fave orthopedic sandals

[treehuggermama]

I am looking for a new pair of very supportive/orthopedic sandals as my feet/legs are aching from flip flops. Any suggestions of brand names/styles would be much appreciated. I have birks but the raised area under your toes really bothers me

[Twinklefae]

I have Birks, and I don't know what you mean by the raised area? Mine are custom orthotics though, so maybe they are different.

[LisainCalifornia]

Naots

They are made in Israel--and are much more comfortable than birks.

www.naot.com

[karne]

I'll second the Naots. They are a contoured footbed, like the Birks, but have cushioning, which I do find more comfortable. There are a bunch of styles. I personally find them a bit more narrow than the Birks, which fits my foot better. Dansko makes sandals, but I don't think of them as flip flop alternatives. Can you wear a negative heel? Earth shoes are still around, and i have found that i can wear them pretty comfortably, although it takes a couple of days to work up to having them on for a long stretch.

[Teacher Lady]

Clarks, Artisan collection - Thunder perf (stupid name, comfy shoes) I love them! I have a pair that I wear to work and they are REALLY comfy! Teva and Keen (and whatever the brand is with the toe-stubbing protection) are really comfy too.

[merpk]

Originally Posted by karne

I'll second the Naots. They are a contoured footbed, like the Birks, but have cushioning, which I do find more comfortable. There are a bunch of styles. I personally find them a bit more narrow than the Birks, which fits my foot better. Dansko makes sandals, but I don't think of them as flip flop alternatives. Can you wear a negative heel? Earth shoes are still around, and i have found that i can wear them pretty comfortably, although it takes a couple of days to work up to having them on for a long stretch.

Yeah, that's what I was going to say. And I have wide feet, so that's a problem for me. So I can't wear them. Shame, 'cuz Naot makes some really nice styles (no offense to my beloved-yet-boring Birks).

[LisainCalifornia]

Mephisto is great too. I have the Mephisto Sydel in silver and LOVE them.

Certain Naot styles are more narrow, but others are more wide. They make different collections--and the Scandinavian collection is definitely more wide, while the "shell" collection is made for more narrow foot.

I would say go to a good comfort shoe shop and be fitted for your sandals/shoes. You can try on everything from Dansko to Keen to Mephisto to Think to Finn Comfort to Naot---and see which brand suits your foot and lifestyle. I can't wear Birkenstocks anymore because they hurt a boney part of one foot--but I can easily wear Naot or Mephisto.

[papabliss]

I love my chacos. I have 2 styles and both are great.

http://chacousa.com/

[MamabearTo4]

I wear Earth shoes, with a negative heel. I've never been so happy to walk around in shoes! :

www.earthshoes.com

www.planetshoes.com - nice sale going on now...

[leerypolyp]

I like Chacos, Earths, and the athletic Keens. I haven't been able to wear Birks for years -- too hard, and the arch is not right for my foot.

[painefaria]

I love my Paul Taylors ::: http://www.paultaylorsandals.com/index.html

I had the pleasure of meeting him in Asheville, NC over the summer. DP made me splurge on these sandals and I never take them off. I have not had ANY issues with breaking them in, eventhough he states that it will take a year until they are "broken-in". They are made for YOUR feet. I have not had one blister eventhough I never wore things between my toes. No rubbing. I know you say $300 for a pair of sandals but he showed us sandals that he and his wife have been wearing for over 25 years. I don't think that you can find that anywhere, anymore.

[tbone]

Another vote for Chacos here. I love, love, love my chacos. I had my last pair for almost 10 years before I had finally worn them out (this is with nearly everyday use, unless it was raining or snowing).

[sexysisam]

I really like Chaco's. They come in flip flops and strappy sandals. The arch is pretty high, higher than my orthotics that I put in my shoes, but once I got used to it, they felt great.

I bought mine at R.E.I.