Best Hiking Shoes with Arch Support: Expert Buyer’s Guide

Most people choose hiking shoes based on tread, waterproofing, or weight. But here’s the truth: without proper arch support, even the most expensive hiking shoes can leave your feet tired, sore, and prone to injury.

In this expert guide, we’ll show you exactly what to look for in hiking shoes with arch support, why it matters more than you think, and why the Tread Labs Dover Collection sets a new gold standard.

• Improved Alignment: Keeps knees, hips, and back in better posture during long hikes.

• Reduced Fatigue: Supports all 26 bones and 33 joints in your feet so you can hike farther.

• Injury Prevention: Helps prevent overpronation, plantar fasciitis, and ankle roll.

Pro Tip: Factory insoles almost always flatten within weeks — meaning your shoe’s support disappears fast.

1. Built-In Support, Not Just Inserts – Look for shoes built around supportive insoles, not ones relying on flimsy liners.
2. Removable Footbed – Allows you to replace or upgrade your insole without replacing the shoe.
3. Durable Midsole Materials – EVA or polyurethane that won’t collapse over time.
4. Traction for All Terrain – Vibram® outsoles for wet, rocky, and muddy trails.
5. Fit That Molds to You – A shoe that breaks in without losing its structure.

Unlike traditional hiking shoes, the Dover Collection was designed from the insole up:

• Pace Insole: Removable, recyclable polypropylene arch supports that never flatten.

• Vibram® Megagrip Outsoles: Proven traction in wet and dry conditions.

• Trail-Tested Uppers: 2.5mm unlined suede (Dover) or synthetic mesh (Dover RS) for comfort and breathability.

Shop the Dover Collection →

No matter your trail, climate, or hiking pace, the Dover Collection delivers unmatched comfort, stability, and performance. Here’s how to find your perfect fit:

1. Dover – Best All-Weather Hiking Shoe

   • 2.5mm unlined suede upper built for durability in year-round conditions

   • Abrasion-resistant construction that holds up on rocky, muddy, or wet trails

   • Clinical-grade arch support from the built-in Pace Insole system
     
     

2. Dover RS – Best Breathable Performance Trail Shoe

   • Lightweight synthetic mesh + textile upper for quick-drying breathability

   • Ideal for warm-weather hikes, high-output trail runs, or fast-packing adventures

   • Same orthotic-level support and stability as the Dover
     
     

3. Dover – Best for Rugged, Technical Terrain

   • Unlined suede adds protection against sharp rock, roots, and heavy brush

   • Stiff, supportive platform for long days under load

   • Vibram® Megagrip outsole delivers confident footing in wet and dry conditions
     
     

4. Dover RS – Best for Agility and Speed

   • Flexible forefoot for quicker step turnover on runnable trails

   • Breathable upper reduces overheating on high-mileage days

   • Gusseted tongue keeps debris out without adding weight
     
     

5. Any Dover Model – Best Upgrade from Flat Factory Insoles
   
   

   • Built from the insole up with a removable, recyclable arch support that never flattens

   • Improves alignment, reduces fatigue, and helps prevent overuse injuries

When it comes to hiking shoes, support isn’t optional — it’s the foundation of every step.
The Tread Labs Dover Collection delivers the kind of clinical-grade support normally found only in custom orthotics — but built directly into the shoe.