Casual, supportive shoes

[LongTimeNoNC]

Which aren't running shoes.
Currently always wear ASIcS supportive running shoes (including to the office) and would like something a little bit smarter for the summer. Still casual though. And size 43. And still supportive as I've knee and foot issues.

I found these Birkenstock trainers, a little unsure if they look like oversized toddler shoes...

I wear those. They are comfortable and supportive. In summer I tend to wear a fabric pair, rather than a leather pair. I like them, and don’t really care about the vaguely toddlerish look. It’s just because they allow your toes to spread naturally. We’re used to seeing shoes which crush our toes together into an unnatural point.

Birkenstocks don’t have the softness and bounce of trainers. If you need that, it is simple enough to remove the Birkenstock insole and replace it with a sports orthotic or prescription orthotic. Which is exactly what I do. The Birkenstock insole goes into my wellies.

If you’re not used to wearing Birkenstocks, you may need to get your feet used to them by wearing them for just a short time at first and gradually increasing each day.

thanks. When you say they don't have softness or bounce, is the sole really inflexible then?

Check out Vionic shoes

No, the sole is very flexible and the shoe is light. It's the removable Birkenstock insole (footbed?) that is fairly rigid. I normally like the Birkenstock footbed, it suits my feet and knees, but right now I'm in the middle of a really nasty Plantar Fasciitis flare and Birkenstock footbed is just too hard under my heel. I can only wear the Bend Lows if I replace the Birkenstock footbed with my prescription PF footbed.

Birkenstock website is good with returns, BTW.

My cloth Bend Lows with and without the Birkenstock footbed.

Skechers Archfit are comfortable and fit between casual and smart:

www.skechers.co.uk/arch-fit-arcade---meet-ya-there/177190_WHT.html

Another vote for vionics. The only shoes I wear now

Fitflop rally trainers are supportive. I have the black with white soles and they are very comfy - not as bouncy as ASICS but v supportive https://www.fitflop.com/uk/en/shop/rally-leather-trainers-p-X22