Nice but comfy shoes
November 21, 2024 8:17 AM Subscribe
What brands of men's dress shoes are most comfortable for wide, flat feet? Looking for special occasion shoes not everyday work wear.
I tend to like a widish shoe and am prone to some foot pain in less supportive and more constricting shoes. My normal life shoe uniform is Hokas and Merrells. I'd like a couple go-to shoes for nicer occasions like a fancy party or a date. A low boot is also a possibility.
I wear a 7 to 7.5 in mens so has to be available in smaller sizes or I suppose large boys sizes (though I'm not sure what the equivalent is).
Specific shoe model recommendations also welcome!
I tend to like a widish shoe and am prone to some foot pain in less supportive and more constricting shoes. My normal life shoe uniform is Hokas and Merrells. I'd like a couple go-to shoes for nicer occasions like a fancy party or a date. A low boot is also a possibility.
I wear a 7 to 7.5 in mens so has to be available in smaller sizes or I suppose large boys sizes (though I'm not sure what the equivalent is).
Specific shoe model recommendations also welcome!
Birchbury shoes have a wide toe box and start at a men’s 7. If you require specific sorts of support ymmv since they are also zero-drop and are meant to feel “barefoot.”
posted by bcwinters at 9:42 AM on November 21
posted by bcwinters at 9:42 AM on November 21
I have a short, wide foot, though I am a Men's size 9. I do well with Ecco and Clarks. I find that I have to try every pair on though... I have given up online shoe shopping because I have had to send so many back. Even sticking with one brand, a size 9 in a Clarks Style A will often fit very differently than a size 9 in a Clarks Style B. I believe Ecco and Clarks both start with size 7 as their smallest and do to carry smaller, but I am not 100% sure on that.
Ecco and Clarks have dress shoes, but you will not find super high end or 'slick' stuff through those brands. But certainly nice enough styles to wear on a date or to an office party, etc. I even find those brands' dress shoes comfortable enough that I wear them on weekends when I could easily dress more down. Great brands.
As a side note: for my wide, flat feet, I find Merrill to be the most comfortable and durable brand for outdoor work type stuff. I worked for three years in a an outdoor fancy-pants garden center, often putting in 15,000 steps a day and in wet conditions. Merrill blows every other shoe like this out of the water IME for durability and reliable suspension that doesn't wear out easily. Not talking steel-toe kind of work, just thought I'd throw in the recommendation.
posted by SoberHighland at 10:37 AM on November 21
Ecco and Clarks have dress shoes, but you will not find super high end or 'slick' stuff through those brands. But certainly nice enough styles to wear on a date or to an office party, etc. I even find those brands' dress shoes comfortable enough that I wear them on weekends when I could easily dress more down. Great brands.
As a side note: for my wide, flat feet, I find Merrill to be the most comfortable and durable brand for outdoor work type stuff. I worked for three years in a an outdoor fancy-pants garden center, often putting in 15,000 steps a day and in wet conditions. Merrill blows every other shoe like this out of the water IME for durability and reliable suspension that doesn't wear out easily. Not talking steel-toe kind of work, just thought I'd throw in the recommendation.
posted by SoberHighland at 10:37 AM on November 21
My go-to daily shoes, as a person with absurdly wide feet (4E, with prominent bunions that add width), are Lems. I am currently wearing a pair of Lems' Chelsea boots. They're not, like, super ultra dressy I guess, but they work in most every non-super-formal occasion. They're nice, they're comfortable, and they're plenty wide, and Lems makes a few other casual styles I like as well.
I generally pair them with Superfeet or other insoles, but overall they're great shoes.
posted by pdb at 11:00 AM on November 21
I generally pair them with Superfeet or other insoles, but overall they're great shoes.
posted by pdb at 11:00 AM on November 21
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posted by BadgerDoctor at 8:55 AM on November 21 [1 favorite]