Comfortable/supportive sandals/shoes

chocolatepennyfarthing

Looking for Comfortable/supportive sandals/shoes. Have flat/wide feet, arches become really painful and feet ache a lot at the moment. Am on my feet quite a lot during the day. Was thinking about fitflops or if anyone has any other ideas would be much appreciated. Have tried footglove and did have a quick look in Clarks at the weekend, seemed like the K range were the best.

EastMidsGal

I thoroughly recommend Merrell shoes. They specialise in walking/trekking shoes but also have a 'city' style range which are more like everyday shoes. I used to have very flat arches and my feet used to get really painful so I couldn't bear to walk, however with my Merrell shoes and an arch support insert I can spend all day walking quite happily. These are an example http://www.merrell.com/UK/en-GB/Product.mvc.aspx/W-F-F/15920W/43831/Women/Footwear/Filters/Womens/Barrado-Sport/Black/J73974

I also have a pair of shoes from the Clarks that I don't need an insole with, the leather is really soft and they feel more like slippers than shoes! But my feet are less flat now which may help. These are them http://www.clarks.co.uk/find/department-is-women/producttype-is-shoes/product-is-20323440

squashy

Crocs?

Love em or hate em they are incredibly comfortable and lightweight. There are all sorts of designs. Their latest is a flipflop style that is advertised as so comfy it's like you are barefoot.

http://www.crocs.com/home/homepage,default,pg.html

chocolatepennyfarthing

I love Crocs but dont think I would get away with them for work. The Merrell shoes look good, do any stores stock them or is it just online?

daska

The other option is to have orthotics made, not cheap but they do last for years. I wouldn't be without mine now and will beg and borrow the money to get them replaced when necessary.

InaPickle

Ecco are really, really good.

Gabor are good for comfort.

Hope that helps.

Jo_R_2

I need comfy supportive shoes as I have a really bad lower back which shows the strain if I wear unsupportive shoes. I walk about a lot trekking taking DD1 to school and DD2 to nursery and fashion shoes are great but my back doesn't half feel it when I get home:eek:

My main issue was finding something comfy but also quite pretty and modern, and so far I have found Clarks to be noticeably supportive. They also have sales on quite often where you can pick up soem real bargains. However I haven't been looking long and will definitely check out some of the other places mentioned.

seafarers_wife

birkinstocks, i wouldnt be without mine. i live in the sandals in the summer and have some of the closed toe ones for the autum/winter. also doc martins are good for me for support.

deedee71

I was referred by my GP and got my special inserts on the NHS (although that was Scotland so may not be free everywhere).

I was told crocs or any kind of mules were the worst thing to wear if you have instep problems, because unconsciously you will be screwing up your toes to keep them on, damaging the instep even more.

To use the inserts effectively you need lace up shoes.... a bit unflattering but luckily for me I moved to a job that required steel toe caps at all times and I'm mostly pain free and can wear high heels at weekends now!

belfastgirl23

I would also say if you are having foot problems go and see a podiatrist and get orthotics. Wearing supportive shoes helps (personally I've found Ecco to be the best for this) but there is no substitute for having something targeted towards your own particular problems. And once you buy your orthotics they will do you for years!

good luck, do get it seen to because if you don't you'll end up with knee and hip problems as well and Jo R says you also will feel it in your lower back.

geri1965_2

I have wide feet and high arches and I live in Merrells in winter, Birkenstocks in summer!

For work I have some Reiker sandals - they are *so* comfy!

http://www.shoesonline4u.co.uk/womens-sandals/rieker-sandals-63551-2046586-373814-623908.php