Comfortable, professional flats?

[Deleted]

Hi everyone,

I have been having some trouble with my feet at work lately (I'm on my feet all day for about 8 hours). At night, my arches are so sore and it has given me some trouble sleeping. I've just been wearing cheaper, basic flats to work, and they offer little support. On the weekends, I wear birkenstock sandles and the insoles of them are AMAZING - they feel like they fit my arch in all the right places, and I have no pain afterwards.

Does anyone know of a type of flat that looks professional and has the same type of insole that the birkenstocks have? I was also thinking of getting birkenstock insoles for my regular flats - does anyone have any experience with these?

Thanks for your feedback! 

[aak0517]

I think someone asked something similar earlier this week (further down in the board)- I'd check out some of those rec's.

I've heard good things about Cole Haan and the Borne (no sure on spelling) flats.

[Mikesgal]

I'm on my feet for 12 hours while at work, and I've found that the biggest help for me is compression socks (the calf-height ones). I can feel it in my feet & back when I don't wear them. Just another option to consider.

To answer your original question, I like Danskos and Privos. They may not be the cutest or most fashion-forward options (though I do love the look of the new Dansko Olivia), my feet/legs/back thank me at the end of the day when I wear them.

[busybodyk]

I recommend buying flats you like about a 1/2 size larger than your size and adding walk-fit insoles to them. I lose those insoles. They give awesome support. They are sold at Target.

[Deleted]

Orthaheel makes some shoes that should work. They aren't great looking, but no one will be horrified either.

[saintlouise]

I used to work in a shoe department so I was also on my feet for eight hours at a time, while bending, scooping, and running up and down the stairs of a two-story stock room all day as well. My feet were always the happiest in Eccos. I had lots of co-workers who loved their Danskos too, but I never tried them. My Cole Haans were great for casual wear but let me down when I wore them for those long shifts. After the Eccos I liked Born the best. I hope your feet feel better soon!

[Deleted]

Thanks, everyone! I'm going to look into your recommendations.

[polarbearfans]

For my flats, I wore orthotics. I showed my podiatrist my shoes and said I would never wear anything practical. He made some orthotics that were slimmed down to fit in my Tory burch revas.

You can get some 3/4 insoles that may help for stores, but my custom orthotics were cheaper after insurance. Practically free after my podiatrist was done negotiating.

[thejen626]

I really like Born and Ecco flats. Very comfy and still somewhat stylish.

[anaps28]

Corso Como flats are my fave, they are like wearing slippers. You can usually get them on Gilt for somewhere around $39.99 or something.

ETA I missed your birkenstock portion of the question. They don't have an insole like that at all. I would try Born or Merrill for more of a substantial insole.

[Deleted]

I have Born flats and the are comfortable, but nowhere near supportive enough to wear standing on my feet all day. They have a soft insole, not a rigid arch like the really supportive shoes have.

[msturtle143]

Try Taryn Rose. 

ETA: Acquired these recently and so comfortable. TTS. www.6pm.com/taryn-rose-bettie-black-velvet

[Deleted]

I know most danskos are ugly, but i can't live without them at work.  I work in a hospital, in scrubs,  so sexy footwear isn't an option and I wear the Dansko professional clog.  I can't even wear sneakers to work without my back and feet aching.  So see if there are some that you can visually tolerate and your feet and back will love you for it.  

Eta: www.dansko.com/Womens/Footwear/View%20All/

[frannyr]

My sister works in retail and swears by Cole Haan flats

[bunnies]

You might have some plantar fasciitis goin' on. I wear these when I know I'll be on my feet a lot (especially if I'm standing/walking on concrete).