Put your best foot forward

rthopaedic shoes aren’t traditionally known for being fashionable. Look back a few years and you’d have your choice between Clunky Shoe Number One or Clunky Shoe Number Two. Maybe with a few extra clunky options thrown in for good measure. But times are changing and orthopaedic shoes now come in a much larger range of styles and shapes.

As well as the classic trainer, you’ll now find a much bigger number of orthopaedic sandals and heels. Designed to provide support in order to equally disperse body weight and prevent damage, these shoes tick all the boxes for looking good and feeling good.

Simrit Dooa, Podiatrist at Chelsea Pedicure, says: "Orthopaedic shoes can provide the ideal solution to support and prevent pain, as they correct the position of the foot and offload pressure.”

“The biggest misconception about orthopaedic shoes is that they have to look like your gran's Sunday best”, he adds.

Dr Dooa also shares the best advice to choose the orthopaedic shoe that is right for you:

Those long evenings spent hobbling around in pain? Wave goodbye. These stylish orthopaedic shoes are your secret weapon to merrily being the last one standing.

You can’t beat a good pair of Birkenstocks if you’re looking for comfort and style. Bonus points for ticking all the orthopaedic requirements, too, thanks to their magical cork footbed that moulds to the exact shape of your feet.

The divisive shoes are made from good quality materials to ensure you’ll only ever need to buy one pair. Unless, of course, you’re sucked in by the endless colour options and decide to stock up on all the best shades.

The best way to ensure your Birkenstocks are suitably supportive? Opt for the “soft footbed” style and double strap design. The pronounced arch support, deep heel cup and roomy toe box make these shoes some of the best in the business.

With almost 800 positive reviews from the New Balance site alone, you can buy yourself a pair of Fresh Foam 880v11s without too much hesitation. Widely regarded as some of the best trainers with orthopaedic support for women, New Balance is a winner not just when it comes to comfort but also to style.

Perfect for gym workouts or those early morning runs you keep telling yourself you’ll soon start, the Fresh Foam 880v11s were designed with comfort in mind. Some of those impressive features include responsive top-bed foam, a plush midsole and an engineered double jacquard mesh to allow for an intuitive, soft fit. They’re super breathable and come in black, off-white or blue/grey.

Asics’ Gel-Kayano 28 was specifically created for those who struggle with overpronation and was engineered to support (and counteract) the pressure of your big toe and second toe, which probably do the majority of the work when you’re moving about.

They’re just as fun as they are functional, available in a large range of vibrant colours that definitely put the joy back into workouts. Asics uses lots of fancy terms to highlight exactly why this shoe is so good for orthopaedic support like “DYNAMIC DUOMAX™ technology”, “OrthoLite™ X-55 sock liners” and “TRUSSTIC™ technology” which help reduce pronation, improve comfort and  improve stability, respectively.

Even if you’re not totally clear what each of those things mean, rest assured that, if you’re looking for orthopaedic shoes for long days on your feet, these could be the pair to choose.

Hoka’s Bondi 7 Running Shoe leans towards the “dad sneaker” look which, while it might not be stylish in the traditional sense, definitely ticks the boxes when it comes to being on trend. But these bulky shoes aren’t just designed for style: packed inside each layer is extra support - it’ll feel a little like you’re running through clouds if you choose this pair for the gym.

Stable and cushioning, the Bondi 7 features a symmetrical bed of cushion designed to provide a forgiving impact and ride. And, made from ultra-soft memory foam, it’s suitable for narrow through to wider feet, providing comfort without squashing your toes or ankles. The only bad part? Hoka’s Bondi 7 often sells out quickly, so you’ll want to keep an eye on the website if you’re after a specific colour.

Ballet flats aren't renowned for being the most supportive shoes and, if you're someone who requires a little more grip in the footwear department, they can be a nightmare to navigate. These MUSSHOE ballet flats tick all the boxes for a shoe that looks good and feels good while providing all the necessary comforts.

Maybe one of the sleekest orthopaedic shoes around, these ballet flats come in a wide range of colours with a slightly pointed heel and a supportive design. They're your secret weapon for wearing to weddings or formal events when you'll likely be on your feet for a little longer.

Clarks Cloudsteppers are regularly referred to as “the comfiest shoes I’ve ever worn” throughout their hundreds of reviews. With their cloud-like cushioning and open toe design, they’re proof that orthopaedic shoes don’t have to be overly bulky and can be - dare we say it - fashionable, too.

Available in vibrant sunshine yellow or iconic navy blue, these casual sandals are perfect for all kinds of spring or summer occasions. Bring them along for weekends away and feel smug as everyone else around you complains of an achy back and sore toes. You? Nope, you planned ahead for these occasions with the comfiest shoes on the market.

A little bit of height without any of the associated pain: meet Naot’s wonder shoe, officially known as the “Women’s Kayla Sandal”. Erring ever so slightly into a flatform shape, these stylish orthopaedic sandals are great for those days when you don’t want to suffer with heels but fancy a little extra height.

Despite its lightweight design, there’s substantial arch support from these sandals and the multiple straps help to keep your feet supported all day. Their Birkenstock-esque style with a cork footbed nods to traditional summer footwear, while the large number of colours means you’ll easily find a pair to match the rest of your wardrobe. Keep it classic with black or splash out with coral, olive or white.

Cool pastel shades? Check. Easy, slip on design? Check. Soft, cushioned footbed? Check. Vionic's Mirage sandals are a summer essential regardless of whether or not you're looking for specifically orthopaedic shoes.

Built with specific FMT technology, which helps support your natural alignment and reduce overpronation, these shoes are designed to be worn all day long, ideally for those European mini break weekend adventures.

While they're technically wide fit, the easy design of these slip ons makes them suitable for feet of all shapes. Soft, premium suede and leather add a luxe touch to your new summer sandals.

Heels? Out of the question if you’re looking for orthopaedic shoes. Or not so much anymore, thanks to Naturalizer’s Vanessa Heeled Sandal. Sure, it’s not quite a stiletto (but who wants to go through that pain nowadays anyway?) but the 2.5 inch heel adds a definite touch of glam without waving goodbye to all support for the evening.

Made from leather and suede with a comfortable footbed, you’ll find the Vanessa Sandals in a long list of colours and patterns. Barely Nude Snake is our favourite, closely followed by Mango Spice. If you’re looking for even more height, Vanessa’s sibling shoe (the taller of the bunch, so to speak) comes in a stylish nude shade with an extra inch.

Get yourself a pair of Vionic Zinah Slip-On trainers and you’ll never cast an eye towards laced shoes again. One of the best things about these shoes is their slip on nature, which ensures a tight fit without waving goodbye to style or function.

Not only are these orthopaedic shoes made from soft, supple leather, they’re also boosted with a durable rubber outsole. It doesn’t matter just how hard you stamp around in these, their impressive fabric combo refuses to back down. Another pair designed specifically for orthopaedic comfort, these Vionic slip-ons mould entirely to the shape of your feet within two weeks.

You can’t beat a staple pair of Birkenstocks if you’re looking for stylish, comfortable orthopaedic shoes. Perfect for everything from a spontaneous summer picnic to a quick stroll around the shops or an al fresco dinner, the Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed is your new best friend for all kinds of occasions.