We need to talk about orthopaedic shoes. Not the sexiest start to any story, I grant you. But still, the fact remains that we’re on our feet all day long and many of us have serious foot pain caused by all sorts factors including diabetes, poorly fitting shoes and bunions. And we literally limp on until we can limp no more.
“Bunions are extremely common,” says Dr Dawn, brand ambassador for Sole Bliss. “In fact, it is estimated that anywhere between one in ten and one in four of us will suffer at some point, and they are much more common in women. We are not entirely sure why they occur but there seems to be a genetic link. I am often asked whether badly fitting shoes are the cause. The answer is probably not but they certainly make the problem worse.”
However, Morton’s Neuroma, which is the thickening of the tissue around the nerves between your toes is thought to be caused by wearing shoes which don’t fit properly and results in burning pain on the ball of your foot.
I should know, having suffered with the condition for over three years and find it increasingly hard to find shoes which don’t hurt after ten minutes wear.
Aside from having decent shoes which fit well and support our feet, there are other ways that we can ensure foot health.
“It is important to cut toenails properly to avoid the risk of ingrowing toenails,” says Dr Harper. “Always cut the nail across without shaping it and the nail should protrude just beyond the pulp of the nail. Take care to dry between the toes carefully – damp warm areas are a feeding ground for fungi that cause athletes foot. Moisturise your feet regularly to avoid hard skin and cracked heels.”
Luckily, help is at hand in the form of specially designed shoes to help relieve sore feet. An orthopaedic shoe will support the structure of the foot.
Traditionally, an orthopaedic shoe was perhaps definitely much more substance than style. But we’ve found a number of shoes which are kind to both feet and eyes. Winning!
Birkenstock Arizona sandals
Birkenstock Arizona sandals, something of a design classic since 1970s (although its roots go much further back into the late 1800s) but its roots were much, became the fashionista’s summer shoe of choice a couple of years’ ago and are still very much in demand, with a vast array of colourways and materials on offer.
The two-straps are adjustable, but the real magic literally lies in the cork foot bed which moulds to the shape of the foot. The arch is pronounced and the heel deeply cupped. These are ideal for people with wide feet or Morton’s Neuroma as they allow the foot to spread. Lined with suede, these make for pain free holidays.
£60 | Birkenstock | Buy it now
See all men's shoes from Birkenstock here.
Sole Bliss Navy Suede Faye Boots
I went into orbit when I saw these boots for the first time: sore feet will never feel so sexy. So many people with bunions and other foot pain wave goodbye to heels and yet here is a 3.5 inch block heeled suede babe of a boot with a pointed toe for added sass and it promises to be nice on the inside too.
And it is! Although ideal for wide feet and pronounced bunions, the ‘Faye’ looks nothing less than super stylish. We love the Navy Blue as a classy alternative to black.
Look no further for the perfect ankle boot. With a high 3.5” block heel and a pointed toe, ‘Faye’ is a versatile choice for work or weekends and can be paired with cropped hemlines for a modern approach. Made from soft Navy Suede, ‘Faye’ can accommodate wide feet and bunions and will guarantee comfort and instant style. Complete your ensemble with our matching ‘Jemima’ bag in Navy Suede.
£199 | Sole Bliss | Buy it now
Sole Bliss Leopard Print Party Shoes
Animal print is having a very long moment. Not that I’m complaining. I love the stuff. So, I was thrilled to see these leopard print court shoes winking at me.
The chunky heel on these gives plenty of support for your back, while the wideness is such a relief for bunions – but, crucially they don’t look like they are built for comfort. They are chic, elegant and cool. The triple layer cushioning will mean you can stand all day and dance all night.
£179 | Sole Bliss | Buy it now
VIONIC Oxford Brogues
A silver Oxford brogue? This is exactly the type of shoe that you never knew you needed and then become entirely dependent on. VIONIC created a design which can be worn either with laces or laceless. The leather upper panel is sleek and luxurious and best of all don’t look wide while still allowing the foot room to spread out.
The moment your feet are inside, you can actually feel them being taken care of. VIONIC shoes are all designed by podiatrists who use specialist technology which enables support and stability – without the feeling of being constricted –and even relief for feet used to pain. I found that the arches were high and this immediately altered my posture for the better. I couldn’t be more thrilled.
£120 | VIONIC | Buy it now
See all men's shoes from VIONIC here.
Calla Charlotte Black Pumps
Every wardrobe needs a pair or discreet but well-made black pumps. The suede ‘Charlotte’ from Calla is a simple, elegant ballet style design which manages to be flattering to your feet while avoiding pinching and pain.
Made from a soft kid suede, the top section crosses over which caters to wide feet and bunions, while giving the illusion of slenderness. There is a ‘hidden’ heel as part of the shoe, as well as a cushioned insole with arch support. The result is total comfort all day long.
£90 | Calla | Buy it now
Holly Shearling Winter Boots
Once just a fitness shoe with a fat sole, Fitflop now offer a whole host of different designs including these winter hiking boots, a style which, unless you’ve been living under a rock you’ll know is extremely on trend at the moment.
Not only are these warm, weather proof and unexpectedly flattering on the leg, they are also extremely comfortable: the thick sole makes them bouncy to walk in, a light and easy experience.
“You need as much surface as possible underneath your feet to distribute your body weight evenly when you walk,” says Dr Kim Lilley, who leads FitFlop’s research and development team. “We design each of our shoes with this in mind. Making sure your feet are in contact with the sole at all times, so they can move naturally and help keep the rest of your body in alignment.” A brilliant winter boot.
£108 | FitFlop | Buy it now *On sale now
FitFlop Men’s High Tops
These knitted high tops for men are an understated but welcome addition to any outfit. They are also more streamline and slighter than you might have come to expect from FitFlop.
“Every style of shoe comes with its own unique challenges,” says Dr Lilley. “This might mean creating support where there isn’t any, which can be a fiddly process. When we get this right your body will be aligned, pressure diffused and every time your foot hits the pavement the impact moves through the right parts of your body.” Comfortable and versatile.
£55 | FitFlop | Buy it now
Wolky Men’s Trainer
Dutch brand Wolky have much to recommend it, where foot comfort is concerned. For over 30 years Wolky have offered salvation for feet thanks to a range of carefully designed and thoughtful features.
We love these bright red men’s trainers. The cork footbeds provide a solid support for your feet, while the inside of the shoe boasts memory foam which shapes itself to your foot, meaning the shoes are bespoke for you in a matter of wears, not to mention being wonderfully soft. The trainer features a special Roll-a-Way technology which essentially makes it much easier to walk longer distances
£134.99 | Wolky | Buy it now
