A common refrain from people is “I have flat feet, can I perform barefoot running”. The answer is yes, of course you can try it. Remember, having flat feet is not pathologic. It’s merely a condition. Some people live one hundred years with flat feet and never have a single problem.
If you just want to wear minimalist shoes for your flat feet, what are you looking for?
1) You’re looking for a shoe that will conform to the shape of your foot. Generally this is done by the use of the material EVA, which molds and contours to the shape of your foot.
2) Comfort- Sometimes overlooked with flat feet you are in need of a more comfortable shoe than other people are. A couple of minimalist shoes I recommend for people with flat feet are:
Vibriam Bikila Road Running Shoe– This shoe is ideal for the barefoot runner with flat feet as it features an EVA midsole which is perfect for conforming to the natural shape of your foot while providing moderate support to the arch.
Vibram Trek Ascent Walking Shoe– While this minimalst shoe does not feature EVA it does provide arch support and conforms to your foot. I prefer the shoe above but if you are looking for an alternative you could do worse.