Step Strong with Summer Shoe and Sandal Recommendations from City Step Podiatry
Learn Your Podiatrist’s Summer Footwear Favorites—For Comfort, Style, and Support
You used to have to choose between comfort and style when it came to footwear.
Thankfully, modern brands have learned folks like to have both when it comes to their go-to footwear. Today, you really can have it all when it comes to keeping your feet cute and happy.
But with so many choices and options on the market nowadays—where do you start with finding the right shoes to deliver your feet what they need while meshing with your personal style?
What if your footwear needs have changed, or you’ve decided it’s time to find a pair that doesn't cause your feet to ache or develop blisters after a short amount of wear?
Maybe you need shoes that support your active, busy lifestyle, while still looking professional.
It may seem like a tall order. But City Step Podiatry is here to help! Our expert podiatrist, Dr. Alison Young (DPM), has compiled a short list of some of her favorite summer styles—to make your shoe shopping experience easy and stress-free.
Plus, with our curated list, you’ll know you’re getting a quality pair of podiatrist-recommended shoes—that give your feet what they need to both feel and look their best. Talk about a win-win!
Before we dive into our specific brand recommendations, let’s first review some things you should look for in a great pair of summer shoes that will also make your podiatrist happy.
What should I look for in a summer shoe or sandal?
When it comes to your feet—you’re the expert on you.
You probably know if you have high or low arches, if you wear down the sides or heels of your shoes, if your feet are wide or narrow, and if your big toe needs more room than most…
Still, many folks aren’t sure how to apply this knowledge to seek out the optimal footwear for their unique needs.
Add to this that many of us make the mistake of opting for form over function when it comes to our footwear and you’re in a bit of a pickle…
At City Step Podiatry, we understand that you want to find shoes that both look and feel good. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice one for the other.
We think you’ll agree that there are many shoes out there that look great but won’t offer your toes, feet, ankles, and legs the support you need to feel comfortable wearing them for long.
When you choose shoes solely based on how they look, they tend to live in your closet. Instead, we’ll help you invest in some summer styles that are both fashionable and good for your feet.
Here are Dr. Young’s top tips for what to look for when choosing your summer footwear—
Seek out support
Searching for summer shoes or sandals with good arch support is the key to giving your feet what they need to feel their best.
Whether you have high, low, or middle-of-the-road arches—this important area needs cushioning and support to keep your feet in their best posture. This will cut down on wear and tear and will help your feet feel better at the end of a long, active day.
The great thing? Some popular shoe websites (like DSW and Zappos) offer extensive customer reviews and allow you to filter your search results based on arch support and comfort—so you know you’re looking at shoes that are well-rated for their support factor.
Prefer to shop in person? That’s great! Be sure to ask your friendly footwear assistant for their recs. Better yet—check out any places near you where you can get your gait analyzed.
Nowadays, many running shoe stores offer this service for free. It’s a great way to discover more about your feet and walking style and get customized shoe recommendations that are made for you.
Better still—pay a visit to your trusted local podiatrist. They can not only assess your feet and give you their insider recommendations—they can also offer you options and alternatives, like custom orthotics.
Opt for durability
Fast fashion isn’t just for clothing. Some shoe manufacturers also opt for on-trend styles over making shoes designed to stand the test of time.
Here’s the thing—durable shoes may be more expensive than their fast fashion counterparts.
But, think about it in terms of how much wear you’ll get out of your pair—and how comfortable they’ll be for you.
When you factor in how much you can wear good quality shoes before needing new ones, it cuts down on the overall cost of not having to replace them every few months once they wear out or start to fall apart.
With this calculus in mind, many folks find it more cost-effective to invest in well-made, durable shoes, rather than buy cheaper styles that aren’t made to hold up as long.
Durable footwear will also serve you better in the wild. Anyone who’s ventured out on a hike with subpar gear can attest that having the best quality shoes for your chosen activity is the key. That’s why most competitive sports have a dedicated shoe style—designed to support your participation in that specific activity.
Now that you have some general guidelines from an expert on selecting the ideal footwear for you—let’s dive into some of Dr. Young’s favorite brands for supportive, durable summer shoes and sandals.
Podiatrist-recommended sandals and shoes for summer
When the weather heats up, you want to stay cool. That’s why sandals are the go-to for many folks in the summer months.
The problem is—some sandals sacrifice support for being light and airy to wear and easy to slip on and off.
Thankfully, many modern brands have tackled this issue head-on—and currently offer a range of options that are both cute and comfortable.
As a foot and ankle expert, an avid runner, and an all-around active person—Dr. Young has seen and sampled her fair share of summer footwear brands and styles.
Her shortlist of top brands that offer summer shoe and sandal styles that will give your feet what they need, without sacrificing style in the bargain, includes—
Vionic
A favorite of savvy shoe lovers and podiatrists, this brand offers a signature blend of stability, arch support, cushioning, and flexibility that makes wearers swear by them.
If you’re searching for a truly comfortable and supportive pair of thong sandals you can live in all summer long—this just may be your go-to brand.
With an impressive range of styles of sandals and shoes, Vionic offers a lot of options when it comes to finding your signature style.
Many folks are particular devotees of their flip-flops. This popular summer style of footwear is notoriously unsupportive. But Vionic has flipped the script on this issue.
Their flip flops offer arch support in the midfoot, a deep heel cup for greater stability, durable construction, and slip-resistant tread. This may be why they’ve been touted as one of Oprah’s favorite things on her annual list more than once.
Oofos
Another of Dr. Young’s favorite summer shoe brands, Oofos offers a wide range of sandal styles for men and women that feature foam technology to provide cushioning and support for the feet and the joints.
Think of them like shock absorbers for your feet.
This brand is especially great for those who pound the pavement in the summer months, as they can help reduce cumulative stress and strain on your lower extremities.
In addition to a variety of sandals and flip-flop styles, Oofos is also known for its slides. Many folks even wear these around the house as they’re easy to slip on and off and provide the support that walking barefoot can’t match. This brand is also a favorite of nurses and athletes.
Birkenstocks
Birks are back! Anybody who lived through the 90s knows these sandals well. They were ubiquitous for a good reason back then, and they’ve come roaring back into popularity today.
Their classic slide sandals are known for their comfortable footbeds. Devotees love how they conform to the natural shape of their feet and offer arch support. These sandals can support proper foot positioning and alignment, leading to reduced fatigue and lower risks for foot issues such as plantar fasciitis.
Chacos
A favorite brand of active, outdoorsy folks, Chacos are a great option for all-around summer adventuring.
From hiking trails to water, Chacos sandals offer grippable soles designed to prevent slipping, as well as supportive construction and breathability. They’re also designed with fast-drying materials, so you can wear them for a well-rounded day of outdoor summer fun.
Instead of foam, Chacos are made with polyurethane footbeds for enhanced durability as this resists breaking down over time like other common footbed materials.
Chacos’ adjustable straps offer support and reduce the risks of blisters and calluses. They also deliver arch and heel support, which makes them a favorite choice for podiatrists.
Keen
If you love shoes you can wear all day in comfort—a pair of Keens may be the right choice for you.
This brand’s sandals are known for their comfort and flexibility. They’re also durable and well-suited for a variety of outdoor activities.
Many fans of this brand also appreciate their focus on sustainability, as they create footwear with an eye toward reducing the environmental impact of their manufacturing process.
From a podiatrist’s viewpoint, Keens offer orthotic support for the footbed and arches. Keen shoes and sandals also support the use of custom orthotics, as their sock liners can be easily removed for this purpose.
In addition to these brands, Dr. Young also finds good options offered by companies like Ecco, Naturalizer, Merrell, and Sorel.
Are foot issues impacting your sandal season?
Do you feel like your feet aren’t quite ready for primetime?
Many folks contend with foot issues and conditions that make them want to hide rather than showcase their toes and feet when the warm weather arrives and sandal season beckons.
At City Step Podiatry—we understand.
That’s why we offer a range of cutting-edge, effective treatment options for many common foot ailments and issues, like toenail fungus and plantar warts.
Our top-of-the-line Remy Class IV laser therapy system is a proven treatment approach for both plantar warts and toenail fungus. Plus, treatments are both quick and pain-free. In fact, most patients who receive this treatment say it’s quite soothing!
Dr. Young can assess if this treatment modality is right for you, and work with you to develop a customized treatment plan to heal your foot issues fully and completely.
Dr. Young is also a Certified Onyfix Professional and is trained to offer this cutting-edge, pain-free, and non-invasive nail correction treatment to her valued patients in need. Oxyfix is a revolutionary treatment protocol for ingrown and involuted toenails.
Don’t let foot pain or issues stand in the way of living your best life this summer! Get ready to rock your sandals with pride and be free of pain with City Step Podiatry on your side!
Dr. Young will also be happy to analyze your feet and ankles in the office and offer you her personalized recommendations for the best summer footwear for you.
Book your visit with us today and get ready for a stellar sandal season!
If you are looking for additional shoe gear recommendations, you can also check out Dr. Young’s Your Shoe List page for a one-stop shop for even more great options!
From cutting-edge treatments to personalized service—City Step Podiatry is your trusted podiatrist in Chicago. Visit our convenient downtown Chicago office for the very best in podiatry services and care! And be sure to follow @citysteppod on Facebook and Instagram.
City Step Podiatry is here for you! Reach out today to schedule your visit and treat your feet to the care they deserve.
