The Best Orthotic Sandals That Are as Pretty as They Are Supportive

Birkenstocks are a tried-and-true classic orthotic sandal for women and men. From the soft fleece on the underside of the straps to the breathable suede footbed, these sandals are all about comfort. Add a deep heel cup to bolster the foot, arch support that runs the length of the footbed, a raised toe bar for extra grip, and plenty of toe room to prevent cramped feet, and you have a recipe for the best orthotic sandals — that are totally in style, too. 

Happy customer: “It’s so comfortable and soft, they’re perfect for going into the beach or just taking a walk. Will definitely buy another pair when these wear out, which i’m guessing will be in a couple of years.”

When you need a pair you can slip on without a second thought, opt for Vionic’s Tide Sandal. They are made of a soft, supportive material that conforms to your foot’s arches and absorbs shocks to reduce pressure on your ankles, feet, and knees. Though they look like your average flip-flop, there’s a reason hundreds of people have awarded this sandal a five-star rating. 

Happy customer: ”I recently was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, but I love my flip flops in the summer. I got these hoping but not convinced that they would feel good, help my feet and look good. I am soooo happy with them! They exceeded my expectations!”

Foot pain shouldn’t stop you from appreciating the great outdoors. With ECCO’s popular Yucatan hiking sandals, you can enjoy the views and pain-free hiking thanks to a footbed that molds to your arches. Receptor Technology provides stability for the foot so each step feels secure. These sandals may get stinky over time, especially if you wear them every day, but you can quickly deodorize them with a sprinkle of baking soda. 

Happy customer: ‘I love these sandals! I wore Ecco walking boots to work for years, because they gave me the support I needed, working on my feet all day. I FINALLY got myself a pair of these sandals, and they are as good as the boots – only airier! My feet have undergone a lot of changes since breaking one in 2015, but these feel great. My little toes are sensitive, having also been broken. I was able to loosen the toe straps just enough to accommodate them, while keeping the sandal stable. And I love that I can adjust them for my narrow heels, too.’

OOFOS’ slide sandals are designed to relieve pressure and pain after a workout or a long day on your feet. The foam footbed massages tired toes while absorbing stress and shocks from walking that can aggravate ankles and joints. They are made from a water-resistant material, so cleaning is easy, and they double as a great beach sandal! People with plantar fasciitis and bone spurs (a calcium deposit on the heel that causes a bony protrusion) rave about these shoes.

Happy customer: “After trying store bought orthopedic inserts and having two rounds of cortisone shots in both heels… the pain kept coming back. So my friend recommended this brand….and I promptly ordered it! OMG – They are like Heaven! For the first time in weeks I was able to walk around without any pain!”

It’s hard to pick just one pair of Vionic sandals to hold the title of ‘best Vionic sandals’ (keep scrolling for several more of our faves from the renowned brand), but based on its glowing reviews and versatile design, the Lupe sandal gets our top pick. This lightweight style has a shock-resistant orthotic footbed that is biomechanically designed to relieve foot pain associated with plantar fasciitis. The adjustable strap and medium and wide with sizes allow you to get just the right fit, and the grippy sole provides excellent traction and stability. Like many Vionic styles, this one received the APMA Seal of Acceptance, proving even podiatrists are obsessed with the brand’s high-quality (and stylish!) orthotic shoes.

Happy customer: ‘This sandal is the BEST Vionic sandal, and I have several pairs. It has a strap that keeps it secure, and it has good arch support for those like myself who have a high arch and plantar fasciitis. It is so cute, better than the picture, and so comfortable and easy to adjust! I’m going to order another pair in black.’

Don’t let the pretty bow and floral pattern of the Bella sandal from Vionic fool you, this shoe offers some serious support. Made with the same Vionic Technology that everyone loves, these sandals cushion your heels while still molding to your feet to support your foot’s arches and alleviate pressure. 

Happy customer: ‘These sandals are so much cuter on than you would think! I bought them thinking, I will wear them once or twice….I wear them a lot! Super cute on! Go great with summer dresses! I am a teacher and can wear them all day without my feet hurting. I have plantar fasciitis and these shoes support my feet well!’

NOAT’s Kayla wedge sandals are a lightweight option that offers medium arch support. Many women rave about how comfy these sandals are for walking long distances. “Living in NYC, comfort of shoes trumps style any day. These sandals are incredibly lightweight with its cork material, provides arch support and are overall very comfortable. As an added bonus, fellow ladies with bunions, these shoes were designed in a way that your bunions will peek out of the side straps.. no constriction! Oh, bliss..” one satisfied customer wrote.

Happy customer: “Love these sandals … I have several pair and they’re the only stylish sandals I have found that really support my feet. I have plantar fasciitis and it is very limiting when you want to look somewhat stylish and your closet is full of orthopedic-type shoes.”

Put your best foot forward in Dankso’s Sophie Sandal, which has earned a seal of approval from the American Podiatric Medical Association. These stylish heels add a bit more than two inches of height, yet the shock-absorbing foam in the sole will make you feel like you’re walking on clouds. Your arches will thank you for this trendy pick — and the girls at the office will be dying to know where you got them. 

Happy customer: “A friend of mine wears these shoes everyday. She tells me that the arch support is so good that by wearing this brand of shoe, she was spared of having surgery from fallen arches. When our house was flooded in the recent Louisiana flood, everyone was pulling things out of our home so quickly, and I didn’t realize that ALL of my shoes were packed in a temporary pod in a big plastic bag. I needed one pair of shoes that I could wear everywhere and depend on for comfort. Well, these certainly fit the bill! Even though I am blessed with high arches, I didn’t know just how comfortable a shoe could be. I would recommend these for anyone, and certainly will be coming back for more styles.”

Whether you have a standard-width foot or not, these sandals are inclusive to all shapes and sizes. No really, you can choose from slim, narrow, medium, wide, and double wide widths, and three colors that will dress up your fanciest outfits. The straps are designed to keep your foot securely in place with an easily adjustable hook-and-loop closure. And of course, they have that wonderful Vionic support to provide ample relief from plantar fasciitis symptoms. You can also find this sandal at Amazon!

Happy customer: ‘I love these sandals.Very comfortable and stylish. True Vionic support.’

These Kirra sandals are a classic t-strap style with an adjustable slingback strap, these sandals can be dressed up or down. The footbed is biomechanical designed to provide complete support to your arches and heels, so you can be mid- plantar fasciitis flare-up and still walk pain-free. They come in wide width and medium sizes, and 12 different colors that are almost impossible to choose from.

Happy customer: ‘I wear Vionics for the awesome support and cute styles. My plantar fasciitis has gone away since wearing these shoes. When I first realized I had plantar fasciitis, I though I would have to wear ‘special’ shoes and never get to wear anything cute again. But Vionics have the cutest flip flops and sandals and slippers…I’ll always find something I like. I just ordered a pair of their flip flops after getting these. I am super happy with this company and how much it has helped my feet to feel better. Plantar fasciitis is so painful and these shoes take away all that pain!’