Comments on: Why Birkenstocks Aren’t a Long Term Solution to Foot Pain

By: samantha

samantha — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 19:15:45 +0000

In reply to Jeff. Hi Jeff, check out this post for specific information about bunions.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 13:55:39 +0000

What do you recommend for someone that has bunions?

By: samantha

samantha — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 19:19:28 +0000

In reply to Jean. Hi Jean! You can find our recommended list of slippers here. For a pair of "first barefoot shoes", check out this list - Lems is a really popular choice. Barefoot shoes do accept orthotics and insoles well since the inside are flat without any additional support. I also know that Shamma Sandals can custom make a pair of sandals with 2 different stack heights for leg length discrepencies.

By: samantha

samantha — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 16:23:19 +0000

In reply to Deb. Hi! Check out the following resources for sandal recommendations: Stylish Sandals Adventure Sandals

By: samantha

samantha — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 15:51:42 +0000

In reply to Laine. Hi Laine, Anya has written about that topic in the following articles. Check them out! Strengthen your foot with floor texture. Wearing thin soles on pavement, and how to get more comfortable with it.

By: Laine

Laine — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 05:43:41 +0000

I have worn barefoot shoes for the last 5 years exclusively and I’m experiencing PF pain currently. I have other friends that have had this experience as well. While I don’t think that orthotics and overly supportive shoes that hold our feet in unnatural posture are the solution, I do wonder about the effect very hard surfaces have on our foot health. Our ancestors who were either barefoot or wore thin soled shoes would have had their feet on the earth and not had to deal with the surfaces of today. I wonder if our feet need more cushioning in these contexts than very thin barefoot shoes allow. What if it has less to do with foot strength in this context and more to do with the ways standing and moving in our modern built world damage our tissues? Just a curiosity as I figure out how to deal with my foot pain. I can’t even bring myself to get a pair of Birkenstocks after so many years with minimalist shoes!

By: Deb

Deb — Sat, 07 Jun 2025 14:38:03 +0000

I have drop foot.. I wear a simple ankle brace most of the time, but it is limiting me to sneakers! I’m not vain but not ready to wear the booted brace. I’m aware I need the backstrap on any sandal I wear and be conscious of my walking. Looking for sandal recommendations

By: Jean

Jean — Sat, 26 Apr 2025 15:16:36 +0000

Hello Anya – your website & blogs are awesome. I am 74, with a half inch leg length difference, caused by a 2002 spinal fracture which did not heal correctly. The discrepancy has been measured many times, and remains 1/2 inch. I usually wear a hard-soled orthotic with many adjustments (made by a professional orthotist who have treated me for years, including metatarsal suppport for nasty neuroma surgeries decades ago – ug). A physical therapist recently recommended I try barefoot shoes & use just a 1/2 inch lift rather than my orthotics. I’m wondering if you had suggestions on shoes/slippers? Thank you!

By: Anya

Anya — Sat, 19 Apr 2025 02:33:51 +0000

In reply to Sneha. The Lems Switchback is coming soon, and it has lots of width and more cushion. You might also like the Softstar Camino that I write about in this article - it's pretty thick and has a layer of soft cushion on top. They have been working for a lot of people with extra wide feet too (but the thick straps take some breaking in). I don't know much about varicose veins or why adding cushion would help, but those are some cushioned sandal recommendations!

By: Sneha

Sneha — Sat, 19 Apr 2025 00:06:32 +0000

Hi!
I was diagnosed with PF in Jul last year and was recommended to wear wide toe box zero drop sandals & shoes. I was lucky to come across your websites and reviews, based on which I started wearing Lems Primal Zen shoes and Bedrock Cairn Evo C sandals. My PF is almost cured. Thank you!
Now my varicose veins issue is getting worse and doctor advised to wear something cushiony. I tried adding insoles to Lems shoes, but it made the problem worse. I now wear Altra Lone Peak 9 shoes but haven’t been able to find a wide toe, box zero drop sandals with cushion (I have read all the sandals reviews on your website). Could you please suggest a good sandal for my extra wide feet?

By: Frederick Tates

Frederick Tates — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 16:52:54 +0000

Very compelling info, unfortunately there are too many individual cases and specific conditions that would make a “one-size-fits-all” approach simply untenable. Add to that all the conflicting, contradicting and possibly nefarious statements and info on the internet. There are just too many gatekeepers and all have their own philosophies.

By: Anya

Anya — Sun, 30 Mar 2025 21:09:59 +0000

In reply to Stephan. I put my Lems slip-ons on totally hands free. I wear the Laguna, the men's version is the Malibu. The heel is collapsible, but I can easily step into even with the heel piece up. Overall great shoe too.

By: Stephan

Stephan — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 00:32:09 +0000

I have a lot of trouble with shoes, despite wearing walking shoes with custom orthotics. I have been thinking about trying out barefoot shoes, but wonder if there are any good barefoot shoes that are genuine hands-free step-in shoes. I have a very arthritic hip and am a big guy, so reaching my foot to tie a shoe is a no-go. I have been wearing Kiziks for several years, and do love the way I can step right in them without hands or a shoe horn.

By: samantha

samantha — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 14:43:51 +0000

In reply to Margaret. Hello, you can find some slides list here, but we don't recommend them for long-term use since there is not back.

By: Margaret

Margaret — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 14:08:59 +0000

Any recommendations for a slip on sandal??