8 best orthopaedic and comfortable shoes that won’t cramp your style

Designed as a stability shoe, this style aims to help prevent you from overpronating (where the foot rolls inwards as you run or walk). For running, it’s a workhorse – great for everyday jogging with its stability and cushioning but you won’t win any prizes for speed. The ‘stability plane’ technology effectively stops your foot from rolling inwards and this latest pair has a wider base than its predecessor, the v13, and doesn’t narrow much in the middle, making it feel very stable.

However, we love them more for walking. The style is known for its cushioning, which it has in spades (more than the v13), especially in the forefoot. It has a slightly lower heel-to-toe drop than its predecessor (8mm down from 10mm) but we liked this change, as it encourages more of a mid-foot strike rather than at the heel. Meanwhile, the rocker profile gives these shoes good propulsion, too.

This pair has a relatively low profile, given how cushioned it is, which is good news if you don’t like the more pumped-up, maximal look of many current running shoes. This pair comes in wide and X-wide but we found the shoes come up slightly small, so, go half a size up from your street shoe size and go for the wide fit if you’re anything other than narrow.

Billed as recovery sandals that you can slip on after exercise or a day in heels, they certainly perform their function. The cushioning is firm at the heel, soft in the middle and medium at the toes, and it’s incredibly comfortable. Plus, the rocker shape makes this pair easy to walk in, so it’s no surprise that these shoes have the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance.

They’re made from EVA foam, making them waterproof, light to wear and easy to wash, and there’s good traction on the sole. The broad straps means the sandals hold securely to the foot, without making the foot muscles work hard, and the ventilation slots stop the shoes from becoming sticky and sweaty. The arch support is there but it’s not very high, which is something to keep in mind if you have high arches.

Perfect for wide, deep feet (you might wallow if yours are on the narrower, shallower side), these shoes come up ever so slightly on the larger side, so size down, if in doubt.

A waterproof trekking shoe with great traction on the sole, this design has a slight rocker shape, for smooth heel-to-toe transition. The insole is beautifully cushioned without feeling too cushy and the arch support is sublime. They’re on the narrower side, so may not suit those with wide feet. The construction is very comfortable and it’s a lightweight offering, compared with many trekking shoes.

If you have bunions and find smart shoes stiff, narrow and uncomfortable, this pair is a godsend. The shoes have a secret stretch panel that helps accommodate bunions, while soft, cushioned insoles support the arches. They were comfortable from the moment we slipped them on.

They are expensive, but a worthwhile investment – handmade in Portugal with a leather upper, they’re extremely high quality, so they’ll last and last. The small 1in heel and gold horse bit detail elevate them to a perfect shoe for the office or an evening out.

They accommodate mild to large bunions and there’s a good range of sizes for women’s shoes – we found them to be true to size, too. The only caveat is that they’re not for the very widest of feet but the brand has other options if that’s your foot issue.

Designed for sports recovery, this clog is the epitome of comfort. The foot is cradled perfectly with superb arch support and the foam is like standing on clouds. Even though it doesn’t have a back strap, the upper comes high over the top of the foot, so there was no need for clawing of the toes to keep them on. A slight rocker sole makes for a smooth transition from heel to toe and they are ideal if you are standing for hours, as the foam holds its shape to reduce pressure through the foot and joints. Ventilation holes at the side stop them becoming too sweaty, too. We also liked wearing them around the house instead of slippers, especially after a run.

These clever trainers have a design that enables you to slide your feet in, without using your hands. They have the APMA Seal of Acceptance and are a great solution for people who struggle to bend over to get their shoes on or have difficulty tying laces – not just for older people, but those who may have hurt their back, have a cast on their arm or are pregnant. Slip-ons often look old-fashioned or unstylish, but this is a really nice-looking fashion trainer with a canvas upper.

Once on, they held securely to the foot when walking. They have a firm, supportive heel cup with a soft, padded pillow behind the Achilles and great arch support from the podiatrist-certified moulded insoles. They come up on the larger side, so we’d suggest going half a size down from your usual size.

This is a new update of one of Hoka’s bestsellers. It’s a neutral running shoe (it’s not for people who overpronate) that provides superb cushioning. It’s a fairly responsive shoe when you’re running and has the classic Hoka metarocker shape, so you feel like you can’t help but move forwards. This translates to also being a great trainer for walking and daily wear, and we really rate these shoes for this.

If you’ve previously found Hokas to be too narrow, you might have more luck with this pair, as the shoes are more capacious than previous designs (the style comes in regular and wide fits). The shoes also have a higher drop than previous versions, now 8mm, and we found they were true to our regular street shoe size.

If extra plush cushioning is what you’re after, the bondi 9 (£160, Hoka.com) is also a great option.

This pair nails the chunky fisherman-style sandal trend and would be a great addition to your summer wardrobe, with the added benefit of a well-designed and comfortable footbed with contoured arch support that’s just right, ample cushioning and a sunken heel cup.

The upper is made of a super-soft leather with a well-concealed Velcro adjustment under the first strap for a perfect fit across the forefoot, and the ankle buckle is attached to an elasticated panel to provide some give at the ankle. The sole has good non-slip traction but little flexibility, which may not suit you if you like your shoes to bend with your foot.