Shoes and Sandals for Healthy Feet

need help finding shoes for the workplace! dress code does not allow sandals or athletic shoes!

I agree that the shoes that one chooses to wear are critical to ones well being, particularly if a person walks or runs for exercise. Its been my experience that each person seems to require a different kind of foot support, and what works well for one person does not seem to work well for others. My personal favorite shoe at present is the Nike Free model. My feet seem to need a very flexible shoe. When I try other makes and models, then the pain begins.

Thanks for the shoe tips, and here's hoping that each of you finds "the right shoe" for you, and that they don't immediately "improve" it or stop making it.

I also thought you might want to take a look at Chaco sandals. They have a molded footbed and a very sturdy outsole. I know people that have had some for 15+ years. I like them because I have thin (top to bottom) and narrow feet and most shoes swallow my feet even if they are "the correct width. Chacos are fully adjustable! They also come in wide for people with wide feet.

Hello dr kim. I would like to add a product to your shoe recommendations, which I found to be extremely good. I live in Australia and quite a few years back broke my fifth metatarsil in the right foot (the little outside bone). I had to reteach myself to walk through the pain after an extended stay in plaster and could not find any shoes that gave me sufficient support. Eventually someone put me on to Rockport shoes, which did help a little, but since a lot of their making has gone overseas I find them not to be as good as the originals. Plus they are so expensive. Eventually I found Crocs. They are not handsome shoes, but by golly they are GOOD. They are shaped inside for full support and my associated back, knee and hip pain, (and probably shoulder and neck pain) have all but disappeared. I am not a full blown australian, so I am not selling from a patriotic point of view. Just endorsing a wonderful product. My grandchildren, sister in law, and many friends now wear them and swear by them, not to mention the lady in the local shoe shop. Thank you for your wonderful newsletters. Hazel

I've had a pair of chaco sandals that just blew out after 6 years of use. I always felt that they gave me great support and were of terrific construction. But lately I've heard alot of rave about keens.

I was hopeing someone could give me a comparison of Chaco vs Keen if anyone has owned both for a significant amount of time?

The comfortable sandal and sneaker are one thing, but what about shoes for those of us who have to work in an office every day and wear nice suits? And I mean those of us who are not middle aged, big bellied sorts, but young and slim thirties/forties who want to look attractive (and whose position is often in the public eye)? Is there anything on the market for us?

I found a shoe in NYC by Hahn Cole that was made with a Nike Air Sole, but it has a quite high heel.

Has anybody found anything that is nice looking and yet ergonomically correct?

Thanks,
C Avery

Thank you for a wonderful article. Very timely as I have been recently pondering this very subject. Also THANK YOU for the comments on flip flops; my wife wears them as do many at the office, school kids all year round and many even wear them to church and other places with formal attire. I cannot stand them, they make my toes hurt and the thought that people are driving in those things is down right scary. Besides, I think they cause a person to walk like a duck -- very unattractive and very unhealthy looking. Thanks again.

I have a totally damaged right foot from a fall and misdiagnosis 13 years ago. Every bone was broken in my foot. I can only wear MBT shoes. They provide a rolling foot bed and firm ankle and arch support. I even wear the sandals. MBT stands for Masai Barefoot Technology. Each pair of shoes comes with a video to help you learn to walk in them. They offer wonderful cushioning to people who have foot problems and great arch support. They ARE expensive, but worth the price.

Thanks for the helpful article, Ben! A pair of good shoes is priceless.

Thank you. I will check these out. I've been wearing Mephisto shoes for 10 years and they have kept me in alignment. Have you looked into these? If so, what is your opinion?

I understand the importance of having good shoes - but how often should they be worn and how much barefoot walking should I do? Since I bought my first good pair of sneakers last year, I wear them ALL day long. It is now 'uncomfortable' for me to walk with out them. I thought that maybe my shoe was acting like a crutch and actually making my feet weaker.

Another great shoe brand is DANSKO. Super comfy and support is wonderful. They have tons of different styles too.

Does anyone know good shoes for a teenager who needs a 1/2" lift in or attached to their shoes? I've heard Birkenstock repair places will put a higher sole on. But what about Keens or Chacos or some other brand?

After years of searching in vain for "teacher shoes" I could actually walk in (my position required lots of walking!), I'm retired. Now I need shoes to accommodate bunions. I've always taken good care of my feet, and worn good shoes, but now I have this arthritic condition. It doesn't affect the side of my foot, except that I need more space. There is pain and unpredictable flexibility on the tops of my big toe, and arch area, and under the arch. I can no longer bend my foot enough to get into many shoes, even New Balance. I think I need a show with a deep bed. I cannot wear my roomy winter boots to church all summer! Any experience with this? Any suggestions?

I had plantar fascitis for over a year. I tried the Birkenstock Milano and they were OK. After reading many customer testimonials, some from people with plantar fascitis, I tried Earth Shoes. My plantar fascitis is gone and my posture is better. I've been wearing only Earth shoes ever since - even around the house. I had a pair years ago and they looked like monster shoes. Now they have many, many styles, all with the negative heel technology. And I can get them online on sale. I'm really grateful.

I haven't tried the Wysong Ergonomic Insoles(TM) because I bought them for my husband to put into his work boots. They seem to be comfortable. The idea is "foot in the sand" technology. I like that they can be cut to fit and can be placed into any pair of shoes or boots.

The sandals have either leather or suede in them. So no luck for people who want animal-friendly products...