By Alyssa Brascia
August 1, 2023
As seen on people.com
Whether you’re gearing up for warmer months, prepping for a beach vacation, or just getting tired of your everyday sneakers, comfortable sandals are a staple for everyone’s closet — and you’ll need a go-to pair when it’s time to beat the heat.
“Comfortable sandals are all about the material, padding, arch support, and straps,” Marion Yau, celebrity podiatrist, BSc, tells PEOPLE. “Whenever you wear sandals, you want them to look great and be supportive.” But to actually be good for your feet, your sandals have to have that extra oomph to get you through the day completely ache-free.
From comfortable straps to foot-molding insoles, and of course, cute designs, we compiled a list of research-backed and podiatrist-recommended sandals that will not only keep your feet happy all day long but also look cute while doing so.
“Being confident and comfortable in your shoes is always on trend,” says Marion Parke, a podiatric surgeon and founder of her eponymous shoe label Marion Parke. “Barefoot and limping are out.”
Anything with a heel can’t possibly be categorized as comfortable, right? Well, this pair of high-end sandals was designed by a former podiatrist, and they prove that yes, you can be comfortable while you wear a pair of really cute heels. Marion Parke, the self-titled brand that this doctor-turned-designed created, utilizes a twice-patented “Triple I” insole (which stands for “invisible intelligent insole”) in their shoes to ensure that your feet are both comfortable and supported, no matter the style or heel height you’ve chosen. Parke explains that this patented material “imparts stability through the rearfoot and arch and ensures that the shoe flexes only through the widest part of the toe box,” for the most comfortable wear.
This particular shoe is one of Parke’s favorites for a reason, because it combines both the uber-comfortable insole and a strappy upper that holds your foot in place — making sure there’s no slippage, just supported strutting.