Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin A pair of feet clad in lace-up shoes with long pointy toes, 1960. (Photo by FPG/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) Be careful what you search for. Enter phrases like 'best shoes for plantar fasciitis' or 'best shoes for standing all day,' and you'll quickly find yourself ankle-deep in sponsored content, complete with endless reels demonstrating heel cushioning and next-generation arch support.
A tennis partner of mine started having sudden foot pain recently, so we searched on my phone, and boom—orthoped-o-pocalypse! For anyone under 55 gazing over our shoulders, we were instantly pegged as future mall walkers of America. But you discover a few pleasant surprises going down these rabbit holes. The world of supportive shoes has come a long way since the days of geriatric granny boots, in terms of style and technology.
With an aging population that has money to spend and pickleball battles to win, there are plenty of legit good-looking options for shoes that support and hug the foot and help relieve the pain of standing or walking, or from the injury to the underside of the foot known as plantar fasciitis. Täōs Advance gets great reviews for its supportive footbed and audacious look. The New Balance 990v4 Core and Propét Fin Oxford for men, and women’s shoes, including Täōs’s rainbow-hued Advance sneaker and Vionic’s Walk Max all get outstanding reviews for stability, comfort, protection and looks.
The Advance, pictured above, kinda resembles one of Willy Wonka’s Everlasting Gobstoppers: But the standout appears to be Kuru, a shoe purpose-built for achy feet. Reviewers consistently single out various products in the line as “best for cushioning” and “best for cooling, ” the best overall for heel and foot pain , and even “the most comfortable pair of workout shoes I’ve ever owned.” The Quantum 2.
0 model in particular gets praise for its patented Kurusole technology that hugs the heels and arches to reduce the impact of walking and standing. Kuru Chicane, in men's and women's, get outstanding reviews for heel-hugging, arch-supporting stability to help ease your aching feet. What’s nice — and, again, you’ll see this if you start Googling; the ads won’t stop — is the extent and versatility of the Kuru design.
There are dozens and dozens of Kuru looks, and they’re categorized down to which pain you’re experiencing, whether it’s flat feet, heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, or bunions. With shock-absorbing cushioning and extra padding at the ankles, Kuru Chicane is one of the brand’s most popular models. It’s got grippy outsoles for secure stepping, and moisture-wicking liners to keep feet dry.
The company also makes sandals, like Breeze , that look “normal” enough but provide additional leeway for bunions and wider feet—while also giving support for the heel and arches in the footbed. My tennis friend is still deciding, but here's the kicker—turns out, you don’t have to settle for the Frankenstein clunkers of yesteryear. These days, supportive shoes are practically fashion-forward.
Who knew relief for foot pain could come with a side of style? ALSO FROM FORBES Editorial Standards Forbes Accolades Join The Conversation One Community. Many Voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts.
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