High arches: what they are and what footwear to choose

Having a higher-than-average arch does not always cause discomfort. However, when the arch changes the way pressure is distributed across the foot, certain areas may become more loaded.

This is what happens with a high-arched foot, also known as pes cavus. Understanding how it works and recognising its symptoms can help you choose footwear that better suits your individual needs.

What are high arches?

A high-arched foot is characterised by a plantar arch that is higher than average. This means that the middle part of the sole has less contact with the ground.

As a result, much of the body weight may be concentrated mainly on the heel and forefoot. Load distribution can therefore differ from that of a foot with a lower arch.

Not all high-arched feet are the same. Some remain relatively flexible, while others can be more rigid.

This difference matters. A foot with a high but flexible arch may behave very differently from one with stiffness, pain or other associated changes.

Why do high arches develop?

There is no single cause of a high-arched foot.

In some cases, it is present from an early age. In others, it may be linked to neuromuscular conditions, previous injuries or repeated loading patterns. There are also cases where no specific cause is identified.

For this reason, the height of the arch alone does not explain what is happening.

If the arch becomes more pronounced over time, changes noticeably or causes significant symptoms, professional assessment is advisable to understand the cause.

What symptoms can high arches cause?

Some people with high arches experience no pain at all. Discomfort usually appears when the shape of the foot increases pressure on certain areas or when stiffness is present.

One common symptom is forefoot discomfort, especially around the metatarsal area. Increased pressure in this region can also encourage the formation of hard skin or calluses.

The heel may also become sensitive. When support is concentrated mainly between the front and back of the foot, some people may experience discomfort while walking or standing for long periods.

Other possible symptoms include:

• Calluses in areas under greater pressure.

• A feeling of tension along the sole of the foot.

• Toe discomfort.

• Claw toes in some cases.

• A feeling of instability in the feet or ankles.

• Difficulty finding shoes that fit the overall volume of the foot comfortably.

These symptoms vary from person to person. Footwear should therefore be chosen according to how each individual foot feels and functions.

High arches and footwear: what should you consider?

A high-arched foot may have different needs from a foot with a low arch.

The first thing to understand is that there is no single type of shoe that suits everyone with this foot shape. Flexibility, stability, pain and the cause of the high arch can vary considerably.

When there is no pain or specific medical recommendation, several aspects of footwear are worth considering.

Enough room for the toes

A narrow toe box forces the toes into a smaller space.

This can be particularly uncomfortable if you have a pronounced arch or if your toes tend to sit in a more flexed position.

A wide, foot-shaped toe box gives the toes more room inside the shoe.

A fit that does not compress the instep

A high arch can also be associated with a higher instep.

This means that shoe length is not the only thing that matters. The internal volume should also allow the foot to fit without excessive pressure across the top.

If a shoe compresses the instep from the start, it may simply not be the right fit for that foot.

Freedom of movement

Mobility is another important factor.

A flexible sole allows the shoe to move with the foot. However, this does not mean that every high-arched foot needs the same degree of flexibility, especially when there is stiffness, instability or pain.

In these cases, professional assessment is particularly important before changing footwear.

Is barefoot footwear suitable for high arches?

We cannot say that barefoot footwear is suitable for every person with high arches.

Barefoot footwear should not be seen as a treatment to lower the arch or as a way to correct its structure.

At KOOPS, we design our shoes around the principles of barefoot movement: a foot-shaped design, wide toe box, thin flexible sole and zero drop. These features are intended to give the foot space and allow it to move more freely.

For someone with flexible, pain-free high arches who is already comfortable in less restrictive footwear, these characteristics may provide a greater sense of freedom.

However, the situation is different when there is pain, marked stiffness, instability or an associated condition. Symptomatic high arches may require specific management depending on each individual case.

For this reason, barefoot footwear should not be used as a substitute for professional assessment.

How to try a change of footwear if you have high arches

Moving from structured or highly cushioned footwear to a shoe with a thinner sole can change the way walking feels.

There is no need to make the switch all at once.

Start by wearing the new footwear for short periods. Pay attention to how your heel, forefoot and sole feel both during use and afterwards.

You can gradually increase the amount of time you wear them if no discomfort appears.

The aim is not to follow a fixed number of days. The transition should be guided by how your own feet respond.

If persistent pain, instability or increasing discomfort appears, reduce the amount of time you wear them and assess the issue before continuing.

When should high arches be assessed?

A high arch does not necessarily require treatment. It deserves more attention when symptoms appear or when the shape of the foot changes over time.

Professional assessment is advisable when there is recurrent pain, significant callusing, instability, difficulty walking or increasing stiffness.

It is also worth seeking advice if the foot changes progressively or if noticeable toe deformities appear. Some causes of high arches can be linked to neuromuscular problems, so identifying the origin is important when compatible signs are present.

High arches: finding footwear that respects the way you move

Having high arches does not mean that every type of footwear will be uncomfortable, nor that there is only one valid solution.

The starting point is understanding how your foot behaves: how high the arch is, whether the foot remains mobile and, above all, whether there is any pain.

For everyday footwear, having enough space for the toes and avoiding unnecessary compression can improve comfort inside the shoe. If pain or functional problems are present, identifying the underlying cause should come first.

At KOOPS, we design footwear around a simple idea: the shoe should adapt to the foot, not force the foot to adapt to the shoe.

Explore our women's barefoot collection and discover styles designed to support a more natural and unrestricted way of moving.

Discover our collection and choose the model that best suits your feet and your everyday life.