7 best orthopaedic and supportive shoes that don’t compromise on style

This is a running shoe designed with stability in mind, which means that it helps support those who overpronate (where the foot rolls inwards on landing). However, it’s so ridiculously comfortable that you can just wear it all the time, whether or not you’re a runner.

Its midsole cushioning is shock absorbing yet responsive, making it ideal for long wear. It’s a flexible shoe that allows your foot to roll through nicely as you walk or run, a medial post is in place as the stability element and it cups the heel beautifully. An added bonus is that it comes in a standard, wide and X-wide fit. This allows your toes to splay as you walk/run, whatever your foot width, and prevents the pressure along the side of the toes that wide-footed people often suffer from with running shoes.

The brand known for its super-comfortable shoes designed to promote body alignment has turned its attention to wellies and a significantly more pleasurable-to-wear and supportive boot is the result. If you’re a regular welly wearer, you’ll know how flat and unforgiving they can feel. Fitflop has changed that by contouring the sole to evenly distribute bodyweight and placing “micro springboards” in the forefoot. The toe box is wide, there’s nice arch support and the heel is filled with a honeycomb design to take the shock out of each footstep. The result is a boot that’s comfortable and supportive to walk in. It’s also adjustable around the calf – the design is wide and cinches down to suit everyone but those with the narrowest of calves.

Billed as a Nineties-inspired sandal, the aesthetic of these shoes is just that. This is a stylish sandal that would look great with shorts or a summer dress, with a chunky sole to add height but without the discomfort of a heel. The moulded EVA footbed is like walking on a cloud with great arch support and the straps keep the shoe securely attached to your foot.

It easily accommodates a wide foot, but the tiniest gripe would be the stiffness of the leather over the toe but this will soften with time. It’s not the most flexible shoe but it feels comfortable to walk in for a reasonable period. The outsole is rubber with good grip, and the sandal as a whole feels durable.

If you’re fed up with fashion trainers that crush your wider feet, look no further. These Calla Star trainers are also designed for people who have bunions, hammer toes or hallux rigidus (a stiff big toe). They’re beautifully comfortable with perfect arch support, and the toe box is wide and seam-free. It has a moulded footbed but it’s removable if you want to insert your own orthotics. It’s an expensive shoe but looks and feels high-quality and made to last.

These waterproof rubber pool slides from FitFlop come with impact cushions under the ball and heel of the foot. There isn’t as much arch support as we’d like (especially in a backless sandal), so it’s not a shoe to walk in all day if you like to feel your arch support, but it’s fine for slipping on and off by the pool or at the beach. The double straps are comfortable and flexible, and hold the shoe to your foot. If you have wide feet and find that this kind of sandal often comes up narrow, this is the one for you as it comes up wide, even with the adjustable strap at its tightest.

A waterproof trekking shoe with great traction on the sole. It has a slight rocker shape, for smooth heel to toe transition, the insole is beautifully cushioned without feeling too cushy and the arch support is sublime. They’re on the narrower side, so may not suit those with wide feet. The construction is very comfortable and it’s a lightweight offering compared with many trekking shoes.

Designed for sports recovery, this clog is the epitome of comfort. The foot is cradled perfectly with superb arch support and the foam is like standing on clouds. Even though it doesn’t have a back strap, the upper comes high over the top of the foot, so there was no need for clawing of the toes to keep them on. A slight rocker sole makes for a smooth transition from heel to toe and they are ideal if you are standing for hours, as the foam holds its shape to reduce pressure through the foot and joints. Ventilation holes at the side stop them becoming too sweaty. We also liked wearing them around the house instead of slippers, especially after a run.