These podiatrist-approved shoes are comfy, not ugly — and great for travel, too

Lightweight, wide and roomy, these sneaks offer just the right mix of support and cushioning — super important when you’re on the go. 

“They’re accommodative, meaning they allow the foot and the ankle to move in almost any direction that weight bearing permits,” explains Dr. Rock G. Positano, director of the Non-Surgical Foot and Ankle Service at the Joe DiMaggio Heel Pain Center at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. 

An Amazon reviewer, who wears these during shifts working as a nurse, said this of her experience with them: “They are soft, very comfortable and look good. People compliment me all the time. My feet never hurt!”

Clarks are known for comfort and support, and these classic leather loafers are no exception. They’re packed with extra cushioning, from the heel cup to the breathable footbed. They have a small platform heel (hence the “bubble” in the name) and are perfect for, well, whatever is keeping you on your toes. In the case of traveling, they offer a stylish look along with supportive comfort.

Says board-certified podiatrist Dr. Polina Zaydenberg: “They’re excellent for people with peripheral vascular disease and different toe deformities.”

Are your feet hard to fit? These come in women’s sizes 5 to 12 in narrow, regular, wide and extra-wide. Choose from 10 colors and styles.

These comfortable, breathable shoes slip on like socks, making them ideal for running through airport security! The Yhoons are made of lightweight woven fabric and are stretchy enough to be slipped on and off without having to fiddle around with laces, garnering thousands of positive reviews from shoppers who walk a lot.

Doctors love the Yhoon walking shoes, too. Dr. Zaydenberg says the sole offers excellent shock absorption. “The platform is great for heel pain and metatarsalgia [pain in the ball of the foot],” she tells Yahoo. Zaydenberg also raves about the accommodative toe box — a must if you have bunions and hammertoes.

And — they’re super cute! Choose from 13 colors, including black, gray, navy and purple, in women’s sizes 5.5 to 10.5.

Heading to even warmer climes? These sandals boast a flexible cork footbed and supple suede insole that contours to your foot with wear, and keeps you cool at the same time. See those adjustable straps? They’re perfect for those with narrow or wide feet who need to customize their fit. Dr. Zaydenberg says they’re a great pick for people with metatarsalgia (pain and inflammation in the ball of your foot) and plantar fasciitis.

“I bought these after my podiatrist recommended Birkenstock-style shoes,” shared an Amazon shopper. “I only have a pair of regular-footbed Birkies to compare these to, but they are very similar in terms of the foot-shaped lining and arch support. They fit perfectly on my wide feet and did not hurt nearly as much to break in as real Birkies!”

These breathable kicks have a slip-on design with an elastic cuff, so you don’t even have to bother with laces — just stick your feet in and go. They’ll be particularly useful in the airport and during plane travel.

Bonafide foot doctors give these walking shoes the thumbs-up, too. “Stability, or ‘support,’ is probably the most important quality of a sneaker or any other shoe that someone will wear to be on their feet for more than a few minutes at a time,” Richard H. Graves, DPM, of Sol Foot & Ankle Centers in Longwood, Calif, tells Yahoo Life. “Making the foot stable means that the joints of the foot are in better alignment and the muscles, tendons and ligaments are not having to work as hard. A good shoe will do a lot of that work.”

These low-tops are made with either a gorgeous full-grain leather or soft nubuck, and the matching laces add to the cool semi-monochromatic look.

The flexible soles on these sneaks use Ecco’s special technology to cushion your foot with each step, which is great when you’re running from one side of the airport to your connecting flight on the other. “The toe box looks accommodative, and they’re supportive,” says Dr. Zaydenberg. “Plus, leather and suede are natural materials, which is good for people with skin conditions, as they don’t promote sweat.”

The kicks are made of mesh fabric, so they feel light on your feet and as flexible as socks. The outsole has an air bubble — which Dr. Zaydenberg says is “a great shock absorber” — and the chunky rubber sole provides, she says, “plenty of cushioning.” The wide toebox accommodates bunions and hammertoes, too, and the durable sole helps prevent slips, so you won’t be skidding between your destinations.

“These shoes are so great for nurses who stand on their feet for long periods,” one health-care worker wrote on Amazon. “Better than my $150 pair of shoes, no kidding. … Health-care providers, these are worth trying. They are like walking on bubble-bouncing cushions.”

Stylish yet sturdy, these crowdpleasers have over 73,000 five-star ratings. They aren’t just for the beach; they’ll keep you feeling good even when touring around the hot outdoors.

“Clarks offer a lot of support,” says Dr. Zaydenberg. “Most of the shoes have wider toe boxes, which helps prevent bunions, hammertoes and neuromas.” She also says Clarks are great for people with flat feet.

Arthritis sufferers are big fans, too: “Love them,” reported an Amazon reviewer with “arthritis from my neck all the way down to my feet. They are the only shoes that I can wear, and they don’t give out. You can’t go wrong with these shoes.”