I've been wearing slippers in the office because wearing shoes all day is too much for my feet. I've tried to find shoes that are soft enough but have so far they've been failures. The boss has winked at this so far because he knows I have RA and I put on my outdoor shoes (mostly Padders) whenever we have customers visiting. However he's taken the opportunity of an impending office move to announce a change in the dress code to smart casual and I would really like to look nice all the way to my toes. Has anyone got any recommendations for some very soft shoes that are smarter than slippers or trainers?
Soft but smartish shoe recommendations.: I've been... - NRAS
Soft but smartish shoe recommendations.
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JenniferW
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61 Replies
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Are Hushpuppies still in business?
Good idea, they didn't come up in the search engine so I forgot about them.
Oh dear - what a nerve! He wouldn’t like me then. I wear ECCO trainers all the time, with longish dresses and skirts, denims, shorts - I see myself as one of those little old ladies I used to see who wore modern clothes and chunky, comfortable shoes. It can be quite stylish really.
Seriously though, I always wear proper shoes instead of slippers because I get plantar fasciitis. So I have two pairs of Sketchers for indoors, a black pair and a white pair, they are soft and comfortable but still supportive. They look like old fashioned slip on plimsolls. A couple of ladies in my Pilates group wear Hike ‘barefoot’ shoes but I’m not sure if they would be smart enough for your boss. What about Footgloves if M&S still sell them.
I’m sure you will get lots of suggestions - comfortable shoes is a question that often crops up.
Oh no, my boss is lovely and he's been really supportive of me over the years. It's just that we do have corporate clients and in the past we have had people who took the mickey wearing skimpy gym clothes to work. He just wants to smarten things up a little from that. Also I notice the young people in the office wear chinos these days, I was informed by my nephews that only old people wear jeans!!! So this change won't make much difference to them.
Sketchers is a good idea, I have had them in the past I'll see what they've got in this year. Ecco didn't used to fit me quite ( I forgot to say I need extra wide fitting too) but I'll take another look, I remember them being very pliable. Thank you very much for the suggestions.
Oh that’s good then, sounds like he’s not putting pressure on you.
I’ve got wide feet too and I’ve noticed that recently ECCO have a second insole that you can remove and get more space. It’s quite clever. I can only wear their lace ups or I used to wear their flat shoes with a strap - what they call Mary Jane’s in America. Their regular flat shoes just don’t fit me.
Could you wear chinos to work? That way you could get away with ‘clumpy’ shoes. You really do need to have comfortable feet don’t you. Good luck on your quest for comfortable shoes. 😉
Oh that sounds good, I'll take a look. Chinos are absolutely fine, so clumpy would be fine, anything would really (except the slippers and things like flip flops, beach wear).
I have horrible feet. That’s to say they carry me about but I have neuropathy in both, a large bunion on one foot which makes it wider than the other, no padding on the balls of my feet due to RA and a middle toe that's climbing over its neighbour on the other foot and the only shoes I’ve found that are pliable and padded enough, depending on the style, are Skechers.
They do so many variations on their product that I’m pretty sure you’d find something acceptable and wearable particularly as it’s pretty fashionable to wear trainer-type shoes with dresses .
I must have fifteen pairs in all sorts of different styles and find them really comfy but there’ll be others who will also have good suggestions so hope you find something you get on with. Oh, and Moshulu are really comfortable too and they do a nice selection of proper shoes rather than trainer type styles. Best of luck.
I hadn't heard of moshulu, thank you, they look very nice shoes on their website.
I also live in and love Moshulu boots for the winter. They have a mid calf boot called tea-cake ( of all the daft names) but they’re incredibly comfortable, wide enough for bunions etc and padded enough to feel as if you can walk in them all day.
Skechers are my saviours. I have one puffy foot May to October, so need their relaxed fit.
I agree I’m a big fan of Skechers too, great shoes and they look good too! X
They do indeed! They keep me moving. X
Your feet sound like mine. I’m also hampered by a limp acquired from a leg injury during the pandemic which should have been put in a boot but instead I was left untreated and the damage is irreversible. Anyway I self referred to podiatry two years ago and am now due to get a guided steroid injection on 18th to help with the immobility and RA pain caused by my chronic condition of Stills disease. I have high hopes.
Depends on how much you're on your feet and what you find comfortable but FitFlop do all sorts of shoes. I have a pair of silver FitFlop flats that I change into when I get to the office - I wear trainers on my commute.
Wow, those are fancy shoes, they've really put the effort into the technology. The microwobbleboard ones might work well for me, thank you.
I’m a Fitflop addict (as well as a fan of Skechers relaxed fit for when my foot goes extra flump!). I have some silver Fitflops too which are touch fasten elegant trainers. My most recent pair of Fitflops are a pair of wide bar Velcro wedge type black leather sandals but hardly wore them due to not much summer weather!
Have a look at Cosy Feet UK, they have smart, casual and slippers for men and women . They do dual fittings as well.
I found them earlier, they actually came up on my search (very little did, search engines are getting worse not better), thank you for the recommendation, they look good.
I think search engines are much more unhelpful due to AI nowadays. I’m looking into finding one not governed by robots!
Gabor do great shoes. Especially rolling soft. They do a black suede show ties with ribbon but also zipped with trendy thick soles. So comfy and I bought a pair last month.
Thank you, I see they go up to EE width fitting too which is good.
I find Pavers and Reiker good. Sadly now have to wear trainers pretty well all the time with my custom orthotics or my hips and knees kick off! Shoes are for car to bar only.
Great, thanks, Pavers might be promising, they do extra wide fitting and shoes designed for insoles, which would be great.
I love Moshulu and also wear skechers. My mum likes Hotter.
Sketchers are fab and fashionable ...I've just purchased a fantastic pair or shoes that are so comfortable it's like wearing my slippers. They do so many styles now, not only trainers but shoes too. Well worth a visit to a store...but take a,credit card you won't get much change from £100.
I can only wear Hotter Leannes because of my fused ankles and deformed toes and bunion that need a wide fit. They also do extra wide.
Sketchers! Sketchers! Fantastic shoes. So light & comfortable. I’ve had RA since i was 21. (53 now). I know it can be frustrating when you’re a woman & not being able to wear high heels. (I’m presuming you’re a woman. Especially as your name’s Jennifer!) But sketchers are the comfortablest. (Not a real word). I’ve ever had. Plus. Now. U can wash them. Just chuck them in the machine. I bought a pair in T K Maxx for £46. They were originally £80. Brilliant. So good luck x
I'm on the same quest! I thought I had tge right thing but I'm back on steroids as last week things were so bad I couldn't walk. Got rheumatology appointment this week and referral to Orthopaedics has been hurried along. In the meantime and after a lot of research and wasting a lot of money I'm about to get some Birkenstocks. I've been borrowing my daughter's Birkenstocks sliders and they are the only thing that I can walk comfortably in. They key is a non bending sole and in my case tilting the foot back and stop it rolling inwards and ankle support.
So I stupidly followed their self measuring instructions and ended up with slightly too small but they were incredibly comfortable, I've exchanged them (suede ankle boots) for bigger and narrow fitting.
Hope that helps.
Ages ago there was a link to a podiatrist on here (from NRAS video) they recommended trainers with a flexible sole. I wear a pair of all black Nike air free trainers to the office and nobody says anything.
Sketchers also have flexible soles I think.
Hi, my feet have become deformed since developing inflammatory arthritis and I sympathise. My podiatrist recommended Widerfitshoes.co.uk Unfortunately they are not widely available in shops, depending on where you live. But the sales advice team are very helpful on the phone. You can order on line or through the catalogue. My local pavers outlet has a few of the widerfit products too as well as one or two independent shoe shops not too far away. You can phone 01933311077 to ask for more info.
As others have said I also like Moshulu but not all of their products suit my feet. Widerfit use very soft materials that stretch if your feet swell, and have extra deep toe boxes allowing for added insoles. I do buy memory foam insoles too.
Hotter extra wide are not even any good for me sadly.
Hope this helps.
I use Cole Haan and Vivaia - very comfortable.
Like Fruitandnutcase below I have finally found a pair of Ecco lace-ups that are wider and have no stitching across the top or around. So comfortable, made with nubeck, which is softer than suede. Been wearing off-road trainers from Ecco. I used to wear Fly boots before I retired, went with most outfits. Good luck.
Since my knee op I have lived in Skechers ‘slip ins ‘ they are soft and comfortable and come in variety of colours. Highly recommend them.
Good luck
My feet are quite deformed as a result of inflammatory arthritis. I’ve needed reconstruction of tendons, as well as fusion of toes. I’m due further surgery soon. I tend to find Skechers, Fitflops and Moshulu best. I even have smart heeled suede ankle boots, from Skechers, with such thick memory foam insoles. I can’t bend to do laces or buckles, so need to be slip ins unless they are Velcro fastening.
I love sketchers , and fit flops xxxx
try the FITFLOP website, they aren’t cheap but their loafers are wide and have wonderful cushioning. I have 16 pairs cos they come in lovely colours including silver & gold which go with any outfit. Josef Seibel also do a good range & don’t forget Hotter xx
have you tried sole bliss they are soft and have bunion cushioning built in also they are wide fit expensive
I've found Waldlaufer shoes very comfortable, and easy to put on. They have wide fittings, and modern styles. They're expensive at full price, but if you search online, there are some good bargains. I have trainers, sandals, and shoes from them. They also have removable insoles for a good fit.
By the way, I am new to inflammatory arthritis, and Methotrexate, and this forum!
I live in cosyfeet shoes and boots. Comfortable stylish smart and sometimes a bit eccentric looking. They do wide fittings too. Lots of people ask me where I get them from. Best of luck!
I find van dal shoes excellent in this category but expensive but when your feet hurt it’s worth it. They are wide enough so my usual size 5 wide accommodates my orthotics and have many styles that civet much of the foot so no pressure on swollen joints and low wedge thick soles which my podiatrist says were best for my issues. They have 15% off atm and there sizing is true. Reiker also recommended.
Edit: before I got my custom orthotics I used sponge powder puffs you can get it Boots for a couple of pounds to pad my feet for protection. A cheap easy solution and washable.
marks and spencer have some wide fit very soft loafers. They are so so comfy. They come in black and silver if you want to look them up
I love Ecco and I can take their insole out and add in my orthotics too 😁. I also wear fly zip boots all winter and the low wedge heal is just right and the are nice and wide too.
I found these and have three pairs now. Only shoes I can wear. They're vegan and they stretch. They also have them in endless funky colours. I love them.
I’ve just retired but worked as a university receptionist for about 15 years before retirement. We had to look smart (suit & blouse) so I needed smartish shoes. I found some Clarks wide fit black slip on shoes with a zip and also a similar pair of Hotters that served the purpose. I have had times when my feet were more swollen and then I bought some shoes from Cosyfeet.
I found Josef Seibel work for me, especially their winter boots which go up over the ankles and have a lining so keep my feet warm. But they keep changing the styles so when I find one I buy multible pairs. Sadly my favourite ones were my first ever ones and I had bought them in the end of year sale and there were no more. When I explained that to the UK people they managed to source a pair from the German factory and have them sent to me! So customer service is really good.
Hi I have PsA which affects my feet I have a very wide fit . I mostly buy my shoes and boots from JD Williams as you can order many pairs at a time to try on at home , return at no cost . They have a large quantity of footwear in various widths , take a look .
FitFlop and Sketchers for me. The thick soles of the former are perfect support for my painful feet - I can wear both brands all day. NB Sketchers have outlet shops all over the place where their shoes are much cheaper
Moshulu make soft leather boots.
you can get trained type in plain black without tie laces I got these in Shoe zone recently as not bulky and look quite smart and a bit trendy, I'm sure if your clothes are tidy they will fit. I'd like me it works to change footwear once or twice through the day, Iv always, even back to70s, A plus is my sisters were envious of my straight toes as there's were pushed into pointy 😊.
Another vote for Skechers - I wear them all the time, especially these ones - they’re not cheap, but they’re incredibly comfy and smart enough for work as they are not too trainer-ish!
Skechers shoes
It is worth looking at Pavers, flyflots, or M&S wide fit pumps. You might find something that suits there.
Hi Jennifer, what a lot of great replies! I too have RA. Prior to being well controlled it felt like I was walking on red hot stones. This was due to inflammed bursitis. Since being controlled it is much better. However I was informed by the rheumy that RA does pre-dispose us to Morton's Neuroma. I know I do have an inflammed nerve in my right foot. As such I went to see a private podiatrist which was the best thing I ever did as he made me a specialist and individual orthotic which I insert into my shoes. Honestly the best money I ever spent. Don't know where you live but if you can get to Hull perhaps consider seeing Simon Coop. The orthotic I wear helps to reshape your foot and all I do is buy shoes one size bigger and insert them. For eating out and special occasions I can wear a lower heal even and get away with this just fine. If you want a comfortable shoe, try Clarks who now do some really nice clumpy blocky styles. I can get away with these too if I wear my orthotic on the other days.
I plan to look into cryotherapy for my Morton's Neuroma and have come across a clinic called the Barn Clinic who do this in York. If your problem is related to MN I do hope these measures may be of interest to you and others. All the best x
Hi, I used to be a nurse and Brevitt or Hushpuppies - shoes were very comfortable (not very stylish back then). I was having a look today after seeing your post - I saw some on EBay which are not necessarily have always used. I have worn sketchers “they are soo comfy”.
Now, I’ve never used this website so please don’t hold me accountable but, they do seem to do all sorts of brands of shoes, boots plus other non footwear stuff etc it’s called dealdoodle.co.uk - have like others seen, Pavers too. Good luck to happy feet 🦶
Hi Jennifer, I've only just seen your post, but my daughter works for the NHS and is on her feet most of the day... Clarks offer a good range of leather shoes (not the most fashionable but really comfy and maybe an alternative to trainers?) and she has worn these since her student days (10 years).Lil x
I found a pair of "Down to earth" casual ballerina flats that I find very comfortable. They are very soft and moderately wide, but look quite smart. NOT supportive though, so not good for everyone. Blunts shoes stock them, and I've seen them on Amazon. Got my pair at TKMaxx
Good choices for you hard decisions Woukd have said sketchers but you don't want trainers ,so many fittings they have ,
As mentioned clarks are good and getting more collections and styles and trendy now as well
Not sure if the
Ugg slip ons are suitible
Or the
Ugg furry slippers
Thank you so much everyone for all the helpful replies, my list of shopping bookmarks has now doubled! I shall be going into Cambridge to look at what's available and now have a list of brands to ask for. I see lots of the websites have free returns, I hadn't realised that was so common now, so I will order some to try. Thanks again
Pavers, although quite expensive are comfortable and they have some funky styles, whilst giving support and comfort.
Freet, freedom for feet. I have oxford and they are made of a lovely soft black leather and the toe box is so wide and my feet feel so comfy in them. Company on yorkshire, very ethical.
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