Foot pain really makes you drag your heels, especially when it’s caused by your shoes. That’s a big concern consumers face when shopping for shoes online – the inability to try them on before you buy. We get it! We truly do, which is why we offer free shipping and free returns on any SASNola purchase. We don’t want you to spend another day in shoes that don’t fit or in footwear that causes pain.
So, without further ado, here are the five top things to look for when shopping for the most comfortable walking shoes of all styles!
#1. Arch Support
You hear it all the time: having shoes with improper arch support may be the source of many – if not most – of your foot ails. If you regularly wear shoes with little to no arch support, your arches will flatten over time, resulting in flat feet and potential plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the thick band of tissue that connects the heel to the toes). Simply put, your feet need support, regardless of the available arch height. That’s the way they exist naturally, with a little curve that needs special support. It’s why there’s such a market for insoles and shoe inserts that cater to targeted foot pain, after all!
Here are some general benefits of comfortable shoes with arch support:
- They provide proper pressure distribution
- They support the feet
- They lessen, or even prevent, foot pain
- They prevent the arches, specifically, from unnatural change
- They promote improved stability and balance
The most comfortable walking shoes typically have insoles constructed of memory foam, lined in soft suede, so that’s something specific to keep your eyes peeled for. Microfiber linings are also worth noting due to their odor-resistant, antimicrobial material.
#2. A Proper Fit
When was the last time that you checked your foot measurements before buying a new pair of kicks? That could be your problem right there – picking a size that you think works, or has worked in the past, but not double-checking to see if you’re wearing the correct size for that style of shoe! The best way to do this at home is to get a ruler, pen, and piece of paper.
First, place the paper flat on the ground and stand on it with flat feet. Make marks behind your heel and in front of your longest toe. Next, measure the difference between the two marks and reference the shoe brand’s size chart to determine your proper-fitting shoe size. This will ensure that you’re wearing the most comfortable walking shoes!
(Two things to remember: first, if one of your feet is larger than the other, use that one when measuring your size, and second, if your measurement falls between two sizes, it’s typically best to round up.)
Don’t Forget the Wiggle Room!
Even after measuring, it’s important to feel out a new shoe when they arrive. Specifically, you should feel for the toe area – is it wide? Too roomy? Can you wiggle your toes around comfortably? Does the shoe fit snugly everywhere else? There’s a delicate balance between the perfect fit and too small/big, but we find that you tend to have a gut feeling about whether or not the shoe is going to work.
#3. Breathability
Figuratively, your feet need to breathe! That’s why we’re so inclined to throw on some flip-flops, slip-ons, or sandals. Yet, the shoe industry makes those shoes out to be unsupportive. They may be quick and easy, but in a few hours, your feet will be feeling the difference between a good, comfortable shoe and a flimsy flip-flop.
Different materials on the market tout themselves as being ‘breathable’ and therefore the most comfortable, but that usually applies to sneakers over anything else. That being said, if you’re a big fan of slip-on summery styles, cute, comfortable sandals do exist; you just have to know where to look!
#4. High-Quality Materials & Construction
When searching for the most comfortable walking shoes, it’s important to remember that these are going to be on your feet most days for multiple hours each day. That means they need to be built to last, as it’s wasteful to buy and replace shoes once they fall apart – not to mention the waste associated with having tens of different shoes for individual occasions, only for them to go unworn more often than not.
We digress.
At SAS Shoes, we continue to handcraft our shoes from only the softest, highest quality leather. Just one pair of shoes may go through up to 100 different steps, and approximately 80 different skilled pairs of hands carefully construct and inspect each shoe to make sure the SAS shoes you choose are the best-made pair of footwear in your closet.
#5. A Shoe That Doesn’t Sacrifice Style
Just because you need shoes that do more than the bare minimum doesn’t mean they have to be boring or basic. Whether you’re in the market for cute, comfortable sandals or everyday sneakers with arch support, SAS has your feet covered (literally). We set out to make shoes that you’ll want to wear, whether you have special orthopedic needs or you simply want to say goodbye to general foot aches.
SASNola shoes are crafted to promote a perfect fit. More specifically, they allow the foot to settle into the sandal, naturally – no breaking in necessary. We accredit this to our adjustable comfort, TRIPAD® technology (our patented material that cushions the three pressure points of your foot), Ultra-Puff™ lining, contoured footbeds, and lightweight, shock-absorbing soles. SAS comfort shoes feel great, and they look great doing their job.
Head over to SASnola.com to see all of our SAS comfort shoes and find your best fit.