Best Arch Support Shoes for Women That Actually Look Good
Shoes with arch support have come a long way…but let’s be honest, many still miss the mark on style. I’ve tried more than my fair share over the years. Some were surprisingly great, while others felt like orthopedic clunkers trying too hard to be trendy. If you’ve ever stood in the shoe aisle torn between comfort and looking polished, you’re not alone. The good news? Supportive shoes don’t have to be frumpy. You just have to know where to look.
You may also enjoy Supportive Travel Shoes That Aren’t Frumpy or Fussy and Best Women’s Walking Shoes for Travel
Best Arch Support Brands and Shoes for Women
After testing quite a few pairs and chatting with readers over the years, these are some of the most-loved options that don’t compromise style for support.
1- Easy Spirit
Easy Spirit shoes are a go-to for women who prioritize comfort without sacrificing style. They’re known for their supportive insoles, lightweight materials, and versatile designs, with features like arch support and orthotic-friendly footbeds. These Meadow Slip-on Sandals are incredibly comfortable and come in 6 colors, sizes 5-12 in medium, wide, extra wide, and narrow widths.
2- Vionic
A podiatrist founded Vionic, and you can really feel it in their design. Their shoes offer built-in orthotic support, especially in the arch and heel areas. These shoes have a deep heel cup and lots of arch support, making them ideal for long walks or days when you’re constantly on your feet. I wish I could wear them, but my arches have fallen too far, so they’re uncomfortable and my feet cramp if I wear them.
My Top Vionic Picks:
This Vionic Winny Sneaker is super supportive and doesn’t look orthopedic, which can be hard to find. The style is clean and minimal, but what sets it apart is the built-in arch support, which makes a noticeable difference if you’ll be on your feet for long stretches.
A truly supportive sandal is hard to come by. This Vionic Brea Sandal is a great warm-weather option with a contoured footbed that offers real support yet still looks nice enough to wear with a linen dress or cropped pants. You can find more of my picks for comfortable sandals here: The Best Sandals for Women Over 60
Vionic also makes heels, and this Vionic Chardonnay Block Heeled Sandal has a flattering shape, built-in arch support, and a sleek ankle strap that keeps it feeling secure. A wonderful option for weddings, dinners, or events where you want height without the hurt.
2. Ecco
Ecco shoes are often praised for their quality construction and anatomical footbeds. They’re not flashy, but they offer quiet luxury with comfort baked in. I have several pair of slip-on and lace-up Ecco sneakers and love them. If you have trouble finding stylish walking shoes that don’t look bulky, this brand is a smart option.
My Top Ecco Picks:
I’ve worn these Ecco Soft 7 sneakers for many years, and they’ve also become a wardrobe staple for many readers. They’re minimal, modern, extremely supportive, and available in a wide range of colors. The insole can also be removed so you can use your custom orthotics.
I can’t say enough about my ECCO Flowt 2 Band Sandals. You’ve seen me wearing them here on the blog countless times. The adjustable velcro straps ensure a perfect fit, and the cushioned footbed feels like walking on clouds.
3. Naot
Naot combines thoughtful design with technology that focuses on comfort. Their insoles are made with cork and latex, so they mold to your foot over time. They’re ideal if you prefer a more refined look.
My Top Naot Picks:
If you’re looking for a wedge that you can pair with everything from dresses to denim, this Naot Kayla Wedge Sandal is a great option. It has a contoured footbed and fantastic arch support. Similar to a Birkenstock, this cork footbed molds to your foot the more you wear it.
These Naot Arataki Closed-Toe Slingbacks are designed to be easy on your feet. The cutout details give them a lighter look that transitions well between seasons. And if you’re not fond of showing your toes, these are a great alternative to sandals.
4. Aetrex
Aetrex shoes are built with orthotic support in mind. They often include memory foam cushioning, which helps reduce foot pressure and fatigue. Their styles are a bit more fashion-forward than you might expect. They also offer foot scanning tools in some stores, allowing you to get a custom fit recommendation.
Top picks:
I love the summery look of espadrilles, but they often lack support. This Sydney Espadrille Wedge Sandal is made with Aetrex’s built-in orthotic footbed that doesn’t flatten out like traditional rope-soled shoes.
Adjustable, stylish, and supportive. These Aetrex Jillian Sandals are water-friendly and ideal for the beach, pool, or other water activities. I love the animal print which elevates the look from ordinary sport sandals.
5. Taos
Taos is one of those hidden gems that many women over 50, and over 60 swear by. Their shoes blend comfort technology with a slightly boho, casual aesthetic that fits right into an everyday wardrobe. They’re especially known for their sneakers and sandals, both of which have built-in arch support and cushioned footbeds.
My Top Taos Picks:
I love the look of this Taos Plim Soul Lux sneaker. It’s got a modern look, great arch support and would look as good with shorts, as it would with a summer T-shirt dress. You may also enjoy reading Flattering Summer Dresses for Women Over 60: Try-On Picks from Nordstrom
These Taos Show Sandals gets high marks for its supportive footbed and adjustable fit. Available in a ton of great colors, including this metallic champagne option.
6. HOKA
If you’re looking for cushioned walking shoes or sneakers that still offer good arch support, I’ve learned that you can’t go wrong with Hokas. They’ve been referred to me by my physical therapist, as well as many AWSL readers. They’re a bit sporty but incredibly comfortable for travel or long days on your feet.
Top picks:
If you’re looking for maximum cushioning, this Hoka Bondi 9 sneaker is about as good as it gets. It offers excellent support and shock absorption, making it a strong choice for walking, travel, or any day when you know you’ll be on your feet for hours.
I must have tried on a zillion pairs of Hokas before the sales gal finally brought me these Hoka Clifton 9 and that was that, I was sold. I went up 2 sizes as well, so I have plenty of room for my favorite cushiony socks.
Do you have a favorite brand for supportive shoes?
I love both Naot and Taos sandals. The only issue I have had was that the straps on the Taos sandals were too long to get a good fit over my instep. I had to have them shortened at a shoe repair shop. Otherwise they are so comfortable that I have worn them on many shore excursions when traveling. I found them to be more supportive, therefore more comfortable, than walking shoes.
I do find myself reaching for my Taos sandals the most, but that could be because the colors go best with my clothing. I have a pair in a champagne color that goes with so many of my outfits. That plus the comfort factor make them favorites.
I love my Hoka Clifton 9s, except that dirt got under the top layer and I can’t get it out. But they are still quite comfy.
All those brands are in my closet too with the exception of Hoka. I know people love them and maybe one day I will try. They are bulky looking, I prefer a more streamline cut on sneakers and totally recommend you and your readers try Ortho Feet brand. Check out their line of hands free shoes which are so easy since our new home is a shoe free zone. I like ABEO as another commenter mentioned.
I occasionally suffer from bouts of Plantar fascitis. To get over it, I will wear nothing but my New Balance sneakers for several weeks. My Vionic sneakers, including the Whinny, help keep Plantar fascitis at bay. I usually get Vionics from Nordstroms but recently discovered that QVC carries multiple colors,. In any case, I can wear Vionic all day without any pain. I love them. On the other hand, I tried wearing Hoka for several hours, because my home organizer swore by them, but stopped because I was in too much pain. I had to wear my New Balance to recover. I asked my physiotherapist about that, she said she heard similar complaints about Hoka from other patients.
I bought these luggage tags at Amazon. The bright color helps you spit your luggage quickly plus they screw together so it’s easy to move them from piece to piece.
The color is a great idea
I’ve had 2 bunionectomies and they weren’t bad at all. I started to have it done by a podiatrist but then someone told me, no, no, get it done by orthopedic surgeon so I did. Get yourself a good orthopedic surgeon!
I have never known anyone to say having foot surgery was the best thing I’ve ever done—-NOT. Most people have to have their surgery done twice because the outcome was not good the first go around. You are right to just get comfortable shoes and baby your feet
Ditto!
Birks, New Balance 574 and 327, and Saucony for my duck feet! My bunions are on the outside of my feet (tailor’s bunion and something developing lower down on the outside). Also love my Ugg slippers. Curious about the outcome with the Beeks.
The Beeks are very comfy but they all squeak when I walk. I was told to make a small pin hole in the insole to release the air that’s making the goofy noise.
I too had a botched bunion surgery in 2014. Used a highly respected orthopedic surgeon. One of his staff even showed me her nearly invisible scar from bunion surgery and sung his praises. Within 8 months, my foot became more deformed than before the surgery. I did use a physical therapist he recommended and followed post op instructions to the T. Too afraid to go in for another surgery. Naot Dorith sandals work the best for me. I have 3 pairs in different colors. Ryka sneakers or New Balance.
I’m so sorry yours was such a disaster!
In anticipation of an upcoming cruise to the Baltic Sea countries, I bought my 2nd pair of Hokas, the Transport style. I knew we’d be walking on cobblestones, and that we’d no doubt encounter rainy weather, so this particular model is water resistant. I’ve worn them for a couple weeks to make sure they’re comfy, and they seem fine.
I have a narrow heel and need a big toe box, so it isn’t always easy for me to find something that fits properly. I’m one who has to visit the brick and mortar shoe stores because online shoe ordering just doesn’t work for me.
Good luck finding a competent orthopedic surgeon.
P.S. Thanks for the larger font!!
Glad you like the font too 😉
Bunion flare-ups are not fun! First aid tips include Voltaren Gel (generic diclofenac) over the counter, a small amount rubbed into the bunion as per directions. Locally acting anti-inflammatory. Also may like a Bunion Bootie, a soft stretchy support and easy to sleep in. Good luck to you as you try EVERYTHING possible to avoid surgery.
I will look into that bootie. Thank you.
Thanks for this post. I’m always on the lookout for comfortable shoes, and I bought the Ecco sneakers several years ago after seeing them mentioned here. Teva is a comfortable, but very casual brand I wear. I’ve had my eye on those Taos sandals so maybe I’ll give them a try. Do your Easy Spirit slip-on sandals stay on your foot? Also, do you have any tips for house slippers with arch support?
They do stay on. I wear rubber Birks at home, which have arch support. What do you ladies recommend?
I have bunions on both feet, with the right one worse and compounded by a hammer toe. I want to avoid surgery at all cost! I really don’t have much pain.
My doctor recommended Altra, with a replacement orthotic and most importantly a metatarsal pad on the orthotic. That pad takes the pressure off the bunion. I wear “cute” shoes every now and then, but then can’t wait to get into my Altras. They come in wide sizes too which I definitely need.
PS He also said that wearing Hokas was the worst shoe for my feet. Too squishy and soft with not enough support.
Great article. I really need to check out Vionic’s. Last Sunday I was on my feet all day, working on a fundraiser. My bunions were screaming by the time I got home. I’ve started to research bunion surgery, but the down time is so long and I don’t know if I could handle the recovery. It’s a huge decision…..thanks for all the insights and shoe choices.
Sorry yours are so bad too!
I have arthritis and peripheral neuropathy in my feet. So a wide toe boot is necessary as well as a nice arch with soft foot bed. I have three pairs of Brooks. White, black and light grey, all in 7 wide. Hokas just don’t fit my feet and neither do Birks. All of my sandals and slip on clogs are Easy Spirit. With them I wear 7W and must avoid a pointed toes. They are great to work with if you have a problem. I also like Skechers but not their slip ins. The angle of the sole is too high in the heel making me off balance. I gave two pairs to my friend and she loves them!
Our feet are all so unique! Glad you’ve found what works for you.
I have several pairs of Vionic loafers, along with a platform saddle and their espadrilles. I am struggling in finding a good walking shoe and straddling the fence with On and Brookes brands. Any suggestions from anyone for the On brand? Whenever i am in airports waiting for flights i always watch for what shoes people are wearing and i see a lot of On and Brookes.
Hi Jennifer,
Great post thank you! I just went through Plantar Fascia hell and it took time to get through that! I don’t think I can jump any more in exercise classes at 61. I really like Fitflop sandals now and just bought a beige Birkenstock “look” which is really comfortable. Hoka’s are just brilliant.
Have a lovely weekend!
Wishing you a great weekend too Francesca
Hi! I’m sorry about your foot pain, it’s just miserable. I had foot surgery 5 years ago and it went very well! I didn’t have bunions, but I had severe osteoarthritis in both big toes and a hammer toe. I was still working at the time and believe I only stayed home for one day and wore a boot followed by a surgical sandal when I went to work. I embraced the foot PT and continue those exercises to this day. Unexpectedly, I retained full range of motion in the former hammer toe. I still use a prescription orthotic that limits how much I bend my big toes. The surgeon warned that the arthritis would return in 15 years or so. But, after 5 years I have no pain and full range of motion in my big toes. So, I expect the surgical solution to hold for the rest of my life.
My favorite foot friendly shoe is Altra. They have a wide toe box, zero drop, and aren’t very cute. But they keep my feet happy and I just love them. For dress up, I wear Campers.
So glad to hear your surgery went well! Lucky you.
My friends swear by Ecco sandals. I have a couple of pairs of Ecco shoes, but my all time favs are Easy Spirit. Ordering by mail, I know that my size will almost always fit and returns are easy.
My favorites are the hiking sandals, just received the third pair.
Thank you for all of these suggestions. I am off to get some Taos sandals today. My go to footwear are the New Balance 860 sneakers. I own these in just about every colour. My foot specialist recommended them and I have never looked back.
I swear by my Hokas! The Clifton 9 are my favorite for all day walking as they give my toes a little extra room and are well ventilated. The Bondi ( I have 7 and 9s) are the best for standing and the best for ankle stability. They are the ones I pick for hiking trails or uneven pavement/cobblestones. I will never go on a vacation without one or both versions.
I love my Hokas for walking too. My feet never tire.
Bunion surgery has come a long way. I made the mistake of waiting too long so my surgery was a reconstruction of my foot. It makes such a difference don’t wait.
My feet are narrow and flat and you hit all the brands! Thank you for your thoroughness.
Hi Jennifer. My advice is have the bunion operation. I had mine operated on 30+ years ago. First time unsuccessfull. Two years later I had then both done together by an orthopedist who specialized in feet only. Great success. Yes 5 weeks of inconveniences and some discomfort. However I have friends refusing the op and really paying for it now. I still am very cautious with foot wear . Love the shoes you posted today. Time to bite the bullet!
You were very lucky Brenda!
What a great list! I have RA and have had surgery on my feet so supportive shoes are a must! But I refuse to sacrifice style.
I own most of these brands and can vouch for them. I also like Birkenstock sandals for daily casual wear. Once they mold to your feet they are fabulous.
Thanks Jennifer for a great post! I’ve added a couple to my cart.
I would highly recommend the Taos sandal shown above! Great soft leather, arch support, and fits like a glove! Looks great with casual or dress outfits. I bought the tan color and loved the feel and look so I bought a second color in slate.
Thanks! It’s a great testament to how comfy they are when you buy a second color!
All of these brands seem great. My best walking shoe by far has been Karhu. They are not very attractive but to walk everyday without pain is wonderful. I have easy spirit sandals that I really feel are supportive. I tried a new brand called Altra. They have a bigger toe box but not enough support in the heel. Luckily you have 90 days to return and exchange at Feet Fleet. I had both bunions removed years ago and it was the worst!! I hope the surgery is better now. Thanks for this great post. Keeping your feet free from pain is so important.
I agree. I was in more pain with my surgery than my husband has been with his hip replacement!
You should also try Kuru, it’s a small company out of Utah, excellent arche support in all of their shoes. More fashion driven is L’Amore de Pieds, their lining is deer skin, super soft, no wear in period and typically really good arche support. Have fun!
Thank you for this post! I recently developed plantar fasciitis in my right foot & boy, did my choice of footwear change immediately! I just ordered sneakers from the Kuru brand, so I’m anxious to see how they feel on my sore heel.
I’d also like to complement you on your choice of font for your posts. I love that I don’t have to squint at a small, faint font to read your posts!
Yay! I enlarged my font because I was struggling to see it too 👍🏻
Thanks for your great post, and for doing so much research for us. For years, my favourite has been Birkenstocks, which I slip into soon as the weather warms.
Kuru is my new favorite shoes. I’ve suffered from plantar facities for over 25 years. Had several pairs of custom orthodicits ( spelling). It is very hard to get shoes that look nice and don’t hurt your feet.
I’ve found that taping my foot when my plantar fasciitis flares up is really helpful. There are videos on Youtube that show you how to do it. Doctors say it doesn’t work but I can tell you it does.
Great post! I have very narrow feet so have a very difficult time finding shoes that my feet don’t swim in. I found Vionic years ago and love their tennis shoes because I can wear my thick, plushy socks with them. I also buy their inserts (about $35.00) a pair and use them in less expensive tennis shoes that helps m shoe budget. Finding narrow sizes gets real expensive on a fixed budget.
All good choices for difficult to live with feet. I love Naot and Taos, but my favorites are Birkenstocks. I, too, really like Vionics, but I have arthritis in the bones on the tops of my feet with fallen arches, so they are great for short times but not all day wear.
That’s interesting. I wonder if that’s why they’ve uncomfortable for me.
Definitely Hoka Cliftons. Just came back from several weeks in UK and France, walking many miles every day on a lot of different surfaces. I never had to give my feet a second thought; wore them every day. At 75, with very high arches and years of never having a truly comfortable shoe, that is not a statement I could ever imagine saying.
Thanks for this post. I too suffer from foot pain. I have a pair of Hoka’s and they are so comfortable.
Good Morning Jennifer, I have about 5 pairs of Vionic shoes and love them all. My yellow Winnie sneakers are my favorite, and their new Beach canvas sneakers are fabulous. I have two pair. Also love their sandals. The Jillian beach line is interesting, I’ve had a pair of leather Jillians for years and have practically worn them out. Great post, I’ll have to pay more attention to Easy Spirits.
Easy Spirit has some really cute styles too
I love my Taos sandal (same as shown), my Hoka and ABEO from the Walking Company!
I cannot wear Vionics because one arch is much flatter than the other. I recently bought 2 pairs of Easy Spirit after not wearing them for years and I love them. Ecco is a hit or miss for me; if the arch is hard it’s a no. My physical therapist sold me on Brooks; my daughter bought me Hokas on 2 occasions but I still like Brooks better. I have heard nightmare stories about bunion surgery; shop hard for a doctor if you head that way. Use an orthopedic foot surgeon not a podiatrist.
Great advice. My first surgeon was a podiatrist and he made a mess of things.
A student of mine who is a nurse anesthetist told me that if I ever decide to have foot surgery – I have moderate bunions which have caused Morton’s Neuromas in both feet – never to seek treatment from a podiatrist. This woman knows every surgeon in my area and knows who to see and who to avoid. She says that foot surgery should only be done by an orthopedist.
That’s wise advice. I wish I’d known that sooner.
That’s good advice. I wouldn’t have thought of that.
I have at least one shoe/sandals from every one of the companies you highlight. I have found that I must try on each pair before buying them (I am too delinquent in returning packages from online shopping 🤭). I also have a couple of pairs of shoes from Abeo (The Walking Co.) which are also great for plantar fasciitis and, of course, my Birkenstocks. These never wear out. I have had some Birkies for 15+ years and have refurbished several pairs. Great list! I highly recommend these brands.
Thanks Elizabeth!
Just like you I had suffered from bunion on my right foot for years, it usually got bad in the winter. I had surgery and it went really well I had no more problems with my foot plus the foot looked much better (normal again). That was 14 years ago. I also did my left foot after that about 10 years ago it went well as well and I have no more pain or problems and I am glad it’s done. Maybe it’s the doctor.
My first Dr was not good. The second who repaired his mess was great but it was a nasty surgery to fix the first debacle.
I almost exclusively wear SAS shoes. I also wear Hoka and Brooks for my nursing jobs. SAS shoes are expensive but come in a wide range of sizes and last a very long time. Vionic for me are good for short times but not for all day wear if it involves a lot of walking. Ecco have been hit and miss for me. Thank you for your wonderful blog!