Are you dealing with a foot condition that is causing you discomfort and pain? Have you tried different shoes from different shoe brands but none of them seem to fit your foot shape or provide you with the correct amount of support? I work for a shoe store where I help women with foot problems on a daily basis, and over the years I became familiar with the most comfortable shoes for women with foot problems.
My Experience Fitting Shoes for Women with Foot Problems
I have noticed that most women disregard comfort in exchange for fashion. However, if you are dealing with a foot condition common sense should tell you that feet need support above all else. We spend most of the time on our feet, and even when we don’t, we will feel the effects of uncomfortable shoes.
Are You Dealing with Any of the Following Foot Problems?
These are the most common foot problems that women who come to the shoe store complain about:
❗Flat Feet
❗High Arches
❗Bunions
❗ Ingrown Toenails
❗Heel Pain
These are some examples of common foot problems in women, but you might be dealing with a different one. I want to emphasize that foot pain is not normal. It’s not normal for women to feel like they can’t walk from being in constant pain.
I understand that by now you might be extremely frustrated and have reached the point of trying anything to get rid of the pain. Imagine not being able to exercise, walk, or participate in the things you love the most because of your foot pain?
Can Shoes Help Treat and Prevent Foot Problems?
Yes, the correct types of shoes can make a world of difference! However, most women focus on searching for shoes that provide good cushion and support, and they forget that the most important factor that they need to take into account is a proper fit.
Do You Know Your Exact Foot Shape and Length?
Do you know whether your feet are narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide? Do you know whether you have a high instep or not? Women should stop buying their shoes based on the assumption that their feet have always been a certain size. A lot of women feel they are married to their shoe size, and that’s problematic.
As we age the body’s ligaments and tendons lose their strength and ability to spring back. This means that our arches decrease, which flattens and lengthens the foot and toes. This often results in an increase in shoe size by a half-size or more. You might also experience a change in foot width, meaning that even though you always ordered medium width shoes now you might have to start ordering wider shoes.
How to Retrieve Your Exact Foot Shape and Length – Find Out Your Shoe Size
I strongly suggest that you visit your local shoe store to retrieve your exact foot length and shape. However, if you don’t have a specialized shoe store in your area you can use this free resource that I created:
How to Measure Your Foot Shoe Size – The Most Simple and Effective Way!
Please note that Iill-fitting shoes can aggravate existing foot conditions such as flat feet, plantar fasciitis, high arches, etc so women who suffer from them need to be twice as conscious about the shoes they buy.
What Makes the Shoes that I Recommend Ideal for Women with Foot Problems?
The shoes that I recommend in this article have been designed to support the foot and leg in order for it to be in the most comfortable position for walking and running. They usually have a hard outsole to be supportive, a removable footbed (in case you need to fit orthotics), come in different widths—for comfort and to accommodate different foot problems, and a firm heel counter for extra heel and ankle support.
Let me help you visualize the features that the shoes I recommend provide:
1️⃣ Supportive Outsoles
This feature will reduce the impact that your feet take every time they come in contact with the ground. If you tend to overpronate or you have noticed that your feet collapse when you are standing (you might be flat-footed), a shoe with a substantial outsole will help straighten your feet and legs.
➡️ Notice the difference between a shoe that provides a supportive and substantial outsole (right image), and a shoe that doesn’t (left image).
2️⃣ Firm Heel Counters
The shoes I recommend provide targeted support right below your heels to minimize impact and pain. Some women’s feet collapse from having rolled ankles. which means that their heels deviate from the midline. Shoes that provide a firm heel counter and additional support right below the heels help prevent the feet from collapsing and turning inwards.
➡️ Press on the heel counter of your shoes and make sure that it feels firm instead of soft.
3️⃣ Straight Lasts
Straight last shoes are also referred to as motion control shoes, and they usually provide better material maintaining support beneath the medial column of the foot. Basically, your shoes might have a straight or curved last.
➡️ Notice how the shoe on the left has a straight last while the shoe on the right has a semi-curved last.
4️⃣ Lightweight and Flexible
The shoes that I recommend provide lightweight, cushioning soles with a mild rocker design to help improve the ease of walking while reducing stress on the joints
➡️ Do your current running shoes provide the correct amount of flexibility? Your running shoes should bend at the ball of the foot but no further. If you can flex your running shoes as a spiral then I suggest moving onto the next shoe.
5️⃣ Round Toe-Boxes
Your shoes must come with a round toe-box to prevent your toes from overlapping and rubbing against each other or the side of the shoes, since this might lead to blisters, calluses, corns, ingrown toenails, and bunions.
➡️ Do you notice how the shoe on the right has a rounded toe-box compared to the shoe on the left?
6️⃣ Extra Deep
Extra depth design and a roomy toe-box ensure a relaxed fit and room for custom-made foot orthotics.
➡️ Do you notice how the shoe on the right is deeper compared to the shoe on the left?
Now that you know what features the shoes that I recommend provide, you are ready to take a look at a list of the best shoes for women with foot problems. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
Most Comfortable Shoes for Women with Foot Problems
Take a look at the description below each shoe to find out if it can accommodate your foot shape.
- Available in narrow, medium, wide, and extra wide widths and also accommodate high insteps
- An ENCAP midsole combines lightweight foam with a durable polyurethane rim to deliver all-day support
- Dual-density collar foam that offers support and comfort for your heels and ankles
- Suede and mesh upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
- Available in narrow, medium, wide, and extra wide widths and also accommodates high insteps
- Cushioning outsole with a mild rocker adds spring to your step.
- Multiple cushioning layers provide pillow-like support that works wonders to enhance comfort and help ease pain on the foot and heel
- Soft, stretchable knit fabric uppers with extra foam padding ease pressure on the foot and provide superior comfort and protection for sensitive feet.
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
- Fits women with narrow or medium feet
- Rearfoot and Forefoot GEL Technology Cushioning System helps attenuate shock during impact and toe-off phases
- DuoMax system enhances stability and support
- Engineered mesh upper improves breathability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your longest foot size
- Fits women with narrow or medium feet
- Durable full-length EVA midsole to absorb shock and offer stability
- Breathable open engineered textile mesh upper with seamless synthetic overlays
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths and also accommodates high insteps
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Medial post helps control pronation
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths and also accommodates high insteps
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Medial post helps control pronation
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet and also accommodates high insteps
- VERSARUN cushioning absorbs impact and reduces pressure for comfortable strides at every level of walking and running
- Added heel support for a more comfortable, secure hold.
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
- Available in narrow, medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- DNA LOFT offers incredibly soft cushioning that now extends beyond the heel, allowing for an easy transition from landing to toe-off.
- Removable foam insole for excellent underfoot comfort and support.
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
- Fits women with narrow, medium, and wide feet
- Rearfoot and Forefoot GEL Technology Cushioning System helps attenuate shock during impact and toe-off phases
- DuoMax system enhances stability and support
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your longest foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths and also accommodates high insteps
- CMEVA (Compression Molded EVA) midsole delivers lightweight, durable, responsive cushioning
- Strategic high-abrasion rubber zones to reduce weight
- Soft, stretchable knit fabric uppers with extra foam padding ease pressure on the foot and provide superior comfort and protection for sensitive feet
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
Are You Unsure About What Shoe Will Work Best for Your Feet?
If you don’t know what shoes might work best for your unique foot shape or foot condition you can ask your question in the comments section below or you can also contact me via email:
comfortablewomenshoes@gmail.com
What a Difference the Correct Types of Shoes Can Make!
Let’s take a look at an image of a woman with flat feet standing barefoot:
Now let’s take a look at an image of the same woman wearing a pair of the supportive shoes that I recommend. Do you notice how her feet are a lot straighter?
Make Sure that You Tie Your Shoes Comfortable Tight
Once the shoes arrive I suggest that you apply a specific shoe lacing technique that will allow you to get the full support and stability that the shoes have to offer. I learned this shoe lacing technique from a coworker who has 30 plus years of shoe fitting experience. You can learn how to apply this shoe lacing technique to your own shoes by reading a different article called:
The Best Way to Tie Shoes – The Proven Method to Make Your Shoes Feel Better!
Can You Fit Orthotics Inside the Shoes that I Recommended?
Yes, you can fit orthotics inside the shoes that I recommended above as they all come with removable insoles and provide extra depth to allow extra space for the orthotics.
Are You Looking for a Pair of Stylish and Cute Shoes for Your Foot Problem?
I created other resources that describe the best stylish shoes for women with foot problems:
Supportive Slip On Shoes for Women with Flat Feet – 8 Supportive and Stylish Choices
Dress Sandals for Women with Foot Pain – Stylish and Supportive!
Best Stylish Boots for Women with Heel Pain – 10 Supportive and Fashionable Boots!
Let me know in the comments section below if you are having a hard time finding a specific pair of shoes to help treat your foot condition or foot shape. I am happy to help you find them!
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