8 Podiatrist-Approved Sandals for Women With Arch Support (P.S. Yes, They’re Actually Cute)
- Miguel Cunha, DPM, board-certified podiatric surgeon and founder of Gotham Footcare
Best Sandals with Arch Support At-a-Glance
- Best platform: Vionic Brandie Flatform Sandal, $90
- Best for outdoor: Chaco Z/2 Classic Sandal, $100
- Best arch support: Birkenstock Arizona, $140
- Best leather: FitFlop GRACIE Matt-Buckle Leather Fisherman Sandals, $130
- Best thong: ABEO Alea, $90
- Best shock absorbent: Naot Kayla, $140
- Best lightweight: Crocs Brooklyn Low Wedges Sandal, $41
- Best for recovery: OOfos OOahh Slide Sandal, $60
What to Look for in Sandals with Arch Support
In addition to looking for an APMA seal, knowing what key elements to look for in a supportive sandal—and the red flags to stay away from—is the next best thing. There are three primary factors to pay attention to when shopping for sandals, according to Dr. Cunha: the arch, the heel, and the width. "I recommend a sandal that has an arch incorporated into its design to provide support, shock absorption, and minimize discomfort," he says.
Reasons Why Arch Support is Important
Without a built-in arch, the footbed would be flat, which can also contribute to pronation (an excessive inward rolling of your feet when you walk) and collapse of the arch which may result in plantar (bottom of the foot) and posterior heel pain, shin splints, knee pain, and back pain, Dr. Cunha explains. In addition, it's important to make sure that the sandal doesn't bend easily and is not flimsy or flat in the middle.
As for the heel: If you are looking for a pair of sandals that have a little bit of height to 'em, Dr. Cunha recommends opting for a platform. "It allows you to increase height without compensating the arch," he says. Sandals with no more than a 3/4-inch heel are also a good option because that height takes away a lot of the stress from the achilles tendon which can, in turn, lessen the effect of pronation.
Opting for a sandal with a heel over a 3/4 inch throws your posture and the biomechanics of your stride off. The resulting misalignment can lead to pain in your feet, ankles, knees, and back, Dr. Cunha explains. Should you have your heart set on a sandal with a kitten (read: small) heel, try finding a pair with an ankle strap to increase stability, reduce the probability of twisted or sprained ankles, and help support the shoe on the foot, eliminating the need for your toes to grip onto the sole.
Finally, the width of your sandal is also important. Bunions, hammer toes, neuromas (pinched nerves between your toes), and ingrown toenails can all caused by not having enough space for your forefoot in your shoes. To figure out what width is best for you, Dr. Cunha suggests you try this: "Trace your foot onto a piece of paper at the end of the day when your feet are most swollen, then place the shoe over the tracing of the foot," he says. "If the tracing of the foot is external to the periphery of the shoe, then you know that your shoes are too narrow." When trying on shoes, it's always best to make sure that they fit at the end of the day, when your feet are the most swollen, to ensure the most accurate fit.
Stylish, podiatrist-recommended sandals with arch support
Biomechanically designed to hug your arches, these sandals are crafted to help support your natural alignment, gait, and posture from the ground up. These are also great sandals for wide feet as they have adjustable straps, which help to keep your foot in place as you walk, limiting foot strain and over extension.
- Materials: fabric, microfiber, rubber
- Sizes: 5-11
- Colors: 5
Pros:
- Designed to hug your arches
- Adjustable straps
- Platform support
Cons:
- Some reviewers say they’re heavy
One key factor to look out for when picking out a supportive sandal that you can wear all day is a back strap. These ultra-light (they even float!) sandals have adjustable straps and a toe loop to ensure that your foot stays put, and a lug sole, making them great sandals for walking on all different types of terrain. Additionally, the American Podiatric Medical Association even touts the shoe’s corrective footbeds, engineered with Chaco’s LUVSEAT arch-support, for being supremely comfortable and great for a whole range of outdoor activities.
- Materials: polyester, rubber
- Sizes: 5-12, medium and wide
- Colors: 9
Pros:
- Contoured footbed
- Adjustable straps and toe loop
- Sole with tread
Cons:
- Some reviewers say the run narrow
These supportive sandals area classic for a reason: Birks are stylish, versatile, and super comfy. They have built-in arch support and toe grips to stabilize your feet, and the cushioned footbed and deep heel cups help help provide all-day comfort. Plus they go with almost any outfit.
- Materials: suede, EVA, cork, rubber
- Sizes: 4-12.5, regular and wide
- Colors: 4
Pros:
- Interior and exterior arch support
- Contoured footbed
- Adjustable straps
Cons:
- Suede is harder to keep clean
FitFlop is known for making comfortable sandals, and these fisherman sandals are no exception. They have a minimal design that are ready to go on everyday errands or vacation getaways and an adjustable ankle strap. Best of all, the anatomical footbeds cradle your feet and provide cushioning with each step, too.
- Materials: leather, rubber
- Sizes: 5-11
- Colors: 3
Pros:
- Anatomical footbed
- Cushioning
- Adjustable ankle strap
Cons:
- Some reviewers say they run large
Another option with the AMPA seal of approval, this orthopedic sandal has the effortless style of a flip flop with the support of a shoe built with a custom orthotic. The ABEO B.I.O.system digitally fits shoes to your feet using scanning technology that calculates the optimum footbed construction for you.
- Materials: synthetic leather, EVA, microsuede, rubber
- Sizes: 4-12
- Colors: 7
Pros:
- Custom 3D fit footbed
- Rubber outsole is shock-absorbing
- Supportive midsole
Cons:
- Expensive
With over 1,000 five-star reviews on Zappos, these three-strap sandals are comfortable, adjustable, and crafted from natural leather that is durable and will keep your feet fresh on the sweatiest of days. The shock absorbent footpad is great for long walks and encouraging a natural and correct posture.
- Materials: leather, cork, rubber
- Sizes: 4-13
- Colors: 20
Pros:
- Shock-absorbent ole
- Anatomical footbed
- Adjustable ankle strap
Cons:
- Some reviewers say they run narrow
Swap out your standard Crocs clogs with these lightweight, cushioned sandals for warm weather fun. They have an adjustable heel strap and deep heel cups so your feet stay securely in the sandal, and a wedge heel for stability. And they’re super easy to keep clean — just rinse them off and they’ll be as good as new.
- Materials: Croslite foam
- Sizes: 4-11
- Colors: 18
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Cushioned
- Adjustable strap
Cons:
- Some reviewers say they run small
These supportive sandals from OOfos are a great option whether you’re looking for something to slip on after a hard workout or some relief from plantar fasciitis. The OOfoam technology absorbs more shock than traditional footwear, and the footbed has arch support and helps reduce impact on your feet and joints. They’re designed to minimize odor, but they’re also machine washable so you wont have any problems keeping them smelling fresh.
- Materials: Croslite foam
- Sizes: 5-16
- Colors: 8
Pros:
- Absorbs impact
- Footbed cradles your arches
- Machine washable
Cons:
- Some reviewers say they run wide
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