Hi! I’m Liz – a florist at the Sweetbay shop, entrepreneur and mom of two young kids. My daily routine involves countless hours on my feet from lugging heavy buckets full of water, to standing in place designing for hours at a time.

I’ve had Hallux Rigidus for a good 15 years now and have been through all the ups and downs of shoe styles for this painful condition. I have very little mobility in both my big toes with large red bones spurs on top of my feet. They are quite pronounced and painful to look at. Style is hugely important to me and I was on the lookout for a metallic sneaker that felt chic and of course comfortable. Luckily, I stumbled upon Steve Madden’s Momentum sneaker.

It was love at first sight. The working Velcro straps are perfect for adjusting width to accommodate a bone spur in the front, but also make the shoe snug enough for those that have a narrow foot. I actually like that I can tighten the straps to really hug my foot. I ordered my larger shoe size ( 11 ) in hopes that it will allow for some more extra width. I will share that these are a more flexible sole – I actually can tolerate that well as long as the upper is not pressing down on the toe box. If you require a stiff, rocker sole I wouldn’t recommend this sneaker. These are cushy, support my feet, knees and back for a long 8-10 hours standing on my feet. I can wear my Momentums to an event installation carting back and up and down ladders and feel comfortable and stylish (I think they would even look cute with a dress or skirt). This shoe is available in medium width only, but with the Velcro closures I find the width flexible.

As an aside, I cannot wear the same shoe two days in a row. My feet and toes overcompensate for the hallux rigidus issues and I find that I need to rotate shoes constantly to change it up or else I develop a muscle strain in my feet. It’s a constant struggle!

Find a pair of Steve Madden Momentum sneakers:

• Sizes: 5-12 • Width: M • Price: $45-75 from Steve Madden, Amazon & Zappos

The post Steve Madden Sneakers Review: Momentum Style appeared first on Barking Dog Shoes.

Ecco Soft 7 Sneakers

My Ecco sneakers have become the first pair of shoes I reach for when packing for any trip, be it a weekend getaway to visit a friend, or an extended European vacation. Why? Let’s start with versatility.

I’m a committed light packer, and nothing takes up more space and weight in a suitcase than multiple pairs of bulky shoes. So any style that works equally well with shorts and a t-shirt, dressier pants, a trim skirt and blouse or a breezy dress is a slam dunk. Ecco sneakers are it.

Beth in her Ecco Soft 7 sneakers

Comfort is another key consideration. You’ve probably seen women teetering through an airport in pointy pumps or boots with 4-inch heels. But for me – unless there’s a wedding or gala involved – no shoe makes the packing list that isn’t 100 percent comfortable. Ecco sneakers shine in this department.

They have the best arch support of any non-workout sneaker I’ve worn. The leather upper is soft and forgiving and good underfoot cushioning means all-day walkability with no aching legs. The lace-up styling provides welcome adjustability for wider or narrower feet, or for feet that tend to swell on airplanes or during warm weather. A partial leather lining adds breathability, and the removable insole features the Ecco Comfort Fibre System, which helps keep the shoes fresh and dry.

At first I found it hard to believe all these comfort features could be found in such a sleek, stylish shoe, but the proof is in the wearing. My Ecco Soft 7 sneakers have taken me to parks, museums, restaurants, shopping malls, botanic gardens, around cities on long days of sightseeing, on light hikes, around evening fire pits, and on trains, planes and automobiles everywhere in between. They really are the perfect travel shoe. Pack them with a comfy pair of flip flops for around the hotel or AirBNB (I love both my Vionic Beach Pismo and Teva Mush flip flops), consider adding one other pair of sleek, semi-dressy comfortable shoes (like these Allbirds flats) and you’ll be good to go. Need more ankle coverage? Check out Joanne’s review of the Ecco Soft 7 bootie.

Find the Ecco Soft 7 sneaker in 11 colors, euro sizes 35-43 (4.5-12) for $160 from Zappos and Nordstrom and  Find a deal on the Soft 7 at Amazon.

Ecco Soft 7 Sneakers

The post Ecco Sneakers: Soft 7 Lace-Up Review appeared first on Barking Dog Shoes.

Best Walking Shoes:

You’ve no doubt heard the Hoka hype and wondered if they live up to it. I think it’s more than a fad at this point, Hoka is here to stay. The Bondi style seems to be a favorite among fitness walkers. Happy Hoka customer Pat says this about the Bondi 9:

“I am a walker but prefer a running shoe for the extra support. Hoka brand was recommended to me by my orthopedic foot specialist. I have bunions and at the time a numb toe due to back issues. I have since had a lumbar fusion and decided to try these shoes once I started walking again. They are wonderful for the support and comfort for both my back and feet.”

Try for yourself! Hoka offers a 30 day guarantee (take them on a test walk/run and if you’re not satisfied, return them in 30 days for a full refund or exchange). Find a pair of Hoka Bondi 9s in sizes 5-12, medium and wide widths for $175 from Hoka. Also available through Zappos and Amazon.

Best workout shoe for bunions / wide forefoot

What do I currently wear for fitness walking? The fifty-something author of this site with rheumatoid arthritis and myriad foot problems? The Topo Athletic Atmos, of course! See my detailed review here. Basically, it’s a low drop shoe (5mm) with great arch support, firm but lightweight cushioning with a generous toe box but snug fit at the mid foot and heel–perfection for my wonky feet. Find a pair of Topo Athletic Atmos shoes in sizes 6-12, medium and wide widths for $123-164.95 from Topo Athletic, Zappos and Amazon.

Honorable Mention: Ryka walking shoes (women-specific fit, good cushioning, moderate arch support); Easy Spirit Punter (wide toe box, multiple widths, removable insole for orthotic).

Best workout shoe in multiple widths

The Brooks Adrenaline GTS comes highly recommended by our Facebook community of fitness walkers with problem feet. It provides excellent support, stability and comes in hard to find sizes like 11.5 extra wide! Plus, it works well with orthotics (perhaps order up a half size?). The Brook Adrenaline GTS 23 is available in sizes 5-13, narrow to extra wide for $99-140 from Brooks Running, Zappos, and Amazon.

Best workout shoe for plantar fasciitis:

Do you have extra high arches? Chances are you supinate when you walk and run (under-pronate). The motion of pronation (rolling in of the foot during the stride) is how a normal foot absorbs shock. High arches are rigid and don’t allow the foot to roll inward therefore placing too much weight on the outer edge of the foot. Overtime, the runner (or walker) experiences tight Achilles tendon, knee pain and tight hips. We recommend the Saucony Ride 17, a lightweight yet well-cushioned shoe with a wide base for stability. Take it from a happy Saucony customer:

“This is my fifth version of these shoes and I feel like these are the most comfortable and well designed ones yet. Great for supination. They have great stability and cushion and felt amazing right out of the box.”

…and an even happier Zappos customer:

“First of all I supinate & have high arches. Then I had to have right hip & right knee replaced, so it has been hard to find shoes. I I have read about every review & YouTube video there is. These Saucony Ride 17 are awesome. I discovered I can only have a foot drop of 8mm. If you need cushioning, theses are for you. I tried Hoka, Asics, Brooks, etc, but these are the best.”

Find the Saucony Ride 17 in sizes 5-12 for $105-140 from Saucony, Zappos and Nordstrom.

If you absolutely can’t bear the thought of cramped toes in your workout shoes, let us introduce you to Altra shoes. Their trademarked FootShape fit is a fast friend to feet with bunions, hammertoes, arthritic forefoot, or toes that crave space.

Available in sizes 5.5-12 for $140 from Altra Running, Zappos, and Amazon.

The post Best Workout Shoes for Problem Feet? See Our Top 6 Picks appeared first on Barking Dog Shoes.

Disclaimer: I am not a runner. I wear running shoes to work out because they cushion my joints better than other types of fitness shoes (I do an interval-type workout of elliptical, rower and weights along with Zumba dance). If you have compromised joints yet still enjoy working out, read on. Or if you wear custom orthotics and have a difficult time finding an exercise shoe to accommodate them, watch the above On Cloud 5 review by yours truly (the pick up a pair of Not Socks orthotic covers–the combo of On Clouds +orthotics+Not Socks has been a game-changer for me–see my Not Socks review here).

It was 2018 when I bought my first and only (until now) pair of On Cloud shoes. The pod-soled shoes hadn’t trended yet but the initial reviews were stellar. At the time, there were only a few styles to choose from, so I opted for the original On Cloud sneaker–similar to the one featured above. I loved how lightweight they felt on my aching RA feet and how the mesh uppers conformed to my bunions and hammertoes. But over time, I opted for more supportive footwear as I found the arch support of the On Clouds to be minimal to moderate at best.

Fast forward six years and On Cloud shoes have taken off among Lululemon moms, Gen-X dads, health professionals, serious athletes…and then there’s me: 50-something former teacher with rheumatoid arthritis that has ruined her feet. Yep, I bought myself the same basic On shoes I wore back in 2018 with a new motivation: I wanted a pair of stylish sneakers that would accommodate my new clunky orthotics. I already have my favorite fitness shoes for Zumba and long walks (Topo Athletic), but I wanted something a little spiffier for casual outings around town.

I read that the On Cloud 5 runs just a little short, so I ordered the 10.5 (glad they carry this unicorn size). They accommodate my orthotics perfectly as you can see in the above video. The speed lacing system stretches nicely to conform to my instep which an be painful due to midfoot arthritis and a bone spur on top of my left foot (I swear, I’m falling apart).

Of course, the signature CloudTec® cushioning pods on the outsole provide that springy, lightweight feel that I remember from my very first pair of On Cloud shoes six years ago. These are keepers. Whatever it takes to cheer up my sad feet, I’m ON it!

• Sizes: womens 5-12, mens 7-15 • Width: M • Price: $160 from ON, Zappos, Amazon & Nordstrom

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The post On Cloud 5 Review from a Non-Runner with Rheumatoid Arthritis appeared first on Barking Dog Shoes.

The incredible Birkenstock Bend sneaker is the magic bullet for alleviating discomfort from foot maladies such as plantar fasciitis, over-pronation, fallen arches, metatarsalgia, Morton’s neuroma, bunions, etc.

Watch my video review to find out more about the Birkenstock Bend and its comfort features. I call my Birkenstock Arizona sandals my “second feet” since they provide the support and comfort my troubled feet need–rheumatoid arthritis has done a number on my feet. So imagine my excitement to discover that Birkenstock makes a sneaker with the same contoured cork and latex footbed that I’ve come to know and love. Plus, the toe box is roomy and accommodates bunions, tailor’s bunions and other forefoot issues.

If you need to use a custom orthotic, the footbed in the Birkenstock Bend is removable and replaceable (but the footbed is so wonderfully supportive, you may not need your orthotics).

I wear a euro 41 for my size 10 feet and they fit like a dream (I also wear a narrow/medium width which fits like a true medium). The Birkenstock Bend is available in euro sizes 36-42 for $150 from Nordstrom, Zappos and Amazon.

Find a pair of Birkenstock Bend sneakers for a fraction of retail price from my curated collection on eBay!

The post Birkenstock Bend Review: The Good For You Sneaker appeared first on Barking Dog Shoes.

Transcript from Kizik Athens Review video

Hi, I’m Kirsten from BarkingDogShoes.com and today I’m reviewing the Kizik Athens. Let’s take these for a walk! It’s a lovely morning here along the White River in Indiana. I’m going to be walking in my new Kiziks and giving you a play by play of how they feel on my feet as we take a little walk. So join me! My first thought is that the toe box feels really good. And as you know, I have rheumatoid arthritis in my forefoot and pretty much all over my body, along with bunions and tailors bunions.

These are really airy feeling too. I have them on with a pair of socks. I wear a lot of my shoes without socks because that extra space that they take up can sometimes irritate the tops of my feet. But anyway I have a pair of Bombas socks on.

So the arch support is moderate. It’s definitely not enhanced. It’s not going to feel like, for example, my Topos that have enhanced arch support or perhaps, you know, anything like my Birkenstocks that I live in. But it’s roomy enough to accommodate an orthotic. In fact, I have a family member that has to wear orthotics every single day. So she bought a pair of Kiziks and they work really well with her orthotics.

The feature that differentiated Kizik from other sneakers is this interesting bounce-back heel that allows you to slip the shoes on hands free and have it pop right back into place. The Kizik Athens also features a dense outsole made of something called rabbit foam. I’m not sure what that means, maybe because it gives you the hops! I like how the shoe does not flex too much at the forefoot. We’ve talked about this before on here –that if you have hallux rigidus or hallux limitus or anything else that causes pain in the forefoot, you don’t want a shoe that flexes too much.

You should note that the footbed is removable. It offers moderate arch support, but it allows plenty of room for you to insert your own orthotic. This hands-free spring back heel can be super helpful, a godsend if you’re pregnant and you can’t tie your shoes in the last trimester. If you have rheumatoid arthritis or other arthritic conditions in your hands that make tying laces just really irritating.

If you’ve just had surgery and you can’t bend over to tie your shoes, if you’re aging and it’s just difficult to get your foot in position to tie them, then Kizik is a brand you’re going to want to look into. This is only one of many styles. The Kizik Athens is available in sizes 5 to 13, medium and wide widths. They also make them for kids and men too. If I was a mom of youngins these days, I would definitely get a pair of these for them because I remember my boys. They were never taking the time to untie or tie their laces. They were constantly crushing down the heel of their shoes until there was absolutely no heel counter left. That’s not the case with these. This will compress down and pop right back up!

Find the Kizik Athens (and other hands-free Kizik styles) in whole and half sizes 6-13, medium and wide (EE) widths for $70-129 from Kizik. Update 2025: Kizik released the Athens 2 with a gender-specific fit, better traction and a rocker sole!

The post Kizik Athens Video Review: Hands Free and Orthotic-Friendly appeared first on Barking Dog Shoes.

Hi! I’m Liz – a florist at the Sweetbay shop, entrepreneur and mom of two young kids. My daily routine involves countless hours on my feet from lugging heavy buckets full of water, to standing in place designing for hours at a time.

I’ve had Hallux Rigidus for a good 15 years now and have been through all the ups and downs of shoe styles for this painful condition. I have very little mobility in both my big toes with large red bones spurs on top of my feet. They are quite pronounced and painful to look at.

Style is hugely important to me and I was on the lookout for a metallic sneaker that felt chic and of course comfortable. Luckily, I stumbled upon Steve Madden’s “Momentum!”

It was love at first sight. The working Velcro straps are perfect for adjusting width to accommodate a bone spur in the front, but also make the shoe snug enough for those that have a narrow foot. I actually like that I can tighten the straps to really hug my foot. I ordered my larger shoe size ( 11 ) in hopes that it will allow for some more extra width.

I will share that these are a more flexible sole – I actually can tolerate that well as long as the upper is not pressing down on the toe box. If you require a stiff, rocker sole I wouldn’t recommend this sneaker. These are cushy, support my feet, knees and back for a long 8-10 hours standing on my feet. I can wear my Momentums to an event installation carting back and up and down ladders and feel comfortable and stylish (I think they would even look cute with a dress or skirt).

This shoe is available in medium width only, but with the Velcro closures I find the width flexible.

As an aside, I cannot wear the same shoe two days in a row. My feet and toes overcompensate for the hallux rigidus issues and I find that I need to rotate shoes constantly to change it up or else I develop a muscle strain in my feet. It’s a constant struggle!

Find a pair of Steve Madden Momentum sneakers in sizes 5.5-11 for $75 from Zappos, Amazon and Steve Madden.

The post Steve Madden Sneakers Review: Momentum Style appeared first on Barking Dog Shoes.

Best Walking Shoes:

You’ve no doubt heard the Hoka hype and wondered if they live up to it. I think it’s more than a fad at this point, Hoka is here to stay. The Bondi style seems to be a favorite among fitness walkers. Happy Hoka customer Pat says this about the Bondi 8:

“I am a walker but prefer a running shoe for the extra support. Hoka brand was recommended to me by my orthopedic foot specialist. I have bunions and at the time a numb toe due to back issues. I have since had a lumbar fusion and decided to try these shoes once I started walking again. They are wonderful for the support and comfort for both my back and feet.”

Try for yourself! Hoka offers a 30 day guarantee (take them on a test walk/run and if you’re not satisfied, return them in 30 days for a full refund or exchange). Find a pair of Hoka Bondi 8s in sizes 5-12, medium and wide widths for $165 from Hoka. Also available through Zappos and Amazon.

What do I currently wear for fitness walking? The fifty-something author of this site with rheumatoid arthritis and myriad foot problems? The Topo Athletic Atmos, of course! See my detailed review here. Basically, it’s a low drop shoe (5mm) with great arch support, firm but lightweight cushioning with a generous toe box but snug fit at the mid foot and heel–perfection for my wonky feet. Find a pair of Topo Athletic Atmos shoes in sizes 6-12, medium and wide widths for $160 from Topo Athletic, Zappos and Amazon.

Honorable Mention: Ryka walking shoes (women-specific fit, good cushioning, moderate arch support); Easy Spirit Punter (wide toe box, multiple widths, removable insole for orthotic).

The Brooks Adrenaline GTS comes highly recommended by our Facebook community of fitness walkers with problem feet. It provides excellent support, stability and comes in hard to find sizes like 11.5 extra wide! Plus, it works well with orthotics (perhaps order up a half size?). The Brook Adrenaline GTS 23 is available in sizes 5-13, narrow to extra wide for $99-140 from Brooks Running, Zappos, and Amazon.

Best Running Shoes for foot pain:

Whether you’re a serious runner or just starting a couch to 5k training program, we think you’ll hit your stride in the On Cloudflyer. It’s an amazing combination of stability with a lightweight ride (plus we love the streamlined, futuristic aesthetic). The outsole may look gimmicky, but the “cloud” pods provide support and cushioning (instead of multiple layers of foam or a posted heel). Watch this video to find out how the pods function through the stride:

I

own the On Cloud shoe and wear them for fast walks on the treadmill at Orangetheory the last few months, I’ve noticed more and more women wearing On shoes, so I asked a lady what she liked about her new On Cloudflyers. She’s returning to running after knee surgery and loves how the Cloudflyer provides shock-absorption and the right amount of support for her slight over-pronating ankles. She mentioned that the lateral support of the Cloudflyer is better than the Cloud making it a good choice for the floor work portion at Orange Theory.

The On Cloudflyer is recommended for the moderate overpronator and is available in whole and half sizes 5-11 for $159.95 from On.

Do you have extra high arches? Chances are you supinate when you walk and run (under-pronate). The motion of pronation (rolling in of the foot during the stride) is how a normal foot absorbs shock. High arches are rigid and don’t allow the foot to roll inward therefore placing too much weight on the outer edge of the foot. Overtime, the runner (or walker) experiences tight Achilles tendon, knee pain and tight hips. We recommend the Saucony Ride 17, a lightweight yet well-cushioned shoe with a wide base for stability. Take it from a happy Saucony customer:

“This is my fifth version of these shoes and I feel like these are the most comfortable and well designed ones yet. Great for supination. They have great stability and cushion and felt amazing right out of the box.”

…and an even happier Zappos customer:

“First of all I supinate & have high arches. Then I had to have right hip & right knee replaced, so it has been hard to find shoes. I I have read about every review & YouTube video there is. These Saucony Ride 17 are awesome. I discovered I can only have a foot drop of 8mm. If you need cushioning, theses are for you. I tried Hoka, Asics, Brooks, etc, but these are the best.”

Find the Saucony Ride 17 in sizes 5-12 for $105-140 from Saucony, Zappos and Nordstrom.

If you absolutely can’t bear the thought of cramped toes in your workout shoes, let us introduce you to Altra shoes. Their trademarked FootShape fit is a fast friend to feet with bunions, hammertoes, arthritic forefoot, or toes that crave space.]

Available in sizes 5.5-12 for $140 from Altra Running, Zappos, and Amazon.

The post Best Workout Shoes for Problem Feet? See Our Top 6 Picks appeared first on Barking Dog Shoes.

I actually said these words last night to my husband, “I’m scared of spring because of my toes.” Some of you will catch my drift immediately. But with a little bit of Jergens Natural Glow and a breezy pair of Vionic Pismo sneakers, I will march forward with confidence into a new season. I’m waiting on my order, but wanted to get the word out about the Vionic Pismo as I predict it will sell out quickly. And thank you, Vionic, for bringing back this beachy-vibe sneaker as I thought it was gone forever! I will update this post when I have the shoes on my feet. In the meantime, let’s hear how the Vionic Pismo fits and feels from heel to toe based on customer reviews.

• Heels: this shoe fits snugly at heels mainly due to the elasticized no-tie laces that turn it into a slip-on and the close fit at the ankle.
• Instep: Due to the stretch cotton no-tie laces, the Pismo may fit tight over the instep, which is good if you have a low volume foot, but may cause some discomfort if your foot is high volume (more information about low volume/high volume feet here).
• Insole support: If you’re familiar with Vionic’s trademark orthotic-like arch support, the Pismo may let you down. Think of it this way, this casual beachy-vibe shoe is not meant to be a walking shoe, rather a more supportive alternative to Keds, Vans, Sanuks and Toms. 73% of Zappos reviewers feel the Pismo offers moderate arch support. The insole is removable, but probably won’t accommodate a full orthotic well due to its snug fit and low profile, however I did read that someone was able to wear the Pismo comfortably with her 3/4 orthotic under the insole.
• Insole cushioning: some reviews mention that the cushioning is minimal.
• Toe box: while the shape isn’t overly wide, the Vionic Pismo should accommodate a medium to slightly wide forefoot with no problem. If you have moderate to large bunions, you may find the toe box too narrow. Note the stitching at the bunion could cause irritation.
• Fabric: soft ethically-produced cotton and recycled jersey textile. Machine washable.
• Sole: TPR outsole (thermoplastic rubber).
• Fit: most customers state that the Pismo runs true to size and best fits a slightly narrow to slightly wide foot.

The Vionic Pismo is available in a variety of colors, sizes 5-12, medium and wide widths for $66-70 from VionicShoes.com, Zappos, and Amazon.

Vionic Pismo

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The Allbirds Wool Runner GO is a welcome update to the original wool runners for three main reasons discussed in my video above. 

1. More structure than the originals! You can see in my video how the merino wool upper is thicker and sturdier than the originals which means the shoe keeps its shape after wear. No more sloppy fit. 
2. The SweetFoam® midsole is thicker and sturdier. I always found my heels and ball-of-foot area sunk into the original midsole leading to plantar fasciitis pain. My feet feel better supported in the Allbirds Wool Runner Go sneakers. This is also good news for feet that suffer from hallux limitus or hallux rigidus (big toe arthritis). The shoe doesn’t bend as much at the forefoot, protecting the big toe. 
3. Half sizes = better fit. There’s even a unicorn women’s 10.5!

My biggest concern about the updated Allbirds Wool Runner Go is not so much the width of the toe box, rather the height. It seems shallower. This could be good news if you have a low volume foot, but you may find the shoe feels tight across the top initially. I’m fairly certain the wool will stretch out with time, but that’s my initial take.

The women’s Allbirds Wool Runner Go is available in whole and half sizes 5-11 for $71-110; men’s version in whole and half sizes 8-14 for $71-110.

What are your thoughts on the Allbirds Wool Runner Go? Leave a comment below and let us know!

The post Allbirds Wool Runner GO Review 2025: Improved Structure and Support appeared first on Barking Dog Shoes.