Hey everybody!
My friend has just been told that some physical pain she’s been going through is a result of the small heel on her favorite shoes and that she needs to wear flat shoes with support, with a round toe. No points. She’s despairing of ever finding anything nice that she can wear to the office. Also, she’s young and fun and doesn’t want to wear orthopedic shoes.
Anyone have any brand recommendations?
Danskos. I have foot issues and these things are comfortable after an short acclimation period. They come in several styles and colors from plain to funky. You need a proper fitting for them though, so she would need to get her first pair from a reputable shoe store.
If you get brand recommendations, check out reviews of shoes on Zappos.com. Almost every review I read comes with the reviewer’s list of foot ailments and how the shoe helps/doesn’t help. Then again, I have wide feet so I may run into more types of shoes for those with foot ailments - but so does your friend.
She doesn’t want to go for ripoff Louboutins? 
I’d suggest
Indigo’s parent company Clarks
or an Israeli company a stylin’ friend mentioned to me once called Beautifeel (ignore the stupid name) They’re very expensive but available on Zappos.
Unfortunately I feel like there’s a strong tradeoff between shoe sexiness and comfort, but at least these companies offer more options than fancified clogs.
I would recommend that she get some good insoles. Then she won’t have to be quite so particular about the shoes.
Sorry, here’s the master shoe list for Beautifeel. It looks like they have some wide withs if she needs that as well.
I’ve got weird feet myself (totally different issues), and have had good luck with Aerosoles, Privo, and Naturalizer/Natural Sport flats. Each tends to have enough structure in the soles for me, which is something that I need as well.
How are these? These? These?
Seconded. I love my Danskos! (Though I’m told they were bought out and the brand name is now Sanita. I have a pair under each brand and they both rock.)
Guy here with seriously strange feet.
Extra wide? Check?
Flat feet? Check
High instep? Check
Shattered one heel 16 years ago? Check
One foot that swells every damn day? Check
Buying shoes was not what is comfortable, but rather what did not put me in extreme pain in 20 minutes.
What I have found is Ecco shoes.
Go in talk to the manager, get fitted. Wear shoes all day and feel great.
go back and kiss manager.
Or go see a podiatrist, get a set of orthotics made, and get his/her recommendation as to a specific set of shoes she can wear. My pod gave me a list of make/model shoes for my specific foot type, and so far he is right on the money with what feels great. [I have a form of arthritis in the joints in my feet so foot concerns are very important to me, being diabetic i do not want to risk losing my feet to look pretty is spiffy shoes, but he picked out some seriously nice looking shoes for me to select from]
I have superwide feet & Sofft makes pumps I can wear comfortably.
No criticism intended, but really, how could a person with very difficult-to-fit feet possibly buy shoes online? I too have difficult-to-fit feet, and I can’t even find shoes that fit comfortably by going into stores! I think aruvqan’s suggestion is the one to follow.
Thirding Danskos. I’m on my feet a lot for work and wear them exclusively. They’re a bit pricey, but hold up remarkably well.
I came in to recommend this brand. Hands down the most comfortable and stylish shoes in my shoe collection. They are really good value for the money!
Fourthing, from a person who also has major foot issues (and prescription orthotics). If your friend ends up with prescription orthotics, she is going to need shoes that have removable insoles that are substantial enough that once removed, the orthotics will fit into the shoe. I’ve had the best luck with the Dansko models that have removable orthotics (which isn’t all of them), Timberland, and with lace-up shoes generally. (And Mephisto for sandals, because they are the only brand I’ve found so far with arch support that works for my feet.) Of course, my foot issues aren’t the same as your friend’s, so there will be some trial and error involved.
I wouldn’t recommend buying shoes online without first trying on that brand, and preferably that exact style, in person - or being prepared to ship a lot of shoes back before you find something that works.
I have bunions and a high instep.
I’m on my feet for work and play.
Finding supportive yet attractive shoes has become a hobby.
I love Zappos but there is also Footsmart.
These are my main go-to brands:
Danskos are great, I’ve got 3 pairs, but if you have to look a bit fancier, there are alternatives.
Riekers ~ sporty and very wide, nice array of different styles.
Keen ~ similar to Riekers, lots of sporty Mary Janes
Ahnu ~ see above
Munro ~ stylish and well made and come in wide sizes, one sturdy pair that I have have been all over Europe twice and are still in good enough shape to wear out to dinner.
Mephistos are very expensive but I am really glad I own my one pair, they are beautiful, versatile, and comfy.
In my experience, Clarks never seem wide enough, and Eccos are not quite enough support for my admittedly wonky feet.
I’ve been to a podiatrist.
I live in a VERY small town.
Decent shopping is an hour away, but the internet is at my fingertips.
Zappos, Footsmart and other sites are very, very accommodating. There are photos, reviews to read and lots of description. They carry familiar brands, ones I know and trust.
I recently bought a pair of shoes to go to a wedding. I bought two pair, knowing that I was only going to purchase one, knowing that both might have to go back if they did not work. Well, one pair (Extra Extra Wide :rolleyes:)worked great.
Back the other pair went, and my account was credited.
I suppose if you are willing to order many pairs and send most of them back, it would work.
I have no idea what brands to trust. They might be good, well-made shoes, but one person’s bunions are not another person’s heel spurs. I will check out these sites and see what I can find out. Thank you.
Think of it as contributing to the economy. Well, UPS’s economy. But, hey, they have cute drivers.
Seriously, Zappos does a lot of free shipping both ways, so it’s kind of a no-lose proposition. I always buy my shoes from them because I can never find 5.5’s in the stores.
Their reviews are good and helpful. All the brands mentioned above I would also recommend. I love Clarks, Indigo, and Born. Good solid shoes with good arch support. Yay!
I live in one of the last outposts of civilization, but I always get my Zappos order in one day. Return shipping is included, so there’s no problem for me.