I really wanted to love Adidas Samba sneakers because they’re so chic, sleek, street-smart. But they were too low, flat and narrow on my pickety feet. If you’re young, go for a pair. If you’re older with a pair of great feet–again, go for the Sambas. But if you’ve accepted the fact that the dogs aren’t getting any younger but still love a trendy sneaker, then the Grand Court Alpha might be for you.

The Adidas Grand Court Alpha is the puffier, fluffier, roomier version of the Samba. In my video I describe the lovable features such as the Cloudfoam cushioned midsole, roomy toe box and sturdy rubber outsole. I love the densely cushioned tongue, ankle and heel. Best of all, I can fit my custom orthotics in with no problem at all.

The Grand Court Alpha runs true to size lengthwise and fits a little on the wide side. The color of mine is called wonder taupe (slightly mauve).

• Sizes: 5.5-11 • Width: M (generous fit) • Price: $50-80 from Amazon, Zappos & Nordstrom Rack • Find a deal on eBay!

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Introduction

Hi, I’m Kirsten, a 50-something active mom, wife and former teacher who loves reviewing the most comfortable shoes for women. Living with rheumatoid arthritis gives me a unique perspective when evaluating shoe comfort and support. Today, I’m sharing my experience with the Altra Experience Flow 2, a lightweight yet thoughtfully designed running/walking shoe.

Fit & Sizing

Weight is often underrated—this shoe weighs just over 7 ounces, making it feel almost weightless out of the box. My first concern? Whether such a light shoe could support my feet, especially with chunky orthotics.

I ordered a size 10.5, intentionally sizing up as this model runs small, and to accommodate my orthotic. The fit was just right, especially with thin, seamless ankle socks; my toes reach the front without feeling cramped, and a little lace loosening gives relief for my tailors bunion.

Comfort & Design Features

Altra’s FootShape toe box is a consistent winner. The Flow 2 uses the standard foot shape—roomy without going overboard. If you need more or less space, Altra offers “original” (wider) or “slim” foot shape versions.

The thick, padded tongue provides excellent protection and comfort, especially around the ankle and lace area. The upper feels snug yet breathable, flexing naturally without squeezing. I also appreciate the densely cushioned heel tab at the back of the shoe.

Ride, Cushioning & Stability

The rocker sole delivers a smooth forward roll that eases pressure on both forefoot and heel. Cushioning is light, bouncy, and springy—EGO P35 foam feels softer and slightly more responsive than Topo Athletic’s Zipfoam(Believe in the Run).

The 4 mm heel-to-toe drop gives a subtle lift that’s easier on the plantar fascia but still maintains that grounded Altra feel.

Who Should Try This Shoe?

The Altra Experience Flow 2 is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a shoe that is:

• Arthritis-friendly – The rocker sole helps reduce joint stress and makes walking smoother, which is ideal for people managing foot pain or stiffness.
• Orthotic compatible – With the right sizing, this shoe easily accommodates custom inserts, making it a smart pick for those who rely on podiatrist-prescribed orthotics.
• Rocker sole comfort – Perfect for walkers and runners who want a shoe that propels them forward and eases pressure on the forefoot and heel.
• Everyday versatility – Light enough for exercise yet cushioned for all-day wear, making it a great option if you’re on your feet a lot.

If you’ve struggled with narrow shoes or need something that combines comfort, support, and lightweight design, the Altra Experience Flow 2 deserves a spot on your list.

Find a Pair of Altra Experience Flow 2 Shoes:

• Sizes: Women’s: 5.5-12; Men’s: 7-15 • Width: Medium/Regular with Standard Footshape Toe Box • Price: $84-140 from Altra Running with a free 30 day trial.

The post Altra Experience Flow 2 Shoe 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.

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 am currently five weeks post-op after a big toe cheilectomy and removal of fifth toe metatarsal head, both RA related. I’d love to say that I’m back to fitness walking and Zumba, but no…at least not to pre-op fitness levels. But the goal is to reduce pain and increase range of motion, so I’ll be patient (after my doctor told me to chill with the 10k steps a day for now).

Do you have hallux rigidus? Perhaps you have forefoot pain due to metatarsalgia or bunions? Or maybe, like me, you’re post-op and need a shoe with a nice wide toebox, dense cushioning, good support and rocker sole. Enter the Topo Athletic Atmos.

Does your podiatrist or orthopedic surgeon recommend Hoka as the true north of recovery, post-operative footwear? Mine does too. I’ve tried a few styles and they just don’t work for me–the toe box isn’t welcoming to the sides of my feet (bunions, tailor’s bunions, scars and inflammation). But Topo is. More than any other fitness shoe I’ve tried. Watch my video review to find out more about fit, feel and function of the Topo Atmos.

Find a pair of these one-of-a-kind fitness shoes in women’s sizes 5-11, medium and wide widths for $159.95 from Zappos, TopoAthletic.com, and Amazon.

Read my original review of the Topo Athletic UltraFly 3 from two years ago (I still wear them)!

The post Topo Athletic Atmos Review by a Non-Runner with RA appeared first on Barking Dog Shoes.

The answer is a resounding YES. We left the Chicago area for an Indiana town a few months ago. Among the biggest challenges was finding a fitness class to replace my beloved Zumba (which was more than just an exercise class, but a community of friends). I stumbled upon a gym offering High Fitness which is “old school aerobics made modern.”

I loved my first class but left discouraged. The instructor and attendees were so welcoming, and the workout was fun and intense, but my feet were killing me. I’m delaying bunion and tailor’s bunion surgery until later in the year, so in the meantime need a fitness/walking shoe that has a wide enough toe box to accommodate the painful bumps on BOTH sides of my feet! A tall order. Enter Topo Athletic shoes…

These two details caught my attention when the Topo Ultrafly entered my Zappos search:

• Wide and “foot-shaped” without looking clown-like.
• Narrows at the mid-foot below the bunion area.

Next I noticed that 72% of Zappos customers left a 5-star review for the Topo Ultrafly 3. I started reading why and added them to my cart. I’m so glad I did. After wearing my new Topo shoes for a few weeks now to High Fitness, for walks and short jogs on the treadmill and around the neighborhood, here’s why they’re my new wonder shoes:

• While the toe box is roomy, the midfoot and heel remain nice and snug to (as Topo says it best, “reduce the sloppy, disconnected feel often associated with wider-fitting footwear).
• The arch support is noticeable–perfect for my moderately high arches.
• Zipfoam midsole provides better cushioning and resilience than typical EVA.
• Low-drop not zero-drop. HTT (or heel-to-toe drop) is a hotly debated discussion in the running world. Read more here. I like the feel of the 5mm drop of the Topo Ultrafly 3 (as opposed to Altra zero drop).
• Soft, breathable mesh uppers with no noticeable seams to irritate toes.
• My size 10 feet don’t look ridiculously huge despite the wide toe box.
• When I jog (albeit for very short stints), the dense, yet firm cushioning keeps heels and knees from aching.
• My toes don’t go numb in High Fitness class and I can still pivot well (good traction, but not “sticky”).

Overall, I’m thrilled with my new purchase and highly recommend Topo Athletic shoes needs a supportive fitness shoe with a roomy toe box without a sloppy fit. Find the Topo Ultrafly in sizes 6-12 for $140 from Topo Athletic, Zappos and Amazon.

Need more convincing? Read a few reviews from others with severe problem feet who LOVE their Topo Athletic shoes.

Do you need a shoe with max cushioning like the Hoka Bondi but with a more generous toe box? See my review of the newer Topo Athletic Atmos!

Disclosure: This site receives compensation for this article as well as for purchases made when you click on a link and make a purchase. 

The post Topo Athletic Shoes Review: Roomy Toe Box with Great Support appeared first on Barking Dog Shoes.