Sneakers were the first shoes that enabled people to sneak around. Seriously, they got their name because it allowed the person that is wearing them to ‘sneak’ up on their inattentive friends and family thanks to the innovative soft and noiseless rubber soles. But sneaking up on people is no fun if your sneakers cause you pain or lead to a variety of footwear-related problems.

Unfortunately, billions wear unfit footwear, including sneakers, oblivious to the risks to their foot health. Once the pain in the foot and the deformities become obvious, it’s often too late. And when this happens, the best solution is to wear custom-made orthotics.

Orthotics are prescription medical devices that you wear inside your shoes to correct foot deformities and issues with how you walk, stand, or run. They can treat a variety of foot problems from bunions to hammer toes, bursitis, high arches, heel spurs and plantar fasciitis, as well as back pain. To get one suited for your leg a visit to a podiatrist is a must.

It’s important to note that wearing orthotic inserts on a regular basis is crucial for seeing improvements. Whether you’re going out for a walk, on a date or to the gym – having your orthotics on is a must. This means that all of the footwear in your shoe closet needs to be able to fit these devices, including your sneakers.

Unfortunately, orthotics tend to be thick and many sneakers these days aren’t able to provide enough room for them. That being said, you may need to go out of your way and look for specialised orthotic sneakers Australia wide. These are usually available at comfort footwear stores and by brands such as Frankie4, ECCO, ARA, Merrell and KEEN.

Orthotic-Friendly Sneakers Checklist

But not all sneakers that advertise as orthotic-friendly will help your foot function properly. That is why it’s helpful to consider the following checklist as a guideline while shopping:

A broad toebox – This applies to anyone buying sneakers – bunions and inflamed toes are mainly caused by shoes with narrow toeboxes. However, a broad toebox is especially crucial for orthotics users because it allows the inserts to be fitted comfortably.

Removable footbed – The orthotic device will take up significant amount of space inside the shoe. Therefore, the footbed of the shoes should be able to be completely removed without damaging the structural support for your feet. The orthotic can then replace the footbed.

Depth of the shoe – If you are not able to find sneakers with removable footbed look for shoe with greater depth. It will make fitting the orthotic device easier and will keep your shoes on when you run.

Wide support – Go for a broad sneaker design because this contributes to better stability and better foot support. Generally, having a wider shoe will make wearing your customized insole easier and the foot will be able to breathe better.

Rigid heel – A firm heel is a must to ensure that your ankles are properly positioned when wearing orthotics. The ball of your heels has to be rigid at all time, if your heels slide or roll when you walk or run, the orthotic does not do its job.

Firm midsole – The sneaker should have a midsole that supports the strength of the orthotic. If it is soft when you apply pressure with your hand, that’s a bad sign. You need a dense sole for the orthotic.

Minimal twist – Look for shoes without torsion. To get support for the base and the arch of your foot you need shoes that are hard to twist.

Orthotic-Friendly Sneakers with Style

Let’s be honest, we are visual creatures and looks are important to us. So, can wearing orthotic devices fit into your fashion taste?

Usually, we tend to associate orthotics inserts with unattractive footwear that is hard to incorporate in your everyday style. While it may have been so in the past, today it cannot be further from the truth. As more and more comfort footwear brands put their focus on attractive design, you can find a variety of stylish sneakers Australia wide that are suitable for orthotics. You can definitely take care of your feet and be proud to show off your sneakers at the same time. No one but you will know you wear orthotics while showcasing our lifestyle.

Give It Some Time

These are just the basic points regarding orthotics and sneakers. However, there are lots of factors that affect the end result. For instance, the orthotic must be customized to be an exact fit for your foot and it has to be worn correctly. It is impossible to see results immediately, you need to wear them for some time. So, don’t get discouraged if you can’t feel a change after a week or two. The more you wear your orthotics and orthotic-friendly footwear, the faster you’ll get to see results.