Finding stylish shoes that don’t hurt your feet can feel like an impossible quest, especially if you deal with any kind of foot pain.
In this video, Emily Elizabeth May opens up about her struggles to balance fashion with comfort due to arthritis in her toe and recurring hip and knee pain.
After consulting a podiatrist, she went on a journey to discover shoes that aren’t just trendy but also supportive enough to keep her pain at bay.
She dives into her favorite brands, shares which shoe styles to avoid, and offers tips on stretching leather shoes for maximum comfort.
If you’re in search of fashionable footwear that won’t leave your feet aching, her recommendations might be just what you need!
Summary of the video:
Emily introduces the challenge of finding fashionable shoes that are also comfortable, specifically mentioning personal struggles with arthritis in her toe, hip, and knee pain.
Due to her arthritis, Emily consulted a podiatrist, which led to decluttering uncomfortable shoes and researching new supportive ones. She aimed to balance style with comfort, though it initially proved difficult.
Based on personal experience, she highlights three kinds of shoes to avoid for foot pain:
- High heels, due to the added pressure on the toes.
- Flat, unsupportive sandals, which offer minimal grip and support.
- Narrow or pointed-toe shoes, which can worsen toe pain by squeezing the toes.
After testing, she recommends two brands—Bared Footwear and Frankie 4—that balance comfort and style. Both brands collaborate with podiatrists to design shoes with built-in arch support, described as feeling like “walking on clouds.”
She particularly recommends:
- Bared Footwear’s Mary Janes, which offer a supportive, cushioned feel. She appreciates the square toe design, giving extra toe room and reducing pressure.
- Frankie4’s brown slides, ideal for a stylish yet comfortable look and suitable for long distances.
Emily praises Bared Footwear’s customer service. They include “fit kits” with some shoes, which provide different insoles and gel pads for customizing fit and easing pressure. Frankie4 also provides insoles, but the creator found them to be of lower quality.
These brands’ shoes are more expensive than fast fashion options but provide unique support. For instance, Bared Footwear’s Mary Janes cost about $178 USD, while fast fashion alternatives are cheaper but often lack proper support.
Emily shares a tip on stretching out leather shoes for comfort, which she used on a pair of Tod’s boots purchased secondhand. She emphasizes the importance of breaking in quality shoes with proper stretching tools to avoid discomfort.
She suggests saving for high-quality shoes if they’re out of budget, noting that spending on shoes and outerwear can make a difference in style and comfort. She encourages women to experiment with different brands to find what works best for their specific foot needs.
*Summary created by AI and edited by author
