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!

[Hongkongsuey]

I am on my feet all day and love my Ecco shoes. Great arch support and firm footbed so my feet don’t ache at the end of the day. Skechers feel awful to me-too soft and squashy so no support. Even wearing a normal pair of trainers all day left me with aching feet.

[Reminders50]

If birks work then I’d recommend buying their insoles. I wear them in all my shoes now after realising that birks really worked for me. Now I can wear all my shoes again (they don’t work in heels obvs)

[Netcam]

@Cantonet
Thanks for all of the info about Vionic. Both of those look really nice and are probably much more stylish than my Ikebukuro or my Hokas. I will have a think about it for a present from DH for Xmas since I'm supposed to be on no spend.

I had kind of stopped looking for different shoes about 5 years ago and have pretty much stuck to Hokas, Finn Comfort Ikebukuro, Wolky Rio sandals and then Fitflops for the garden. I also have some Finn comfort walking boots and Mary Janes.

I had spent so much money on shoes in the past that ended up not working even though they felt OK at first that I lost interest in trying any more.

Then it was cold at home this winter and I tried some Fitflop shearling boots in the sale and decided the Mukluk ones were good as houseboots and the Rally ones were OK for wearing with skirts/dresses for going out if I wasn't walking a lot.

I fear that if anything else I try is not as comfortable as the Hokas of Finn Comfort shoes I just won't wear them, however nice they look. So that puts me off trying anything new. Before I found those I reckon I ordered about 50 different pairs of shoes, returning most and keeping a few that I thought would work and then didn't, which finally ended up being donated.

The rocker soles and the insoles on the Ikebukuro shoes are incredible, they are the most comfortable and the best arch support of them all. But I do think they require a kind of acceptable that style is no longer a factor when it comes to shoes. I think they look acceptable, especially in the dark brown suede, yes, they are a bit frumpy, I just think it's worth it for the comfort and foot health.

[Cantonet]

I wear these ankle boots attached @Netcam. They're not particularly squishy soles but I find the arch support good & I can walk around in them with ease.
These chunky trainers also attached are also really good & brilliant for adding height under wide legged trousers. They're both good for walking around town but not for long dog walks.
Thank you for the Hoka feedback. Yes, someone else told me rocker soles would be a good idea for plantar fasciitis. I've had some shockwave treatment & that's helped, plus regular stretching. Hopefully a good shoe will stop it returning 🙂

[Netcam]

@Cantonet are there any Vionic lace up ankle books you can recommend? I have ordered and returned so many shoes in the past I can't remember if I actually tried any Vionic, I certainly looked at them. But the one thing I never seem to able to find that work for my feet are some nice leather lace up ankle boots, so I don't have any.

I also find my ankles are very sensitive as I have a slighly pronounced bone on one side so if the heel cap is too hard, doesn't cup my ankle enough or pushes on it, I can't wear them. This, combined with the need for firm, supportive shoes with arch support and cushioning makes it all very difficult. I think I ended up with plantar fasciitis because I used to wear really soft shoes to manage the ankle issue. The Finn Comfort Ikebukuro are firm, but the soles are both supportive and cushioned, with decent wool socks they are fine and don't hurt my ankle. So whatever they look like, I don't care, I can wear them all day.

[Netcam]

@Cantonet agree about Fitflop not being great, I only wear them in the house/garden or for the Rally shearling boots driving somewhere when I'm not doing much walking. But they are a compromise, all bought very cheaply in the sale and slip on styles that have their uses, as most other slip on shoes are just not wearable for me.

I love my Hokas, but I have tried various Hoka styles which I have returned and the only ones that work for me are the Challenger. I find the arch support good but I think it is the rocker soles that make the difference. Whatever it is, my plantar fasciitis never flares up wearing them even after long walks and hikes. I could never wear trainers before these.

I had some Challenger 3 for years that weren't goretex, they were amazing but I only wore them in the summer as they only worked for me with thin socks and weren't waterproof. But they were still my go to walking shoes for summer walking.

Eventually after about 6 years the upper got a small split so last year in the sale I replaced them with the Challenger 6 GTX. The new model is slightly more spacious so I can wear thicker wool socks so this and the goretex has really made them all season. I have walked through deep puddles to rinse off the mud on winter walks and my feet have not got wet at all. They are probably even more comfy than my old ones too, which I have kept for summer gardening. In fact I liked them so much I bought a second pair also in the sale in a different colour.

I am usually a size 5.5 but these run small, I am 6 in the Hokas. I think they're worth a try, you can always return them if they don't feel right.

[Cantonet]

I buy Vionic pretty much exclusively. As their styles are so varied & look like normal shoes with good arch support. I don't think their trainers are brilliant & I'm trying to find good walking trainers. Do the Hoka ones have good arch support? Fellow sufferer of plantar fascitis & flat footer here.
I don't recommend fitflop, as the wobble soles caused knee instability for me. I wore Fitflop for years, as they were so comfortable. However I believe some of the soles now have had an upgrade & now have arch support.

[WhereAreWeNow]

@Netcam

I tried various Birkenstock sandals and found the soles too hard too. Wondering if there are other styles that have more cushioning than their regular sandal sole? Maybe people can recommend some if so?

Birkenstock do a soft version too. It's still fairly firm but not as hard as the traditional sole. Just search for soft on the website.

[MissMarplesbag]

Fitflops have in built arch support and memory foam in soles.

[gettingolderbutcooler]

And you can buy arch supports at boots? Can't use them in sandals though. I've used them for years!

[Netcam]

@Enko

I have had a lot of them and only 1 pair with a non-black sole had that problem.

I really wish Cheerful Sole (the only place in the UK that sells them I know off) would sell more styles Id love to try the Sydni Clay shoes.

Perhaps a trip to the states just for shoes :D

That's good to know, might try some one day. I've decided to stop wearing velcro shoes in the house because I like to take them off and put my legs up when I sit on the sofa. And the velcro just isn't robust enough for that much taking on and off daily. I was getting through a pair of Wolky Rio a year and always found them on offer in various sales but now it only seems to be possible to buy them from the Wolky shop for £139. So my Fitflop Mukluk shorty boots are my winter replacement for this as they are slip on. Not sure what to do about summer yet, but we live in a 3 storey house so clog style won't do it, I need something that stays on firmly with all the up and down the stairs I do.

[Netcam]

@latenightprep

Thanks, I used to have some fitflops years ago so I'll have to try them again.

I'm not going to find anything cheap am I! 😄

I don't think you will find anything cheap. I wouldn't also be careful with Fitflops, I don't think they are that supportive. They are OK and I have some for indoor shoes and garden clogs. I also have a pair of their Rally shearling ankle boots which are quite nice, but would only wear them when I'm not doing much walking and want to feel slightly more dressed up than in my super supportive comfy practical shoes.

[Enko]

@Netcam

I think those Algeria Paloma look lovely, they have some great patterns. Never actually tried any as I found Wolky Rio which similarly have fun colours and patterns, kind of fit that wardrobe gap snd I know will work for me. But I find they don't last brilliantly as house shoes as I take them on and off a lot and in the end the velcro goes and the straps break. The pair I keep for outdoor wear have been fine, but I'm not undoing them all the time.

I have had a lot of them and only 1 pair with a non-black sole had that problem.

I really wish Cheerful Sole (the only place in the UK that sells them I know off) would sell more styles Id love to try the Sydni Clay shoes.

Perhaps a trip to the states just for shoes :D

[Netcam]

@AppleKatie

I loved my sketchers til they ruined my feet. They are comfy but long term they are not supportive.

Agree, they are probably OK as slippers in the house but I wouldn't wear them outdoors for walking with Plantar Fasciitis.

[Netcam]

@Enko

I second Merrels

Expensive option and not everyone's cup of tea but Allegria paloma shoes. Amazing support but over £100 a pair.

I think those Algeria Paloma look lovely, they have some great patterns. Never actually tried any as I found Wolky Rio which similarly have fun colours and patterns, kind of fit that wardrobe gap snd I know will work for me. But I find they don't last brilliantly as house shoes as I take them on and off a lot and in the end the velcro goes and the straps break. The pair I keep for outdoor wear have been fine, but I'm not undoing them all the time.

[Netcam]

@JamBiscuitBun

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

I tried various Birkenstock sandals and found the soles too hard too. Wondering if there are other styles that have more cushioning than their regular sandal sole? Maybe people can recommend some if so?

[JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon]

Birkenstocks saved me from PF brought on by sketchers.

I would definitely recommend Birkenstocks, they come in two widths, and do shoes & boots as well as sandals.

I also find ariat boots are good.

[buckleten]

Birkenstocks are my salvation from plantar fasciitis! I even have the shearling/fleece lined ones as slippers. My trainers are Birkenstock Bend, and I also have a pair of Skechers arch fit, and a pair from Vionics which are good.

[AnotherEmma]

Going to come back to this thread and look up all the recommendations. I have a bad flare up of plantar fasciitis atm.

I have Crocs for the garden and they are the comfiest (well, least painful) shoes for me to wear atm - I refuse to wear them out of the house, though! Interestingly the physio recommended Crocs.

I also have Birkenstocks which have very good support although the soles are a bit hard if your feet are in pain.

I do like my footwear to look good but I guess I am going to have to compromise as I haven't yet found anything (apart from Birkenstocks) that has good arch support and doesn't look fugly. I need trainers though...

[AppleKatie]

Yes

[LadyEloise1]

@AppleKatie

I loved my sketchers til they ruined my feet. They are comfy but long term they are not supportive.

Were they the Skechers Arch Fit type @AppleKatie ?

[Netcam]

I wear Finn Comfort Ikebukuro, they are amazingly comfortable with excellent arch support. They are hand made in Germany and incredible quality, mine are 6 years old and look like they should last another 6. They come up big, I'm usually 5.5, but 5 in these. I think they work best with wool socks, I like the Smartwool hike light as they have good cushioning without being thick.

I had plantar fasciitis and managed to cure myself with a mixture of these shoes, a night splint, foot exercises and not going barefoot at home. I have recommended the above shoes to 3 other friends/family members who now wear them all the time. One friend showed them to the podiatrist who ssid they were amazing shoes.

I also wear Hoka ATR Challenger trainers which are excellent and have rocker soles like the shoes above. I find these better for hiking or off road trail walking.

At home in the house I have Wolky Rio sandals for summer and Fitflop Mukluk shorty boots for winter. If I go to someone's house I bring some indoor shoes so I am never walking barefoot.

I am very careful with my feet now and no longer try and consider shoes just because I like the look of them. You will probably need to try various shoes and see what works for you since we are all different.

[Turmerictolly]

.

[Bagofmaltesers]

I have Strive flip flops and they are wonderful.
Ecco are good.
My Fitflop sandals are good.
Gabor Rollingsoft range have worked well for me.
I wear Merrell trainers for walking.

[Purplepepsi]

Also Strive are good - although some of the designs are horrid some are ok!