Flat Feet

[nicksmom03]

I have flat feet but I want to wear cute, flat shoes. I think they are adorable. Any advice?

[shoesense]

I have the opposite problem (very high arch), so I'm not sure what flat feet require. I just read here about flat feet, and the question seems to be, is this a painful condition? Because if it is, you should talk to a podiatrist about it (and it would be worth it--my orthotics helped me immensely with my plantar fasciitis). Shoe inserts designed specifically for flat feet may also help (see Footsmart). A proper insert can be worn in any cute shoe--in fact, I have to say that my passion for footwear was inspired by my diagnosis with plantar fasciitis. I started looking for cute and comfy shoes with plenty of arch support and lo and behold--I found quite a few. Start experimenting with good brands who also have a reputation for comfort (Taryn Rose, Think, Oh! Shoes, Icon, etc.) Hang around here for more examples!

[jitterbugbaby]

I second what Shoesense has said. Talk to a podiatrist and see what he/she recommends. Also, avoid brands that have extremely high arch supports (ie Birkenstock). Flat feet don't necessarily mean flat shoes are best, and maybe you can find an insert that will provide you with some arch support without going overboard. Spenco is a particularly wide-ranging and quality line of insoles.

[moyersshoesQuakertownPenn]

I think the podiatrist is a good idea, but we see this at our store in suburban Philly almost every day. I am amazed at the number of people I see with flat or falling arches who claim they have no measurable pain. I go to try birks on them and it's a bad, bad scene. (Others with falling arches wear birks and are extremely, extremely comfortable... Remember, a flat foot needs more arch, not less. The notion people have that birks are inherently bad comes from the initial pain that is experienced in going "from 0-60" so to speak. For most people, following break in, they will not let their birks go!).

you do kind of intimate in your post, via the "but", that you are more comfortable in heels.

Is even a mini wedge an option at all?

At the very least, if you have a good podiatrist, he'll recommend you try a OTC arch before purchasing somethng custom. The bad ones will convince you you need to plunk down a few hundred in order to feel good when a birk insert could be all you need.

Our best-selling (most widely tolerated, not "the absolute best") inserts are tacco 3/4 leather (w/metatarsal) and spenco polysorb crosstrain (for your atheltic shoes). Spenco does do a 3/4 dress orthotic that's nifty. "thin-sole". But it will cost you at least 40, if not more, I believe.

Go to a sit-down service shoe store (come to me if you're in Penna, LOL)
try the arch in a slightly wider size shoe then you normally wear. In a flat, the end fix you need might just be a tacco sueded heel grip (you lose depth when you add an insert to a dress shoe--most don't have readily removable standard liners--so your heel may slip with the arch support added. Place the heel grip above the heel part of the tacco arch below the back collar of the shoe and mind your nylons (i never recommend rubber grips for that reason--taccos stay in place well) and just be careful taking the support in and out.

And if you measure a 91/2, get the tacco lea 3/4 in a size 10.

Keds has some nice skimmers, and Chinese laundry has a cute black dress ballet flat.

GOood luck

[christinad]

I have flat feet so bad that my doctor informed me I would have to have surgery on both of my feet if they kept hurting. That didn't keep me from wearing heels or even flat shoes, especially flip flops. I bought $50 dollar insoles for my running shoes but I wear my heels and flip flops everywhere else. I am not going to say I don't have pain but any pair of good looking can sure make an outfit. Hey, sometimes it is the price we pay to look good.

[moyersshoesQuakertownPenn]

Christinad--
I don't think flip-flops are all inherently bad. For instance, while I purchased a pair of Teva Mush's this year (a conventional flop, not a lot of support) I also got Ventura Thong from Teva. Cork styled footbed, nice arch, great look!

Also, my absolute favorite pair of thongs is Spring Step Ibiza. For me, it supports my arch even a bit more than my Birks! Killer shoe. I think Naot introduced a copycat this year, too.

As for the heels, have you any without super pointy toes and stilletos? If so, then I don't think the news is all bad, LOL...

You have a professional job, so I guess the heels are a must? I mean, at our store, I like to point out to people the obvious: what you wear for the bulk of your day should be comfy (that may not equate to super-stylish)--at the same time, these aren't the shoes you've got to wear when you go out, when you have fun.

Glad to hear you purchased the inserts for the running shoes. Please say you trail run? Macadam, as in thru town, can do REAL damage to you. Hope you have NB trail runners? LOL... I like to give my unsolicited opinions

I'm just happy to see an active shoe forum. I wandered around about.com for awhile, and their forum was on life support!

[Nemtynakht]

Macadam... I just learned a new term. Thank you!

[brbubba]

So is the consensus on over the counter solutions Spenco then?

My left foot is completely flat and my right foot has a very small arch. I went through at least two different custom orthotics when I was younger, but they never helped, only hurt and caused blisters. Part of the problem is that I used to run cross country and a piece of solid plastic pushing against your foot for miles on end is a recipe for disaster. I eventually quit half way through high school because it got to the point where my entire foot was taped and I was running on a raw foot.

Anyway started running again recently and ran 6 miles which completely tore up my arch and caused pain for 4 days following the run. I am not going to waste my time with a podiatrist and waste my money on a poorly engineered orthotic. I'll take a look at Spenco products, but is there anything else I should be looking at for such an extreme case of flat feet?

EDIT: I did some research and decided on the Aetrex Lynco sport orthotic line. They were a little more expensive than the Spenco ones, but I liked what I saw combined with the fact that they make a line geared towards sports. I'll let you guys know how they work out.

[galligator]

Please do let us know how they work out. I have the opposite problem of very high arches & really don't feel like I could give very good advice on this issue.

[flippieslippie]

I have flat feet but I want to wear cute, flat shoes. I think they are adorable. Any advice?

I also like cute, flat shoe