Nebraskim, yes barkingdogshoes.com is a great resource. I was looking there yesterday and found that a lot of the reviews of individual shoes were old and the shoes are no longer available. I'll still look some more. Wow, fat pads migrating to the wrong place, how annoying.

Roberta, thanks for the Kelsey Dagger info. I like a lot of their styles but did not think they looked very comfortable. I stand corrected! Born and Ecco work well for me too, Clarks sometimes, and Merrill is ALWAYS a good fit for me if I want a sporty style.

Thanks Fashintern. I've just never tried on a pair of Danskos that felt good. I do not care what others think of my shoes, but I (like most of us) do have my own views on what styles look good and which ones do not. Those views also change over time You are indeed lucky to be in the land of shoes made for lots of city walking. I had some Think! shoes many years ago that I had forgotten about...black leather sneakers with a pretty brocade/velvet fabric in the area of the laces. Found them in TJmaxx of all places. They are in the pricey group...which I'm going to consider.

Sal you (and Fashintern and Angie) have all said that it seems flat shoes are everywhere, including in cities. It's a GOOD thing!

To file under Never Say Never: I am not a big sneaker fan, but I just ordered these Steve Madden fashion sneaks that look like athletic shoes. They were 40% off, so I figured why not. Angie finds them super comfortable, but my feet are as wide as hers are narrow so I don't have high hopes. They are so crazy clunky that they tickle my funny bone. I really should be buying Brooks Addictions which I actually wear for exercise.

I relate to footwear needs as I have had a nasty bout of PF this year and am wearing othotics most days. Two brands that have been great for me are Hush Puppies and my now go brand Ziera Shoes. I am in Australia and I am not sure how widely available they are. They are a bit $$ but so worth it. The inner soles can be removed and orthotics can be placed in the shoe. If you are not using orthotics, they are generally very comfortable and provide good support. They also offer a variety of styles.

I need to write a similar post at some point; I'm trying to be more focused on foot health as it impacts overall health. For me the best shoes have wide toe boxes, zero drop, and flexible soles so my feet can do their own thing. It really limits my options, both in terms of shopping and styling. But my feet, knees and back feel great!

My shoe comfort is very important to me. Arche was my first comfortable and stylish brand that I splurged on many years ago and I recently thrifted a pair of sandals that lived up to my memory. Also M.Gemi is worth looking at. I thrifted a pair of loafers last summer in New York and this summer splurged on a pair of platforms (to wear with my long jeans!) and they are both very, very comfortable.

I am having hard time this year finding comfortable shoe. I am refusing to compromise and don’t want to wait for shoes to become more comfortable with wear. If they are not comfortable immediately when I put them on, back they go. I lost count of how many pairs of shoes I returned this year.

Chris, are you opposed to being 1 year behind trends? I'm not, because I expect footwear to last for years and years anyway. Lots of Think! shoes are currently half off, which brings them under $100.

Anchie, would you please remind me of the brand of your white boots? The ones you got last fall.

DonnaF, I agree with never say never, although those SM sneakers look JUST LIKE the orthopedic sneakers a good friend of mine has worn for years...he's had major surgery on his back multiple times and can only wear that type of shoe.... so fashion is NOT a consideration plus his idea of fashion is a Rock n Roll Tshirt and Levis. Not for me LOL. But I salute you and Angie wearing them!

Fashintern, not only am I not opposed to being one year behind trends, I RELISH it. My overall style is classic, sometimes modern classic and sometimes timeless classic, where I focus on good fit more than trendy styles. Also, these days I can't name one trend off the top of my head that I like. Well, maybe some of the color combinations. Some of my clothes are many years behind the trends It's how I roll and it's the environmental norm in my world. And I'm with you on expecting shoes to last more than one season. They don't always do that but I always hope and try to buy with that in mind.

Deborah thanks and I'll have to look for Ziera and see if they are avail in the US.

La P - YES foot health impacts overall health! It's sooo important and you are smart to pay attention to it. Having some minor pain your foot can cause you to lean a certain way and next thing you know your knee is messed up....etc etc

Thanks Shevia..I've heard of M.Gemi but not Arche...

Anchie...I totally agree that shoes have to be comfortable right away or forget it. I actually do a three hour wear around the house as my guide. I had a pair of boots last year that were perfectly comfy for 2 hours at home but when I wore them for 3 hours in a mall and they really hurt, and it happened twice! So now I do a trial run of 3 hours before deciding.

I HAVE counted how many pairs I've returned. It runs about 10 to 1 consistently, and knowing that helps me not get frustrated

Just about Arche- they are French I think. They are expensive when imported here. I have only one pair which I bought in Noosa, Queensland, Australia on sale for $100. I call them my “walking sandals” as they replaced a similar pair I had owned for a few years that I loved which were so comfy but had got stained. They are beautifully cushioned but they rub a little on the top of a toe so not as good as the old ones which are now gone
Here they are.

Thanks Jennie NZ. I did some searching, and found that Nordstrom sells Arche

I don’t know if the brand Wolky has been mentioned? I have some pairs still going strong.

I think my most expensive wardrobe items are shoes and boots— have to keep the feet happy!

Thanks tolkitty, Wolky is on the list now!