I’d contribute to the one that helps feet! That jamming is what I was talking about re flats. Toe jamming. I refuse to participate in things that cause damage.
Ironically the best running shoes for my feet are the now discredited Sketchers “tone your buns” line. Now only available online, these running shoes distribute the impact throughout you foot with little impact on your heel. Or at least for my feet. They are like magic for my feet.
I wear Dansko clogs every day for work and during the fall/winter with jeans. Summer is Birkenstock sandals.
I have high arches, I need a shoe with really good arch support.
Dragonmom, if your feet slide forward in flats, try foot petals:
http://m.macys.com/shop/product/fancy-feet-by-foot-petals-ball-of-foot-cushions
@dragonmom, Danskos are made for professions that require standing on your feet all day.
“Now only available online, these running shoes distribute the impact throughout you foot with little impact on your heel.”
Oohhh. Missed this part! You don’t need those ugly shoes. What you need is a gait analysis by a pro and a few lessons to correct heel strike.
This thread makes me think of Jurassic World, and the complete ridiculousness of Claire (the operations manager) and the nude heels she wears: running, shooting, crouching, leaping, driving, and luring a T-Rex through the entire movie.
@eastcoascrazy I kept waiting for her to lop off the heels with a machete like Joan Wilder did in the Romancing The Stone movies.
I read that it was a running (ha!) joke. That she was so annoyed with the idea of having to wear heels in that situation that she insisted on actually wearing them throughout the movie.
Re: Dansko’s. Maybe one needs a high instep to wear them well? I got a pair after reading so many people raving about them and they hurt my feel so much I couldn’t imagine anyone wearing them all day and loving them. I have a much better fit with the Born clogs. THOSE I can wear all day.
I like the look and feel of a heel or wedge preferably not higher than 2.5". I have a lot of foot issues- always have! Buying some better brands has definitely paid off in that my feet no longer hurt like they used to.
Being an avid tennis player my feet take a beating ( and yes, I can relate to the toenail issues ). I have found some great brands that I can stand in all day and it helps if I wear different shoes each day. Some of my favorite comfortable yet stylish brands are: Taryn Rose, Cork-ease, Jambu, Dansko, Munro, Vionic, Trotters…I have more but can’t think of them- need to walk around my closet. The Munros I bought this summer are a stacked heel sandal which I wore for about 7-8 hours the first day I bought them. Peruse Zappos; don’t think of Danskos as all clogs - I have a super cute pair of sandals I purchased last year that I get stopped and asked about all the time- about a 2 inch heel/wedge look.
Btw, I went to DSW yesterday, inspired by this thread. I found the cutest pair of walking shoes-they’re mesh with cross-crossing elastics and a soft footbed but with a solid sole. I thought that they were Jambus at first as the insole was similar, but they’re actually Easy Spirits. They don’t look dowdy and like something an 80 yo would wear to me. Turns out that they’re on sale at the Easy Spirit website as well. For me, anyway, they fit like they used my foot as the mold. As I"m about to spend a weekend walking all over heck and back, seemed like a no-brainer.
^^^ These look like they would make my foot sweat! Not enough air flow. Or are you wearing them with socks? For me, socks are reserved for running shoes and boots.
@sseamom my daughter just bought nearly the exact same thing from Sketchers. She’s having a little trouble breaking in the heel, but loves the shoe.
@abasket , no, my feet aren’t sweating, and it’s around 80 here, which is hot for Seattle. The top is all mesh, and the sides have those openings, as does the back. No socks. I have a pair of closed Skechers that I can’t wear this time off year because they ARE too hot.
and @MotherOfDragons I hadn’t seen a Skechers version! Those are my favorite brand for walking/everyday shoes. The memory foam is better than any of the others I’ve tried. But this pair is my new favorite.
I think Dansko shoes are very uncomfortable! Ditto Birkenstock which I also think are not a nice looking sandal.
I have some dressy Brighton sandals that I take to switch to at weddings. Very plain flip flop style. I have probably a dozen pairs of flip flops.
I have several Aerosole shoes. Varying styles that are comfortable and suitable for work.
I have 3 inch patent black heels that get a lot of dress up use.
I also have at least 10 pairs of boots. All different kinds but none with high heels.
BB I want to see you do that run in the Jimmy Choo shoes. 
Here are the sketchers:
http://www.dsw.com/shoe/skechers+relaxed+fit+breathe+easy+good+life+slip-on+sneaker?prodId=295431
Ah yes, MOD, I did see those. The ones I got have an open weave, whereas those Skechers don’t. I’m about to go to Vegas, where it should still be 100 degrees during the day and wanted more airflow. But I do love Skechers.
I’ve been wearing these Vince slip-on sneakers this summer–they are very comfortable and don’t feel hot. I’ve worn them quite a bit this summer.
Those are $200. They look a lot like my D’s Vans. Not for me.
@dragonmom, have you looked at Paul Green shoes? They are amazing. There are many dressy styles (low heel or not) that can be worn all day.
I’m surprised at how many here wear flats! I can’t wear a pancake flat; my sweet spot is .75" - 1.75", but I can go up to 2.5" if the heel is well balanced. I have hallux rigidus in one foot meaning I can’t really flex/bend my big toe. FWIW, I am 5’ 1" with very short legs and wear 6.5 in a sandal and 7/37 in a shoe or boot.
Dankso Pros are my most comfortable shoes, but even among my various pairs they differ a LOT in fit. I am one of the few people on earth who can’t fit Paul Green or even Munros which come in a zillion sizes. I have the unfortunate combo of a wide forefoot with bunions, a super, super narrow heel, and a very low arch. Lace-up shoes, boots, and sandals seem to give me the best fit, especially if I can stick in a heel cup and other stuff.
I still long for cute footwear and have too many pairs in the quest for comfort. Among my most comfortable are some cheapo Top Shop footwear because they somehow fit my feet better than other brands; I think it’s their sizing. Thus, I no longer equate leather and expense with comfort.