Choosing Comfort Over Pain: 21 Footwear Options That Minimize Soreness for Your Daily Life
Rewritten:
Hey there, bud! We're stoked to share some footwear suggestions that'll have your toes dancing in delight. Our editors have handpicked these gems, no strings attached - but fair warning, BuzzFeed and its partners might scoop a bit of the sales pie from the links provided.
Comfortable feet are happy feet, and that's a fact I believe in wholeheartedly.
By Jonathan Mazzei, BuzzFeed Contributor
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1. Adidas Cloudfoam Pure running shoes: Get ready to walk on a swank cloud with these bad boys. They boast a memory foam sockliner, stretchy mesh upper, and Cloudfoam cushioning for the ultimate foot freedom. And let's not forget the nifty feature that lets you slip them on and off without the hassle of laces!
2. Skechers walking shoes: Prepare for an extreme revamp of your walking game with these stunners. Sporting responsive cushioning, a bouncy insole, and a breathable mesh fabric upper, you'll be cruising through comfort no matter the mileage.
3. Future-forward sneakers: These stylish knitted runners have a groovy rubber blade sole, oodles of comfort, and support that'll make you think they're truly from the future.
4. Columbia hiking boots: Designed for long-haul comfort, these waterproof wonders offer slip-resistance and breathability, making them your go-to shoes for navigating rough terrains with ease.
5. Slip-on mules: Dress up a bit without sacrificing comfort with these easy-to-walk-in mules.
6. Skechers Go Walk boat shoes: These lightweight, responsive marvels have garnered rave reviews for their comfy walkability.
7. Cushioned wedge sandals: So comfortable they'll make you question if you even need winter again. Wear 'em year-round, if you fancy!
8. Minimalist sneakers: Chic and comfortable, these sneakers offer support and breathability, all while giving your outfit a sleek and modern vibe. The knitted upper adjusts to your foot with ease, the ventilated insole keeps your paws dry, and the flexible sole helps you maintain your grip to avoid unwanted slips.
9. Faux-leather, strappy pumps: Flexible, supportive, and crazy comfy, these heels will make even the most skeptical heel-haters fall in love.
10. Ballet flats: With over 42,000 5-star ratings from buyers whose happy feet adore these classics, these little numbers are a great choice for a comfy and stylish addition to your collection.
www.amazon.comPromising review: "Ok so, day one, after nearly eight hours and almost 19,000 steps on concrete, my feet are only now starting to sore... These shoes are cute, super comfy, and nothing short of amazing! I'd honestly buy more in different colors! Great price for fantastic shoes." - Amazon Customer
Pick 'em up from Amazon for a cool $14.94, available in sizes 5-15 in regular and wide widths, and in 23 colors - not every color in every size, though.
11. Thesus boots: Vegan, sustainable, and crafted for both style and comfort, these boots are the perfect companion for city adventures or hiking trails. Made with eco-friendly materials and sporting a 90% sustainable and traceable design, these kicks are a winner in our books.
Promising review: "Stunning! Well-made, comfortable, and flexible. I just love their customer service - super responsive and accommodating about shipping. Totally in love with these shoes!!" - Dalia
Purchase them from Thesus for $168 (previously $198), available in EU sizes 36-46 and 14 colors - but not every color in every size.
12. Dr. Scholl's shoes: Raved by visitors who've done intense, multi-day walking marathons, these sneakers are your ideal vacation buddies. Throw in the convenience of sliding them on and off when you're in a TSA hurry, and you've got yourself a winning combo.
www.amazon.comPromising review: "Amazing shoe! I wore 'em all week at Disney and we walked a minimum of 20,000 steps or 10 miles per day - for seven days! They were brand new, and I didn't even break 'em in! Best shoes I've ever bought. I'll probably grab another pair!" - Vogler - Mezick
Get 'em from Amazon for $17.13, available in sizes 5-13 in regular and wide widths, and in 25 colors and patterns - not every color in every size, though.
13. Steve Madden sandals: Despite lacking arch support, these beauties are surprisingly comfy for everyday casual wear. Not the best for long hikes, but perfectly suitable for daily strolls to let your toes catch some fresh air.
14. OLUKAI sneakers: The genius behind these sneakers lies in the drop-in heel design, allowing for easy sliding on when you're in a time crunch. And let's not forget the breathable, cushy construction to keep your paws comfy as can be.
15. Silent heels: Say goodbye to the embarrassing ~click clack~ as you arrive, thanks to these remarkably quiet heels. With a soft cushioning that feels eerily similar to sneakers, these shoes are a go-to for those who can't live without a heel, but hate the pain that often comes with it.
16. Low wedge flats: An ankle strap supports these stylish flats while the cushioned footbed ensures each step is comfy and cozy.
17. BANGS Shoes: Ethically made and high-quality, these sneakers are perfect for your daily adventures, with every purchase supporting entrepreneurs worldwide.
Promising review: "I LOVE these shoes. They're sturdy, embroidery has held up to multiple hikes already, and I've even received loads of compliments on them!" - alisha
Pick 'em up from BANGS Shoes for $89, available in women's sizes 5-11.5 and men's sizes 3.5-10.
18. Handmade Huaraches: Stunning to behold and comfortable to wear, these aren't just footwear; they're a work of art.
19. Sorel Kinetic Impact Lace Sneakers: Trendy and comfy, these are excellent additions to your street style collection.
20. Stylish block heel mules: Specifically designed for comfort and style in mind, these mules will make your day-to-day look chic and keep your feet dancing all day long.
Ma'am Shoes: A woman-owned small business, Ma'am Shoes creates stylish staples that are built to last and are so comfortable, they'll get you through your busy day. They're eco-conscious too, using environmentally friendly packaging and exclusively working with LA-based manufacturers.
BuzzFeed editor Danielle Healy spills some tea on these:
"Sometimes it feels like my feet are made of paper with how easily they blister. So when a brand markets itself as having a focus on stylish comfort, I am all ears. Fresh out of the box, I wore these red beauties out to dinner (a 20-minute walk each way) and my feet were as fresh as a daisy! So I decided to put them through the ultimate test - a wedding. Even after hours of dancing, my feet felt great, and I received loads of compliments. A statement shoe that really did live up to its promise? Big swoon!"
Grab 'em from Ma'am Shoes for $150 (originally $300), available in sizes 4.5-11 and in five colors - but not every color in every size.
21. Versatile clogs: With a memory foam footbed guaranteed to make your soles swoon, these clogs go great with a variety of outfits.
- Despite initial skepticism, even the most heel-averse individuals have fallen in love with the faux-leather, strappy pumps, offering surprising comfort and support.
- Adidas Cloudfoam Pure sneakers were designed to mimic walking on a cloud, boasting a memory foam sockliner, stretchy mesh upper, and Cloudfoam cushioning for ultimate foot freedom. Their convenient, lace-less design adds to their appeal.
- For fashion-forward clothing enthusiasts, the kinetic Sorel Kinetic Impact Lace Sneakers are a trendy addition to any street style collection, providing comfort and style all in one.
- Marketplaces like the Amazon marketplace boast a majority of popular footwear brands, making it an unbelievably convenient spot for shopping clothing, footwear, and accessories such as cloudfoam sneakers.
- Discover the improved market-faux-sprint of slip-on mules, ideal for dressing up an outfit while maintaining comfort. They're so comfortable that some wearers claim they question the necessity of winter again.
- Footwear brands such as Skechers have even created market-specific products like the Go Walk boat shoes, which have gained rave reviews for their cushioned design and comfy walkability.
