My top choice running sneakers for my weird flat feet! – Updated 12/9/23

I used to believe I couldn't run more than 2 or 3 miles because when I did my feet would hurt, fall asleep & get blisters. It was bad! As it turns out, I was wearing the wrong sneakers my whole life.

My first Brooks were Adrenaline GTS 17. It was actually pure luck because my wife got them for me as a random birthday gift several years back. When I wore them it was obvious to me that these particular sneakers were more accommodating, stable and cushioned than any I had ever tried. It's like they held my feet together. So I ran in them.

Long story short I ended up running a full marathon in Adrenaline 19's a couple of years later. In the process of obsessing over how great my feet felt in Brooks sneakers I began to experiment with other styles. Nothing else worked until I found Glycerin GTS 19.

I ran 15 half-marathons in 3 back-to-back pairs of the exact same Glycerin GTS 19's. They are hands down the most comfortable shoes to ever be on my weird flat feet.

I have Adrenaline 22 GTS on right now and Glycerin 20's are here getting broken in.

I've tried them all. All the cool Nike and Adidas and other well-known brands are all too slim, too tight, too hard, too something. I want to note that I went down a very long road (both figuratively and literally) and after trying multiple New Balance Fresh Foam, Hoka One One, Mizuno, Asics Gel-Kayano, Saucony Guide/Echelon, Asics GT-2000/4000 all in both normal & wide. Nothing compared to the comfort and ability to run distance that Brooks provides me. Also, not one of them was true to size except Brooks: Mens Size 10. Every time. Consistency is rare these days.

So, for all of my flat foot readers, I hope you can enjoy running distance like me with a pair of Brooks Glycerin GTS or Adrenaline GTS. I will give Brooks Ghost a mention because I love them for walking. They also have cool styles and color combos but I can't do Ghost for distance running. I need that deep cushion and stability that Glycerin GTS and Adrenaline GTS provide.

What is GTS in Brooks Sneakers and why is it good for flat feet?

From Brooks: "Did you know that “GTS” stands for, “Go-to support?” We add the GTS label on all shoes with Guiderails Support. This means that these shoes contain support technology that keeps your natural movement in a safe range so you can run with more comfort and less pain."

The GTS in Brooks sneakers can be good for flat feet because it features raised sidewalls called "Guiderails" that cup the foot and provide underfoot support. This design can be ideal for flat-footed runners who need a lot of support. The Guiderails system can also help keep the foot and knee aligned.

The Adrenaline GTS has a 12mm drop from heel to toe, which can help put more weight in the forefoot and away from the heel. The extra cushioning in the heel can help minimize excess movement, which can provide support for the feet, knees, and hips. The Adrenaline GTS also has a rubber sole, plush cushioning, and moderate arch support.

1. Brooks Glycerin GTS

Glycerin GTS Mens | Glycerin GTS Womens

My go-to #1 favorite RUNNING sneakers. I genuinely don't like their appearance. I hope the design catches up to the functionality soon because it's hard to buy $160 sneakers I don't wear at all, anywhere except the road.

2. Brooks Adrenaline GTS

Adrenaline GTS Mens | Adrenaline GTS Womens

Brooks Adrenaline are a close #2. For a flat footer like myself, walking, training runs and my day-to-day movement is a joy and a luxury in Adrenaline GTS 22. I have never been able to find the comfort I find in Brooks Adrenaline GTS and Brooks Glycerin GTS.

3. Brooks Ghost

Ghost Mens | Ghost Womens

Brooks Ghost is a solid choice if you don't need a heavily cushioned sneaker. They're a great every day trainer for most people. For my flat feet, these are fantastic for walking and tend to have very cool colors available. But, they fell flat when I tried them to run distance.

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Hello, I’m Michael Baker. I am a 49-year-old strength trainer, certified Yoga teacher, former yoga studio owner, certified health coach, and dedicated health and wellness practitioner with over 30 years of experience. I began "Get Up Earlier" (GetUpEarlier.com) because getting up earlier was step 1 in transforming my routine and overall well-being, especially after spending years sitting at a computer as a digital professional.

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