Important Update for Existing Customers: With the launch of our new website, existing customers will need to reset their password before accessing their account. Reset Password

Contact Us

Flat Feet & High Arches

Understanding Flat Feet & High Arches

The structure of your foot’s arch plays a vital role in how your body distributes weight during standing, walking, and movement. When arches are too low (flat feet) or too high (high arches), weight is often distributed unevenly—leading to discomfort, instability, and strain throughout the feet and body.

This guide explains flat feet and high arches, their common causes, and how proper support and cushioning can help improve alignment, stability, and overall comfort.

Shop All Products for Arch Support

About Flat Feet & High Arches

What Is It?

Flat feet and high arches are structural variations that affect how weight is distributed across the sole of the foot and how impact is absorbed during movement.

Flat feet (pes planus): Occur when the arch collapses or doesn’t fully develop, causing most or all of the foot to make contact with the ground.

High arches (pes cavus): Occur when the arch is more elevated than normal, placing increased pressure on the heel and ball of the foot.

Because the arch functions as the body’s natural shock absorber, both conditions can disrupt balance and create uneven stress on the feet and surrounding joints.

Common signs of arch imbalance include:

  • Foot fatigue or discomfort during prolonged standing or walking
  • Pain in the heel, arch, or ball of the foot
  • Uneven shoe wear patterns
  • Instability or reduced balance
  • Increased strain in the ankles, knees, hips, or lower back

What Causes It?

Flat feet and high arches can develop due to a combination of structural, genetic, and lifestyle factors.

Common contributors include:

  • Genetic predisposition to low or high arches
  • Weak or imbalanced foot and ankle muscles
  • Tendon dysfunction (especially the posterior tibial tendon)
  • Injury or trauma affecting foot structure
  • Neurological conditions (more often linked to high arches)
  • Age-related changes in soft tissue and joint support
  • Footwear that lacks proper support

Both patterns can lead to inefficient movement and increased pressure in specific areas of the foot.

How To Help Prevent Discomfort

Providing proper support to the arch and improving weight distribution can significantly reduce discomfort and promote better alignment.

Helpful habits include:

  • Choose footwear with appropriate arch support and cushioning
  • Avoid flat, worn-out, or unsupportive shoes
  • Replace insoles regularly as they lose structure over time
  • Use supportive inserts to improve pressure distribution
  • Increase activity levels gradually to prevent strain
  • Add targeted padding to relieve high-pressure areas

Proper arch support helps distribute force more evenly across the foot—reducing strain and improving overall stability.

Shop Featured Products for Flat Feet & High Arches

Below are Hapad products designed to support the arch, improve alignment, and reduce uneven pressure.

Scaphoid Pads

Arch & Midfoot

$6.25

  • Provides superior medial arch support.
  • Adds essential arch support to shoes that offer little to none.
Shop

Comf-Orthotic® “Peak Performance” Replacement Insoles

Full Foot & Insoles

Price range: $15.00 through $20.00

  • Used in athletic shoes or cleats.
  • Prevents and treats plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and stress fractures.
Shop

Comf-Orthotic® “Soft Support” Replacement Insoles

Full Foot & Insoles

Price range: $13.00 through $18.00

  • The softest Comf-Orthotic® replacement insole.
  • Provides extra cushioning for those with sensitive feet.
Shop

Comf-Orthotic® “Daily Drive” Replacement Insoles

Full Foot & Insoles

Price range: $14.00 through $19.00

  • Hapad’s “everyday” insole.
  • Perfect blend of support and cushioning for daily movement.
Shop

Comf-Orthotic® “Formal Fit” 3/4 Length Insoles

Full Foot & Insoles

Price range: $7.50 through $12.50

  • Used in dress shoes or shoes with a narrow toe box.
  • Ideal for long hours of standing and walking.
Shop

Longitudinal Metatarsal Arch Pads

Arch & Midfoot

Price range: $7.50 through $21.75

  • Arch and metatarsal support, all-in-one.
  • Ideal for shoes with little or no built-in arch support.
Shop
Shop All Products

How Hapad Products Help

Founded by an Orthopedic Surgeon

Hapad was founded by Dr. Emil D.W. Hauser, F.A.C.S., who began by hand-skiving wool felt pads to deliver precise, anatomical support. His early designs quickly earned a reputation for helping relieve localized pressure while preserving natural foot movement and function. From the beginning, every Hapad product has been shaped with human anatomy in mind—providing targeted structural support where it is needed most, without over-restricting the foot’s natural mechanics.

100% Natural Merino Wool Felt

Hapad products are made from 100% natural merino wool felt. It is supportive, breathable, and durable — offering superior comfort compared to synthetics. Every felt product is precision skived for comfort and comes with an adhesive backing for secure placement.

Precision-Skived for Targeted Structural Support

Hapad felt pads are individually skived and contoured—not stamped from generic templates—allowing for precise placement and focused structural support. The unique design allows the pad to follow the natural shape of the foot, instead of forcing the foot to adjust to the pad.

Promotes Balanced Pressure Distribution

By supporting key areas of the foot—including the metatarsals, arch, and heel—Hapad felt products encourage more balanced mechanics and help reduce uneven pressure. The result is improved stability and comfort during standing, walking, and running.

Designed to Last

Natural wool felt is inherently durable, maintaining its supportive properties through long days on your feet. Most Hapad products are designed to last approximately 6 to 12 months, depending on usage and activity level. By investing in a premium Hapad product, you reduce the need for frequent replacements—providing long-term value and consistent support.

Adaptive Orthopedic-Grade Foam

Hapad’s innovative Comf-Orthotic® replacement insoles are made from lightweight, breathable orthopedic-grade foam. The insoles are designed to mold to the contours of the foot using body heat and weight, creating a personalized fit.

Personalized Fit Within Hours

Each Comf-Orthotic® insole follows Hapad’s patented design and undergoes a multi-step manufacturing process to promote comfort across multiple regions of the foot. The orthopedic-grade foam molds to the foot by using body heat and weight, giving you a customized fit within hours.

Encourages Alignment and Stability

Comf-Orthotic® insoles provide support in the metatarsal, arch, and heel areas. By supporting a greater portion of the foot, they help guide alignment, reduce uneven pressure, and improve stability during standing, walking, and exercise.

Comfort That Lasts Throughout the Day

With a variety of support levels, customers can choose the Comf-Orthotic® insole best suited to their daily routine. Designed for everyday wear, these insoles help minimize foot fatigue and deliver dependable comfort in work, casual, and athletic footwear.

Testimonials

“I've been ordering my arches from Hapad for years now… They are soo much better than those old-fashioned orthotics.”
Richard S.
“Website works, I ordered from Hapad twice in my life, once in 2011, once in 2025, both times, they saved my feet from needing to see a doctor.”
Matt W.
“I have been wearing Hapad inserts for 12-15 years. I have flat feet, roll to the outside, and have arthritis in my lower back. I have found that their products do wonders for my feet, back, and overall structural health. All of my shoes have Hapad inserts in them. When I do shop for shoes, I always put in Hapad inserts to see how the shoes feel with them in it.”
Valued Customer
“Excellent insoles (using Comf-Orthotic® Pro-Blue Replacement Insoles), which I could immediately feel the arch support and relief I desperately needed. Strongly recommended!"
David T.
Hapad has been a great partner because they consistently provide high-quality products at competitive pricing. They are easy to work with and are always willing to collaborate on new requests, product updates, and business opportunities. Their team is highly responsive, communicates clearly, and does an excellent job following up to keep projects moving forward. Overall, their reliability, flexibility, and customer-focused approach make them a trusted manufacturer that I would highly recommend.
Medline Industries
ACO Med Supply has been a Hapad distributor for over 23 years. Their customer service has always been top notch with quick confirmations and relatively no discrepancies. You don’t sell a product for as long as we have if the quality wasn’t great!
Med
From a procurement and supplier partnership perspective, Performance Health has valued our relationship with HAPAD. They are responsive, easy to work with, and understand the importance of clear communication, dependable service, product quality, and competitive pricing.
Performance Health
I am a foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon with more than 30 years of experience, including fellowship training in Baltimore with Dr. Lew Schon and Dr. Mark Myerson, and I have been using HAPAD products for approximately 25 years. I particularly value the company’s insoles, scaphoid pads, heel lifts and wedges, and metatarsal pads, which I use frequently both therapeutically and, at times, diagnostically. The products reflect a deep understanding of foot biomechanics and the practical needs of both physicians and patients. They allow me to provide effective, accessible, and relatively low-cost solutions for many common foot and ankle problems.
Dr. Eyal MelamedMD
Hapad has been a dependable partner that consistently demonstrates professionalism and strong customer support. Their team is responsive, flexible, and committed to helping us meet the needs of our customers. We appreciate the ease of doing business with Hapad and look forward to continuing our partnership.
Henry Schein

Flat Feet & High Arches FAQs

Can flat feet or high arches cause pain in other parts of the body?

Yes. Because the feet form the foundation of movement, improper mechanics while standing, walking, or running can influence alignment at the ankle, knee, hip, and lower back over time.

Not necessarily. But proper support may help prevent future strain, especially during prolonged standing or activity.

Hapad products provide targeted support beneath the arch and surrounding areas. Insoles help distribute weight evenly, while pads reduce localized pressure. Both improve alignment and stability.

Some individuals notice improved comfort or stability immediately, while others experience a more gradual adjustment period. During the first few weeks, the change in support may feel unfamiliar as the body adapts to corrected alignment. When abnormal alignment has been present for an extended time, muscles and joints become accustomed to compensatory movement patterns.

As alignment improves, previously underutilized muscles may need time to regain strength and coordination. With consistent use, the body typically adapts to the corrected alignment over several weeks, allowing for a more stable and efficient walking pattern.

Often, similar products can be used, but placement and support levels may differ. Flat feet typically benefit from added support, while high arches may need extra cushioning.

Yes. Hapad products are designed to fit comfortably inside your regular footwear. We offer a broad assortment of styles and sizes to ensure proper fit across different shoe types.

Get Started with Your Trusted Foot Experts

Whether you’re managing a specific foot condition or simply seeking better comfort, Hapad® is here to help you move with confidence.

Contact Us