High Arch Sandals

[slyster]

Here's another sandal thread I'm hoping to get some feedback. my partner has high arches (total opposite of me...I have flat feet). She asked for new sandals for her birthday (two weeks from now) because of her old ones being worn out and because of our upcoming disney trip in September.

I can find info for flat feet...just good ol fashion arch support, but for the life of me, I can't find sandals that would be good with someone with high arches . Any comfortable sandals you can recommend for someone with high arches? I have no idea where to start and I'm not sure a shoe salesman would know?

I did give her a gift certificate to the REI store and they have TONS of sandals, I just don't know which ones would be best for her feet. Oh and she has arthritis in her toes as well

 

[kaligal]

The best thing is to go to a shoe store and try stuff on.

Like you, I have extremely flat feet and couldn't even say what I like for "high arches."

Best of luck.

 

[Gigi22]

I have high arches. From experience, there is nothing worse that having to walk around in any shoe that lacks arch support. It's so physically exhausting, your whole body hurts.

If you want to find something for your partner, have you checked her shoes to find out if there is a brand she prefers? Then google the company to find out if they make sandals that have support.

For myself, the only sandals I buy are the leather SAS sandals. I'm on my third pair now. They have a cushioned supportive base, and buckle across the foot, giving more support. They are not high fashion, but they get the job done!

 

[slyster]

I actually got her a gift certificate to REI which has some really good quality sandals. She just realized she has high arches...she went to the Walking Company and they had her stand on their computerized feet analyzer and that's when she realized she had high arches. She bought some orthodics and she has them in her regular shoes and found they really help. The shoes were pretty new so she didn't want to buy new shoes. I would say the shoes and sandals she has are probably just regular sandals/shoes not specifically tailored for people with high arches. Not sure that helps, but she just discovered she has high arches.

So for high arches, arch support is just as important? Are cushioned sandals recommended as well? Thanks again

 

[Denise W]

Check out footsmart.com. They seem to specialize in shoes and sandals for people with varied foot problems.

Denise

 

[jdcthree]

Birkenstock makes a sandal for high arches. The price is pretty high, but worth it! I've had mine for 3 years and my feet would be miserable in the summer without them.

 

[archimedes76]

Okabashi claims to make sandals with arch support. I personally cannot speak to how they are as I don't actually own them, I'm just relaying what they claim.

http://www.okabashi.com/

They have a lot of styles, they are very cheap and best of all they are made in the USA!

They appear to be made of a similar material as Crocs are, just made in America.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have extremely high arches...to the point that I have to have zippers in higher boots..otherwise, I can't get my foot in. Anyway...I was always looking for supportive sandals and always had problems.
Well, my dd was at the physical therapists..for a knee issue. When she said that she wore Converse sneakers, he jumped all over her..told her they were the worst for her high arches, and not good at all for knee issues. His recommendation was to find a very cushiony shoe. I asked him if that was why my feet were always most comfy in Crocs. He told me that yes, the more cushion there was, underfoot, the better for high arches. He said..'They have plenty of support, they don't need anymore. But they do need to have a soft landing since so little of the foot is actually landing.'
Well...I asked my foot doctor, and he said pretty much the same thing...soft underfoot for high arches. But, he was so quick to recommend Crocs..said they were okay for occasional use but they did cause accidents. But, I will tell you....my Croc sandals make my feet the happiest.
Now, I just bought a pair of Teva's...but they have a bit of a wedge. Very comfy!!! Very soft bottoms.

 

[Southernmiss]

I have extremely high arches...to the point that I have to have zippers in higher boots..otherwise, I can't get my foot in. Anyway...I was always looking for supportive sandals and always had problems.
Well, my dd was at the physical therapists..for a knee issue. When she said that she wore Converse sneakers, he jumped all over her..told her they were the worst for her high arches, and not good at all for knee issues. His recommendation was to find a very cushiony shoe. I asked him if that was why my feet were always most comfy in Crocs. He told me that yes, the more cushion there was, underfoot, the better for high arches. He said..'They have plenty of support, they don't need anymore. But they do need to have a soft landing since so little of the foot is actually landing.'
Well...I asked my foot doctor, and he said pretty much the same thing...soft underfoot for high arches. But, he was so quick to recommend Crocs..said they were okay for occasional use but they did cause accidents. But, I will tell you....my Croc sandals make my feet the happiest.

Now, I just bought a pair of Teva's...but they have a bit of a wedge. Very comfy!!! Very soft bottoms.

I would second this. I can't wear shoes without arch support.

I have some naturalizer casual sandals that have about an inch of underbedding that I wear most days. I also have Reef flip flops that I wore on our last trip to Disney without any problems. They are wearing out and I'll have to find another pair.

DD 10 already knows the benefit of having a pair of shoes with arch support and looks for that in her shoes now too--without any prompting from me. We bought her everyday flip flops at the flip flop shop in our mall. They were $30, but well worth it for comfort. (We live in a beach town.) I don't know if flip flop stores are in every area, but I saw the store at Universal in December.

 

[melmar136]

Did she try any Abeo at the Walking Company? DD has very high arches and has to wear orthotics, but can wear the Abeo sandals...they sort of have a built in orthotic type thing.

 

[Eeyore1925]

I have 3 pairs of Abeos. Best sandals I have found for my high arch feet.

 

[lindsmom]

I wear therasandals - they're some kind of knock off from Kmart - in the summer. These things are incredibly ugly but so comfortable. I have the highest arches of anyone I've met. For sneakers, I have to get inserts at Olympia sports - the highest insert they carry (so high, the clerk always asks "are you SURE you want these? They're really high." - haha). So for sandals, if I even wear my dress pair of (flat) sandals for a full day I'll be hobbling around the next day.

I'm going to keep watch this thread, because I'm eager to find a pair that I don't mind wearing in public

 

[Tink-n-MrIncredible]

Okabashi claims to make sandals with arch support. I personally cannot speak to how they are as I don't actually own them, I'm just relaying what they claim.

http://www.okabashi.com/

They have a lot of styles, they are very cheap and best of all they are made in the USA!

They appear to be made of a similar material as Crocs are, just made in America.

I cannot speak about the Okabashi shoes you are referring to. Though the only sandals I wear are their other brand Oka b. I wear them everywhere. Last time we went to Disney I wore them. I also toured D. C. in them. I think I own about 12 pair. They last and are very easy to clean. Best part of all is they can get wet. Just my .02 I do not like the slides, I only like the thong style. My other favorite part about these shoes as a PP stated is that they are made in America If you have a high arch I think you should find a store and try them on to see if she could wear them.

 

[slyster]

I have the Abeo h20 sandals and I LOVE them. perfect for my flat feet. She tried them on and the top of the shoe was pushing down on her arthritic toes. She is probably going to look for sandals with a strap across the top so it's not pressing on her toes.

I'll definitely keep in mind about the cushions. I think I heard that before too. I appreciate all of your feedback

 

[JessHS]

Chaco's would be great park sandals. They have alot of arch support.

Birkenstocks have great arch support too, but I would get the plastic kind (not the cork footbed) for the parks so you don't have to worry about water damage. I brought my Birks and wore them around Pop Century, but not to the parks since they aren't waterproof. But they did provide relief from whatever shoe I'd been wearing the rest of the day (which was either my 10 yr old Teva sport sandals or my new Teva Tirra's.)

 

[OHDisneyMom]

I love, love, love Alegria shoes & sandals! I have plantar fasciitis and my Alegria sandals are the only thing that is going to get me through 8 days of WDW on my feet all day doing miles of walking. Check them out. They are high priced, but they are well made and Alegria Shoe Shop has some styles on sale. The more you wear them, the better they feel. Many nurses wear Alegria shoes. I have given up on my custom orthotics and only wear Alegria shoes.

 

[Dizfan4life]

I'm going to also recommend Chaco's! I have three pairs and they are the best for my feet! I wear them all the time that I should probably buy three more pairs!!

 

[KittyKat1978]

I also have high arcs and I wear Montrails. I wore them to DL in May they were awesome. They have arch support and feel nice and squishy.

 

[mla973]

I also have very high arches, and I really love the Keen Newport sandal. It's been my go-to park shoe for about 3 years, and I can wear them all week with little pain.

 

[kerplop]

If they'll wear flip flops, my partner swears by the New Balance Mosies. They're men's shoes, but then she has wide feet so I'm not sure if that's a problem. They've got good support and the strap on the top is pretty high up so a high arch/instep can fit in them pretty well! It took us 3 different tries at finding them for her.