Style & Beauty
Shoes with arch support that aren't sketchers!
latenightprep · 04/03/2023 23:43
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!
Netcam · 11/03/2023 11:09
@Enko and @AnotherEmma, understand your pain, I had plantar fasciitis too. I managed to treat it myself with exercises, a foot splint at night and replacing all of my shoes.
Really, the only ones that have worked for me for wearing for extended periods are:
Lace up shoes: Finn Comfort Ikebukuro
Trainers: Hoka Challenger GTX
Sandals: Wolky Rio
Mary Janes: Finn Comfort Salo soft
Walking boots: Finn Comfort Elbrus
I also have some Arche Abenoa, which are the most feminine shoes I have for occasions they are required, I got them for my wedding. And I have various shearling boots, Fitflop Mukluk for use as slippers in the house and Fitflop Rally / Ugg shorty for outdoors when I am not really walking much. I also have some ancient Fitflop clogs I wear in the garden. But none of these I would wear for walking very far so wouldn't recommend them as staple shoe options, my staples really are the 4 above.
I have tried many brands, but not Allegria or Vionic, which I might try one day if I feel the need for more shoes.
But really, most of the time I reach for my Ikebukuro if I am going to be walking on concrete and my Hokas if I'm going to be walking on tracks. The Salo soft Mary Janes were also worn a lot at work, in the days before WFH was a thing.
Enko · 11/03/2023 11:18
Netcam · 11/03/2023 11:09
@Enko and @AnotherEmma, understand your pain, I had plantar fasciitis too. I managed to treat it myself with exercises, a foot splint at night and replacing all of my shoes.
Really, the only ones that have worked for me for wearing for extended periods are:
Lace up shoes: Finn Comfort Ikebukuro
Trainers: Hoka Challenger GTX
Sandals: Wolky Rio
Mary Janes: Finn Comfort Salo soft
Walking boots: Finn Comfort Elbrus
I also have some Arche Abenoa, which are the most feminine shoes I have for occasions they are required, I got them for my wedding. And I have various shearling boots, Fitflop Mukluk for use as slippers in the house and Fitflop Rally / Ugg shorty for outdoors when I am not really walking much. I also have some ancient Fitflop clogs I wear in the garden. But none of these I would wear for walking very far so wouldn't recommend them as staple shoe options, my staples really are the 4 above.
I have tried many brands, but not Allegria or Vionic, which I might try one day if I feel the need for more shoes.
But really, most of the time I reach for my Ikebukuro if I am going to be walking on concrete and my Hokas if I'm going to be walking on tracks. The Salo soft Mary Janes were also worn a lot at work, in the days before WFH was a thing.
I looked at your Ikebukuro. But I fear they will be to enclosed for my feet. I managed my PF with
Exercises
Foot massages with an electronic machine
And Allegria shoes. And sandals.
I've got some fitflops they are not the greatest and some birkenstock they are so hold they are super comfy now. They are my indoor shoes.
I tried vionix but as I said above I'm not impressed. Looking at Wolky shoes after this thread.
Netcam · 11/03/2023 11:30
@Enko, it might depend on where you don't like the feeling of feet being enclosed. The Ikebukuro have a very wide toe box which I like as I can move my toes around, even though my feet are narrow. They also don't need much tightening in the laces like trainers or walking boots might. The laces kind of close them rather than put any pressure on. I can spend ages lacing my trainers or walking boots to get them right, not too tight and not too loose. But with the Ikebukuro I just tie the laces quickly, not even a double knot and I can go out, so they are really quick to put on because the lacing doesn't really change the shape or fit of the shoe. So I could wear them all day without feeling pressure around my feet. The Finn Comfort Salo also feel a bit like that, you can get also them from Schuherlebenis in Germany.
Enko · 11/03/2023 11:33
Netcam · 11/03/2023 11:30
@Enko, it might depend on where you don't like the feeling of feet being enclosed. The Ikebukuro have a very wide toe box which I like as I can move my toes around, even though my feet are narrow. They also don't need much tightening in the laces like trainers or walking boots might. The laces kind of close them rather than put any pressure on. I can spend ages lacing my trainers or walking boots to get them right, not too tight and not too loose. But with the Ikebukuro I just tie the laces quickly, not even a double knot and I can go out, so they are really quick to put on because the lacing doesn't really change the shape or fit of the shoe. So I could wear them all day without feeling pressure around my feet. The Finn Comfort Salo also feel a bit like that, you can get also them from Schuherlebenis in Germany.
My feet overheat in enclosed shoes. I'm not just talking hot sweaty feet I'm talking I physically feel unwell. I cant wear trainers or. Boots for any period of time due to this.
I dont recall last time I found a pair of lace ups I could use for more than 1 hour.
Also I work in an office environment with 69+ I have to look somewhat ok or they comment 😄
maddy68 · 11/03/2023 11:37
LadyEloise1 · 05/03/2023 09:38
Were they the Skechers Arch Fit type @AppleKatie ?
AppleKatie · 05/03/2023 07:49
I loved my sketchers til they ruined my feet. They are comfy but long term they are not supportive.
Sketchers arch support are fairly new they are brilliant
Cantonet · 12/03/2023 14:09
I agree with you about some Vionics @Enko. But it's the only brand with remotely on trend shoes I can wear. Plus I buy mine on sale from eBay or Tk Maxx. So if they don't wear too well I can bin them without feeling too bad. Saying that the boots, flip flops & stacked trainers seem to last a long time. The everyday trainer soles are too thin & wear badly. However the limitless walking trainers are brilliantly squishy & supportive, with a bit of a rocker sole.
I love the sound of the other shoes mentioned here. But I wouldn't know where to go to try them on. Plus at £200 approx. a pop I would be very wary of ordering them online in case of returns.
However this is all very interesting and the more brands we know the better for those of us with delicate 👣.
Britinme · 12/03/2023 15:26
@Netcam - I have a pair of Riad sandals and another pair of sandals I can't see on the website now. I have two different pairs of Amalfi shoes (one black, one blue) and a pair of knee high boots that I can't see on the website now. I wear the Amalfis more than anything else and they've had a few years' wear now. They've all been comfortable right from the beginning and are worth their extortionate price IMHO.
FixTheBone · 12/03/2023 15:33
Nobody other than @AppleKatie has really addressed the opening assertion that Skechers have an arch support.
Some do. The vast majority don't.
They are known for their memory foam soles, which is essentially the exact opposite of an arch support. They can be beneficial for some things such as plantar fasciitis, plantar fibromas, and metatarsalgia, but useless for tib-post tendon dysfunction, flat feet, or, the podiatrists favourite "over pronation"...
Enko · 12/03/2023 15:44
Cantonet · 12/03/2023 14:09
I agree with you about some Vionics @Enko. But it's the only brand with remotely on trend shoes I can wear. Plus I buy mine on sale from eBay or Tk Maxx. So if they don't wear too well I can bin them without feeling too bad. Saying that the boots, flip flops & stacked trainers seem to last a long time. The everyday trainer soles are too thin & wear badly. However the limitless walking trainers are brilliantly squishy & supportive, with a bit of a rocker sole.
I love the sound of the other shoes mentioned here. But I wouldn't know where to go to try them on. Plus at £200 approx. a pop I would be very wary of ordering them online in case of returns.
However this is all very interesting and the more brands we know the better for those of us with delicate 👣.
I bought my first pair of Alegrias on ebay however Cheful sole Ive bought the others fro are really good with refunds. Especially as Allegrias can be a bit funny with shape.
I am still considering a trip to Skipton :)
WhatHaveIFound · 14/03/2023 09:50
RampantIvy · 11/03/2023 08:44
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?
I haven't seen and concessions and just ordered online using the measuring method they gave. Walked 7 miles around Paris the other day and although my foot was a bit achy by the end of the day, it was fine the next morning.
You might have better luck finding Cloud Monsters. More outlets for On shoes I find.
amberedover · 14/03/2023 17:23
Two things -as someone says at start of thread -
one person's comfy shoe with arch support is anothers pain .Feet are so different .My Birkenstocks work for me though I've had to, v counter intuitively for someone with cuboid barge shaped feet ,size down!
what's the Skipton love ?
Enko · 15/03/2023 00:27
amberedover · 14/03/2023 17:23
Two things -as someone says at start of thread -
one person's comfy shoe with arch support is anothers pain .Feet are so different .My Birkenstocks work for me though I've had to, v counter intuitively for someone with cuboid barge shaped feet ,size down!
what's the Skipton love ?
Shop there called cheerful sole. Sells. Joya. Allegria Panama Jack and waldlaufer. Shoes.
Netcam · 15/03/2023 07:08
Awumminnscotland · 14/03/2023 18:01
Podiatrist I saw said fit flops are good for home and new balance trainers also good.
I find Fitflops good for home, but not really supportive enough for going out. My Mukluk II shorty shearling boots have been great for keeping my feet warm in the winter at home. Plus they are really easy to get on and off, which I find important at home.
Netcam · 15/03/2023 07:09
Enko · 15/03/2023 00:27
Shop there called cheerful sole. Sells. Joya. Allegria Panama Jack and waldlaufer. Shoes.
amberedover · 14/03/2023 17:23
Two things -as someone says at start of thread -
one person's comfy shoe with arch support is anothers pain .Feet are so different .My Birkenstocks work for me though I've had to, v counter intuitively for someone with cuboid barge shaped feet ,size down!
what's the Skipton love ?
I did order some Joya shoes from there once to try but returned them as they didn't feel right.
Enko · 15/03/2023 07:14
Netcam · 15/03/2023 07:09
I did order some Joya shoes from there once to try but returned them as they didn't feel right.
Enko · 15/03/2023 00:27
Shop there called cheerful sole. Sells. Joya. Allegria Panama Jack and waldlaufer. Shoes.
amberedover · 14/03/2023 17:23
Two things -as someone says at start of thread -
one person's comfy shoe with arch support is anothers pain .Feet are so different .My Birkenstocks work for me though I've had to, v counter intuitively for someone with cuboid barge shaped feet ,size down!
what's the Skipton love ?
That's why I want to go there to try on the shoes in real. See what they look like etc. I've bought most of me allegrias from there. They have great service and I've not had a issue with returns. But I'd Like to have the shop experience. However I live in the SE
Netcam · 15/03/2023 07:26
Enko · 15/03/2023 07:14
That's why I want to go there to try on the shoes in real. See what they look like etc. I've bought most of me allegrias from there. They have great service and I've not had a issue with returns. But I'd Like to have the shop experience. However I live in the SE
Netcam · 15/03/2023 07:09
I did order some Joya shoes from there once to try but returned them as they didn't feel right.
Enko · 15/03/2023 00:27
Shop there called cheerful sole. Sells. Joya. Allegria Panama Jack and waldlaufer. Shoes.
amberedover · 14/03/2023 17:23
Two things -as someone says at start of thread -
one person's comfy shoe with arch support is anothers pain .Feet are so different .My Birkenstocks work for me though I've had to, v counter intuitively for someone with cuboid barge shaped feet ,size down!
what's the Skipton love ?
It's such a long way, probably really worth doing if you're in that region. When I went to the Finn Comfort shop in Innsbruck years ago on holiday I was so excited. But actually, I tried every single pair of shoes on that I vaguely liked the look of and still liked my Ikebukuro that I had already best. I came away with a pair of sandals that I ended up not that keen on as the leather is a bit stiff for me for sandals and I prefer my Wolky Rio.
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.