Smart work flats for plantar fasciitis - Vivaia Izabel?

[HedwigHedgepig]

Another thread about searching for some unicorn shoes - and I could really use your help please, fellow MNs!

I have painful feet following pregnancy - namely plantar fasciitis, some additional issues at play too but that's the biggie right now. PF has been ongoing for a year now, I live in my Hoka trainers and even they're not cutting it like they used to. I'm going back to work soon (public facing office) and I need some smart flats that aren't going to murder my feet. Doesn't seem like that big an ask, and yet...here we are.

I've been drawn to Vivaia Izabels - does anyone have any experience of these, are they decent for PF sufferers? What's the width like?I also like the Iasmin loafers.

https://www.vivaia.com/products/XRPD01010/Izabel?gid=10027744

https://www.vivaia.com/products/XRPD01204/Iasmin?gid=10027824

Honestly, the price makes me baulk but this is the cost of having hooves like mine, there's not much I can do about it. That said, I'm loath to drop hundreds of pounds on a single pair of shoes that I'll only know are suitable or not once I've worn them past the point of being able to return them.

I'm also open to other suggestions that work with PF. I'm specifically looking at closed toe flats with arch support. Heels are out of the question due to arthritis in my big toes, which also requires a roomy toe box. My feet are regular width usually but I can take wide depending on brand. I walk to work (15/20 mins each way) in all weathers, so would need something comfy and water resistant if possible. Bonus if they have removable insoles (but not essential). I'd like something stylish 🙂 but I know I have to take what I can find with these criteria.

I would love to hear your suggestions please, there must be a shoe out there for me. Thanks if you've read this far, I appreciate it's a bit of an essay/list of demands!

My adult DD has severe plantar Fasciitis and wears Sketchers trainers most of the time. I also bought her some ballet shoes with a strap across the foot from Hotter for more formal wear.

Those shoes you’ve linked to do seem expensive for work. Any outlets near you where you could try different brands?
Have a browse on here. These are similar but much cheaper.

https://www.mandmdirect.com/01/details/XS30105/SKECHERS-Womens-Microburst-One-Up-Pumps-Black

Our DD has also been using this device and it’s really helped. Before using it her foot was so painful in the morning that she could barely stand up!

https://plantarcure.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23127395273&gbraid=0AAAAADj2Fe3CZpIuV3xWLDTopy4sqUHd_&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-NmandLIlAMV-5ZQBh1bXytKEAQYASABEgLo7PD_BwE

Forgot to add

https://www.hotter.com/violet-shoes-black-2359

Could you walk there in trainers or boots then change at work?

I have PF and wear these. They’re very comfortable.

https://www.fitflop.com/uk/en/shop/delicato-high-cut-soft-leather-ballerinas-p-A0P#001

Plantar Fascilitis is horrid, you have my sympathies. You might find arch support insoles more helpful, painful at first but they really help in the long run along with heel raise and gentle stretching exercises. I've found the half insoles are the best for me, they fit fine in all my boots shoes and trainers.

Forgot to say there's various on Amazon..,

Sorry to hijack, but just started with this device today after it "cured" the MiL. I hope everyone improves. It has such a daily impact on life.

@Eifla2o18 Really helped my DD she was prescribed very strong painkillers which wiped her out. Her friend’s partner is a Sports Therapist and suggested acupuncture but she hates needles. I googled and found the device. The difference has been amazing.

I've been under a podiatrist for this so I feel your pain. The most important thing is to have a stiff sole which you can't twist from side to side. Have you looked at Vionics? https://www.vionicshoes.co.uk/women/plantar-fasciitis-shoes.html

I second fit flop

i have both the Izabel and these Unisex Slip-On Mesh Sneakers (Allday), WHITE BUFF BEIGE, EU35 | VIVAIA

the izabel are rather firm with not enough support for me and they are not particularly "cushy". but work well with several sporty trousers i own.
due to sizing i needed to by a 38 vs 37.5 (not available) in the allday....and i popped in some orthotics from my last planters episode and darn these are comfy, easy to slip on and the breathable fabric works for where i live (hot hot summers). they have them with black weave.

I have PF along with Achilles tendinitis - it’s not an exaggeration to say Vionic sandals were a miracle for me - I went from hardly being able to walk to happily doing long days sightseeing almost overnight. Their shoes are not cheap, and some are just plain ugly, but the soles are amazing. Try next for clearance - they often have the brand.

I bought the loafers a few months back and wore them on a city break. Not as supportive as I hoped, agree my sketchers arch fit are better.

Also noting I went down half a size and they've stretched a little so could have gone down a full size. I might add a supportive insole.

Flats are the worst thing you can wear for plantar. Could you just add an arch support liner into any of the shoes you have and heel cups help with the ankle tendonitis.

I agree with the above having had plantar fasciitis.
You need to get supportive insoles. I used Superfeet green ones and the black 3/4 ones .

Fitflop do a great range for work and they are amazing for my plantar.

I agree with arch support insoles - I’ve got rid of my PF but need to support my arches all the time or it flares up again so I wear Birkenstocks around the house. I found a foot rocker helpful for stretches.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ProHeal-Achilles-Tendonitis-Relief-Rocker/dp/B0G36FPVNB/ref=mp_s_a_1_15?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.s6vrZvTvL_hgJk1LP2mKpkyRWsmhkDe1XWKNN7EC4KIpkkmvOyQ35u6KjhrWxPLipyCnEAqexjYOS6qrzIh5vBYWccPMVe3itGA9fZWxvA-re0dTQFFo2urAz3htm1fk88h06YQiqMnBYhbsQf-iRJNeMZXJS06Rqp_G5XE6pWkpGbdN9KcKNMsHM9Qr-yGU2HYgKFJ3AEpJyzLtLX2iow.R4-_Lk1_3uO9mo7CnTpWKmP63L_oqB0tfEzF13uiU5w&dib_tag=se&keywords=foot+rocker&qid=1779335180&sr=8-15

I’d second Fitflop. I have loafers and ballet flats, and they are brilliant (as are the sandals). You can often get them pretty cheaply on Amazon.

Vionic or fitflop work for me, go on vinted or ebay and buy them cheaper as I find rotating pairs seems to help weirdly. I would wear trainers for a 20 minute walk and then change to smart shoes.

I have a pair of vivaia flats. They are a strange stretchy mesh and really not worth the money. They stick to my feet in the heat and I don't find them very comfortable.
Other people might feel differently but I certainly would not buy another pair.

I've had PF and keep it at bay by mainly wearing Birkenstocks (my podiatrist told me to avoid Crocs, Skechers and anything witha memory foam sole and she was right, I have Crocs for gardening but have to be very catrful not to overwear). I would like a change though and I keep getting Vivaia ads in my socials but haven't tried them. Do Fitflops and Vionics have stiff soles/arch support and ate they true to size? I have wide feet, high insteps and narrow heels which really doesn't help with shoe choices.

Yes to vionic. But also strive (they have their own website but also on sale in various places). Strive sandals especially good, but they do shoes too. Arch support and a feel that gives a drop (so not flat). I dint mean a heel/heel I mean when your foot is in the shoe your heel is not level with your toes but slightly above. Arch support inserts (hardish ones) can help. Need some getting used to initially.

I always wear orthotic insoles in every shoe I wear to prevent PF recurring. Mine cost about £20 from foot active online, you can get them custom made but the ones from foot active work fine for me. I absolutely can’t wear any shoes, including trainers, without the orthotic insole or the PF flares up again. The physio I saw last time recommended saucony trainers, said they had really good supportive arch instep, but I still put the insoles in them. I’ve had to bin my flip flops, a few minutes in them and it’s back again. Hope you soon get it sorted.

I wear Birkenstocks at home all the time on our hard floor and it’s sorted it but buying a flat like that and doing your commute in it is a recipe for disaster. Can you wear trainers on the commute and change into shoes at the office? We always used to do that when everyone wore heels in the office

Both my husband and me have had plantar and it's horrible. I'd honestly just buy good insoles and put them in sensible flat shoes. I'd also suggest buying a massage gun and using it every night on the arches of your feet, also keep a tennis or massage ball to hand and constantly roll your foot over it. We've had insoles like these before, good luck! www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/6040791608?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Thanks for all your responses, I'm solo parenting today (and judging by my children's behaviour, they're conspiring to kill me off) so I'll have a proper comb through this evening.

Just to clarify, I'm not looking for flat flats, they would need a slight raise to them as others have mentioned but not a high heel. Heel drop I think it's called? I already have custom orthotics due to my arthritis and they have excellent arch support, so I'm planning to keep using these where possible.

I am still breastfeeding and I think my PF is related to the hormones, I'm hoping when I stop it'll just vanish into thin air (I can but dream!). I seriously had no idea before children how much pregnancy wrecks your feet, it's been an eye opener.

Thanks again for all your suggestions and advice, I look forward to reading them properly later and responding!