Shoes and sandals that support the foot but don't look horrible...

[Lavenderhoney]

I have Birkenstocks already but need some pretty flat ballet pump type things and some more sparkly sandal( flat) which support my feet as having had high insteps they have dropped.

I have been looking in the shops but they are all so clumpy and ugly! And so expensive to look so awful. Has anyone else had this problem or can help?

Sorry, no such thing as supportive sandals or ballet flats. It's sensible all the way.

I wear mbt's to work.

Orthotic devices need a supportive shoe, I won't issue insoles to nhs patients without the correct shoes as they won't work. If the shoe isn't held securely on the foot the foot moves off the additions and the arch support and won't work.

I'm not spending public money if its going to be wasted, if it doesn't alleviate the pain they end up in the bin.

Now, if you go private and want to pay £60-200 for something that won't work they will order them for you. Not that the reps emphasise the profit margins when they visit private practices.

Some of them are hideous but try fly flots .... shoeshop.com used to do them.

I had awful foot problems for a long time but found I could wear their sandals comfortably. Admittedly they are a bit frumpy (some very!) .. but some of them are passable !

You won't be getting the full benefit from them. Plus a lot of medical intervention such as drugs and ointments are atually placebo effect.

We'd love to be able to say yes just pop these in a pair of ballet flats but it just doesn't work that way. And there are private pods out there who will take a more liberal interpretation of guidelines. There's a lot of profit in orthotic devices.

Thanks for the replies. I'm hoping for a change from Birkenstocks they make my feet so dry..

Fluffycloudland77- what are mbts's?
Fairylea thanks I will have a look,
Lifeofpo, thanks, I don't wear heels anymore unless a once in a blue moon night with my dh. It might be an option for some flats I have to support my instep - do you mean those jelly insoles. Im not in pain but i need care to prevent future problems.

Masai bare foot technology. They dont have a flat heel but a curved one. You roll into the next step, with normal gait heel strikes quite a strain on the body.

Plus the insoles are removable, I like comfort so I take the provided insoles out and cut nice thick 5mm poron insoles out instead.

The criteria for shoes to support the foot are;

Firm heel counter (the bit at the back, it shouldn't collapse when you push it down).

Fastens over the bridge of the foot. Velcro, buckles or lace are all acceptable. You shouldn't be able to take the shoe off without undoing the fastening.

Round toed.

Deep enough for the toes to not rub on the top of the shoe.

Now, if you look at MBT trainers and shoes they are suitable, as are normal trainers. Men's and boys trainers can be brilliant for women as they are cut on a wider round toed last.

Birkenstocks don't fasten over the bridge of the foot, as you walk your toes will grip onto the shoes, now with a high instep the toes are prone to curling under anyway. You won't notice it happening though. But it's worth noting as its not good for your feet long term.

If you've had a high arch foot it doesn't absorb the shock of walking very well, so the MBT make walking less of a strain on my body, I have high arches that pronate (go flat).

Boots are never very supportive, we recommend boots for occasional wear or wet weather gear, but not as an everyday shoe.

For my DD the orthopedist recommended the Ecco Biom design (we already had them because they are the only ones to fit DD's weird narrow foot, high instep, she also have a collapsing arch).
they do ballerina types as well
She does have stupidly narrow feet though so if you are wide it might not fit but it is worth a try.

The shoes seem indestructible so far she has those www.zappos.com/ecco-sport-biom-trainer-1-1-silver-metallic-white~2?zlfid=111&recoName=zap_pdp_sub and they still looks new after a nearly everyday wear since september (she usually trashed her shoes during the 1st week)

Fluffy, can I ask why you don't recommend flat boots, as they do have a firm heel and hold your foot over the bridge.

They don't fasten over the bridge of the foot though, the fastening needs to be there or the foot moves around when you walk. Now this movement causes corns and callus formation. In some cases patients walk differently to avoid the painful areas and in doing so cause muscle injuries.

I use Birkinstock insoles in everything . I have the soft padded ones.

Thanks fluffy, - I'm keeping this thread for future reference.

Ooohh one more question fluffy, if you have fallen arches are u better to potter round the house barefoot or always wear something to support your feet?

It depends how bad it is. If its bad enough to warrant orthotic devices then its best to wear them.

Barefoot makes your skin toughen up and form callus.

I just wear slippers.

Thanks

Thank you! This is all very helpful. I need to get some proper shoes.

I also have extra bone growing on my bone on the joint under my big toe- its hereditary, and I have to have it sorted at some point. Dreading it and was hoping to find a non surgical solution?

Apologies for total thread hijack but having fluffy on here is too good an oportunity to miss! :) Apparently i have plantar fascilitis and it bloody hurts is there anything I can put in my shoes to help?

Diddydollydo- I have this and have found a few of the clarks styles suit. For active I have a pair of wave technology trainers I think they were called wave top lace. Shoes with extra cushioning in the heel help a lot. I find stretching exercises on an evening help loads too. I have managed to stop the pain now, but I have managed before and it came back. Anyway hope this is of some help to you.

Thank you worn out I actually quite like Clarks shoes which is lucky! Was only diagnosed this morning after bloody months of pain.

I, too, have P.F. Diddlydollydo and have found Fitflop shoes, boots and sandals to be a godsend. After 2 years of crippling pain, I now lead a normal life ......................... AMAZING!!

Fluffy, can I ask what you think of fitflops? (sorry to hijack OP). Not necessarily the sandals but the trainers etc? I have fitflop boots with a strap and buckle over the instep.

The trainers are so comfy and supportive. I'm not keen on toepost sandals so only wear the ordinary styles - have about 5 pairs which solve all my foot-related problems. HTH