Orthopaedic shoes aren’t traditionally known for being fashionable.
Look back a few years and you’d have your choice between Clunky Shoe Number One or Clunky Shoe Number Two. Maybe with a few extra clunky options thrown in for good measure. But times are changing and orthopaedic shoes now come in a much larger range of styles and shapes.
As well as the classic trainer, you’ll now find a much bigger number of orthopaedic sandals and heels. Designed to provide support to equally disperse body weight and prevent damage, these shoes tick all the boxes for looking good and feeling good.
Simrit Dooa, Podiatrist at Chelsea Pedicure, says: "Orthopaedic shoes can provide the ideal solution to support and prevent pain, as they correct the position of the foot and offload pressure.”
“The biggest misconception about orthopaedic shoes is that they have to look like your gran's Sunday best”, he adds.
Dr Dooa also shares the best advice to choose the orthopaedic shoe that is right for you:
- Identify what the cause of your pain/concern is. If the shoe claims to fix everything, it’s probably not going to do much for anything.
- Lots of cushioning isn’t necessarily right for everyone as it can lead to instability and weakness elsewhere in the leg.
- Your feet may expand throughout the day, so remember your orthopaedic shoes should have enough space to allow the foot to move through a full natural range of movement.
- Orthopaedic shoes only work when they’re on your feet. So find a pair you’ll like to wear. As with anything, you’ll only reap the benefits when worn throughout the day or during the most strenuous activities.
- Quality counts so look for premium leathers or breathable fabrics and a midsole that forms to your foot. A good quality pair should last and is often provided with long warranties by the manufacturer.
Those long evenings spent hobbling around in pain? Wave goodbye. These stylish orthopaedic shoes are your secret weapon to merrily being the last one standing.
Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed
You can’t beat a good pair of Birkenstocks if you’re looking for comfort and style. Bonus points for ticking all the orthopaedic requirements, too, thanks to their magical cork footbed that moulds to the exact shape of your feet.
The divisive shoes are made from good quality materials to ensure you’ll only ever need to buy one pair. Unless, of course, you’re sucked in by the endless colour options and decide to stock up on all the best shades.
The best way to ensure your Birkenstocks are suitably supportive? Opt for the “soft footbed” style and double strap design. The pronounced arch support, deep heel cup and roomy toe box make these shoes some of the best in the business.
Buy now £85.00, Birkenstock
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v12 Women's Running Shoes
With hundreds of positive reviews from the New Balance site alone, you can buy yourself a pair of Fresh Foams without too much hesitation. Widely regarded as some of the best trainers with orthopaedic support for women, New Balance is a winner not just when it comes to comfort but also to style.
Perfect for gym workouts or those early morning runs you keep telling yourself you’ll soon start, the Fresh Foam trainers were designed with comfort in mind. Some of those impressive features include responsive top-bed foam, a plush dual-layer midsole and an engineered double jacquard mesh to allow for an intuitive, soft fit. They’re super breathable and come in an array of colours including the neutral black pictured.
Buy now £120.00, John Lewis
Fitflop PILAR Leather Mule Platforms
Mules are everywhere this season and these platforms from Fitflop allow you to dip your toe into the trend (sorry, not sorry) without sacrificing on comfort. First and foremost, they’re incredibly light, which is not something you’d expect from a shoe of this style. They come complete with the brand’s trademarked CushX midsole that is ergonomic and soft to encourage better alignment with every step, even with the heel.
Buy now £99.99, Amazon
Hoka Bondi 8 Running Shoe
Hoka’s Bondi 8 Running Shoe leans towards the “dad sneaker” look which, while it might not be stylish in the traditional sense, definitely ticks the boxes when it comes to being on trend. But these bulky shoes aren’t just designed for style: packed inside each layer is extra support - it’ll feel a little like you’re running through clouds if you choose this pair for the gym.
Stable and cushioning, the Bondi 8 features a symmetrical bed of cushion designed to provide a forgiving impact and ride that has been souped up since the previous edition of the shoe. And, made from lightweight and durable foam, it’s suitable for narrow through to wider feet, providing comfort without squashing your toes or ankles. The only bad part? Hoka’s Bondi 8 often sells out quickly, so you’ll want to keep an eye on the website if you’re after a specific colour.
Buy now £150.00, Hoka
Fitflop ALLEGRO Soft Leather Ballet Pumps
Ballet flats aren’t renowned for being the most supportive shoes and, if you’re someone who requires a little more grip in the footwear department, they can be a nightmare to navigate. These ALLEGRO ballet flats tick all the boxes for a shoe that looks good and feels good while providing all the necessary comforts.
Maybe one of the sleekest orthopaedic shoes around, these ballet flats come in a wide range of colours with a curved heel and a supportive design. They’re your secret weapon for wearing to weddings or formal events when you’ll likely be on your feet for a little longer.
Buy now £90.00, Fitflop
PRO 11 WELLBEING Women's Suede Orthotic Slippers with Arch Support
Slipping into something more comfortable takes on a whole new meaning when you have these UGG-like slippers waiting for you at home. The suede leather shoes with sheepskin-like interiors may just be the most comfortable things you’ve ever put on your feet.
Buy now £24.99, Amazon
Clarks Deva Mae Black Leather
What do you wear for formal occasions when your feet are prone to expanding and you’re experiencing pain? Now that’s a dilemma that’s not easily solved but this strappy pair from Clarks will do a good job if you’re looking to add a little extra height to your look - before you change into flats when the party really gets started. You can shop them in standard or wide width and in black, brown and silver metallic. The construction is complete with the brand’s breathable OrthoLite cushioning that wicks away moisture and keeps you cool, calm and comfortable all summer longer.
Buy now £65.00, Clarks
Fitflop WONDERWELLY Chelsea Rain Boots
Whether you’re looking for a weatherproof shoe to see you through festival season or something to withstand country walks no matter what the British summer has in store, these Chelsea rain boots from Fitflop’s Wonderwelly range should be on your radar. They come in an array of colours, from the classic navy shade pictured to playful pops of yellow and pink.
But not all style over substance, the ergonomic midsole tech is included in each and every model, giving you the comfort of ordinary shoes with the hard-wearing nature of wellies. The insole has been specially designed to balance natural alignment, while the heel is impact-absorbing and springy.
Buy now £89.99, Fitflop
Asics Gel-Kayano 28
Asics’ Gel-Kayano 28 was specifically created for those who struggle with overpronation and is engineered to support (and counteract) the pressure of your big toe and second toe, which probably do the majority of the work when you’re moving about.
They’re just as fun as they are functional, available in a large range of vibrant colours that put the joy back into workouts. Asics uses lots of fancy terms to highlight exactly why this shoe is so good for orthopaedic support like DYNAMIC DUOMAX technology, OrthoLite X-55 sock liners and TRUSSTIC technology which help reduce pronation, improve comfort and stability, respectively.
Even if you’re not clear on what each of those things mean, rest assured that if you’re looking for orthopaedic shoes for long days on your feet, these could be the pair to choose.
Buy now £93.00, Asics
Cloudsteppers by Clarks Casual Sandal
Clarks Cloudsteppers are regularly referred to as “the comfiest shoes I’ve ever worn” throughout their hundreds of reviews. With their cloud-like cushioning and open toe design, they’re proof that orthopaedic shoes don’t have to be overly bulky and can be - dare we say it - fashionable, too.
Available in vibrant sunshine yellow or iconic navy blue, these casual sandals are perfect for all kinds of spring or summer occasions. Bring them along for weekends away and feel smug as everyone else around you complains of an achy back and sore toes. You? Nope, you planned ahead for these occasions with the comfiest shoes on the market.
Buy now £45.00, Amazon
Vionic Mirage Corlee Womens Sandals
Cool pastel shades? Check. Easy, slip on design? Check. Soft, cushioned footbed? Check. Vionic's Mirage sandals are a summer essential regardless of whether or not you're looking for specifically orthopaedic shoes.
Built with specific FMT technology, which helps support your natural alignment and reduce overpronation, these shoes are designed to be worn all day long, ideally for those European mini break weekend adventures.
While they're technically wide fit, the easy design of these slip ons makes them suitable for feet of all shapes. Soft, premium suede and leather add a luxe touch to your new summer sandals.
Buy now £54.99, Amazon
Naturalizer Vanessa Sandal
Heels? Out of the question if you’re looking for orthopaedic shoes. Or not so much anymore, thanks to Naturalizer’s Vanessa Heeled Sandal. Sure, it’s not quite a stiletto (but who wants to go through that pain nowadays anyway?) but the 2.5 inch heel adds a definite touch of glam without waving goodbye to all support for the evening.
Made from leather and suede with a comfortable footbed, you’ll find the Vanessa Sandals in a long list of colours and patterns. Barely Nude Snake is our favourite, closely followed by Mango Spice. If you’re looking for even more height, Vanessa’s sibling shoe (the taller of the bunch, so to speak) comes in a stylish nude shade with an extra inch.
Buy now £99.40, Amazon
Vionic Zinah Slip-On Sneaker
Get yourself a pair of Vionic Zinah Slip-On trainers and you’ll never cast an eye towards laced shoes again. One of the best things about these shoes is their slip on nature, which ensures a tight fit without waving goodbye to style or function.
Not only are these orthopaedic shoes made from soft, supple leather, they’re also boosted with a durable rubber outsole. It doesn’t matter just how hard you stamp around in these, their impressive fabric combo refuses to back down. Another pair designed specifically for orthopaedic comfort, these Vionic slip-ons mould entirely to the shape of your feet within two weeks.
Buy now £110.00, Amazon
Verdict
You can’t beat a staple pair of Birkenstocks if you’re looking for stylish, comfortable orthopaedic shoes. Perfect for everything from a spontaneous summer picnic to a quick stroll around the shops or an al fresco dinner, the Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed is your new best friend for all kinds of occasions.
