A good pair of shoes should offer the right support to help with alignment and posture, while taking some of the strain off your feet, and the best orthopaedic shoes provide all of this without looking overly clinical.
I spoke to consultant podiatric surgeon Mr Kaser Nazir from Jorja Healthcare Group, to understand why getting the right footwear matters. “Certain shoes can have a huge impact on foot health,” he told me. “Ill-fitting footwear can cause excessive pressure and compression on the toes, and this increases when wearing high heels, as your weight shifts towards the front of your foot. Uncomfortable shoes can also hinder the natural movement of the toes, which can weaken foot muscles.
Mr Nazir also warns that some shoes can do more harm than good, with flip-flops being a particular culprit. Their lack of arch support and cushioning can put extra strain on the feet, potentially contributing to problems such as plantar fasciitis and pain in the knees, hips and lower back.
“If you have a pre-existing foot condition such as bunions, hammertoe or hard skin and calluses or if you have diabetes or spend hours on your feet every day, it’s particularly important to choose comfortable, well-fitting footwear,” he says.
Thankfully, modern options are comfortable, supportive and actually nice to look at. Below, I’ve tested a variety of styles, from trainers to boots and sandals, to bring you my favourite tried-and-tested pairs.
Read more: I reviewed Archies flip flops for comfort and arch support
The best orthopaedic and supportive shoes for 2026 are:
- Best for all-day stability – New Balance fresh foam X 860v15: £150, Newbalance.co.uk
- Best smart footwear – Calla Meredith loafers: £169, Callashoes.co.uk
- Best for cushioning – Hoka Clifton 10: £97.99, Hoka.com
Read more: Experts reveal the best way to keep your trainers clean
New Balance fresh foam X 860v15
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Best: orthopaedic shoe overall
Sizes: UK 3-8
Functionality: Stability shoe with cushioning
Colours: Black, blue, multi
Why we love it
- A great all-rounder
- Helps prevent overpronating
- Good amount of cushioning
Take note
- Come up slightly small, so you may need to size up
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 previous models, like the v13, and doesn’t narrow much in the middle, making it feel very stable.
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However, I 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 I 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 I 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.
I tested the Fresh foam X 860v14, which has now been replaced by the Fresh foam X 860v15. Both shoes benefit from the same ‘stability plane’ technology and heel-to-toe drop, however the X 860v15 has slightly more cushioning.
Buy now £150, Newbalance.co.uk
FitFlop relieff recovery slides
Best: budget orthopaedic shoe
Sizes: UK 3-9
Functionality: Arch contour, triple density cushioning
Colours: Brown, white, beige, black, green, pink, plum
Why we love it
- Blissful cushioning
- Rocker shape makes this pair easy to walk in
- Good traction
Take note
- Not for narrower feet
- Limited arch support
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.
Buy now £55, Fitflop.com
Ecco MX W shoes
Best: orthopaedic shoe for off-road walking
Sizes: UK 2-9
Functionality: Waterproof, reflective ribbons, arch support
Colours: Grey
Why we love it
- Great arch support
- Lightweight
Take note
- On the narrow side
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.
Buy now £120, Amazon.co.uk
Calla Meredith loafers
Best: smart orthopaedic shoe
Sizes: UK 3-9
Functionality: Stretch panel to accommodate bunions, cushioned and arch-supported insoles
Colours: Black, neutral
Why we love it
- High quality
- Stylish
- Comfortable
Take note
- Not for the widest of feet
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.
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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 – I 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.
Buy now £169, Callashoes.co.uk
OOFOS women’s oocloog clog
Best: orthopaedic shoe for standing all day
Sizes: UK 5-12
Functionality: Arch support, high upper, rocker sole, ventilation holes
Colours: Black
Why we love it
- Incredibly comfortable
- Can stand for hours in them
Take note
- Not the most stylish
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. I also liked wearing them around the house instead of slippers, especially after a run.
Buy now £75, Oofos.co.uk
Hoka Clifton 10
Best: orthopaedic shoe for cushioning
Sizes: UK 2-10
Functionality: Cushioning, rocker shape
Colours: Blue/white, black/rose gold, grey, blue, pale green, pale blue, white/pink/orange, black, black/white, pink, white/orange, cream, white
Why we love it
- Supremely comfortable
- Well cushioned
Take note
- Not for people who overpronate
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 I 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 I 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.
Buy now £97.99, Hoka.com
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Your questions about orthopaedic and supportive shoes answered
What are the best orthopaedic shoes?
I’ve found some fantastic orthopaedic shoes for different occasions, but the New Balance 860v15 is an all-rounder of a shoe that you can wear all day, every day. During testing, I found it had balanced cushioning and great arch support. I found that it is not too chunky and can just as easily be worn with jeans as it can with running gear. For these reasons, I rate these as the best orthopaedic shoes.
For an all-rounded wardrobe of supportive footwear, I also recommend the FitFlop relieff recovery slides are a great choice if you’re wide-footed and want a casual, comfortable and cushioned sandal to potter around in at home or on holiday, while the Calla Meredith loafers are perfect for pairing with smarter outfits.
How I tested orthopaedic shoes
I’ve tested lots of shoes over the years, from running trainers to gym shoes and tennis shoes. To ensure these trainers received proper testing, I used them on various lengths of walks and on surfaces with differing levels of elevation and impact. When trialling each of these shoes, I looked for five main qualities:
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Lisa Buckingham is a journalist who has been contributing to IndyBest since 2019. She has specialised in health and fitness for years, using her expertise to review a wide range of products, from running shoes and belts to free weights and fitness balls. When it comes to shoes, she knows what works and has tested everything from gym shoes to tennis shoes, and even tests the latest release trainers from top running brands. When it comes to orthopaedic shoes, she knows which brands you can trust for both support and comfort.
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