Some days it's not about bunions. Today the instep gets its 15 minutes. It sits there quietly on top of your foot day after day holding your mary jane straps up, not to mention your ankle. But what to do when it says, "enough?"
Reader T. wrote to the Barking Dog last week with this very problem. She has developed a bump on the top of her midfoot, at the instep, that makes wearing certain popular styles like the mary jane a painful endeavor indeed. And you know the comfort shoe genre: it's all about the mary jane whether a velcro, hook and loop or buckle closure.
Reader T. is a 62 year-old grandma on the go who needs an "open-top" shoe with good arch support. She prefers a feminine, more streamlined shoe--no clogs. She also mentions she needs to exercise more, but the condition has kept her from doing so. I can understand completely as almost every pair of walking shoes is a lace-up. The recommendations below range in function from exercise-friendly to dress-up.
1. Ecco Vibration Skimmer: When I read a customer review that stated, "the edging around the top is super-soft," I was intrigued. The insole offers moderate support, but is removable to accommodate an insert. Lightweight with good shock absorption, the Vibration Skimmer makes a great travel/walking shoe. Some customers state that the shoe runs big; so order accordingly. Available in Euro sizes 36-42 (5.5-11.5), medium width for $100 at Zappos. Find an Ecco dealer near you.
2. Hush Puppies Sincerity: From the Body Shoe collection, the Sincerity features a stretch neoprene collar which is great for sensitive areas of the foot. While reading through customer reviews, I found that most feel the arch support is good for a flat, while a few say it's just not enough. The insole is removable to accommodate a different insert. Best for medium to slightly wide feet. Available in sizes 5.5-12 at HushPuppies.com for $58, 6pm.com for $46-59, Amazon for $42-85.
3. Crocs Kadee: Difficult to find a negative review, the Crocs Kadee is an affordable and pretty darn cute solution to foot pain. The trademark Croslite provides cushioned support and molds to the foot shape without aggravating bunions, hammertoes and other sensitive spots. Available in whole sizes 4-11, medium width (order down if between sizes). $30 at Zappos. Available in leopard print too!
4. Arcopedico L2: One of the best brands for sensitive feet with its soft and stretchy Lytech® upper (that actually looks like leather and is washable). Decent arch support. Available in Euro sizes 35-42 (5-11). Best fits a medium to slightly wide foot. $78.95 at FootSmart, $78.95 at Shoebuy.
5. Gentle Souls Iso Bop: A lovely little slip-on made of supple leather, deerskin lining and cushioning flax seed "pillows" in the footbed. The elastic band collar provides a snug yet comfortable fit with no gaping. While shoe shopping at a local department store, the sales associate had a pair of Iso Bops on. She said it's the only shoe she can wear all day on the hard floors. Available in sizes 5.5-10, medium width at GentleSouls.com for $185, free shipping and returns; $185 at PlanetShoes.com.
6. Ara Bella: It doesn't look much different than Aerosoles in the photo, but let me tell you, these are good, good shoes. I have a similar style by Ara. Good arch support for a ballerina-style flat, cushioned footbed, shock-absorbing outsole and room for toes. I love that the vamp crosses the foot below the bunion area--does not aggravate them. True to size and width. Available in sizes 6-11.5 for $128-159 at Zappos.
Daily Deal: Up to 60% off select Born styles at 6pm.com.
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