Orthotic-friendly flat shoes

medusa

So I'm finally gathering my nerve to replace the Keen flats I wear all the time, but which you all are constantly telling me to replace. Here's what I'd like to find: shoes that

- are flat or low-heeled
- work with somewhat beefy orthotics (this means the heel cup needs to be relatively deep, if that makes sense)
- wide in the forefoot or stretchable (to deal with my bunions)
- wearable with socks
- not too clunky-looking

Any ideas?

16 years ago

Dressing

7 replies

Latest reply was from

elpgal

Veteran

Medusa, Not sure if this is the aesthetic you are going for, but take a look at the shoes on this site:

http://www.barkingdogshoes.com.....blem_feet/

16 years ago

shana

Veteran

Would privos/clarks work? I don't know how big your orthotics are but some of their flats have removeable insoles. I just have the black insoles from superfeet which are fairly streamlined and they work fine in my privo flats.

I totally understand your love of Keens though - I adore mine (have several pairs including some very chunky/ugly ones that have gotten very little wear this fall/winter). Especially when I have was having all that joint pain last winter & this summer, these were the only shoes that were comfortable. My feet actually felt better after taking long walks wearing them! There are some that are a little bit nicer looking, like these:

http://www.zappos.com/keen-erin-ballerina-black

16 years ago

garmenta

Active Member

Just wanted to make a comment about the first shoes, which are from Naot. I have Naot boots, which were great until they stretched out of shape, and now they are the most uncomfortable shoes I own. Putting in an insole doesn't help. Reviewers on Zappos have also commented on the tendency of Naot shoes to stretch. I was a Naot fan until this season, but no longer.

Medusa, have you ever tried Pikolinos? I'm not sure about the footbed in this flat, but the Pikolino slides I've tried on were heavenly on terms of comfort.
http://www.thewalkingcompany.c.....urce=Brand

16 years ago

Anonymous

Take your orthotics and head down to The Walking Company. Not every comfort shoe works with orthotics and you need to have live fitting to make sure its comfortable. Also, some shoes have insoles that don't come out so you can't fit your own orthotic inside. I have terrible plantar fascitis that flares up every now and then and that's what I do. There are lots of cute options out there these days but it takes some trial and error.

16 years ago

medusa

Veteran

Elpgal, Shana, Garmenta, Marlene - thanks. Those are all helpful suggestions. I'll look into them.

16 years ago

medusa

Veteran

Oooh, Marlene, I just googled and found out there's a Walking Company near where my sweetie lives in New York. I'm going to go check it out.

16 years ago

Anonymous

Naot makes wonderful shoes. I like the black ones Angie has in her store. I also love the ones that elpgal posted with the curly Q on them. I've seen them both in the store and they are both beautiful. Angie said they mold to your foot.

16 years ago

Category