1. I-Runner Explorer Trail Shoes – Less well-known but great for hiking; accommodates bunions without being overly wide.

2. Corkys – Affordable, comfortable stylish wedges.

3. Arcopedico – Lightweight, breathable, and supportive, especially good for travel.

4. Brooks Ghost, Brooks Adrenaline – Brooks Ghost is a favorite among runners, with a soft but responsive feel. Adrenaline is good for stability and motion control.

5. Hotter Shoes – Good for wide feet; praised for comfort and durability.

6. Dromedaris – Platform Oxford models are well-loved; some people compare them to Dansko’s Golden Gate line.

7. Lems Primal Zen – A barefoot-style shoe with a wide toe box, suitable for those transitioning to minimalist footwear.

8. Orthofeet – Provides relief for foot pain and is often recommended for those with foot conditions like plantar fasciitis. Great for recovery after surgery.

9. Altra Lone Peak, Altra Olympus, Altra Torin – Zero-drop design with a wide toe box. Lone Peak is preferred for hiking, Olympus for cushioning, and Torin for gym workouts. Some newer models are reported to be narrower than previous versions.

10. Oboz – Well-cushioned hiking shoes that are durable for outdoor adventures.

11. Kuru Sneakers – Good for arch support and a roomy toe box; highly rated for those with foot pain.

12. ABEO – High arch support and custom footbeds available. Styles from sneakers to stylish heels.

13. Frankie4 (Australian brand) – Stylish and orthopedic-friendly; known for their comfortable fit.

14. FitFlop– Loved for cushioned sandals, slippers and sneakers.. Microwobbleboard technology provides extra comfort.

15. Taos – High arch support; their short leather booties are especially comfortable.

16. Aetrex– Good for foot health with stylish options. Aetrex’s cork-based sandals (e.g., Vania and Jillian) are especially well-reviewed.

17. Hartjes (Austrian brand) – High-quality, long-lasting comfort shoes.

18. Topo Athletic – Similar to Altra with a roomy toe box. Good fit at midfoot and heel.

19. Wolky – Comfortable, well-padded sandals with great arch support and adjustable straps.

20. Stegmann – Comfortable clogs with good support. Branching out into sandals, flats and loafers.

21. Sanita – Similar to Dansko, known for strong arch support and all-day wear.

22. Josef Seibel Paloma 03 Chelsea – Good option for Morton’s Neuroma; accommodates orthotics well.

23. Helle Comfort Shoes – Stylish dress sandals with orthopedic benefits.

24. Trotters Sugar Mary Jane – Soft, true wide fit; comfortable and supportive.

25. SAS Pampa Sandal – High-quality, comfortable sandal with good arch support.

26. Bared Footwear – Built-in orthotics, many stylish options, and removable footbeds for custom orthotics.

27. Oofos Recovery Sandals – Great post-workout recovery shoes; help alleviate foot fatigue.

28. Hoff – Fashionable sneakers and sandals with contoured memory foam insoles for comfort.

29. Xelero Shoes – Less commonly known but recommended for foot stability and comfort.

30. Reef – Popular for casual sandals. Some women’s styles in sizes up to 12.

31. Manitobah Mukluks – Traditional Canadian footwear, great for warmth and comfort.

The post Facebook Fans 31 Favorite Non-Mainstream Comfort Footwear appeared first on Barking Dog Shoes.

You might suspect that with a company name like OTBT shoes (Off The Beaten Track), their shoes’ style is anything but ordinary. “Made for walking the road less traveled, we’re the comfortable shoe of choice for restless wanderers,” says the company’s website. Have you heard of OTBT? This unique brand features quality materials, earth-inspired leathers, and great attention to detail.

Many OTBT shoes feature platforms, wedges, secure straps and footbeds that have good support and/or cushioning – all great comfort features that make their shoes feel good on most average feet, and suit some special-needs feet as well. The thick outsoles and adjustable straps on many models make this brand a must-try for those dealing with hallux rigidus. 

We’ve road tested several styles and found OTBT shoes to be fashionable, supportive and versatile.   This summer we’re loving their sandals, but OTBT makes a full line of shoes, boots, and sneakers as well.

I’m wearing the OTBT Wandering platform sandal in the photo at right. I love the three-strap adjustability: over the forefoot, across the instep and behind the ankle. I know velcro closures can be a deal-breaker for some, as buckles are more secure. But let me tell you, this velcro is seriously grippy!

The OTBT Wandering sandal features a cork footbed with moderate arch support and metatarsal support–there is a heel cup but it’s not that deep. This one-inch footbed sits atop a 1.5 inch outsole made of OTBT’s Step Lite foam which provides spring back technology, “re-forming after every step for a cushy experience you can feel.” So if you’ve been told to find a sandal that offers firm support but your tender tootsies crave a little cushioning, the Wandering is a fantastic choice.

I find that the OTBT Wandering fits true to size and best fits a slightly narrow to slightly wide foot (due to adjustability). Find it in sizes 5.5-11 for $68-138.95 from Nordstrom and Amazon. Check out the entire collection of supportive, stylish OTBT shoes, sandals, heels and boots at Nordstrom, Amazon, Zappos and OTBTshoes.com.

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The post OTBT Shoes and Sandals: Wonderful for Wanderers with Wonky Feet appeared first on Barking Dog Shoes.

The 16 carbide tip studs on the sole of the Icebug Ivalo boot dig into the iciest of terrains keeping me in a secure standing position instead of on my bum. The studs work independently of one another and are not fixed–I call them “cleats” in my video, but they’re cooler than that. I can actually move them around.  See a video showing these “dynamic studs” in action, along with a lot of Swedish.

Icebug Ivalo

The upper of the Ivalo-L boot is made of ripstop nylon and suede with a soft fleece lining. It’s water-resistant and comfort rated to -5 degrees Fahrenheit. I prefer to wear them in temperatures over 20 with a pair of thick socks. The forefoot is plenty roomy to accommodate bunions and hammertoes–and extra thick socks. The ESS shank (which I believe is a lightweight yet durable material) provides torsional stability which keeps the sole from twisting at the midfoot. The cushioned footbed is removable to accommodate a personal insole or orthotic. 

The only drawback to my new Icebugs is the crunchy sound they make while walking on dry sidewalks or tile. I’m pretty sure they’d mark up a wood floor in no time, but I always kick mine off when I come inside. The Ivalo-L is a good choice for casual walkers who want to exercise in the winter or for the commuter who navigates icy pavement on the way to work. 

The Icebug Ivalo-L with BUGrip runs true to size and would best fit a medium to wide width foot. Available for $219.95 from Amazon.

Icebug Metro 2 with 16 carbide tips for safe passage on slippery surfaces.

The post Icebug Boots for Safety on Slippery Surfaces appeared first on Barking Dog Shoes.