A baseball player having the right tools and equipment can have a top-notch game.
Even though all on-field equipment is necessary, one of the most critical pieces of equipment is your baseball cleats.
Having the correct shoes for your feet can give the comfort and protection you need for a good performance. Having inappropriate shoes can hamper your performance on the field.
So if you are someone who has flat feet, don't worry.
This guide will provide you with all the information you need to know about cleats for flat feet. We have the recommendations for the best baseball cleats for flat feet available in the market today.
What are Flat Feet?
You might be surprised, but all of us are born with flat feet.
Then as we grow, we tend to develop arches in our feet. But due to many reasons, one being genes, some individuals do not develop arches and remain with flat feet for the rest of their lives.
Your foot naturally has arch support, but if you have flat feet, your feet cannot absorb shocks correctly, and it can cause extended pain on your hips and even your back.
Along with this, you can also suffer from poor balance and endure injuries in your life and the field while you play.
Because of flat feet, naturally walking is difficult, but running becomes even worse.
If you keep running your feet without proper baseball shoes, then due to flat feet, you can suffer from plantar fasciitis.
Plantar fasciitis is commonly an inflammation in the fascia which is connected to the heel bone and the ball of your foot.
You can also get heel spurs which are unnecessary calcium deposits on your heel bone.
Symptoms
Frequent complaints of people with flat feet are foot pain. The pain occurs due to strained muscles and ligaments.
If your angle turns inwards, it causes high stress on your knees and hip joints, which puts pressure on your feet.
If you have flat feet, you are likely to suffer pain on the arch of the foot, calf, knees, lower back, hips, and even lower legs.
One or both of your feet may have prolonged-lasting pain.
Without question, all these problems can hamper your performance on the field.
Causes and Who Gets Flat Feet?
As mentioned earlier, flat feet occur due to genetic factors. Maybe your parents or siblings have the same problem. Hence it tends to run in families.
Any possible foot or ankle injury can also lead you to develop flat feet.
If you have arthritis, or cerebral palsy, or a muscle dystrophy, you can also develop flat feet as a result.
Obesity and diabetes have also been seen to be expected in individuals with flat feet.
Lastly, having weak arches, where a person's arch is visible when they sit, but the foot gets utterly flat on the ground while standing, indicates you have flat feet.
How to Correct your Flat Feet
One way to manage your flat feet can be to do specific exercises to manage the symptoms better. Your physical therapist can recommend these exercises.
You can also do heel cord stretching, where you stand facing the wall, and stretch your leg firmly behind and then put your heel on the ground.
Then bend your front leg knee till the time the stretch can be felt on the back leg. Hold this posture for 30 seconds with 20 seconds break. Repeat this ten times daily.
Another technique is the golf ball roll. Sit on a chair, and place your feet on the ground; below it, put the golf ball. Roll the ball back and forth just beneath your arch for more than two minutes to stretch the fascia ligament.
What Baseball Shoe to Buy for Flat Feet?
Any sport you play requires an outstanding balance, and having flat feet means you are likely going to have poor balance. This is going to reduce your power on the field, and you are going to get exhausted way faster.
All in all, without proper support of your body weight, flat feet can hinder your performance as an athlete.
One way to help solve this problem is buying the right kind of shoe which provides you with the best arch support.
There are specific cleats for flat feet which will provide you the balance and comfort you need during your game. And they will ensure that your power and speed remain up to par.
What to Look for When Choosing Baseball Cleats for Flat Feet?
The first thing you should be aware of is that there is no brand that makes cleats for flat feet.
However, you can find top brands with exceptionally high quality cleats that can cater to your needs due to specific designs and features.
There are few things which you can look for in your pair of cleats.
Size
Without a doubt, the baseball cleat which you buy needs to be of the correct size. As anything larger or smaller is bound to cause pain and discomfort and impair your concentration during the game.
Another important thing to consider is that you should choose a wide pair of cleats due to your flat feet. A flat foot would need more adjustment space, and wide cleats tend to provide that.
Shoe Inserts
Having shoe inserts in your cleats helps greatly with wide feet. You shouldn't have any issues finding brands that provide shoe inserts for their cleats.
If you use the shoe insert, then your baseball cleat is going to be more comfortable and it will help your arches.
Arch Support
Of course, it is vital to have good arch support in your cleats. With proper support in your shoe, your balance would be maintained while you play.
Flexibility
Flexibility is also essential in your shoe, as it will ensure mobility during your game. This will come down to materials which we'll go through next.
Material
Undoubtedly, the material of your shoe plays an important role. It would be best to choose a pair of cleats with high-quality material that is durable and comfortable.
A comfortable shoe with proper support for the arch can help you with a good balance and posture for your flat feet.
Make sure to opt for cleats with a high-quality synthetic leather and mesh nylon material which is also in an affordable range. The combination of synthetic leather and mesh nylon ensures high ventilation, water resistance and durability of your cleat.
Also look for cleats which have a rubber sole for added support to the feet.
Lightweight
Lastly, baseball cleats also need to be light in weight. A cleat which weighs more than it should is bound to cause discomfort and hamper your performance, especially your speed.
The 5 Best Baseball Cleats for Flat Feet
There are many options you can choose from. It's a matter of preference, but when it comes to the best cleats for flat feet, here are our top picks.
1. New Balance Men's 4040 V5 Molded Baseball Shoe
If you have a liking for baseball, which undoubtedly requires a lot of running and sliding, then this New Balance shoe is your best bet.
You will find many good options in New Balance, and if you have flat feet, then this 4040 v5 will be a top choice.
It is made from 100% synthetic material with a rubber sole.
The best part about this New Balance 4040 is that it has a full length REVlite midsole, which will provide a lot of support to your arch. This means that these baseball cleats will provide you with the balance and stability you need during your game.
The REVlite midsole is also 30% higher than the average sole you will generally find. This indicates that this baseball cleat will provide you exceptional support and durability.
Another great feature is its metal cleats, which provide excellent traction.
The kinetic stitch means the shoe is going to be a snug fit on your feet.
Also, the cushioning on these baseball cleats is top-notch so that you can focus on your game with these comfortable cleats.
Pros
Cons
Another excellent choice for baseball cleats for flat feet is this v4 TPU shoe by New Balance.
These baseball shoes are made from synthetic material. The best feature of these New Balance cleats is that they are available in wide feet options. They range from 2E wide, 4E wide, and 6E XX wide. The width of these cleats provides arch support and comfort, which is needed for people with flat feet.
Along with that, these New Balance cleats for baseball also come with a rubber midsole for added comfort.
Baseball requires a lot of running, and these New Balance cleats have water repellent sole, which prevents water on the field from seeping into your shoes.
And the sole is also moisture-wicking which will keep you sweat free during your baseball game.
Not to forget, these New Balance baseball cleats also have toe protection to prevent any toe injuries during the baseball game.
Undoubtedly, the best feature of these baseball cleats has to be the fantom fit. This means it has cushions for comfort and a snug fit on your flat feet, enhancing performance.
Pros
Cons
These Adidas Adizero Afterburner are also one of the best baseball cleats you can find. They are made from high-quality textile and imported synthetic material.
These baseball cleats have a low top design.
But the best part about these baseball cleats is that it has sprint skin upper which is very lightweight but provides incredible arch support.
Along with this, these cleats also have SprintFrame plate in them for support to the heel. The additional boost to your heel ensures high performance on the field.
This shoe also has an EVA midsole which is double in thickness but high in comfort and durability.
Additionally, these cleats also have Ironskin toe cap, which provides protection to your toe against any abrasions.
Lastly, these cleats have the best fitting for your flat feet.
Pros
Cons
These baseball cleats are 100% man-made. They are designed specially for people with flat feet.
The rubber sole is made from high-quality synthetic fabric. They have rubber pads that can be used in a variety of fields and are bound to be long-lasting.
A firm grip on the floor due to having 9 spikes ensures high performance on the field.
These cleats have low-cut design with a full length midsole for cushioning and comfort.
Pros
Cons
These New Balance baseball cleats are made from 100% textile material with a synthetic bottom.
What we like the most about these New Balance cleats is that they have extra support for the ankles; hence, they are great for flat feet.
The REVlite midsole provides comfort and longevity.
In these New Balance cleats you also get toe protection against any abrasions or injuries during the game.
Along with this, the debris-free material means the shoe will last you from season to season.
Of course, most importantly for flat footed players, these New Balance cleats are available in wide sizes. Hence the width of the shoe is going to be ideal for a flat foot.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion
Amongst the many options we have recommended, the best baseball cleats for flat feet have to be the New Balance 4040 V5. Not only are they available in wide sizes but they also provide excellent arch support and stability, which is required during the game.
Along with that, the midsole also supports the heels and prevents other feet related problems that can occur due to a flat foot. So go ahead, make your purchase for the best pair now!