Shoes with arch support that aren't sketchers!

[latenightprep]

I've found out recently that I need arch support in my shoes (I have some insoles that promise arch support but don't think they really do much), so can anyone recommend something that isn't sketchers trainers? Thanks in advance!

[MustBeDueSomeBetterFeet]

Vionic, buy from Simply Feet

[Enko]

@Netcam

Agree that returning things are annoying. But if you want to find something specialist for foot problems you are unlikely to find it in the high street. I have spent hours going round every shoe shop in our city to find nothing that works. If you want to try a variety of shoes from manufacturers such as MBT, Joya, Vionic, Wolky, Allegria and Finn Comfort, really you have no choice but to order online unless you live near a specialist shoe shops that sells these types of shoes.

I have seriously considered a trip to Skipton to get to cheerful soles just so I could try on specialist shoes. I live in the SE and have no other reason to go to Skipton😀

[Enko]

I find vionics doesn't last well. I loved mine when I first got them but after 6 months of wear they look tired. I use polish and look after my shoes but I won't bother with Vionic again.

[RampantIvy]

Are Vionic only for wide feet? The only Vionic shoes I have seen and tried on were very comfortable, but too wide for my feet.

[Netcam]

@RampantIvy

It's still a PITA not being able to try several different pairs of shoes on one straight after the other. I just CBA toing and froing with buying online and sending stuff back. It's so much easier walking around shoe shops and trying and buying the same day.

I must have awkward feet as my heels are narrow and slip out of shoes easily. One reason I can't find brogues to fit for example.

Agree that returning things are annoying. But if you want to find something specialist for foot problems you are unlikely to find it in the high street. I have spent hours going round every shoe shop in our city to find nothing that works. If you want to try a variety of shoes from manufacturers such as MBT, Joya, Vionic, Wolky, Allegria and Finn Comfort, really you have no choice but to order online unless you live near a specialist shoe shops that sells these types of shoes.

[RampantIvy]

It's still a PITA not being able to try several different pairs of shoes on one straight after the other. I just CBA toing and froing with buying online and sending stuff back. It's so much easier walking around shoe shops and trying and buying the same day.

I must have awkward feet as my heels are narrow and slip out of shoes easily. One reason I can't find brogues to fit for example.

[Netcam]

@RampantIvy

Why is it that most of these super comfortable shoes are only available online? I have to try on about 20 pairs of shoes before finding something I can walk in. Both Ecco and Hotter closed their shops in my local shopping mall.

I can't order 20 pairs of shoes, and I don't have time to spend hours queuing in our local post office to send stuff back.

I also have very painful arthritis in one foot @WhatHaveIFound and love walking, but find that I can't walk much more than two or three miles these days due to the pain. I have had a look at MBT and they only have a small handful of outlets, and the nearest one is 52 miles away. Do they have concessions in other outlets?

We tend to have courier or post office collections to return things. Can you do that? Any parcel with a Royal Mail return label can be booked for a collection online, at least where we live, even if the return label says take it to a post office. Most collections for returns are free, occasionally I have had to pay 60p. Most couriers do collections too.

[RampantIvy]

Why is it that most of these super comfortable shoes are only available online? I have to try on about 20 pairs of shoes before finding something I can walk in. Both Ecco and Hotter closed their shops in my local shopping mall.

I can't order 20 pairs of shoes, and I don't have time to spend hours queuing in our local post office to send stuff back.

I also have very painful arthritis in one foot @WhatHaveIFound and love walking, but find that I can't walk much more than two or three miles these days due to the pain. I have had a look at MBT and they only have a small handful of outlets, and the nearest one is 52 miles away. Do they have concessions in other outlets?

[lovelyclothes]

I like Vionics but they seem to have reduced their range of ballet flats anyone noticed this? I wondered if they were struggling and winding down?

[Calling]

Thank you, @Netcam , I will check them out.

[Netcam]

@Calling I have bought them from here before. They speak English if you email them and are really helpful. I used Google Translate to understand the website and then paid through Amazon pay. I ended up buying multiple pairs and returning some at my cost, but it was still worthwhile overall and I knew I was going to do that.

schuherlebnis.de/markenschuhe/finn-comfort/finn-comfort-damen/halbschuhe/finn-comfort-finnamic-ikebukuro-damen-schnuerschuhe-schwarz-nubukleder

I have tried all of the Finn Comfort shoes as I visited a shop in Austria on holiday (my poor family had to wait and watch) and the Ikebukuro are by far the best, ones that look similar but are a different style are just not the same.

I am usually a size 5.5 although I can be 5 or 6 dependingon styles. My Ikebukuro are 5, the 5.5 were huge. And I wear them with thickish socks, something like Smartwool hike light ankle socks are my favourite. I think they need cushioned wool socks to work best.

[Baaaaaa]

I find the clarks hamble ridiculously comfy and supportive (if you can do a brogue)

I have gabor nerissa boots that I find heavenly supportive. Gabor in general and someone else mentioned ecco which I also rate.

[Netcam]

@Calling

Thanks @Netcam however it seems to have been discontinued. Drat.

Really, I'm surprised, they've been making them for years. Will have a search for you.

[Calling]

@Netcam

Have a look at Finn Comfort Ikebukuro, they are amazing for foot problems and are fairly wide with a wide toe box. The dark brown suede ones are acceptable looking, for me anyway, but the comfort and support is incredible if you can rethink shoes being for walking and supporting your body rather than fashion. It requires a kind of change of mindset.

Thanks @Netcam however it seems to have been discontinued. Drat.

[Netcam]

@Calling

I have painful knees and tired feet and wonder whether wearing trainers so much is not a good idea. Have an appointment with a podiatrist so I could ask then, but in the meantime, lots of useful suggestions.

I have wide feet: does anyone have these and have suitable shoes?

Have a look at Finn Comfort Ikebukuro, they are amazing for foot problems and are fairly wide with a wide toe box. The dark brown suede ones are acceptable looking, for me anyway, but the comfort and support is incredible if you can rethink shoes being for walking and supporting your body rather than fashion. It requires a kind of change of mindset.

[Netcam]

@bellac11

How are people managing to fit their orthotic insoles into shoes?

I have to have shoes that come with a removable innersole so that I can fit my insoles in, otherwise my foot is lifted so far out of the shoe its unwearable/uncomfortable

I have to wear Camper or Josef Sobel at the moment

I found that was the case even with removable insoles as the fit in never identical. I gave up on that strategy in the end.

[Calling]

I have painful knees and tired feet and wonder whether wearing trainers so much is not a good idea. Have an appointment with a podiatrist so I could ask then, but in the meantime, lots of useful suggestions.

I have wide feet: does anyone have these and have suitable shoes?

[bellac11]

How are people managing to fit their orthotic insoles into shoes?

I have to have shoes that come with a removable innersole so that I can fit my insoles in, otherwise my foot is lifted so far out of the shoe its unwearable/uncomfortable

I have to wear Camper or Josef Sobel at the moment

[DarlingCoffee]

Archie’s for flip flops

[Matchingcollarandcuffs]

I am Sooo tempted to show DH this thread to show I’m not a wasteful Odin but instead just suffer for lack of the right shoes. I have hyper mobile Ehlers Danlos and can end up crippled from the wrong shoes, my once beloved Ugg Kensingtons have had me pretty much housebound for the past three days after wearing them for a full day commute to the office

[Tinypetunia]

@JamBiscuitBun

I hate how rigid & rock hard Birkenstocks are. I find them very uncomfortable.

They start off by being hard but after you break them in, they are very comfortable and give excellent arch support.

[Furball]

@telli - Many thanks - I'll check them out

[Bandanadrama]

Vionics

[telli]

@Furball I'm not sure how to link but I will try a picture

[Furball]

@telli - Could you link to the ones you use please as they sound like the sort of thing that would suit me

I usually have ECCO shoes - which aren't badly priced if you shop in the sale