Colorways available: Cream, Black, Marmalade, Blue Shadow
Special features: Orthotic insole arch support, alignment support, deep heel cup, forefoot cushioning
What reviewers say: One customer said, “First I fell in love with the simplicity of this sandal – two straps, imagine that! They’re perfectly placed, so that I have support just where I need, over the back of my toes and over my very high arches. The fabulous foot bed makes them comfortable enough to wear all day and lovely enough to wear into the evening.” Another wrote, “These sandals are very comfy and I can definitely feel they give me stability. I feel the difference when I stand on one foot when I’m wearing them vs barefooted. I have some back issues, so supportive shoes are a must. I want to buy another color now!”
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Colorways available: Black, White, Bone, Mushroom/Cobblestone, Pink Clay
Special features: LiteRide foam, cupped footbeds, upper windows for breathability, slow rebound
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Colorways available: Tnf Black, Gray, Retro Orange, Military Green/Mineral Gray, Sandstone/Tnf Black, Deep Grass Green/Utility Brown
Special features: Compression molded EVA midsole, recycled tri-lug rubber outsole, recycled nylon straps
What reviewers say: One customer wrote, “I like the versatility of these sandals. They look good with shorts or jeans and can be work to the beach or walking around the mall. Highly recommend.” Another said, “These sandals are super comfortable and high quality like you would expect from The North Face.”
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Colorways available: Magnet/Black, Safari/Silver Birch, Ddye14/Ddye14
Special features: Slip-on design, zero-mark rubber outsole, outsole traction, Eco Anti-Odor, air holes for breathability
What reviewers say: Once customer said, “I wear these all summer long. I am in the second year of my 3rd pair now. I wear them to ride my bike, walk the dogs, work in the yard (just spray them off with the hose), to the beach, and even to dinner.”
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Colorways available: Black/Black Cow, Limestone Cow Leather/Cow Nubuck
Special features: Leather comfort insole, adjustable straps
What reviewers say: One customer said, “The fit is true to size. I am an 8 medium to slightly narrow feet. These shoes give me just the right amount of lift as well as arch support. They are a bit on the heavy side, but I like that in a shoe. It makes me feel stable. I wore them immediately out of the box and there was hardly any break-in time. I’ve been wearing them daily since then.” Another wrote, “The fit was accurate. The sandals are very comfortable and provide good arch support. Great quality, too.”
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Colorways available: Mustang Brown, Jet Black-Slate Gray
Special features: Horse leather, pigskin lining, microsuede footbed, elastic panelling
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Colorways available: Black/Black, Charcoal/Vapor, Dusty Lavender, Navy, Orange Peel, Wasabi, White/Vapor, Blue Shadow, Terracotta/Rose
Special features: Molded EVA footbed, dual density midsole, durable rubber outsole, corrects pronation and alignment
What reviewers say: One customer said, “I bought these as a post op shoe after having a bunion surgery. I love Vionic shoes and these do not disappoint. They are rigid, the arch is high and solid, and I absolutely love this. The velcro is nice so I can adjust them to tighter in the morning when I have little to no post opp swelling.” Another wrote, “I love these so much that I am ordering another pair in a different color. I love the color I chose, perfect for spring and summer but most of all I love the arch support. My feet feel so good in them. Couldn’t be happier, I ordered my regular size and the fit was great.”
Colorways available: Black/Pure Platinum/Wolf Grey, Obsidian/Faded Spruce/Khaki/Volt, Sesame/Off Noir/Stadium Green/Black, Black/Cobblestone/Laser Blue/Enamel Green, Sanddrift/Light Iron Ore/Cobblestone/Volt, Black/Cocao Wow/Gum Medium Brown
Special features: Contoured foam footbed, adjustable straps, lug traction outsole
What reviewers say: One customer wrote, “Best shoe I have ever worn! Comfy, great support as well as design.” Another said, “Elite level comfort. Very durable sandal feels like you’re walking on clouds. I’ve taken these sandals through rugged terrain – 10/10.”
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Colorways available: Black, Black/Gray, Lavender
Special features: Cushioned foam midsole, contoured Goga Mat footbed, dual-density traction outsole, 1.5 inch height, 100 percent vegan
What to Look for in the Best Sandals for High Arches
When shopping for sandals with proper arch support, there are a few key elements to keep in mind. “Avoid hard, flat sandals at all costs. While fashionable, these are not built for use over the long term,” says Dr. Sharkey. Instead, consider these three factors:
- Materials: Soft cushioning is paramount when considering a sandal for high arches.”Look for midsoles constructed with a type of foam material (commonly EVA),” says Dr. Sharkey. “This is best for shock absorption.” Leather is a nice choice for summertime dress shoes, while waterproof materials like rubber tend to be better for wear at the pool or the beach.
- Midsole support: “Those with higher arches absorb more of their shock from activity in their heels and forefoot and therefore will find more comfort and support in shoes that offer additional cushioning,” Dr. Sharkey explains. “Generally, the thicker the midsole, the more shock absorption it will provide.” She suggests choosing sandals with an arch that contours well into the bottom of your feet.
- Style: Dr. Sharkey recommends choosing a sandal with adjustable straps across the middle of the foot for secure stability. “For activity, I love a sandal that has a deeper heel cup and even a strap around the back of the heel for extra stability,” she adds.
The Best Arch Support Sandals for Different Foot Types
- Arch support sandals for plantar fasciitis: “Those with plantar fasciitis will function best with a more rigid sandal that has arch support build in,” says Dr. Sharkey. Look for thicker soles with tons of cushioning, especially in the heel, to help manage foot pain related to the common foot problem.
- Arch support sandals for bunions: Invest in sandals that are roomy and breathable. “Those with bunions and high arches are going to want to choose sandals with adjustable straps to avoid blisters and rubbing,” says Dr. Sharkey. A roomy toe box is essential for preventing rubbing and pain.
- Arch support sandals for wide feet: “For those wider feet, this means choosing a sandal that is built on a wider foot bed,” says Dr. Sharkey. Check out brands like Teva’s or Birkenstocks that are known for their shoes for wide feet.
- Arch support sandals for back pain: “Someone with back pain is going to want a sheo that has enough support but with proper cushioning, too,” says Dr. Mendeszoon. Avoid high heels and opt for supportive orthopedic sandals instead.
How We Chose the Best Sandals for High Arches
For more than 75 years, Footwear News has been the shoe authority. Our coverage spans top industry news, retail trends, head-to-toe fashion, athletic and outdoor analysis and more. Footwear News’ global network of editors has carefully curated all product selections featured using our expansive brand knowledge and thorough research to find quality, long-lasting items.
In order to curate the best sandals for high arches, we incorporated insight from our expert interview with Dr. Anne Sharkey to determine the most supportive shoe features, fits, and styles for a variety of needs, as well as informed product recommendations. We conducted extensive researched across the footwear market to analyze available models and compared customer reviews quotes to determine the top-rated sandals available. Additionally, we contributed our own editor reviews and product testing for this shopping guide. Learn more about us here.
Meet The Experts
Dr. Anne Sharkey is a double board certified podiatrist based in Austin, Texas. Dr. Sharkey enjoys educating on conditions affecting the foot and ankle. Providing not only a diagnosis and treatment plan but also the education behind each condition is a top priority for each patient visit. Her greatest joy is to see her patients pain free, thriving and living their best and fullest lives. When not practicing podiatry, you’ll find Dr. Sharkey working in her garden, studying lifestyle medicine or reading a book.
Dr. Mark Mendeszoon is a multi-board certified podiatrist who treats all surgical and non-surgical conditions of the leg, ankle, and foot in both adults and children. He specializes in trauma, sports medicine, diabetic foot and ankle conditions and reconstructive foot and ankle surgery, including Total Ankle Joint Replacement Surgery. Dr. Mendeszoon also owns Achilles Running Shop, which caters to runners, walkers, and athletes of all levels.
Meet The Author
Olivia Cigliano is a Commerce Writer & Producer at Footwear News and WWD where she writes shopping content on the best-rated footwear, TikTok style trends, and more. Olivia received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Emerson College, and her byline can be found in publications including Elite Daily and CR Fashion Book. In her free time, Olivia can be found scouring the internet for deals on platform Tevas and slide sandals to add to her ever-growing collection. Learn more about us here.
