Comfort shoes

shiny

Yesterday I visited a store here that specializes only in comfort shoe brands. Even if I could get past the lack of style, I was amazed to discover many of the shoes were just not all that comfortable. Some of them were, yes. But many were not.

Yes, they had lots of padding. But padding is not the only requirement for a comfortable shoe. Honestly, many of my most comfortable 12-hour shoes don't even have any padding whatsoever. And many were flat, but flat doesn't necessarily automatically equal comfort either. Many had chunky heels which are great for stability but they add some serious weight to the shoe, which personally I find fatiguing.

My conclusion? It's all about the fit. If the fit is right, you don't really need all this comfort technology.

Don't get me wrong -- this store does a brisk business so I'm sure it meets the fit needs of a lot of women. I was just surprised.

11 years ago

Dressing

7 replies

Latest reply was from Suz

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Agreed.

Many comfort shoes have hectic arch support - which does not work for my feet. I get cramps in shoes with lots of arch support - like Dankos.

Also, heavy shoes weigh me down too. I love lightweight footwear.

11 years ago

always trying

Veteran

YEh, I have discovered the same thing!!!!! Fit and comfort is an individual thing..Everyone has different feet, and all feet change with age, wear and tear, like years of high heels, dancers have lots of feet problems with age, runners, etc.

11 years ago

gryffin

Veteran

Shiny - I do agree with you. Jeffrey Campbell booties have no padding and the are divine. I personally find danskos excruciating. That being said some brand that lean toward comfort - Ariat, Ecco, born, Gentle Souls, Merrell (ok not that stylish but so comfy) are very comfortable. I think it's more important to see which brands work best, in general, for your feet!

11 years ago

shiny

Veteran

I never thought I had wonky arches, but maybe I do, Angie, as I did notice that many of the shoes I tried on yesterday were mostly bothering me in the arch -- it seemed the arch was in the wrong place. Many of your shoe recommendations work for me, as long as they aren't too narrow since my foot is wider than yours.

I may try the Fidgi's but they are euro sizing and I can never figure out whether I need a 36 or a 37, and when I have a chance to try on both sizes in store, it seems neither work. It's like I am a 36.5? (I normally take a size 6, can sometimes go up to a 6.5, but that's rare).

11 years ago

Liz A.

Veteran

36.5 is a real size. You just don't see it as often.

11 years ago

MsMaven

Veteran

Ah, the arch placement problem. I have had troubles with that in many of the comfort brands. My podiatrist explained that the structure of my feet require that the arch support is more towards the heel than in most brands. It certainly narrows the field.

In the past I have not liked Munro shoes because they were so heavy and not at all fashion conscious. That has changed in the last couple of years or so.

11 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Totally agree with you. "Comfort" is individual. It depends on your foot. I have discovered that finding a brand with a last that fits my foot is far more important than whether or not the shoe is labeled "comfort."

For me -- a completely flat shoe will almost always be uncomfortable. A high heeled shoe will always be uncomfortable. A shoe with a heel from 1.5 to 2.5 inches will be most likely to give my foot its happiest angle. So that's a great start. I will try shoes that are more flat, just in case, but it's extremely rare for them to feel good unless the heel is at least 3/4 of an inch. I don't bother with heels higher than 3 inches, even for sitting shoes.

Arch support is often in the wrong place for me. Or even when it's in the right place, it doesn't come close to my arches. (I have a pair of pumps like this. There's built in arch support -- supposedly -- but my instep sails way above it and my foot doesn't even touch the padding!) Heels are usually too wide (causing my foot to fly out of the shoe and forcing me to grip with toes in open vamp shoes without straps -- exhausting!)

Flexible soles definitely improve comfort for me.

A shoe that is lightweight will always be better than a heavy one, although I do have a few heavier and less flexible shoes that work okay -- my Zara booties, for instance. They are not the most comfortable shoes in my closet, but they work well due to the angle, the shape of the footbed, and the stable heel.

On the subject of heels, yes, a wide one gives stability, but some narrow heels are just fine.

Padding is completely negotiable. If the shape of the last is right, it's pretty much unnecessary.

That's my personal list!

But I know some people need a RIGID sole vs .a flexible one. So we're all different.

11 years ago

Category