<p>I am looking for a casual, preferably slip-on shoe that will not lead to foot and back pain. Are Birks or Crocs any good? Or does someone know of something else?</p>
<p>Chacos- for casual flip flop
Soft Walk for nicer sandals</p>
<p>Clarks have some great slip on shoes - I just bought one pair in black and another in brown. Mephisto is another great brand as are Birkenstocks.</p>
<p>You might consider consulting with a podiatrist if you have foot pain.</p>
<p>To find a good shoe - grasp the toe and the heel of the shoe - try to twist the shoe. If it twists - it’s not supportive and you should not buy or wear them. I loved my Easy Spirits until my podiatrist took them and did this to them - little did I realize they were contributing to my foot pain!</p>
<p>Mephisto, Dansko, Wolky, Birks of course. My personal favorite is Wolky. Climbed the Great Wall of China in one and Angkor Wat in another. They are comfortable with great arch support and look pretty good for a comfort sandal. </p>
<p>I also heard MBT is good for the back, but I personally do not have a pair and they kind of look funny.</p>
<p>Here’s a link to the APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association):</p>
<p>[APMA</a> -](<a href=“http://apma.org/s_apma/sec.asp?CID=175&DID=16673]APMA”>http://apma.org/s_apma/sec.asp?CID=175&DID=16673)</p>
<p>There are lists of shoes and related products that they endorse including Chacos, Dansko, Ecco, etc.</p>
<p>I have fallen arches and the only shoes that work are lace up shoes that keep my feet from spreading further as I walk and let me use orthotics (I have some custom-made). Open shoes just do not work. It’s not much fun in summer. Atlernative to lace up shoes are shoes that go up high enough to keep my feet from coming out of the shoe as I walk. Some that are made with microfiber and can do the trick.</p>
<p>I like Dansko clogs for work that involves standing for a long time on hard floors.</p>
<p>Ditto Danskos. So many nurses, doctors uses them because they are on their feet a lot. Awesome arch support.</p>
<p>Birks are amazing.
If they’re for the summer, get some Rainbow’s.
Both are great for the feet and extremely comfortable.</p>
<p>I developed plantars fasciitis (heel pain) when I ran a lot and a podiatrist made me a pair of cookies (temporary arch supports). We made an appointment for an orthotics fitting for several weeks in the future. I didn’t like walking around in pain all of the time and wasn’t looking forward to the bill for a set of orthotics nor moving them around from shoe to shoe so I took a pair of Dr. Scholl’s insoles, went to a leather supply store where they gave me a scrap piece of leather and picked up a tube of leather glue at Michael’s.</p>
<p>And made my own pair of orthotics. I carried a knife with me to the gym to make modifications to them until I got them where I wanted them and made several additional pairs for other shoes.</p>
<p>Many years later, I found an inexpensive product that provides good arch support and heel cushioning from New Balance and I got these from the New Balance Factory Outlets. Of course I couldn’t find them anymore after a year. But I found a newer version on the web recently at their online store and ordered three pairs a last week. These are great for working out or just for walking.</p>
<p>[New</a> Balance 3200 | Insoles (IMC3200)](<a href=“http://www.nbwebexpress.com/detail.asp?type=MNACIN&style=IMC3200]New”>http://www.nbwebexpress.com/detail.asp?type=MNACIN&style=IMC3200)</p>
<p>They have a variety of other insoles for other foot problems.</p>
<p>Two brands I recommend: Naots and Josef Seibel. Bought a sandal of each brand recently and they are very comfortable even for those long and grueling college tours. :)</p>
<p>I live in Birkenstocks - year round. Just discovered the comfort of Crocs last summer and highly recommend them too. A new Crocs outlet opened around here recently. Good prices!</p>
<p>Keens have a great deal of arch support. I feel like it’s heresy to say it, but for a long day on my feet, I prefer them to my Birks. D2 is also a fan, but they don’t work for flat-footed D1. I took her to an outlet of the Walking Store (a shoe store dedicated to foot comfort), and they kitted her up with a pair of Eccos. The spouse prefers Birks and Naots.</p>
<p>If you like Birks, try Finn Comforts. They have some more “shoe” styles. I’m wearing birks now, but for the school year I live in my Finn Comforts. DH has gout and bunions, and has worn his Finn Comforts through it all.
They are pricey, but they are really well made, and hold up.</p>
<p>For sneakers with good sturdy arch support, try the Brooks Addiction. Recommended by our local runners’ shop.</p>
<p>Superfeet insoles help every shoe…they come in various contours, great arch support and heel cupping. Ecco shoes have good arches, also Clarks. New Balance makes a real shoe for women, under the Aravon label…great shoes. Beautifeel makes some nice dressy shoes for women. Drew has good arch support. I can make my Naturalizer shoes work with the Superfeet inserts. Naot is good. I am the Princess and the Pea with my feet…I have it down to a science. Good luck! H LOVES Finn Comfort…they run too wide for me.</p>
<p>I get a lot of back pain if the shock absorbency isn’t really good. The last couple years I’ve wearing Keen shoes and Merrill sneakers, clogs, and sandals. Even the really nice Clarks bother me if I wear them for more than 4 hours. It may get expensive but you probably are going to need to buy a variety of brands until you find what works for you.</p>
<p>A couple brands were mentioned here that I haven’t heard of. I need to go look them up and try them on. Thanks everyone.</p>
<p>A word of caution - DH is a nurse and spends lots of time every day on his feet. Loved his crocs so much at first and bought several pair. The “love affair” ended when he suspected he got a stress fracture from the Crocs.</p>
<p>Granted, everyone else might not be as hard on feet as DH, but it’s something to be concerned about if LOTS of walking is planned.</p>
<p>I have gotten to where all I wear are Birkenstocks. The problem is “dressy” shoes. I do own the Annapolis style of Birks, but there are times when they just don’t look right, so I stick to flats and hope I’m not in them long. I have a pair of Beautifeel pumps, and got a pair of Donald J. Pliner flats on sale at Saks. For serious tourist walking I have some black Rockport laceups. Oh, I also have a pair of Pliner dressy sandals I got on sale. The style is called “Flip” and has a great arch support. Otherwise it’s Birks. Wearing my Tabora sandals while I type.</p>
<p>I’m surprised no one has mentioned Merrells–they come in a lot of different styles, both winter and summer, and they give your feet a tremendous amount of support–and not nearly as expensive as Mephisto.</p>