Are you experiencing foot pain and have been on the hunt for the right supportive shoe to combat the discomfort? You’re not alone! So many of us suffer from foot pain and know how frustrating it can be to be discouraged from doing the activities we love and enjoy because it will result in pain and discomfort later. At Vionic, we believe that you should be able to do all of the activities you love without feeling pain and we want to help make sure we can help you get back out doing the things you love.
We not only want to educate you on the best house shoes for sore feet and the best slippers for heel pain and what you need to be looking for to optimize their benefits, we have earned a place in the industry as a trusted resource that has dedicated research teams, foot doctors, and shoe stylists to address the need for supportive, comfortable slippers to wear around the house.
Examining the root cause of your foot pain
Before we dive into the best supportive slipper for foot problems, we want to walk you through some of the most common causes of foot pain. Your feet are key to transporting yourself everywhere you want to go and foot pain can hinder your mobility and decrease your comfort. Foot pain is oftentimes a symptom of a larger issue that needs to be addressed and understood to alleviate your foot pain. Two common causes of foot pain are wearing unsupportive footwear and wearing shoes that do not fit your feet correctly. Both of these common causes can result in a number of different foot problems like Achilles tendonitis, heel spur, plantar fasciitis, and more for both the short-term and the long-term.
1. Unsupportive Footwear
While unsupportive footwear may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you are experiencing foot pain, it can be a contributing factor or the possible culprit. A walking shoe that isn’t designed to support the vital structural elements of your feet can result in a cascade of consequences that can cause foot pain and discomfort as a byproduct. Wearing unsupportive footwear can result in back pain and joint pain when worn for an extended period of time. We know that you want to minimize the amount of pain you are in and one of the best ways to do so is to invest in a supportive shoe that has the supportive infrastructure needed to keep each element of your foot properly supported and comfortable.
2. Ill-Fitting Shoes
Another common cause of foot pain is wearing ill-fitting shoes. Did you know that our feet continue to change over the course of our lifetime? Many people assume that once we stop actively growing as young adults that our feet will stay the same size for the rest of our lives, but our feet actually continue to undergo changes throughout our lifetime and even during the course of the day. We recommend getting your feet sized at least once a year to confirm what your shoe size is and to get your feet sized in the afternoon or at night since that is when your feet are more likely to be swollen. Having ill-fitting shoes that allow your feet to slide around as you walk or that constrict your feet can have lasting consequences that can be both painful and inconvenient. In the short-term, you could develop corns, plantar fasciitis pain, nail and fungal problems, and athlete’s foot, to name a few.
Maximum comfort: how to get the support you need from slippers
We know it can be daunting to look for supportive slippers without knowing how to find slippers that will help alleviate your foot pain. To find the perfect pair of slippers for your heel pain, you will need to look for comfortable slippers that have the supportive features you need to keep your foot properly aligned and supported while still being stylish enough that you will feel comfortable wearing them, even if it’s just wearing slippers at home. Below we’ve broken down what you need to be looking for to make sure you’re getting the maximum amount of support from your indoor walking shoe to help reduce your foot pain.
- Substantial Arch Support: The arch of your foot plays a vital role in every step you take, which is why it’s important to make sure your arch is supported. So how do you make sure you are properly supporting your arch if you are constantly coming home with sore feet after work? Make sure you know your arch height, whether you have low arches (flat feet), medium arches, or high arches and find slippers that have the arch support that is appropriate for your feet. Arch support will help to provide you with stability and balance, unparalleled support with every step, and can help to distribute pressure across your feet with each stride, reducing the likelihood of foot pain. If you’re looking for help with foot pain, slippers for arch support are a must-have!
- Deep Heel Cup: Do you suffer from moderate to severe heel pain? Don’t fret. To help lessen and reduce your foot and heel pain, it’s important to make sure your slippers have a deep heel cup that will help to shift pressure to your forefoot. If your feet are more prone to roll inward, your shoes will be wearing more in the heel and ball of your foot and exerting more pressure on these areas. A deep heel cup will help prevent your feet from rolling inwards. When the heel cup is too low, your heel is left to absorb more pressure than it should, which exerts more strain on the plantar fascia and can cause plantar fasciitis pain, inflammation of the plantar fascia, to develop. Read more in our related blog post as we answer the common question, What is plantar fasciitis?
- A Biomechanical Footbed: Many people don’t realize that the support your feet receive plays a huge role in your alignment, balance, and stability. Wearing a pair of orthofeet slippers with a biomechanical custom orthotic insole and cushioning can help to provide you stability with every step and promote your natural alignment from the ground up. Not only will this boost your comfort (major plus!), it will also help to reduce painful side effects of unsupportive footwear, like back and joint pain. A biomechanical footbed mimics the terrain human feet were designed to walk on, like soil and sand, so that every unique curve of your foot is supported like a natural footprint. For more information on types of orthotics, check out our other blogs.
Our top picks: a vionic slipper for every season
At Vionic, we know that slippers can have all the supportive elements needed in a comfortable shoe, but if they aren’t a style you’ll want to rock, you won’t ever gain all of the benefits of that support. All of our slippers have our podiatrist-designed Orthaheel technology to provide you with substantial arch support, a deep heel cup for stability, a firm yet flexible midsole to optimize your balance, and a biomechanical footbed that supports you from the ground up. Below we’ve broken down our best slipper styles for men and women.
Men’s Slipper
Adler Slipper
If you’re looking for men’s house slippers that are durable and fashionable enough that you can wear then lounging around the house or out in town, take a look at our Adler slipper. This men’s shoe is designed with faux shearling lining to keep your feet cozy and warm and durable rubber outsoles to keep them protected with every step, outdoor errands have never been easier.
Alfons Slipper
Looking for an indulgent and elegant slipper that is perfect for any activity? Look no further than our Alfons Slipper. With a suede upper, a faux-shearling lined footbed, and a sturdy rubber outsole, you can’t go wrong!
Women’s Slippers
Gemma Mule Slippers
If you’re looking for a cuddle-worthy closed toe slipper that is ultra soft, the Gemma plush slipper is the perfect match for you. With a soft footbed and upper to encase your feet in comfort, you won’t have to feel foot fatigue from hard floors anymore. The adjustable hook-and-loop closure allows you to easily slip them on and off and customize the fit while the durable rubber outsole allows you to move between indoors and outdoors seamlessly. These must-have slippers have received the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance for their demonstrated ability to promote good foot health.
Check out all of our supportive slipper styles to find the perfect pair to keep your feet warm and help you say goodbye to foot and heel pain!