web page hit counter
Browse by:
Get daily news round-up
« Not So Casual Friday: Christian Louboutin's Very Noeud Slingbacks | Main | Pick of the Shoe Blogs »

Ballet flats are bad for the feet, say podiatrists

ballet-flats-are-bad-for-th.jpgLooks like podiatrists have cottoned on to a fact we shoe lovers all knew already: that flat shoes aren't necessarily more comfortable than heels. That doesn't mean they can't be very, very cute, of course: the ballet flats pictured above, from French Sole, for instance, look every bit as appealing to me as some stilettos, but anyone who's walked a mile in totally flat shoes will be able to tell you that they have no arch support, and can also hurt the ball and heel of the foot thanks to the thin soles and close proximity to the pavement.

Now The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists are claiming that flat shoes can actually be as bad for the feet as high heels, with spokesman Mike O'Neil commenting that, "When pumps are worn for long periods the feet slide forward causing cramping of the small toes."

What do you think? Do you find flats more or less comfortable than high heels?

[Source]

More Shoe News

Find the perfect shoes with our sister site OSOYOU.com

Want to watch Fashion TV? Click here for the latest videos

Came straight to this page? Visit www.shoewawa.com for loads more stories!

Posted by on May 2, 2008 11:31 AM | Comments (11) | digg.gif digg this | delicious.gifdel.icio.us this | stumble.gifStumble It!

Comments

So, what are we supposed to wear?

Posted by: Nina | May 2, 2008 3:23 PM

Probably sneakers. Extremely supportive sneakers.

Posted by: Aja | May 2, 2008 3:40 PM

We could all go barefoot... but that is even rougher on the ped than anything else. Although I will state that if I have a long walk ahead of me, the flats are on my feet and the heels are in my bag...
I refuse to be a tennis shoe wearing commuter

Posted by: Bobbi | May 2, 2008 6:51 PM

I find flats less comfortable than my average feeling heels. I have some heels that are ultra comfortable and some that are uncomfortable.. But I really hate flats. Even if I see a rare pair that makes me go "Oh, those are cute!", I wear them and I hate them. I feel dumpy in flats, and they tend to wear my feet out even quicker.

Posted by: Brandi | May 2, 2008 6:57 PM

the only option left is really fashionable sneakers. but I totally agree that flats are also pretty bad. since last summer I've been going to a podiatrist, because even flats were killing my feet and everything up to my knees. I now have special soles, which of course I wear in my flats :) but it is recommanded to wear them in sneakers. but a girl needs to be fashionable, right?!

tip: you can buy extra soles at most shoe stores if you want more support for your feet.

Posted by: Lian | May 2, 2008 8:03 PM

I used to put some gel insoles in my flats, it kind of helped get rid of the uncomfortable-ness, but my shoes make a squishy noise when I walked. But I have short legs, and don't really like to wear ballet-style flats anyway.

As for comfort, I think wedges are the most comfortable (outside of sneakers).

Posted by: Whitney | May 2, 2008 8:35 PM

I prefer to wear a medium heel rather than a flat shoe, because flats make me feel tired and dumpy too. Very high heels also wear my feet out pretty quickly, especially since I have wide feet.

Posted by: Maria Jose | May 3, 2008 1:11 AM

I have flat feet so I have to wear orthotics when I wear flat shoes. Most of the time I wear some stompy boots anyway so this works fine; high heels I save for special occasions, but flat shoes with no arch support at all are paaainful.

Of course, that's not to say I didn't buy many different colors of Converse and its imitators back in high school and wear them to death.

Posted by: z | May 3, 2008 3:19 AM

Oh, flats are the worst on my feet. A stable, thick medium height heel is the most comfortable.

Posted by: lola | May 3, 2008 5:26 PM

Flats are horrible for my high arches. I try to buy 2.5 to 3 inch heels. I can't do any higher than that since I have short feet.

Posted by: Jael | May 3, 2008 11:52 PM

FINALLY!!
I thought i was the only one, when flats were first "in" i bought a pair i loved (rocket dogs! SWOON) and i found them soooo un comfotable becasue i was used to mid heels!
Thought i was crazy! Lol!

I agree about feeling dumping and heavy footed in flats too! Tho i do think theyre good for long walks round the shops!!
Wedges are great! (bring on the summer!)
and Kitten heels are a good compramise too :)

xXx

Posted by: Becky | May 4, 2008 1:27 PM

Post a comment

Required fields marked by *