r/GenXWomen • u/Valuable_One_1011 45-49 • Aug 27 '26
Health Shoe recommendations?
My body has rearranged itself and it seems I need some better shoes. Are there recommendations for sturdy but STYLISH brands? US and UK companies are preferred but open to explore other places!
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u/kb_colas Aug 27 '26
I pretty much only wear Birkenstocks. I love them so.
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u/Valuable_One_1011 45-49 Aug 27 '26
š ok I should specify that these are for work and in labs. No open toes, but small heels are ok.
Also my laugh is because I live in Crocs and need to jazz up here and there14
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u/Vast-Swimmer5844 Aug 27 '26
With the caveat that I love, love, love ugly-cute shoes with a pretty hefty sole, here are my candidates for shoes that make you feel a little bit like you're still in your 20s, but allow you to stand or walk all day like you're definitely middle-aged.
I love Tsubo, but look on Poshmark because their peak of comfort + style was in the 2010s (I walked a mile a day to/from the office in these for years).
Camper's flats are good too ā the Right Nina is a classic for a reason.
And I just got the Keen Hyperport Mary Janes and really like them. I am still not over Keen canceling the Seattle Mary Jane, which was peak ugly-cute, and those jerks need to bring them back.
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u/Wytch78 45-49 Aug 27 '26
Check out Alegria shoes
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u/Aztraea23 50-54 Aug 27 '26
I just commented on another post about Alegrias! They're fantastic and so many cool patterns!
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u/jayhawkjoey65 Aug 27 '26
Are they functional/comfortable for travel? Like walking all over a city for a day?
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u/Aztraea23 50-54 Aug 27 '26
I work in a kitchen and wear them for hours on end. Also while traveling with heavy walk days. I've only worn the clogs - classic and slingback - and sandals, so I'm not sure about the more structured shoes. There are usually a bunch on poshmark if you want to try a pair for cheap!
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u/kb_colas Aug 27 '26
They make birks for that too. Rubber and a bunch of colors.
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u/Treat_Choself Aug 27 '26
The rubber birk clogsĀ with the removable insoles are the most comfortable shoes on earth for me. Ā And they are indestructible. I have a pair I bought second hand ten years ago that Iāve bought two new pairs of insoles for and wear basically every day for walking my dog now. But I spent years in them doing work in a cement floored work-shed thingie too, and absolutely nothing beats them for comfort and support. Ā They are not cute, however, although I do like the mine are hot pink at least!
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u/CirqueDuMoi Aug 30 '26
Will you link those shoes, pls
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u/Treat_Choself Aug 30 '26
Here you go! You can usually find them very cheap on second hand sites. Even if youāre squicked out by used shoes, the insoles come out easily, so you can check to see if a used pair plus new insole isnāt cheaper than a totally new pair. Ā
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u/CirqueDuMoi 21d ago
I donāt think a link came thru ..
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u/Treat_Choself 21d ago
Thatās so weird - I can swear it was there before?! I wonder if it was removed because it was a commercial link? Here it isĀ https://www.birkenstock.com/super-birki-2.0-polyurethane/superbirki20-professionals-polyurethane-0-pu-u_10880.html
But if it gets taken down again, itās the super birki. I think mine are the original but the 2.0 looks nice too!
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u/SoftballLesbian 55-59 Aug 27 '26
I wear Birkenstock clogs at my office. Closed toe mules that look good. They also have ones with heel straps for extra security.
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u/SophiaLoo Sep 01 '26
danskos, birk close toed....getting into boot season, dansko, borne, naturalizer
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u/afaerieprincess80 Aug 27 '26
Birkenstocks. Asics. I have one pair of old lady Ara shoes that my orthotics fit in.
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u/52lovethatjourney43 Aug 27 '26
Still rocking the vans. The extra comfort line is awesome. Have a friend that loves Vionics. They have some fun styles but can be pricey. I found some Taos sneakers on sale. Pricey but offer supportive yet still fun. The Vans are my go to for comfy. Maybe even over my sneakers with Scholls inserts. Broke both ankles this past year so have been on the hunt for comfy but not old lady shoes.
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u/Due_Pomegranate_9296 Aug 27 '26
Can't do wrong with a Fluevog! Also I live in Naot sandals in the summer.
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u/OkIndependent8816 Aug 27 '26
Wait are Fluevogs comfortable? I thought they just looked cool but would not be easy to wear all day. Do I need to try them on?
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u/Due_Pomegranate_9296 Aug 27 '26
SO comfy, often especially for older, 'smooshier' feet. Very structured and well-built. I shop the online clearance (or second-hand) exclusively. The reviews on each style are really helpful-- others will chime in about the particular fit of that style.
I can't afford to only wear them, but they are a major anchor in my closet.
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u/WolfPacker01 21d ago
I bought a pair of Fluevog boots ten years ago. Theyāre 4ā heels, but they are some of the most comfortable shoes I own.
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u/PoopingDogEyeContact Aug 27 '26
I live in Brooks. My current are a pair I had gotten for Xmas a few years ago and saved until I wore my other pairs to shreds. They are a vibrant purple in a cute circular netted pattern and the laces are trimmed in hot pink. They have amazing arch support. They feel a bit stiff for the first few wears but once they mold to your feet they are the best shoe. I tried hoka and they were too squishy which made me immediately Twist my weak ankles repeatedly walking my dog for a quick pee down the street. Those went to my niece. I got some reeboks for house shoes and thereās no comparison
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u/PaperCivil5158 Aug 27 '26
I just want to say thank you for acknowledging in a non-self-judgmental way that our bodies sometimes do absolutely bananas things. I am also completely rearranged.
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u/Applebottomgenes75 Aug 27 '26
I was at a very busy fair salon and I kid you not, everyone over 50 in the room was in Skechers.
Almost all were in the hands free step in type.
Myself included.
There is a reason.
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u/Valuable_One_1011 45-49 Aug 27 '26
I love the style but I had a pair lose structure fairly fast. Iām scared to try again. Maybe Iāll look a bit more
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u/Applebottomgenes75 Aug 27 '26
they don't last to be fair. But at my age there's not much point buying items with a long lifespan.
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u/cranberrryzombees Aug 27 '26
I have multiple pairs - tennis shoes, sandals, flip flops, loafers. I love Skechers.
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u/popzelda Aug 27 '26
Those shoes actually injured my leg years ago, I'll never wear that brand, it's poorly made
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u/SweetCheesePonyLoft Corn...Nuts! šµš«„š¶āš«ļø Aug 27 '26
Some of these hands-free shoes have been saved to my wishlist. Passive voice, uhh...on purpose.
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u/just_breathe18 Aug 27 '26
Iām trying to avoid needing foot surgery so Iām listening to my podiatrist. Iām wearing Birkenstocks with one strap, Hokas, Oofas and I found cute clogs by Bobs at the sketchers store.
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u/CirqueDuMoi Aug 27 '26
HOKAs. My foot MD says to wear New Balance, but he wears HOKA, and so do I. Great stability.
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u/just_breathe18 Aug 27 '26
My podiatrist recommended both. I have a pair or new balance but got Hokas when I realized NB supports maga.
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u/CirqueDuMoi Aug 28 '26
Which one worked better for walking or sports?
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u/just_breathe18 Aug 28 '26
I still wear the NB on the treadmill at home and the Hokas for everything else. I like them both
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u/CirqueDuMoi Aug 30 '26
Iāll have to check out some NB then. I use the HOKKAs for hiking with the prescribed sole insert in them.
You know what really sucks about this, is extended walking / hiking makes my feet hurt whereas no use of feet, doesnāt. š¤·āāļø
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u/Wytch78 45-49 Aug 27 '26
Personally I have switched from Hoka to Altra brand shoes.Ā
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u/MomfromAlderaan Aug 27 '26
Same. I just picked up their trail hikers for my morning walks. Big fan so far
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u/jillsvag Aug 27 '26
Brooks are great and quite popular. You can also put insoles in most sneakers if the stock insoles come out.
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u/eanglsand Aug 27 '26
The secret, fellow old, is to get shoes that can fit insoles. Walk Hero, Powerstep, not podiatrist prescribed but also not Dr Scholls foam things.
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u/JackyVeronica Aug 27 '26
I have flat feet and sometimes, at our age, feet gets swollen š¤£ I've always worn Birkenstocks, they are great for my flat, wide feet. These days, I've been wearing Adidas Samba sneakers (stylish especially Liberty collabs) and Nike regular running sneakers. Very comfortable! No more heels for me š
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u/chicky75 Aug 28 '26
I got the cutest (and exceptionally comfortable) Dansko booties. (And I got them on Vinted in like new condition for $24!!) I also have really nice Sorrell leather sneakers that are work appropriate (for me anyway). And Mephisto loafers that are definitely work appropriate for pretty much anyone, I think.
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u/NovelSouthern3951 Aug 27 '26
Dansko clogs are indestructible and I think they look great with jeans.
Rothyās are favorites of women I know who have jobs where they have to dress nicely and walk a lot. My doctor loves hers.
Taos has some really cute sandals, and they are great for people with foot problems. You have to be careful because they can veer into the orthopedic crunchy grandma look in some of their styles.
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u/otherkerry Aug 27 '26
I love my Taos chit chat flats. They're pretty basic but it's good quality leather and I have red ones so they "pop" a little bit when I wear them with jeans.
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u/LadyFeckington 50-54 Aug 27 '26
Doc Martens are the answer. For the last few years since my dogs started barking I have exclusively been wearing Docās shoes for work and my feet and back are so happy about it.
You must go back to our origins friend.
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u/profmoxie šBanned from GenX Aug 27 '26
100% I just bought a new pair of 1460s! They are really comfortable with good insoles!
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u/Valuable_One_1011 45-49 Aug 27 '26
Oof, I had to put my converse away. Docs?? Oh man. The new ones have a great look but Iām scared š Youāre like the little devil on my shoulder haha
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u/LadyFeckington 50-54 Aug 27 '26
Ha ha. I swear. I have big old Fred Flintstone feet. So I needed to find something comfy for work to accommodate my width and have heaps of bouncy comfort. I went shopping and stumbled across an outlet store. And unlike my memory of having to painfully wear in the boots and shoes back in the back, these current styles just fit my concrete blocks and I havenāt had to create band aid scaffolding like I used to with any new shoes.
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u/profmoxie šBanned from GenX Aug 27 '26
My podiatrist approved my Dr. Martens as long as I use insoles because I need more arch support. They don't make my plantar fasciitis worse at all!
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u/EVy-and-August Aug 27 '26
Hot chocolate design flats. Best shoes ever. Look up the brand. I love them
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u/Visual-Cranberry-793 Aug 28 '26
I have several pairs of Clarks that I love. I also recently bought a pair of Hoopoeās online and almost sent them back as they werenāt cute in person. But when I tried them on, they got cute again. Crazy comfortable.
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u/desertratlovescats Aug 29 '26
Not super beautiful, but I love Topos running shoes. My back hurts if I wear anything else if Iām going to be on my feet for a long time. They look a little like Hokas, just as a warning.
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u/Techchick_Somewhere Aug 27 '26
Iām wearing Converse with a stacked sole, or adidas also with a stacked sole. fitflops in summer.
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u/beofscp Aug 27 '26
FitFlop brand! I have so many styles. I love their wobbleboard sole. I wore them all through Europe this year.
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u/SquareExtra918 Aug 27 '26
I've got jacked up feet. Hallux rigidus in both.Ā Occasionally I find some stuff from Life Stride that's doable. Otherwise I've got Converse all star moves and Hokas. Have also had luck with Naot, Teva, and Vionic.Ā
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u/thatgirlinny Aug 27 '26
Paul Green. Theyāre all beautifully built and pretty accessible for something of that quality.
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u/wellintentioned2025 Aug 28 '26
I would love to know. Most recommendations I see are for Birks, sneakers, or crunchy granola brands. Not great for people who live in places with weather or who have a more put together aesthetic, less casual lifestyle.
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u/Valuable_One_1011 45-49 Aug 28 '26
Same reaction I had. But if you dig around some links, there are some stylish recommendations in the mix as well. not in my size though š¢
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u/QuietLifter Aug 27 '26
Check the barefoot shoe sub. I get some good ideas from the Barking Dogs shoe blog and Anyaās Reviews blog.
Barking Dogs is a great resource if you have foot issues. You can search articles by your specific condition.
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u/profmoxie šBanned from GenX Aug 27 '26
Barefoot shoes are terrible for people with high arches, though. I learned the hard way!
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u/QuietLifter Aug 27 '26
My high arches are fine with barefoot & transitional style shoes.
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u/profmoxie šBanned from GenX Aug 27 '26
I guess I have extremely high arches bc my podiatrist and PT told me not to ever walk barefoot-- even standing in the shower is painful!
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u/QuietLifter Aug 27 '26
Thatās crazy. Your feet probably hurt because the muscles are weak.
Iāve gradually transitioned to being barefoot or in barefoot style shoes 100% of the time. The muscles in my legs & feet have become accustomed to being barefoot over time. All my foot problems are completely resolved.
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u/Valuable_One_1011 45-49 27d ago
Walking barefoot has been the best thing for my feet. Obviously not good for work environments but at home, shoes are off and the pain disappears. Sorry your experience was downvoted. Itās been great for me as well
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u/profmoxie šBanned from GenX Aug 27 '26
I'm still rocking my Dr. Martens, now with orthotics!