Comfy Shoes For Feet Over 50
I shop all over the place and like you, I’m more likely to have better success at some retailers than others. Some women my age find treasures at Forever 21 but I’m not one of them. Now if there were a Forever 51… I might have better luck.
I hate to sacrifice style for comfort in my shoes so today I’m sharing a few brands who combine them well.
Clarks
They have been in business since 1825! I bought my first pair of Clarks last spring and they won’t be my last. These have a lightweight cushioned wedge that gives me a bit of height but is only equivalent to 1/2″ heel. They close around the ankle with a Velcro closure in back so I can adjust how snug I want them.
Clarks has innovative underfoot cushioning and is constantly working to make shoes which keep feet healthy and feeling comfy.
Uggs
They make super comfy boots, shoes, and sandals. I have a pair of their classic Sheepskin Shearling Lined Short Boot and love them. I wore these sandals in silver all summer and they were as comfortable as slippers.
They run wide which works for me because I have a wide foot. These driving moccasins look great for spring and come in seven colors.
Gentle Souls
I started buying this brand many years ago. Their website says “they care for your feet while combining fashion and comfort”. Most have rubberized outsoles, cork midsoles, flaxseed footbeds, and Poron® performance urethane padding. All that is to say, they are very comfortable. This was my first pair of Gentle Souls which I wore to death! I love the arch support, soft leather and their ergonomic fit which redistributes pressure for ultimate comfort. I have the earlier version of this flat which is the perfect all day shoe. And how pretty are these for summer?
Munro
I have several pairs of their booties and wear them often. Munro shoes and boots are available in 19 sizes and 5 widths to guarantee you can get the correct fit for your foot. I should have bought two pairs of these because they’re no longer available and I love them!
Their heel heights measure the elevation of the heel above the ball of the foot, not from the floor which indicates the podiatric impact of a shoe on the foot. Amazon has a large selection of Munro here, as does Zappos here, and of course, Nordstrom…where most of mine are from.
Eileen Fisher
I need to pick and choose which garments flatter me at Eileen Fisher because many of their silhouettes are too voluminous on me. But their shoes are a different story. They fit my foot, lifestyle and are super comfy. I bought my first pair several years ago during a marathon shopping day. 
My sore tootsies couldn’t walk one more step and blisters were forming. I passed the Eileen Fisher table shoe table and left wearing a pair. They’re soft leather, roomy and have lots of cushioning. These aren’t budget shoes but they aren’t astronomically priced either and you can usually find them discounted throughout the year.
I have since added several pair of booties and sandals which I can rely on to always be comfortable.
Ecco
This is a Danish shoe company who has been making shoes for over 50 years. They make shoes for work and play. So far I’ve only tried their sneakers. Wearing sneakers outside of the gym is a very new concept for me. I always felt they were cumbersome and unattractive but this pair sold me on the concept. They have a removable insole which gives you room to add your orthotics.
I now have these sneakers in black, white and recently added this rose dust color for spring. I also spotted a gorgeous blue pair and anticipate owning more of this shoe in my future. Fashion sneakers are all the rage this spring and they fit my casual lifestyle.
When I was working retail and standing all day, I invested in Beautifeel, Thierry Rabotin, Taryn Rose, Arche which I still wear to this day. Shoes can often make or break my day, so comfort is key but I still want them to be stylish.
Do you have brands you recommend?
Thanks for reading and have a great day.
I have worn Clarks for years, they use to have a very good arch support in them. Wish they still made them that way
Hi Jennifer, great article! The older I get the more important shoes have become to me. Of always loved shoes, and the challenge now is to find something that is comfortable and still has style! Ecco has some really lovely sandals. And have you tried Earth shoes? Great arch support. You listed some brands I hadn’t heard of before. And one of these days I am going to bite the bullet and get me a pair of Eileen Fisher shoes! Lynn
Check for EF shoes on Nordstrom Rack, Saks Off 5th etc and they often go on sale at department stores
I agree with Shari. Hotters shoes are comfortable and attractive and they do have good sales.
I bought a pair of their short boots and love they way they fit and look. This post was really excellent and I love hearing what others suggest.
Thanks for sharing these great suggestions!
Jennifer, I always love and shop your recommendations. Sad story, lost 25ish pairs of shoes in Harvey flood, (we were out of town) including my first pair of oh so wonderful Taryn Rose. (Worn twice!) I also like Born… cute, and Easy Spirit, Merrill, both not so cute, but comfy. Will try your other recommendations.. Have so many foot and knee issues. Thanks!
Holly, sorry to hear this, since it takes a long time and a lot of money to build a great shoe wardrobe. Thankfully you are okay!
That is a sad story, I have so many I have invested in, it would break my heart. I’m sorry
I was always a Dansko fan until I discovered Ecco, I was on a trip and my feet hurt so I went to Nordstrom’s and Ecco were suggested. I wore them out of the store and have been wonderful with no break in. The leather is so soft. My bunion is happy , since then I have bought 4 more pairs. The side zip booties are great. Look like boots but fit like sneakers. I ordered the black on black so they don’t look like sneakers. They won me over.
I’ve had good experiences with most of these as well – a couple are new to me. I saw another poster commented that Rockport Cobb Hill and Vionic are sometimes good, same for me.
I have a question, though – does no one else get cold ankles? I am struggling with the current ‘fashion’ of wearing shoes with no socks (dresses/skirts without stockings, etc.). I love ankle pants & loafers or ballet flats as much as the next girl, but even here in California my ankles get cold in the winter. What do other people do? Wear boots for 5 months?
Hi Alison,
The current “fashion” of wearing shoes with no socks in the winter is crazy. I, too, live in California, and get cold feet/ankles if I don’t have socks on. Even wearing little peds doesn’t cut it because my ankles get cold! I don’t understand why women are so averse to wearing socks because there are so many really cute ones out there. I look at it like it’s another accessory! Don’t know where you live in California, but there is my favorite sock shop in Santa Cruz which I always visit when I’m there. Plus, you can find some fun socks online. If you know any knitters, you’d be thrilled to see the beautiful socks they turn out!
I seldom get cold ankles but if I did I would wear booties with socks. If I need to wear socks in my flats I’d have to size up
Discovered those EF shoes via your blog and love them! These are all great brands, and I have all but Munro. My feet are not getting better with age (????), and these shoes are all on the list of best ideas from our podiatrist. I haven’t tried Vionic, but I do hear a lot of good things about them. I bought a pair of Clarks Arlo boots this fall and cannot recommend them highly enough. Love the Chelsea style, they’re comfortable, cute, and have a removable insole to accomodate an orthotic.
Keep up the great reviews. I always learn something from your blog! ????????????
My feet are getting worse too Laurel. This getting older process isn’t seamless;)
Barbara
I have a high arch, high instep and need a D width. Vionic (sandals), Rockport Cobb Hill (boots & heels), Bella Vita (sandals/current styles), Tieks (flats) and Trotters (sandals) are my go to brands.
I have worn Clark shoes for years and love them., especially the leather clogs. I recently bought my first pair of Clark Cloudsteppers, and they are super comfortable. I chose a very dark grey and they go with everything. Here I am, back in Mary Janes! But they have a velco’d strap; most convenient. Many areas have Clark outlet stores and you can get some great buys.They are also available at Macys.
For very casual shoes that are great for walking(not so much for style) Sketchers are good and widely available.One plus, you can machine wash them safely.
Machine washable shoes are awesome
I have Earth sneakers and also Joseph Siebel. They have been my “go to” shoes for comfort and style for a year and I love them. Nordstrom has both brands.
I love Born for boots and booties, Vionic, Rockport Cobb Hill (some of the best!) Rockport Total Motion (dressier), Clarks, and oddly enough Sam Edelman flats. They suit my plantar fasciitis and the Cobb Hill are heels but I swear I could walk all day in them they are so comfy.
That’s a great recommendation!
Love all this information and go to brands!right now I am in a brace for a torn tendon, so it is expensive, supportive running shoes…..and that can accommodate the brace, ughhh!! It is no joke,when you can’t walk wo pain!! Therapist said a shoe that you can bend in half, is not giving you support, soo that is the rule im going by right now, until this heals!! Love that this article gives me some suggestions to go to…..yayyy!!
Ouch, feel better
Loved this post! I have several pairs of gentle souls but have not ordered any lately. I ordered the one that was 1/2 off yippee! I only hope the 7.5 fits and accomodates my bunion!
I do go down one size in Gentle Souls so hopefully, yours will fit.
I have had good luck with all these brands, thanks for this article! It would be nice if stores carried more shoes to try on!
My foot issues include bunions, supinate (most “running” shoes mostly address pronate) and high arch, but thanks to wearing better fitting shoes I no longer have plantar facscitis. My choice for walking shoes is Brooks Ghost (glad they have less flashy colors now!) Hiking shoes of choice are Oboz. I really love Skechers and Ecco for walking shoes or even house shoes. Other brands with excellent arch support, soft leather and at least an inch heel (but no heels for me anymore) that I love for flats, boots or sandals are Naots, Clark’s, Taos. I must be very picky or suffer from sore feet and aching legs. Do not even need my prescription orthotics anymore!
That’s awesome! Having to get orthotics into shoes is such a challenge
I also have feet issues..need a really good arch support and at least 1 1/2 inch lift since I had surgery on the top of both feet…naot has wonderful shoes,also mephisto and Clark’s ,beautifeel,arche,are my top picks. I love wonderful shoes,so it’s a bummer to see all the ones I can’t wear. Wish shoe makers would put arch support in all shoes
I agree but I do find some arch supports too high so I can’t wear them.
Thank you for the helpful information. Another brand of shoes and boots I’ve found to be comfortable and stylish is Gabor. They’re a little pricey but the quality is great. They hold up well for years.
I have not seen them but will check them out, thanks
I would add Taos shoes and Vionic to the list. These brands came recommended by my foot doctor.
Jennifer, thank you for this post. For my sisters with WW wide feet, I recommend 2 comfy, stylish sandals. Munro Pisces (casual) and Munro Kristal (casual or dressy). Both expensive but highly rated. When you are difficult to fit, you will pay anything!
I looove Munro
I would add Born booties and Sperry’s. I would wear Sperry’s every day if I could. I love them and they are very economical.
Yes, I have heard great things about Born but haven’t tried them yet
Have worn Clark’s and Naturakizers in the past. Since foot surgery in 2015 I find I need comfort above all so Skechers is my go to brand now. I have 3 pair and luckily I was never a “shoe” person but they have a black more formal pair of sneaker. Don’t know what I’ll do if invited to a wedding but thanks for your advice!
I also had foot surgery for a bone spur in my Achilles tendon and I have found Skechers to be my go-to shoe for comfort. I keep trying on a shoe with a wedge or small heel, but know I could not walk for long in them. I do wear dressy flats with good support.
I get a catalog from Hotter and bought some booties last year. I have LOTS of foot trouble and these are the most comfortable shoes in the world! This is not a bargain brand but they do have sales and the quality I’d amazing!
Some times paying higher prices are worth it. Sore feet suck the fun out of every day.
Thank you for sharing this! Some of these brands are new to me and I’ll definitely be trying them. I also have very picky feet and my favorites are Vionic and FitFlop. Some of the Fitflop sandals are a bit clunky (but super cushy), but I just bought a pair of their loafers and they are so comfortable! I also love the Ugg low wedge espadrilles.
Fit flops are the most comfortable that I have found for everyday bopping around. The arch support is just right for me. I bought a pair of their black sneakers last year on sale at Dillard’s and wish I had bought more. I have to have arch support, but Vionics actually have too much, which surprised me! I have two pairs of Keen boots which really work well. I can actually wear them and go shopping.
I love Rollie (Australian brand) lace up Oxfords – super light, super comfy, very trendy and worn by women of all ages. I do have to laugh about UGGS. Founded and made in Australia, UGGS had a very perjorative reputation, being beloved by people Americans would call red necks (referred to as bogans in Oz). Once they were taken up by Hollywood celebs their reputation obviously improved.
lol
Vionic shoes are wonderful if one has plantar fasciitis. They have many attractive and feminine styles.
These are my absolute favorite and have at least 20 pairs. Now they have updated styles they are my go to shoe.
I am going to have to get some Vionics!!
I love Vionic shoes! I need arch support and these shoes have great arch support. I will check out Ecco since I really love the blush color for spring! Thank you for all of your “ research “ time.
This past year I ‘rediscovered ‘ Earth shoes! Great arch support, cute styles. Also a fan of Vionic. Clark’s used to be one of my ‘go to’ brands. I have a pair that I bought years ago. Bunions, need arch support, pronation, you name it – shoe shopping is a chore for me! So happy when I find something that works.
I’ve had good luck with both Clarks and Naturalizer for my cold weather shoes for fit, style and comfort. For summer sandals I have a few pairs by Sofft and I think the other brand is called Easy Spirit – those are the most comfortable sandals I have ever worn.
I’ve tried on Sofft and my daughter swears by their high heels. I’ll keep an eye out for them. Thanks
This is so helpful and just at the right moment. Thank you! Now to find them here. Online is out of the question–I can try on 50 pair and not find any that fit. Wide feet and bunions.
Likewise here on foot issues, so some time ago I took Jennifer’s advice on the Ecco sneakers. They are a buttery leather which adjusts for bunions. I now have three pairs of Ecco sneakers and wear them ALL the time. Try to find these!
Good luck! Once I find a brand and size I like I have better luck online.
me too! I love ECCO sneakers. I have bunions, narrow heels, and of course, I have the added dilemma of having orthotics that I have to shove inito my shoes!!! Yikes. Even with ECCO, I have to be careful what I buy. I found a pair of ECCO sneakers with a white sole, and they are stylish. I liked them so much that I now have 3 colors of the same shoe! When something works, go with that style!
I have 3 pairs of Echo too!