Hip and Happy Feet Our first annual casual shoe review

Hip and Happy Feet
Our first annual casual shoe review

By Susie Pontefract

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again — if you want healthy feet, you need healthy shoes. We all know you need a good pair of walking shoes for your walking workouts, but what about the shoes you wear to work or on the weekends? What about the shoes you wear 8 to 16 hours a day? Wearing high heels or narrow toe boxes for most of your day can cause bunions, hammertoes, and a variety of other foot ailments. The truth is your casual shoes are just as important to your feet health as your walking shoes.

“But I can’t wear those ugly, white nursing shoes to work,” you say. Well, you don’t need to. Healthy shoes have come a long way, baby! You can find healthy, hip, stylish, and durable shoes at stores all around town. We’ve taken a sampling of styles from some of our favorite stores around Portland. Take a look-see. Your feet will thank you.

Sandals — Men


Milano By Birkenstock This sandal, which comes in a wide variety of colors and textures, has all the comfort and support you’d expect from a Birkenstock. $100 at Footwise	Newport H2 By Keen Keen offers all-day comfort and are a great choice when your day is going to get a little wet. Comes is a wide array of colors for both men and women. $84.95 at Nob Hill Shoes	Fisherman Sandal By Dunham These classic sandals offer breathability, durability, and style. They’re comfy too! $100 at REI

Sandals — Women


Rio By Birkenstock This sandal combines style with the classic Birkenstock footbed. The Rio comes in a variety of colors including nubuck, black, and bordeaux. $100 at Footwise	Anais By Dansko This dressy sandal is perfect to wear to work and into the evening. Don’t let its sleek look fool you, this shoe is all about comfort. $124.95 at Shoe Mill	Evita By Dansko This Dansko sandal is perfect for that little summer dress. Comes in beige and melon. $105.00 at REI

Casual — Men


Alton By Footprints This casual yet sophisticated clog includes an enclosed heel for a more secure fit. Like all Birkenstock brands, it has a wide toe box and removable cork footbed. $140 at Footwise	World Summit By Merrill Stylish, comfortable, with a bit of ‘tude. Comes in dark brown, light brown, and black. $90 at Nob Hill Shoes	Kick N It By Joe’s Garb Now for something a little on the wild side. Joe’s Garb offers a variety of styles for the urban adventurer. $99.95 at Shoe Mill

Casual — Women


Professional Clog By Dansko Approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association, Dansko clogs offer excellent arch support and roomy comfort. $110 at Nob Hill Shoes	Providence By Keen These funky Keens are ready for action. Rubber toe guards and wide toe box keep your toes safe and comfortable. Great for a day hike or just out and about. $80 at REI	Sarah By Muraade A soft, comfortable slide-on clog that comes in a variety of colors. Shown here in navy. $104.95 at Shoe Mill

Dressy – Men


Chicago By Footprints This sharp-looking shoe has a wide toe box, moderate arch support, and comes with a removable cork footbed for orthodic users. $180 at Footwise	Bailey By Josef Seibel This shoe can be dressed up or down. Made with European quality leather and craftsmanship, this shoe is comfortable and durable. Comes in brown and black. $140 at Nob Hill Shoes	Flex a bit LE By Kenneth Cole’s Reaction A refined leather loafer with lots of room, style, and class. The dressiest of our dressy. $119.95 at Shoe Mill

Dressy – Women


Eden By Footprints Footprints, a division of Birkenstock, is known for its stylish yet comfortable shoes. The Eden is no exception. This Mary-jane comes with a removable footbed, so orthodics can easily be inserted. $150 at Footwise	Aubrey By Dansko While this stylish shoe does have a heel, it also has the support and quality of a Dansko. Comes in ruby, brandy, and black. $135 at Nob Hill Shoes	Lea By 1803 Add a little color to your feet with this handcrafted shoe from Portugal. The leather is like "buttah." $159.95 at Shoe Mill

Choosing the Perfect Shoe

By Dr. Ray McClanahan

Casual shoes, sometimes referred to as comfort shoes, are by their very nature healthier for walking feet than are typical "dress shoes". The human foot functions best when the heel and forefoot are on the level with each other, and the toes are allowed to spread naturally. In spite of the straightforward nature of these observations, most shoes do not allow this to occur.

When looking for a healthy shoe, consider the following:

1) Heel elevation — the heel and forefoot should be level with each other. This design can be particularly hard to find for women, but the lower the heel, the better.

2) Toebox — Remove the shoes' sock liners and stand on them. Make sure there is enough room for all of your toes to lay flat on top of the liner without going over the edges.

3) Toespring — Many shoes unnaturally hold the ends of the toes above the ground in relation to the ball of the foot. Look for shoes that keep toes level to the ball of the foot.

Your persistence in finding a healthy shoe will pay off. Your feet, legs, and back will be more comfortable, and you'll help prevent conditions like bunions and hammertoes. Good luck and happy feet to you!