Casual, go-anywhere styles… strappy, dressy sandals: I love them all! Because these summer staples get more wear than any other shoe at this time of year, we make sure that all of our sandals are “FootSmart”. We evaluate thousands of styles to select only great-looking sandals that deliver exceptional foot comfort. You can be sure that each one has one or more of the following features: anatomical footbeds, flexible uppers with adjustability, orthotic-friendly footbeds, superior shock absorption, superior arch-support and leg toning / strengthening benefits. Look for these foot-pleasing features from favorite brands like Easy Spirit, Merrell, SoftSpots, Naturalizer, Clarks and many more. 

With the return of warm weather, my thoughts naturally turn to thong sandals. They are a consistent favorite for many, and I am frequently asked if there are notable differences between the types or if there are certain styles that I favor. The simple answer is yes; however, each style has special features that set them apart. The Moszkito Archy features tooled leather straps and extra arch support for those who need it. I also like Island Hawaii Island Thong, a handmade sandal that is so comfy and lightweight you’ll forget you have it on! SoftSpots Camilla slips on easily with adjustable hook-and-loop side straps and cushiony Pillow Top™ memory foam footbeds. The New Aravon Robin combines feminine style with New Balance athletic engineering for additional comfort. The difference lies in the sculpted, deep heel cup and arch support, while supple leather straps have adjustable, hook-and-loop closures for a customized fit. One thing is certain: with so many comfortable styles to choose from, I am sure you will be happy with your final decision!  

Shoes featured in this post

Moszkito Archy	Aravon Robin
Island Hawaii Island Thong	SoftSpots Camilla

There’s more to these shoes than meet the eye! In addition to being comfortable, they offer wellness benefits you don’t find in other shoes. Dr. Phillip Vasyli, a leading Australian podiatrist, designed Orthaheel shoes to provide relief from plantar fasciitis (heel and arch pain) while improving your body alignment, posture and walk. Improper foot alignment can cause wear and tear on your knees, hips and lower back. Special built-in orthotic footbeds have contoured arch support and deep heel cups to help reclaim your foot’s natural alignment, which enables feet, ankles and legs to function effectively.

 Best-selling Orthaheel shoes are a favorite with FootSmart customers! You’ll find a variety of styles, from sneakers to slippers and sandals that are perfect during the upcoming warmer months. Our two best-selling shoes last year, the Tide and Wave thongs, both have mesh straps and are available in a variety of colors, while the Action Walker is an athletic shoe with a soft leather and mesh upper that conforms to your foot and a mesh liner to wick away moisture.

 Shoes featured in this post

Q: My husband is such a creature of habit. I can’t get him to try a new style of shoes for anything! When his shoes wear out, he just buys the same kind and he’s been like this forever. How can I get him to try something new?

A: The key, I think, is to convince him to try something different…but similar enough to what he already likes. That way, he’ll be trading old favorites with new favorites! There’s no time like the New Year to replace tired, worn-out shoes. Just make sure to replace them with shoes he’s guaranteed to love as much as his tried-and-true favorites. And keep in mind, finding shoes that fit wide feet is no problem at FootSmart.

Not sure where to start? Check out some of our most popular — Propet Wash 'N Wear lightweight leather walkers are great for everyday wear. Not only do these slip-on shoes look good, they have great heel and arch support, removable, breathable insoles and can be tossed in the washer for easy cleaning. That’s something I’m sure you’ll appreciate too! You might also suggest the Spira Classic Leather Walker, shoes that are great for men who are on their feet a lot. They reduce muscle and joint stress, thanks to stainless steel springs that lower foot shock and fatigue. If your husband is into fitness, or more specifically running, New Balance 1123 Running Shoes are great for performance and comfort with technology that maximizes stability and provides great cushioning. Does he need to replace his dress shoes?  Orthofeet Mark Lace-Tie Oxfords are a handsome choice that also offers added depth and extra width across the midfoot and toe box to provide relief for plantar fasciitis, heel spurs and other painful foot conditions. If you can convince your husband to try on a new pair of shoes that feel like his old pair of shoes, he might realize that a little change can be good sometimes!

Shoes featured in this post

Q: I’d love to find one type of comfortable shoe that goes with everything – pants, skirts, even shorts. I may be dreaming, but do you have any suggestions?

A:  Flats! You can find sporty casual flats, dressier flats and everything in between… and that means they go with everything you want to wear, year round. The good news is that all the flats you’ll find here have support so, unlike the shoes you often find in department stores, no heel doesn’t mean no support. For a good start, take a look at Naturalizer Creston Flats. They have a stretchy top that hugs your foot, a memory foam footbed with good arch support and a thicker, rubber outsole that offers incredible support and cushioning. If you’re looking for the do-it-all, wear-everywhere shoe, I’d have to say it’s a good pair of flats.

Shoes featured in post