This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

Laying on my bed in Stockholm’s Story Hotel, I stared at my feet high above me, resting against the funky wallpaper—this was day one of my first solo trip and my feet were already in such excruciating pain that I couldn’t bear the thought of standing up.

Throughout my travels, this routine became par for course until a podiatrist told me what I already knew, but didn’t realize was a condition: I have flat feet. While the common condition inflicts about 18 million American adults and can go unnoticed, for some, it can cause pain with every step, especially when tendons gets inflamed or tear.

“For anyone who has symptomatic flat feet, the more they walk without proper support, the greater the chances for potential foot issues,” says Justin Hill, a certified pedorthist with Hanger Clinic in Albuquerque. “For many travelers, these issues are worse when on a trip because they are more active than when they are at home. This is further compounded by wearing unsupportive shoes, such as slip-ons or flip-flops.”

Ignoring the importance of solid footwear and continuing to pound the pavement everywhere I went, I ended up being diagnosed with posterior tibial tendinitis—an extreme case of what can go wrong without proper shoes. While I immediately pictured a future confined to clogs and clunky orthotic wear, the more I talked to others, the more I discovered there are a wide variety of supportive shoes for us flat footers, as long as we know what qualities to look for.

Here’s what New York University’s Dr. Louis Iannuzzi, who is on the Pedorthic Footcare Association Board of Directors, and other experts have to say about finding the best shoes for travelers with flat feet.

What to look for in a shoe

In general, a low arch doesn’t necessarily mean you’re symptomatically flat footed, so first consult with a professional, as everyone’s feet are different, Iannuzzi says.

“If the shoe is not fitting properly, it doesn’t matter how good it is,” Hill adds, saying structural support and fit should be top priorities. “I suggest going somewhere that will measure your feet with a Brannock device. Feet do slowly change over time and people are [often] wearing the wrong size because they just continue to get the same size they have always gotten.”

One at-home (or in-store) test for support is to try twisting the shoe. “I tell my patients if they can wring their shoe like a washcloth, they aren’t getting any support,” Hill says. The only bendable part should be the ball of the foot. “Any side-to-side bending is a clear indication of lack of support, which could contribute to eventual discomfort or pain.”

He also cautions that built-in arch support can be hit or miss. “The challenge is that often a more rigid ‘off-the shelf’ support will not match an individual’s arch,” he adds. “In these cases, a custom orthosis molded to the individual’s arch would be recommended.”