Winter shoes that fit orthotics easily

[Dreamerinme]

If you wear orthotics have you found any particular brands or styles that fit them well without your heel riding out of them?

I have plantar fasciitis and I’m sick of buying very expensive shoes (ie FitFlops/Vionics) that are usually ok for PF and then sometimes discovering that they aren’t.

So I’ve got some new orthotics (for the umpteenth time, but the first time in quite a few years) and am looking for shoes for winter - not trainers - so low/medium heel boots (I like Chelsea), and other smarter shoes with a similar heel. No high heels or shoes with tiny heels.

I guess it depends on the orthotics? And the style of shoe.I need heel lifts and they are usually fine in Vionics , but I’m thinking of getting a pair of their Mary Janes and they are much shallower. Its all very difficult.

I can only wear them in boots or trainers, I have tried numerous lace-ups, loafers etc over the years and my heels ride out of all of them. I tend to get my boots in MandS so I take the orthotics to a large store and try on loads of pairs, online is too hit and miss.

Depends on your foot, the orthotics (full ¾ or mini)shape, the shoes/boots.
It's an expensive faff! Sorel boots have a good support for me so could be worth looking into?

I’m waiting for a delivery today of some shoe inserts that I’m hoping will work with my Grenson boots. (And even possibly with some shoes in a similar style)

You could order a pair to try?

Grenson

Good old Doc Martins. They last for years too.

When I went tot he orthotist he was so pleased I was wearing docs.

My adult dd wears DMs with her orthotics.

I've tried DMs to no avail, they flop off just like all the others. My orthotics aren't even very deep (off the shelf ones). I am very lucky that Birkenstocks give me enough support so I wear them from about April to October.

I have orthotics and find I usually need to try the shoes on with them. Mine are full insoles and work best in shoes which allow you to remove the original insole of the shoe.

Best makes I've found where this works are: Gabor, Fly London and hotter.

If you email the company they will often advise whether each shoe has a removable insole if this isn't clear from the website.

Maybe the problem is the orthotics then?

Well, yes, but they really work for me, although I don’t need to wear them full time any more. They were prescribed by a podiatrist. The real problem is that I have got very wide feet and narrow heels, this is why boots work for me better than shoes. Trainers work because they are grippy fabric.

The problem I’m having is that Chelsea boots (Fly London, very comfortable) don’t hold my foot firmly enough over the instep, I need something that laces up and I’m considering DMs.

I think this is a very individual thing depending on your foot problem, the size of the orthotics and so on. I’ve always found Fly London and Josef Seibel good for my wide feet, but I think it’s something you’ll really have to try on in person. I hate shopping, prefer to buy online when I can, so I’m dreading having to buy more shoes.

Ecco are great as they have two insoles so you can adjust to fit orthotics. Good luck!

I find Hotter are good

Im quite limited to buying shoes with removable insoles so that I can fit the orthotics in. They just dont fit otherwise.

I wear the Birkenstock trainers, they are incredible and I dont need my orthotics in them

I’ve got some good shoes from Clarks that my orthotics fit in no problem. Mine are solid fibreglass orthotics so absolutely no give whatsoever!

I may have a solution, but it will be expensive, bespoke shoes. You are looking at £500 - £1200.

I also have wide feet and due to arthritis not all my shoes fit all the time.

https://www.ruthemilydavey.co.uk/bespoke-shoes

https://www.crockettandjones.com/collections/all-womens-styles

NEXT surprisingly always has a good range of shoes/boots that fit my deep orthopaedic insoles. That is the most reliable shop and the shoes are usually reasonably fashionable and well made.

Try Birkenstock boots (expensive but brilliant) or Hotter boots. Can get them from Next.
I had terrible PF for 2 years. My insoles fit inside these and now I wear without them and it's never come back

I guess it depends on the orthotics?

I have found ECCO shoes to be good. They all have removable insoles

My go-to is Birkenstock. I removed the insoles and put them in other unsupportive shoes, like my wellies and my gardening clogs. Sometimes the volume of the site is slightly too great and I need to add a flat insole under the orthotic.

Some Josef Siebel shoes fit my orthotics, too, but not as consistently as Birkenstocks. I've had a couple of Vans that worked with my orthotics, but I had to size up with them.

DB Shoes are useful if you have very wide feet or feet that swell and change size a lot.

Running trainers. You have to half a size up anyway in them but they have removable liners and a firm cushioned sole with a rocker bottom shape.

I did try a pair on in a shop last year but somehow, style-wise I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I do like the clogs though and have the buckle done snugly so they don't flop much (same with the sandals, and I never have the single strap ones). I do wear running trainers quite a bit but sometimes they are too casual.

The OP asked for "not trainers" though.

Yes you certainly cant wear them with anything smart, but I wear them for my walks and I have worn them with jeans and also cropped cords, they look right with those.

The ones I have they dont do now, they've all got white soles now which I dont think look good.