Do your feet hurt? You‘re not alone. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, 77% of adults have experienced foot pain or problems. While there are many potential causes, from bunions to plantar fasciitis, ill-fitting and unsupportive footwear is a major culprit. That‘s where Orthofeet comes in.
Orthofeet is a specialty shoe company on a mission to deliver the world‘s most comfortable and stylish orthopedic footwear. Established in 1984 by two engineer brothers, the brand has spent decades developing innovative technologies to alleviate all sorts of foot ailments and help wearers stay on their feet pain-free.
As someone who has struggled to find cute, well-fitting shoes to accommodate my problem feet, I was eager to see if Orthofeet lives up to the hype. I tested out several of their most popular men‘s and women‘s styles for this in-depth Orthofeet shoes review. I‘ll share my honest thoughts on the look, feel, fit, and performance of these podiatrist-approved kicks.
But first, let‘s walk through what makes Orthofeet shoes so special, and why they might be an excellent investment for your foot health.
What is Orthofeet?
Orthofeet was founded by Ron Bar, who suffered severe foot and leg injuries while serving in the Israeli military. Frustrated with the bulky, unattractive orthopedic shoes on the market, he partnered with his brother Michael, a mechanical engineer, to reinvent the category from the ground up.
The duo spent years researching biomechanics and consulting with doctors to understand what exactly makes a shoe supportive and comfortable for problem feet. They developed dozens of patented technologies, which are now incorporated into every pair of Orthofeet shoes.
The goal? To create attractive, high-quality footwear that fits and feels fantastic for people with common foot conditions like:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Hammer toes
- Bunions
- Heel pain
- Flat feet
- High arches
- Morton‘s neuroma
- Achilles tendonitis
- Neuropathy
- Arthritis
Whether you have a diagnosed issue or simply suffer from sore, achy feet, Orthofeet shoes are engineered to provide maximum comfort and support. Some of their key technical features include:
- Anatomical orthotic insoles with arch support and cushioning
- Lightweight cushioning soles with Ergonomic-Stride design
- Extra depth and roomy toe boxes to relieve pressure
- Soft, seam-free interior lining to prevent irritation
- Adjustability and custom fit options
These premium upgrades are all packaged in stylish, modern silhouettes you‘ll actually want to wear. Orthofeet offers a wide range of shoe types for men and women – from athletic sneakers to dress shoes to sandals and boots.
I hand-picked some of their bestselling and top-rated styles to review. Let‘s start with the ladies:
Orthofeet Women‘s Shoe Reviews
Orthofeet Coral Stretch Knit
Kicking things off with my personal favorite, the Coral Stretch Knit is a contemporary take on an orthopedic walking shoe. Don‘t be fooled by the trendy knitted upper – this sneaker is a workhorse equipped with all of Orthofeet‘s signature comfort features.
The lightweight sole has an Ergonomic-Stride design with air cushioning, while the premium orthotic insole provided excellent arch support and stability. I loved how the soft, stretchy knit material expanded over my bunions and hammertoes without any rubbing or pressure.
But the best part is how adorable these are! The coral color is so fun and looks great with jeans, dresses, shorts – you name it. I even got compliments from strangers while running errands. It‘s refreshing to find an orthotic-friendly shoe that doesn‘t sacrifice style.
Priced at $129.95, the Coral Stretch Knit is an affordable investment that your feet will thank you for. It comes in medium, wide, and extra-wide widths, and I found it true to size. On Orthofeet.com, it has over 500 rave reviews with an average 4.6 out of 5 stars.
"I have never had a more comfortable shoe. I have numerous foot problems and I can wear these shoes all day with no pain whatsoever. They are worth every penny."
Orthofeet Celina Heel
Stop the presses: Orthofeet makes heels! If you thought you had to give up your high heel habit for the sake of your foot health, the Celina is here to change your mind. With a modest 2" heel, these dress pumps offer all-day comfort for the office, weddings, or a night out.
What I love about the Celina is that it‘s a sleek, versatile style that elevates any outfit. The supple leather upper gently conforms to your foot, while the dual-strap and slingback provide stability and a secure fit. Of course, they still have Orthofeet‘s contoured orthotic insole and ergonomic sole hidden inside for support.
At $134.95, the Celina Heel is definitely pricier than your average dress shoe, but can you really put a price on blister-free, pain-free wearing? I think not. It comes in four chic colors and medium or wide widths.
The reviews echo my positive experience, with an impressive 4.7 out of 5 star rating overall. One happy customer raved:
"Finally, a heel I can wear! I‘m a teacher and on my feet all day. I‘ve had to wear frumpy, grandma-ish flats because heels always killed my feet. These are incredibly comfortable and look so professional and polished. I‘m ordering another color now!"
Orthofeet Charlotte Slippers
Okay, these may not be the sexiest shoes I‘ve ever seen, but don‘t underestimate the power of a good slipper. If you suffer from plantar fasciitis, flat feet, or foot pain, supportive house shoes are a must to prevent further strain and flare-ups.
The Charlotte Slippers have quickly become my work-from-home MVP‘s. The plush, faux-fur lining and foam padding make them incredibly cozy, while the rubber sole provides decent traction for trips to the mailbox. And of course, they have Orthofeet‘s signature contoured insole for arch support and stability.
Looks-wise, I‘ll admit they‘re giving grandma vibes with the quilted upper and neutral colors. But hey, they‘re slippers – as long as they‘re comfy, who cares? I sized up half a size for a roomier fit to accommodate my bunions.
At $99.95, the Charlotte Slipper is a reasonable price for a well-made, supportive house shoe. The reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with a 4.8 out of 5 star rating from over 100 customers. Take it from this enthusiastic buyer:
"I have severe plantar fasciitis and was wearing flimsy slippers in the house. My doctor told me to get supportive shoes to wear at all times. I got these and WOW – game changer! Extremely comfortable, fit my custom orthotics, and cute too. Worth every penny."
Orthofeet Men‘s Shoe Reviews
Orthofeet Tacoma Stretch Knit
For the fellas, I wanted to highlight Orthofeet‘s flagship athletic shoe, the Tacoma Stretch Knit. This fully-loaded walking sneaker has all the bells and whistles you could want for a comfy, pain-free stride.
Let‘s start with the stretchy knitted upper, which flexes and molds to the shape of your foot for a custom-feel fit. It‘s paired with a plush, foam-padded collar and tongue to eliminate any friction or pressure points. Meanwhile, the high-traction rubber sole is lightweight yet supportive with air pockets for extra shock absorption.
Of course, it has Orthofeet‘s premium orthotic insole, which is the real star of the show. Guys, this thing is next-level – it has anatomical arch support, a gel-padded heel seat, and even a built-in ¼" heel lift to reduce strain on your Achilles tendon.
Seriously, the Tacoma is like walking on clouds. Or as one happy customer put it:
"I have diabetic neuropathy and severe fasciitis. I‘ve tried every brand – New Balance, Brooks, Hoka – and these are by far the most comfortable sneakers I‘ve ever worn. From the minute I put them on, all my foot pain disappeared. I can actually go for walks again!"
Sure, at $135 they‘re a bit of an investment. But for the amount of cutting-edge comfort tech you get, the Tacoma is 100% worth it in my book. Available in four neutral colors and medium, wide, and extra-wide widths, it‘s a solid choice for any activity.
Orthofeet Gramercy Dress Boots
Who says orthopedic shoes have to be clunky and orthopedic-looking? The Gramercy Dress Boot proves you don‘t have to choose between style and comfort when it comes to dressier occasions.
With a sleek silhouette, quality leather upper, and convenient side zipper, this sophisticated ankle boot can easily be dressed up or down. But don‘t be fooled by its dapper good looks – the Gramercy is packing some serious comfort features under the hood.
It starts with Orthofeet‘s trademark orthotic insole, which has anatomical arch support and a cushioned heel pad to absorb impact. The boot also has a soft, foam-padded collar and a wide toe box to give your forefoot plenty of breathing room.
I love how the Gramercy combines the look of a fashion boot with the feel of a sneaker. According to one review:
"I have flat feet and a bad back, so I‘ve always struggled to find dress shoes I can wear for more than an hour. These boots are an absolute godsend – I can wear them all day at the office or a wedding and my feet don‘t hurt at all. Plus, I get tons of compliments on how stylish they are. Win-win!"
At $149.95, the Gramercy Dress Boot is definitely a worthwhile splurge for guys who need a dressier shoe option that doesn‘t skimp on comfort. It comes in three colors (black, brown, and grey) and medium, wide, and extra-wide widths for a tailored fit.
The Bottom Line
After thoroughly testing out Orthofeet‘s footwear, I can confidently say these shoes live up to the hype. From the innovative comfort technologies to the on-trend styles, it‘s clear that Orthofeet truly gets what people with problem feet need.
That‘s not to say they‘re perfect. The prices are definitely on the higher end, especially compared to mainstream brands. However, I truly believe you get what you pay for when it comes to quality, comfort, and performance. It‘s a worthwhile investment in your foot health.
Another thing to note is that Orthofeet shoes tend to run large, since they‘re built with extra depth and width. Definitely use their handy sizing chart and read the reviews to find your ideal fit. When in doubt, you can always order a couple sizes and take advantage of their fantastic return policy.
Speaking of returns, that‘s another area where Orthofeet shines. They offer a generous 60-day wear test with free shipping and returns. If you‘re not happy with your purchase for any reason, you can send it back for a full refund – even if you‘ve worn the shoes outside. It‘s a testament to how confident Orthofeet is in their products.
So, are Orthofeet shoes worth it? If you suffer from foot pain or a condition like plantar fasciitis, bunions, or flat feet – 100% yes. No other shoe brand offers such an extensive range of cute, stylish options with legit orthotic support. Your feet will seriously thank you.
Of course, no shoe is a magic bullet. Orthofeet is a great starting point, but be sure to consult with a podiatrist or orthopedic specialist to address the root cause of your foot issues. Proper stretching, icing, medication, or custom orthotics may also be necessary.
But if you‘re looking for the most comfortable, supportive everyday footwear to get you back on your feet, Orthofeet is the real deal. With their stellar reviews, top-notch quality, and risk-free return policy, you‘ve got nothing to lose – except your foot pain.
