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Fashion-conscious gal with wide feet and plantar fasciitis

I have wide feet and mild plantar fasciitis. I am cheap and fashion-conscious. I also love to walk and need a pair of shoes that doesn't hold me back. All of this adds up to my being REALLY difficult to shop for! Here are my top four spring / summer recommendations for those in the same boat. These four shoes are all I need for a city trip.

  1. Ballet flats that actually have support: Dansko Kristen Black Milled Full Grain
  2. Casual sneakers / street shoes: Vionic Codie Casual sneaker
  3. Leather flip flops: Croc's Capri V flip (Yes, crocs! Just make sure you get the unbranded model and no one will ever know you are wearing crocs!)
  4. Dressy but comfortable sandals: Dansko Veruca
Posted by
6447 posts

How kind of you to share! Super cute sandals! I'm a bit less fashion-conscious, but I have a daughter that gets after me if my hippie tendencies get to prevalent! I also have wide feet and some foot problem (Morton's neuroma) that I can't seem to get rid of and I can't let anything stop me! I look forward to trying your recommendations.

Posted by
911 posts

I have similar issues and am a fan of Vionics. Several pairs of sandals including the Samoa Slide. Took my Dash sneakers and Spark Surin ballet flats to Ireland last summer. The flats made a nice alternative to sandals as they have perforations that keep them cool on the feet. I use Vionic inserts in other shoes.

Cobb Hill (made by New Balance) have some very comfortable shoes as well.

My favorite crocs are the Sanrah Hammered Metallic sandals. I use at the pool but have also worn to dinner. That are almost weightless and look dressy.

My plantar fasciitis has improved since a i saw a physical therapist who gave me some good exercises/stretches to do.

Posted by
6526 posts

Rebekah, take a look at SAS. They're a little pricier than the Dansko flats, but come in an amazing array of sizes and styles. I wear an 11W, and can always find something I like at SAS. They're very well made, in San Antonio.

Posted by
141 posts

Thanks for the suggestions! I have very wide forefeet, but normal heel (aka duck feet). Shoe shopping is always a brutal experience for me and so I love to get recommendations when other have found great shoes for wide feet!

I love the croc flips you recommend but beware—they will shrink in the sun in mild spring temps (lost 2 pairs to this by forgetting to bring them in from the back porch). My first pair lasted a few years but the newer pairs must have different plastic composition.

My latest happy find was a pair of Think! Shoes, http://collection.thinkshoes.com/en/ladies-shoes/chilli/8-88108-02. Expensive but I found a pair on sale on Zappos. They don’t come in different widths, but these were the perfect anatomical shape for me and I’ve been wearing them at work all day. They def wont work for someone with narrow feet since they fit me.

Hush puppies also has some cute wide shoes but their heels are usually too loose for me.

Posted by
1632 posts

Thanks for the suggestions. I will add most styles of Arcopedico (all Made in Portugal) to the list. They hug my feet like a glove.

In addition, I strongly recommend women visiting Spain or Portugal to buy some beautiful sandals with a cork footbed there. They are 100 times cuter than Birkenstocks at less than half the price!