What's My Arch Height?

Finding your arch height is as easy as looking at your wet footprint. See how it's done.

 Is your footprint between arch heights? Start with the lower arch and see how it feels. Free exchanges make it risk-free to try them out.
What Does Your Wet Footprint Look Like? Describe Your Arch Your Best Tread Labs Insole Height
Flat Foot Footprint
 My arch is flat when I stand or sit. Low 
Flat Foot Footprint
 My arch is flat when I stand but appears when I sit. Medium
Medium Arch Footprint
 My arch is close to but doesn't touch the ground. Medium
High Arch Footprint
 My arch is high off the ground when I stand. High 
High Arch Footprint

My mid-foot barely touches the ground, if at all. Sometimes, my footprint is two pieces.

 Extra high 

 

Wet Foot Test

Quickly and easily find your arch height with this simple test.

    Illustration of the 4 steps in the wet foot test. Wet your feet. Stand on a piece of cardboard or paper. Step away. Compare your wet footprint with our arch guide to determine your Tread Labs arch height.

    What Do High Arches Mean?

    Illustration showing how supination (underpronation) affects foot and ankle alignment.People with high arches can often experience foot pain because of the extra stress high arches put on your metatarsal bones. The stress ends up shifting your weight to the ball of your foot.
     

    With high arches, underpronation (also called supination) is common. This can put too much pressure on the joints and muscles of the foot, ankle, and leg.

     

    What Are The Best Insoles for High Arches?

    People with high arches need insoles that offer full support across the entire arch so as to eliminate excessive pressure on the ball and heel of the foot. The arch support of the insole should mimic the height of the arch of your foot and the insoles should be firm and durable so they keep their shape during use and over time.
     

    What Do Flat Feet Mean?

    Illustration showing how overpronation affects foot and ankle alignment.Many people with flat feet don't experience any difficulties, but some suffer from pain in the heel or arch (plantar fasciitis), swelling along the inside of the ankles, and knee and hip problems.
     


    People with flat can experience overpronation, which is when the foot rolls too far inward before you push off to move forward. When this inward rolling motion goes too far, the alignment of the foot is compromised and there is a loss of efficiency in every step you take. Negative effects of overpronation include arch collapse, plantar fasciitis, inefficiency and pain in your feet, knees, hips and back.
     


    Rigid vs. Flexible Flat Feet

    If your wet footprint indicates you have flat feet or low arches, you'll need to determine if you have rigid flat feet or flexible flat feet because it will change the arch height your feet need for maximum comfort and support. To figure out which type of flat feet you have:

    1. Sit with one leg over the opposite knee. Look at where your arch should be. If your foot looks more arched than your wet test footprint, you have flexible feet. This means your low arches are brought on by weight-bearing and a medium arch insole will work best for you.
    2. Stand on tip toes. Have a friend look at where your arch should be. Like the example above, if your arches show themselves, your feet are flexible.
    3. If an arch doesn't appear in either of the tests, you have rigid, low arches and should choose an insole with a low arch. A higher arch support will probably be very uncomfortable on your arch and feel like you have a golf ball in your shoe. 

    People with flat feet often ask if they should get insoles for high or extra high arches to try and "fix" their flat feet. While low arches aren't anything that need to be fixed, they do still need to be properly supported.

    Using a high or extra high arch on low arches could cause discomfort, and the feeling like something is digging into your arch. A low or medium arch (depending on the flexibility of your foot) is the best place to start.


    What Are The Best Insoles For Flat Feet?

    The best insoles for flat feet support your arch and stabilize your heel, preventing overpronation. Typically, the best insoles for flat feet will offer a low, but supportive arch. Finding one that matches the contours of your foot is key. 

    While soft, cushioned insoles might seem like the best choice, what your feet really need is structural support. All of Tread Labs semi-custom insoles come in four arch heights to accommodate arch heights from low to extra high. 
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