Another footwear question... I am a devoted Chaco sandal wearer. The high arch is in exactly the right spot. I wear the soles off every year and send them in to get new soles every spring. Yes, I walk in them every single day. My question is what brand of shoes have this similar arch and location. I currently have 10 pairs of shoes sitting in my living room that don’t make the cut. Yeah for “free” shipping both directions. I have been reading a lot about Superfeet insoles. Is there one that can make the difference I need?
Looking for a hiking/walking shoe for hiking in Norway and Iceland in the fall. As a point of reference, Dansko shoes don’t have the arch in the right spot. Asics have been my running shoes of choice since the ‘90’s.
Thank you!
Posted by
Eagle, CO
288 posts
Chaco makes a couple of light hikers have you tried those? They are on their website.
Posted by
California
1625 posts
Two Brands I swear by for arch support (cause without it I develop Planters Facetious):
Orthaheel
Aetrex (their tag line is "The Healthiest Shoe you will ever wear)
Posted by
Texas
13 posts
I wear Chacos and Asics too and also like Birkenstocks and Naots. I have a pair of Birkenstock inserts in my boots and they have a nice, high arch in just the right spot. And if you want to spend too much, Durea are the most comfortable shoes I've every worn.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thanks for the suggestions. I found some SOLE cork footbeds that are moldable after heating them up in the oven! They fit my arch in the right spot! I ended up keeping the waterproof Ahnu Taraval shoes.
Posted by
50 posts
My foot has a wider toebox. I do not wear a wide shoe but my shoes generally are more generous in the toebox. Here are brands that work for me. Those that don't work include Ahnu, Merrell, Brooks. I think all of these are just due to my slightly wider foot.
Chacos once I adapted to them (thought they were too narrow at first, now they are great)
Naots
Danskos
Allbirds
Scarpa
Asics (my running shoe brand for the last 7 years)
Innov8 for men (women's too narrow, men's actually fit me great)
Birkenstocks
Born (boots, non-waterproof)
Aquatalia (dress boots, rainproof)
Posted by
50 posts
I also use Superfeet in my hiking/running shoes. Note that some superfeet (green) have more bulk and higher arch support. In some cases the extra bulk will make your heel slip. In other cases, not. Blue I think add the lowest bulk. REI is a great place to check them out.