Revere strives to provide a perfect fit with adjustable straps (and strap extenders), contoured arch support, removable footbeds in all shoes and some sandals, and more!

We all know how difficult it is to find a ballet flat with good arch support, let alone the capacity to accommodate bunions and hammertoes, but the Nairobi does all that and more with style and grace! The designers of the Nairobi somehow figured out how to add enhanced arch support and heel cushioning without adding bulk to this sleek skimmer. My arches feel supported and my heels aren’t complaining after standing on hard floors. The footbed is removable and could probably fit a dress orthotic well.

The Revere Nairobi flat features a vamp that crosses the foot below the bunions, enveloping them in soft leather with no irritation. I have tailor’s bunions, but you’d never know in these sweet flats. And if you’re as unfortunate as me to have hammertoes, you understand that most flats can’t accommodate them as the toe box is just too shallow. For a shoe with a low profile silhouette, the Nairobi does a fairly good job at making room for hammertoes–the leather is very soft and forgiving.

The Nairobi comes with two sets of fillers: a full-length unit if the flats are feeling a little too roomy and a forefoot fitter to help prevent heel slippage.

The fit is true to size and best fits a narrow to medium width foot. Find the Revere Nairobi in six colors, whole sizes 5-12 (size up if a half size) for $149.95 from Comfort Co Shoes (use code BARKINGDOG for 15% off purchase).

Searching for a stylish sandal that can take on your orthotics, adjust to the shape of your foot and compliment your warm-weather wardrobe? Consider the Emerald, Revere’s much-loved adjustable sandal. If you find Vionic’s arch support to be too rigid or aggressive, I think you’ll like the feel of the Emerald sandal’s footbed–it’s definitely noticeable, filling in the arch area without pushing up uncomfortably. Plus, if you have wide feet, a pair of strap extenders is included with the purchase!

The adjustability is helpful for high or low volume feet, feet that swell, or need extra room for bunions or wider forefoot. Read a recent Revere customer testimonial for the Emerald sandal:

My knee pain improves markedly when I wear these sandals. And the adjustable straps mean my large bunions easily fit into the sandal. I can walk all day in these sandals without limping at all.

The Revere Emerald is available in whole sizes 5-12, medium and wide widths for $169.95 from Comfort Co Shoes (use code BARKINGDOG for 15% off purchase).

Do you wear an AFO (ankle-foot orthosis)? Did you know that you too can wear cute sandals? Revere’s Geneva closed-heel sandal may be your answer!

The post Revere Shoes Rave Review: Find A Perfect Fit for Your Finicky Feet appeared first on Barking Dog Shoes.

Someone recommended UIN shoes over on my BarkingDogShoes.com Facebook page, so I had to investigate and I’m glad I did. They appeal to my creative, whimsical, free-spirited side and also to my slightly less prominent practical side.

The upper is made of 100% cotton canvas. It’s lightweight, breathable and easy on the toe bumps (bunions, hammertoes, bone spurs). The intricate designs are created with digital inkjet technology which means they’ll stay vivid, no fading (even through washes–yes! they’re machine washable).

The toe box is generous allowing toes to spread out and there’s an elastic goring inset at the instep that allows the shoe to stretch for easy on and off.

The EVA outsole is lightweight and features a fairly detailed map of Toledo, Spain (the artistic designer’s hometown).

UIN shoes feature a removable Ortholite footbed (you can see what it looks like in above video) which is key for me as I must wear custom orthotics to keep my arthritic feet from complaining. They fit nicely into the Toledo 1 canvas slip-on and provide needed structure to the shoe. I did order up a half size to make sure I had plenty of room for orthotics.

I’m anticipating wearing my new UIN shoes on an upcoming trip to the Mayan Riviera. They seem like perfect airport shoes (easy on and off) and lightweight walk-about shoes on days I want my toes covered. I’ll report back!

The UIN Toledo 1 canvas slip-on runs wide and is available in women’s sizes 5.5-10.5 and men’s sizes 6.5-12.5 for $120-145 from Uin Footwear and Amazon. Find a pair for 50% off in Uin’s sale section.

There is free shipping/returns available for both sites, just note that it can take up to 10 days to receive shoes with a 30 day return window (full disclosure: shoes originated in Spain but are now made in China–read more here).

The post UIN Shoes Review: Wearable (and Comfortable!) Art for Your Feet 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.

Do you have thick orthotics that already take up too much room in your shoes? Do socks just complicate the issue? Have you gone sockless with your orthotics to an exercise class and vowed never to do that again? Not Socks are for you and me! They’re soft, moisture-wicking, odor-controlling, washable and fit perfectly over your orthotics or insoles! Brilliant.

One size fits most (women size 4 up to mens size 12). Available in one-pack for $12.95 and two-pack for $19.95 with free shipping over $25 from NotSocks.

The post Not Socks: Cover Your Orthotics and Not Your Feet! appeared first on Barking Dog Shoes.

Someone recommended UIN shoes over on my BarkingDogShoes.com Facebook page, so I had to investigate and I’m glad I did. They appeal to my creative, whimsical, free-spirited side and also to my slightly less prominent practical side.

The upper is made of 100% cotton canvas. It’s lightweight, breathable and easy on the toe bumps (bunions, hammertoes, bone spurs). The intricate designs are created with digital inkjet technology which means they’ll stay vivid, no fading (even through washes–yes! they’re machine washable).

The toe box is generous allowing toes to spread out and there’s an elastic goring inset at the instep that allows the shoe to stretch for easy on and off.

The EVA outsole is lightweight and features a fairly detailed map of Toledo, Spain (the artistic designer’s hometown).

UIN shoes feature a removable Ortholite footbed (you can see what it looks like in above video) which is key for me as I must wear custom orthotics to keep my arthritic feet from complaining. They fit nicely into the Toledo 1 canvas slip-on and provide needed structure to the shoe. I did order up a half size to make sure I had plenty of room for orthotics.

I’m anticipating wearing my new UIN shoes on an upcoming trip to the Mayan Riviera. They seem like perfect airport shoes (easy on and off) and lightweight walk-about shoes on days I want my toes covered. I’ll report back!

The UIN Toledo 1 canvas slip-on runs wide and is available in women’s sizes 5.5-10.5 and men’s sizes 6.5-12.5 for $69-95 from UINFootwear.com and Amazon. For UIN shoes that are available for US local delivery in 7 days, click here.

There is free shipping/returns available for both sites, just note that it can take up to 10 days to receive shoes with a 30 day return window (full disclosure: shoes originated in Spain but are now made in China–read more here).

The post UIN Shoes Review: Wearable (and Comfortable!) Art for Your Feet appeared first on Barking Dog Shoes.

We hear you and we’re here to help. While we’re tempted to simply recommend a Birkenstock or Vionic sandal since both offer excellent orthotic-like support, we understand the importance of sticking to a doctor’s order to wear orthotic-friendly sandals to remedy your foot issue whatever it may be: over-pronation, supination, planter fasciitis, Morton’s neuroma. Keep in mind that it can be tricky to get a perfect fit when using a custom orthotic in a sandal. You may have to trim the orthotic a bit or order a larger size sandal.

Is it still a sandal with a closed heel? We say yes because you can still show off a great pedicure. The Naot Papaki features a removable footbed with ability to accommodate an orthotic and keep it secure. 

A happy Zappos customer says this about her new orthotic-friendly sandals:

Fit was true to size. I took out the insole and replaced it with my orthotics. The sandals were tan and my orthotic is lined in black- so there’s that: tan sandal with a black insole. I should have ordered a black sandal, I guess. I was amazed at how well the orthotic is hidden! How wonderful it is not to have to clomp around in running shoes in warm weather. These sandals are extremely comfortable. I am going to order a second pair!

Find the Naot Papaki in euro sizes 35-43 (4-12) for $189.95 from Naot, Zappos, and Nordstrom.

The Orthofeet Paloma is no frills on the outside but has some serious comfort technology going on in the inside. We highly recommend watching the video from podiatrist Dr. Splichal below the sandal description here. The Paloma features a removable footbed and can accommodate a custom orthotic, but you may find the original support to be perfect as is. Each pair comes with an additional arch booster which can be inserted under the footbed for enhanced arch support. Find the Orthofeet Paloma in sizes 5-12, medium and wide widths for $99.95 from Orthofeet.com.

If you’re looking for a budget AND orthotic friendly sandal, take a look at the Propet June. The insole is removable and footbed deep enough to accommodate most orthotics. Two adjustable straps provide a custom fit across narrow to wide feet. Find the Propet June in sizes 6-11, medium to extra wide width for $89.95 from Zappos and Amazon.

Finn Comfort continues to handcraft their footwear in Germany and the Gomera sandal is a classic. The footbed is amazing in its own right with metatarsal and arch support, plus a deep heel cup–but it is removable and accommodates most orthotics well. The rest of the sandal is equally as functional with its four-point adjustability and rocker motion outsole. The Finn Comfort Gomera is available in euro sizes 36-42 (5.5-11) for $285 from Zappos, Nordstrom and Amazon.

Another enclosed-heel sandal for the win! The Revere Geneva gets high marks from orthotic users as the footbed is removable and allows ample room for a custom orthotic. Revere customer Jenni raves:

Great fit, colours, adjustable velcro for straps. Can wear my orthotics easily. Have other Revere shoes but love these the best!

The Revere Geneva comes in seven colors, sizes 5-12, medium and wide widths for $169.95 from RevereShoes.com. Use code BARKINGDOG for 15% off your purchase. Check out Revere’s entire collection of sandals with removable footbeds to accommodate orthotics.

The post 5 Stylish Orthotic Friendly Sandals with Removable Footbeds appeared first on Barking Dog Shoes.

Revere strives to provide a perfect fit with adjustable straps (and strap extenders), contoured arch support, removable footbeds in all shoes and some sandals, and more!

Watch my video review of the new Revere Georgia sandal in gorgeous gold linen leather with removable footbed to accommodate an orthotic or AFO. Find the Georgia sandal in sizes 5-12, medium and wide widths for $159.95 from Revere Shoes (use code BARKINGDOG for 15% off your purchase).

We all know how difficult it is to find a ballet flat with good arch support, let alone the capacity to accommodate bunions and hammertoes, but the Nairobi does all that and more with style and grace! The designers of the Nairobi somehow figured out how to add enhanced arch support and heel cushioning without adding bulk to this sleek skimmer. My arches feel supported and my heels aren’t complaining after standing on hard floors. The footbed is removable and could probably fit a dress orthotic well.

The Revere Nairobi features a vamp that crosses the foot below the bunions, enveloping them in soft leather with no irritation. I have tailor’s bunions, but you’d never know in these sweet flats. And if you’re as unfortunate as me to have hammertoes, you understand that most flats can’t accommodate them as the toe box is just too shallow. For a shoe with a low profile silhouette, the Nairobi does a fairly good job at making room for hammertoes–the leather is very soft and forgiving.

The Nairobi comes with two sets of fillers: a full-length unit if the flats are feeling a little too roomy and a forefoot fitter to help prevent heel slippage.

The fit is true to size and best fits a narrow to medium width foot. Find the Revere Nairobi in six colors, whole sizes 5-12 (size up if a half size) for $129.95 from RevereShoes.com (use code BARKINGDOG for 15% off purchase).

Searching for a stylish sandal that can take on your orthotics, adjust to the shape of your foot and compliment your warm-weather wardrobe? Consider the Emerald, Revere’s much-loved adjustable sandal. If you find Vionic’s arch support to be too rigid or aggressive, I think you’ll like the feel of the Miami sandal’s footbed–it’s definitely noticeable, filling in the arch area without pushing up uncomfortably. Plus, if you have wide feet, a pair of strap extenders is included with the purchase!

The adjustability is helpful for high or low volume feet (explained here), feet that swell, or need extra room for bunions or wider forefoot. Read a recent Revere customer testimonial for the Emerald sandal:

My knee pain improves markedly when I wear these sandals. And the adjustable straps mean my large bunions easily fit into the sandal. I can walk all day in these sandals without limping at all.

The Revere Emerald is available in whole sizes 5-12, medium and wide widths for $89.95-149.95 from RevereShoes.com (use code BARKINGDOG for 15% off purchase).

Do you wear an AFO (ankle-foot orthosis)? Did you know that you too can wear cute sandals? Revere’s Geneva closed-heel sandal may be your answer! Read Victoria’s testimonial:

Looking for a little lift in the form of a supportive, stylish wedge? The Revere Sorrento offers that and more! The Sorrento is my personal favorite of the three that Revere graciously sent to me. The 1.75″ wedge heel is the perfect height to add height without compromising comfort and cork-wrapped footbed feels divine!

In fact, there’s a metatarsal raise to take pressure off the ball of foot. This feature feels awesome if you have any pain in your forefoot from metatarsalgia.

With two adjustable straps (strap extenders included), you get a customized fit across the forefoot and instep. Find the Revere Sorrento in whole sizes 6-12 for $139.95 from RevereShoes.com (15% off with code BARKINGDOG).

The post Revere Shoes Rave Review: Find A Perfect Fit for Your Finicky Feet appeared first on Barking Dog Shoes.

A few months ago, Mark Paigen of Tread Labs reached out to see if I’d be interested in trying out a pair or two of his new arch-specific orthotic insoles. I receive requests like this weekly, so almost let the opportunity pass. But something caught my eye in his initial email that made me pause and reconsider. Mark is the founder of Chaco: the most supportive sport sandal on the market today (diehard Chaco fans swear by the aggressive arch support, adjustability, overall durability…and of course, the cool Z-strap tan lines). We scheduled a phone call, and I realized I was talking to a comfort footwear rockstar.

Tread Labs is Mark’s newest venture: orthotic insoles with medical grade support that come in four arch heights. Brilliant! Each Tread Labs insole feature a two part system: a molded arch support and a replaceable foam top cover. The molded arch support is guaranteed for life–if they crack or break, Tread Labs will replace them for no charge. If the top covers wear down, you can replace them for $15 (they have super-nifty velcro adhesive that attaches to the arch support). Tread Labs stands by their product: you have 30 days to wear them around and if you’re not completely satisfied, you can send them back for a full refund!  Hop on over to the Tread Labs site to read more about what makes their orthotic insoles so unique.

I’ve been battling a bout of plantar fasciitis in my left heel for about a half year. I visited a well-respected podiatrist in the area and he gave me stretches to do, a prescription of Voltaren and recommended soaking my feet in warm then cold water nightly. I appreciate his conservative treatment, but I decided to add a few steps to the doctor’s orders.

I added a pair of Tread Labs Pace insoles to my three-year old Asics (after removing the generic insole it came with). I’ve tried other insoles in these exact shoes, but nothing fit as well and felt as good as Tread Labs. I like how the deep heel cup cradles and centers my heel while the molded arch support helps my natural medium to high arches support and distribute my weight as I exercise. These are a winning combination of structure and cushioning (the top cover features open cell polyurethane foam lasts five time longer than common EVA foam).

After three weeks of doing the work the podiatrist ordered and wearing my Tread Labs insoles, I started to notice some relief in my left heel. When I wasn’t wearing my Asics with added Tread Labs, I wore an unlikely combo of Physix Gear Sport plantar fasciitis socks in hot pink with my blue Birkenstocks around the house. I truly think this crazy combination of stretches, occasional pain reliever, nightly soaks, correct insoles, socks and Birks is healing my PF. I even put my new Tread Labs into a pair of ballet flats to give them a little more support–see here! 

If you’re interested in trying a pair of Tread Labs for yourself, take their “Find your Fit” five-question quiz to see which Tread Labs orthotic insole will serve you best. You can follow Tread Labs on their Facebook page and Twitter page.

I’m interested in hearing from you, readers. While we mainly talk footwear here at the Barking Dog, orthotics can breathe new life into our shoes. Which insoles and orthotics do you like? How have they helped you? Leave a comment and help the Barking Dog community!

The post Tread Labs Orthotic Insoles in 4 Arch Heights [Review] appeared first on Barking Dog Shoes.

Fifteen years and still going strong. We love when shoe companies keep their top-sellers around instead of discontinuing them after a season or two, leaving fans to scour eBay for a lucky find. The Easy Spirit Romy checks all the boxes of a good walking shoe:

Good fit:

A wide toe box provides a comfortable fit for feet with bunions, hammertoes, neuropathy and neuroma. Footwear that fits well in the forefoot often has a sloppy fit at the heel. Not so with the Easy Spirit Romy. Customers remark that their heels stay put with no slipping.

Extended widths:

The Romy comes in a range of widths from super slim to extra wide and half sizes 5-10, 11 and 12. A few color combos come in the hard-to-find 10.5.

Removable insole:

Why buy an expensive gym shoe to accommodate your orthotics when you can find the Easy Spirit Romy for under $70?

Decent arch support:

Most reviewers classify the Romy’s arch support as moderate, not enhanced. This may be a deal-breaker for you, but you can always add your own more supportive insole.

Sturdy, thick sole: 

If your forefoot is plagued with hallux rigidus (stiff big toe), a thick, rigid sole is recommended to protect the tender big toe joint. This feature also helps other foot conditions like plantar fasciitis that are worsened by an over-flexible sole.

Affordable!

For under $70, you get a well-made leather, suede, or mesh walking shoe with a good fit that comes in a variety of colors.

Find the Easy Spirit Romy in sizes 5-12, four widths for $39-75 from EasySpirit.com, Zappos, and Amazon.

Do you own a pair of Romys? Let us know what you think about them in the comments!

See our comfortable sneakers category for more ideas!

The post Easy Spirit Romy: Affordable Support in a Top-Selling Walking Shoe appeared first on Barking Dog Shoes.