What Are Orthopaedic Shoes?
The shoes you wear become your ground. They can give you support, stability and comfort – or put you at risk of injury or pain from blisters, corns, ankle sprains and more.
Orthopaedic shoes are shoes containing features that are designed to help your feet and legs, providing support to your lower limbs to keep you walking comfortably step after step, day after day.
We are not referring to custom-made shoes for unique foot problems – a good, supportive shoe with the right features can be considered an “orthopaedic” (foot-friendly) shoe and these are the types of shoes that we stock at My FootDr retail centres.
What Do Orthopaedic Shoes Do?
Good shoes can give you the support you need, in the area you need it. This may look like:
- Support in the arch
- Heel and forefoot cushions for better shock absorption, pressure distribution and off-loading
- Different widths to better suit an individual’s foot (we fit you with the specific shoe width you require)
- The right strapping mechanisms for best support, whether that be laces, velcro or buckles
- Seamless designs – fewer potential areas for friction and rubbing
- Firm heel counters for optimum rearfoot support and control
- Wide toe boxes to minimise the risk of damage to the toes and maximise comfort
Do I Need Orthopaedic Shoes?
While all shoes serve as a barrier between the skin of our feet and the outside world, protecting them from damage like cuts, orthopaedic shoes can also do a lot more for us. This is why we recommend these foot-friendly shoes for anyone, whether they are recovering from pain or injury, are wanting to reduce their risk of future injury, or just want to stay comfortable on their feet. We recommend these shoes in any circumstances that you’re doing a significant amount of activity on your feet – whether that’s going for daily walks or runs, at work as a nurse, tradie or other high step count role like running after the kids.
Why Is Correctly Fitting Footwear Important?
A comfortable and correctly fitted shoe is paramount to good foot health, the effectiveness of foot orthotics, and an active and happy quality of life. It can improve your comfort on your feet significantly, reduce your risk of injury from things like muscle/tendon overuse and falls, as well as help you recover from any problems or pains you may be experiencing currently.
What Shoe Brands Are Orthopaedic Friendly?
We stock a large range of orthopaedic footwear including Ziera, Naot, Vionic, Merrell, Saucony, Clarks, Revere, Birkenstock and more. You can view our range in our clinics or shop online. To learn more about each brand, click on the links at the bottom of the page.
Where To Get Orthopaedic Shoes
Finding the right shoes, and knowing what to look for, is not always an easy task, especially if you wear orthotics or have foot or leg problems. Orthopaedic shoes are available from most My FootDr clinics with fully trained shoe fitters capable of finding and fitting the perfect shoe for you. Call ahead to check with your local centre.
If your nearest My FootDr does not stock a shoe range, we will be happy to recommend the best shoe brands, styles and where you can purchase them locally – just ask your podiatrist.
Footwear FAQ’s
What is the best orthopaedic shoe?
The best shoe for you may be different from what the best shoe is for someone else. This depends on your foot type posture, where the areas of high pressure beneath your feet are, any areas of rubbing, whether you have bunions or other prominences, your stability on your feet, injury history, and more. The range of shoes we stock is a great start if you want to browse yourself, though we recommend taking advantage of our free trained shoe consultant to help you find the best orthopaedic shoe for your feet.
What running shoes do podiatrists recommend?
Like we mentioned in the last question, it really depends on your foot type, foot characteristics, and what kind of support you’d benefit from the most. This can also change depending on what kind of physical activities you take part in and how often.
What shoes do podiatrists recommend for plantar fasciitis?
Due to the nature of plantar fasciitis, shoes that offer a good level of arch support tend to feel best for those suffering from damage to their plantar fascia. Remember, it’s always important to consider shoes in relation to their suitability for your feet.
See all of our brands
Propet Footwear
Engineered for comfort. Designed for life. The guiding principles of our business remain the same, some 33 years later. From the introduction of our first walking shoe in 1985 to the full line of footwear we offer today; comfort, stability, style and protection, plus a wide array of sizes and widths, have been the promise of our brand. Propet continues to provide a full range of footwear options for both men and women looking for comfort with a sense of style.
Lightfeet Sock, Insoles & Footwear
Putting feet first
Lightfeet has always stayed ahead of the curve with innovative, technically designed and manufactured sports products for your feet.
Ziera Footwear
Ziera is passionate about how their shoes look, fit and feel. They combine years of expertise and understanding of women’s feet with premium materials to design shoes with maximum comfort and style at their heart; shoes that must look as good as their feel and live up to the everyday demands of women getting on with their busy lives.
Merrell Footwear
Merrell footwear combines sophisticated style with legendary outdoor performance. They recognise the significant differences between women and men’s feet and design footwear which provides the unique profile, bone structure and stride that women need for greater comfort and performance. Merrell is constantly innovating new technologies and products to help you get outside – from city streets to mountain trails (and everywhere in between).
Saucony Footwear
Saucony exists for runners. Runners drive their design and engineering. This focus and passion fuels Saucony to strive to create the best running shoes and apparel on the planet. Saucony leave work each day knowing they have done everything to make runners’ lives just a little bit better.
New Balance Footwear
At New Balance, their job is to aid athletes in their pursuit of excellence, whether that means helping professional athletes set records and win medals, or propelling everyday athletes to achieve a new PR, run their first 5K or just to live a more healthy and active lifestyle.
Naot Footwear
Naot's features a rich variety of shoes, boots, clogs and sandals for women, designed in line with the latest world fashion trends to combine comfort and style.
Vionic Footwear
Vionic's Orthaheel technology is based on more than 30 years of podiatric medical success and innovative collaboration from renowned experts in biomechanics and foot health. We are confident that you will love the way their shoes make you feel.
Bluehaven Footwear
From the makers of Accent, Bluehaven strive to provide you with versatile footwear designs, whilst providing comfort and supportive features that make the Bluehaven range the ultimate haven for your feet.
Revere Footwear
Revere footwear provides all day comfort, functionality and support by enhancing foot health for those experiencing heel pain, tired aching feet, sore knees and lower back pain. Designed in collaboration with leading footwear experts to provide maximum adjustability to support many foot types.
Anodyne Footwear
An anodyne, by definition, is something that brings you a sense of soothing and comfort. The comfort we desire (and in some cases, need) is unique to each of us. Anodyne believe that you deserve shoes that will meet your comfort and style needs, and allow you to maintain an active, healthy and productive lifestyle.
Birkenstock Footwear
Birkenstock have a passion for their products, an appreciation of their heritage and a genuine belief in their benefits. Their business reflects how they represent themselves – quality products that are comfortable, unique, timeless and respectful of the world around us.
Skechers Footwear
Skechers is the global leader in the performance and lifestyle footwear industry; designing, developing and marketing more than 3,000 styles for men, women and children. With offerings of two distinct footwear categories: a lifestyle division and performance footwear. Sketchers offers a comfortable experience to those with busy lifestyles, or those who simply seek a secure, snug fit.
Happy Socks
Happy Socks started in the spring of 2008. Two friends had a vision: to spread happiness by turning an everyday essential into a colourful design piece with a rigid standard of ultimate quality, craftsmanship and creativity. Simply put: there's a pair of high-quality socks and underwear for every occasion, mindset and style.
