By Lady Sadie
IF THE SHOE FITS Barefoot is not the only comfortable way to walk. As someone who loves a kitten heel and stylish sandals, my days of strutting in 3-inch heels are OVER. Thanks to fashionista friends, I’ve discovered that I can find fantastic footwear that’s kind to my feet at Natural Comfort in St. Pete Beach and downtown St. Pete, especially Onex, Naot, Vionic, Oofos and Birkenstocks. For men, Hey Dude is a popular, versatile and handsome choice.
The average sandal has little arch support and the flat footbeds aren’t optimal. The deep heel cup in Birkenstock gives you some stability and can also help control pronation (which contributes to flat feet). whereas the average sandal or flip-flop offers little to no support and has flat footbeds. Birkenstock footbeds are made of cork and natural latex and contoured in the shape of a healthy foot. These contours ensure proper weight distribution with raised arches to help support the foot’s natural shape and structure.
Vionic shoes reduce pronation and correct abnormal foot positioning. These shoes have been shown to reduce foot, knee and lower back pain. Podiatrists can now prescribe Vionic shoes for conditions like plantar fasciitis. They provide extra support to decrease pain and inflammation of the plantar fascia ligament.
For work and going out, I count on Naot or Onex. The Naot footbed looks like footprints in the sand. This material molds to your foot and helps provide stability, support (even arch support) and helps properly distribute weight around your foot. Said one happy Onex customer about the comfort and design: “The leather is the softest I have ever felt in a shoe! The footbed is cushy, and it feels like I am walking on clouds.”
IN THE GARDEN If you think the best pair of garden shoes is your oldest pair of sneakers lying around, you’re wrong. You’re on your feet a lot when gardening, so proper support is essential. And why not look stylish as well. Crocs classic clogs are comfy, light, easy to clean and made from their signature Croslite™ foam material. Backdoorshoes clogs are lightweight enough to feel like air but still provide protection against the elements and provide excellent support. We also love the snug design that cups around the foot at the clog entry point, making it difficult for dirt to slip in…but if it does, they are machine washable.