12 Orthopedic Sandals You Probably Wouldn’t Guess Are Actually Orthopedic
As you shop for the right pair of sandals, whether it’s sandals for travel or styles that accommodate the bunion, to last you through the summer and beyond, you may be keeping a close eye on popular styles. Or maybe you’re more so factoring in another important feature: comfort. Luckily, you can find orthopedic sandals that check both boxes (style and practicality). Even sandals that don’t always feature a high heel or awkwardly arranged arch can also make or break it when it comes to what feels right and doesn’t wind up causing you pain.
This is where orthopedic sandals come into the mix. These custom-designed shoes offer arch support, cushioning, and other various features that can help to align the foot and ankle in a more neutral position unlike their flat, flimsy and thin counterparts, explains Jacqueline Sutera, DPM, podiatrist at City Podiatry in Midtown Manhattan and Vionic Innovation Lab member. Not only are they comfortable, but orthopedic sandals offer stability and support that can keep your feet healthy in the long-term.
- Jackie Sutera, DPM, podiatrist and member of the Vionic Innovation Lab
- Najwa Javed Mohammad, DPM, board-certified podiatrist and founder of E’Mar
- Timothy Oldani, DPM, FACFAS, podiatrist at Missouri Foot and Ankle
Best orthopedic sandals, at a glance:
- Best overall: Birkenstock Arizona Sandal, $110
- Best wedge: NAOT Kayla Sandal, $140
- Best for outdoors: Chaco Women’s Z Cloud 2, $105
- Best dad sandals: Skechers Louden Sandals, $55
- Best for flat feet: Orthofeet Paloma Sandal, $125
- Best textured footbed: Vionic Rejuvenate Slide Sandal, $85
- Best for bunions: OOFOS OOriginal OOlala Women’s Sandal, $70
- Best recovery: HOKA ORA Luxe Recovery Slide, $80
- Best arch booster: Orthofeet Malibu Two-Way Strap Sandal, $125
- Best strappy: Dr. Scholl’s Islander Life Sandal, $50
- Best quiet luxury: Message Mullen Slide, $150
- Best support: Kuru Glide Women’s Sandal, $135
As a foot doctor, Dr. Sutera recommends orthopedic sandals to just about everyone, and advises against thin, flat sandals. However, she points out that people with flat feet, bunions, hammertoes, foot, and heel pain can especially benefit from opting for orthopedic. “The structure of flat feet is such that the arch tends to flatten too much or overpronate and is usually indicative of the absence of a curve in the arch, especially when standing,” she says. “People who suffer from plantar fasciitis and flat feet should look for supportive features, such as a deep seated heel cup, arch support, a sturdy outsole, and a cushioned insole.”
What to look for in a good orthopedic sandal
When shopping for an orthopedic sandal, here are a few key elements to keep in mind.
Arch support
According to Tim Oldani, DPM, podiatrist at Missouri Foot and Ankle in St. Louis, the most important thing to look for is a sandal with adequate support through the arch, where flat-footed people tend to need it the most. Arch support can help prevent pronation, which can lead to foot pain over time, he notes.
A robust heel
A robust heel counter helps reduce the pressures on the achilles and plantar fascial bands and helps with the stability of the posterior leg, explains Najwa Javed, DPM, podiatrist with Silicon Valley Podiatry Group and founder of E’MAR Italy. “A good heel counter also helps to reduce abnormal rear foot pronation,” she adds.
Stability
Dr. Oldani also recommends looking for a sandal that’s stable and well-secured when walking by adequately strapping to the foot. “This may sound trivial, but the more stable the sandal is when walking, the less motion will occur,” he says. Straps can help secure the foot and bolster stability.
A durable sole
A thicker sole that is slightly higher in the back than the front also has a biomechanical advantage over a flat or platform sandal, according to Dr. Sutera. This will also help provide stability and shock absorption.
Shop the best orthopedic sandals for women
Built with medical-grade, biomechanical support, Birkenstocks are the original orthopedic shoe, according to Dr. Javed. The sandals are designed with feet in mind: the sandals boast built-in arch support and a heel cup that cradles your feet, while offering support and cushion. Made of natural cork, latex, and suede, the sole provides rigidity to help with push-off and helps lessen the load of the big toe when walking, notes Dr. Oldani. They’re comfortable when worn for hours on end, all while promoting proper foot health and overall well-being.
Sizes available: 4-12.5, in half sizes and two widths
Colors: 2
Fit: Runs small, it’s recommended to size up
Pros:
- Built-in arch support
- Deep heel cup
- Extremely comfortable
- Adjustable straps
Cons:
- Footbed gets dirty over time
- Suede is difficult to clean
If you’re looking for a sandal that affords you a little heel without leaving you in aching pain immediately after you take them off, consider this pair from NAOT. These sandals received the Seal of Approval from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) for promoting good foot health and providing the support of an orthopedic sandal with the look of a dress sandal.
“They have the classic Naot cork and latex foot bed that is supportive through the arch and absorbs shock under the ball of the foot,” says Dr. Oldani. “They also have a suede foot bed that conforms to your foot more with each use.” Another great feature that he loves is the deep heel cup, which he says helps provide added stability.
Sizes available: 4-13
Colors: 26
Fit: Narrow to medium, true to size
Pros:
- Deep heel cup
- Supports arch
- APMA-approved
Cons:
- Expensive
Here’s a pair of sandals that you can basically do anything while wearing—even light exercise, thanks to their excellent shock absorption and support through the arch. Their rubberized insole is a feature that shouldn’t be taken lightly, as it helps maintain stability and promotes proper foot health, notes Dr. Oldani. He’s a big fan of their toe-loop design that keeps them secure to the foot and can allow for all day use. “Chacos also have an extremely durable outer sole that is similar to that found in a tennis shoe,” he adds.
Sizes available: 5-12
Colors: 8
Fit: Adjustable fit (thanks to straps), so good for narrow, medium, and wide feet. True to size.
Pros:
- Great for outdoor use
- Absorbs shock
- Arch support
Cons:
- Expensive
These are technically men’s sandals, but you’re allowed to wear whatever shoe you want. This “dad” sandal’s claim to fame is its air-cooled memory foam, which not only keeps your feet from overheating—thanks to an increase in breathability—but also molds to your actual foot shape to promote all-day comfort. The heel is also 1.25”, which is not too high, but not too close to the ground either.
Sizes available: 7-16, in two widths
Colors: 4
Fit: Adjustable fit (thanks to straps), so good for narrow, medium, and wide feet. True to size (if you normally use women’s sizing, make sure to convert in order to find your true size).
Pros:
- Is a trendy “dad” style
- Air-cooled memory foam insole
- Adapts to foot shape
Cons:
- Only available in four colors
Dr. Oldani likes to recommend this pair of orthopedic sandals to all his patients, but especially those with a history of flat feet and plantar fasciitis, thanks to their robust heel that helps reduce arch instability. He also appreciates the fact that they come with an orthotic insole, which he says can help limit pronation, or flattening of the arch, with walking. “They also incorporate a mild rocker design into the sole, which helps to lessen strain on joints with walking,” he adds.
Sizes available: 5-12, in half sizes and two widths
Colors: 2
Fit: Standard and wide
Pros:
- 60-day wear test
- Great for people with flat feet and plantar fasciitis
- Has orthotic insole
Cons:
- Expensive
Let the foot aches slip off of your feet with Vionic’s Slide Sandal. With the dual-density cushioning, these sandals offer comfort, support, and stability with each step. They also have a textured footbed, which Dr. Sutera says it offers massaging relief. You can wear these at home, when you’re out and about, or just to relax after a workout.
Sizes available: 5-14
Colors: 7
Fit: Has adjustable strap
Pros:
- Has a textured footbed that feels like a massage
- Can be worn at home or outdoors
- Adjustable strap for personalized fit
Cons:
- Can irritate bunions
You may have seen people wearing these ever-popular orthopedic sandals (Jennifer Lawrence is a big fan!) and have wondered what they’re all about. Just like the Vionic pair we shared above, these are recovery sandals, which mean they’re designed to take pressure and pain away from your feet. They’re made with the brand’s proprietary OOfoam™ technology, which helps absorb 37 percent more impact than a traditional pair of foam footwear. Their patented footbed also helps provide added stability and arch support.
Sizes available: 5-16
Colors: 8
Fit: Medium, true to size
Pros:
- Open-toe
- Absorbs shock
- Takes pressure off feet
Cons:
- Slippery when wet
Here’s another recovery slide that is definitely worth trying on at the very least. They feature an oversized midsole that offers ample comfort, along with their Meta-Rocker geometry shape that lets your foot slide right in and out while providing full stability during your wear session.
Sizes: 5-16
Colors: 9
Fit: Medium to wide. Unisex.
Pros:
- Adjustable strap
- Lightweight
- Supportive
Cons:
- Not as stylish
This brand of orthopedic shoes naturally has some of the best pairs of orthopedic sandals, and we’d be remiss not to mention this stylish and functional pair. It features Orthofeet’s premium orthotic insoles that have anatomical arch support and even an arch booster to help reduce the discomfort associated with a myriad of foot conditions, including plantar fasciitis. The straps are fully adjustable, so you can fully customize the fit to your liking.
Sizes: 5-12, in half sizes and three widths
Colors: 2
Fit: Standard, wide, extra wide. True to size
Pros:
- Rubber, grip bottom
- Foam midsole
- Easy to take on and off
Cons:
- Expensive
We love the look of this sandal, which you can easily dress up or down. They’re designed with comfort and foot health in mind, featuring a lightweight and cushioned insole, and microfiber lining that doesn’t irritate the feet. We also really love the strappy design, which fastens your feet to the shoe so they don’t slip around.
Sizes available: 6-11, in half sizes
Colors: 3
Fit: Medium, true to size
Pros:
- Cushioned insole
- Non-irritating microfiber lining
Cons:
- Only available in three colors
There’s nothing that reads “quiet luxury” more so than Message’s Mullen Slide. If you’ve got the money to splurge, these elevated slides deliver style, comfort, and quality. The footbed is made of sustainable cork, which is water-, sweat-, and odor-resistant. And these sandals can’t do no wrong with the built-in arch support, which helps the foot to maintain natural alignment during movement. Our editorial commerce director Gina Vaynshteyn, who tested these sandals for an entire summer, sings her praises for these sandals, saying “the hugflex is made of a move-with-you stretch material that truly did hug my feet as I walked.” At $160 a pop, they’re pricey, but well-worth the investment.
Read our full Message Sandal review here
Sizes: 36-46
Colors: 4
Fit: Flexible
Pros:
- Absorbs shock
- Made of sustainable cork
- Has grippy rubber outsole
- Lightweight
- Odor-, sweat-, and water-resistant
- Supportive
Cons:
- Expensive
If you’re looking for a supportive sandal for walks or everyday wear, look no further than Kuru. The brand’s Glide sandals are constructed with a contoured insole that provides long-lasting comfort and support. The deep heel cup is another nice feature, as it absorbs shock. Even more, the sandals boast a rubber outsole that offers traction, so you can step safe and sound.
Sizes: 5-12
Colors: 2
Fit: Adjustable
Pros:
- Stylish and supportive
- Deep heel cup
- Absorbs shock
- Rubber outsole offers traction
Cons:
- Expensive
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