While some individuals might only find their flat feet a mild inconvenience when running, the truth is not treating this condition properly can potentially cause problems in the future. “Due to compensation, runners can develop overuse conditions on their feet, ankles, knees, thighs, hips, and even lower back,” says Mendeszoon, adding that conditions such as plantar fasciitis, posterior to go tendinitis, shin splint, chondromalacia, patellofemoral stress syndrome, iliotibial band syndrome and even herniated disc can develop due to flat feet.

Flat feet are caused largely by genetic factors, although “certain pathologies like tibialis posterior dysfunction can [also] decrease the height of the arch (making it appear more flat),” says Blake Dircksen, P.T., D.P.T., C.S.C.S., a physical therapist at Bespoke Treatments in New York City. So the condition has more to do with the makeup of your feet than what you do with them—in other words, you can’t run yourself into flat feet. What’s more, guys with flat feet aren’t the only ones who should be selective when they choose their footwear, continues Dircksen. “Pain and injury can happen in the presence of flat and high arches alike, so a thorough understanding of that individual’s unique stressors is critical to getting to the core of any problem—things like their training load, occupation, nutritional status, stress management, sleep, genetics, and more.”

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The first step is seeing a podiatrist. “A doctor of podiatric medicine can help people minimize overuse conditions by establishing a proper exercise, stretching, and strengthening program,” says Mendeszoon. “In addition, podiatrists can help the athletes by prescribing physical therapy, medication, or even perform surgical intervention on the lower extremities if necessary.”

Beyond booking an appointment with a podatrist, there are a few key factors you can look into when shopping for running shoes (as mentioned above). Those factors include a shoe that’s lightweight and made with a flat design that allows you to spread your toes out when you run. Cushioning is also huge, as you want to find something with ample comfort that also gives enough support under the medial arch.

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An appropriate running shoe can potentially help alleviate problems for those who have a mild form of flat feed.

“If a shoe alone is not sufficient then an over-the-counter insole could be beneficial. If someone’s foot is progressively getting worse and more deformed a custom molded foot orthosis can be individually made to help support and protect the foot,” says Mendeszoon. “It is important that a runner try on running shoes with their custom foot orthoses as this may change the different category of shoe an individual may wear. Not everyone needs a custom foot orthosis and not everyone should receive the same type of orthosis. Every condition requires a different type of foot orthosis.”

When in doubt, a qualified podiatrist can help you get the appropriate device if needed.

For the past two years, we consulted with Men’s Health‘s Fitness editors and writers on the top running shoes for guys with flat feet. Experts including our fitness editor Brett Williams, NASM, put countless of running shoes to the test to and looked for shoes with a lightweight and flat makeup, a comfortable footbed, and a high level of cushioning with support under the medial arch.