If you are tired of sore feet, try switching to soft sole shoes. A softer sole conforms to the natural movement and form of your feet.
The added flexibility leads to greater stability, balance, and comfort. For years, podiatrists have recommended soft sole shoes for babies.
The soft sole helps strengthen their growing foot muscles. Adults also benefit from a softer sole.
Giving your feet more room to move in a natural manner helps build up strength in the feet and reduces the risk of common foot injuries. A soft sole shoe also helps when dealing with bunions, metatarsalgia, and calluses.
To find a more natural fit for your feet, take a closer look at the best soft sole shoes.
SoftWalk Women’s Waverly Mary Jane Flat
Flats are the traditional choice when shopping for soft-sole shoes and the Waverly Mary Jane Flats have a traditional design. The shoes come in black or pewter and feature 100% real leather.
The synthetic soles remain very flexible and provide moderate traction. The insides of the shoes include antimicrobial lining with foam backing.
This keeps your feet cool and dry while also protecting against bacteria or fungal growth. The footbed is also removable.
If it does not quite offer the cushioning that you require, simply remove the footbed and add an orthopedic insert.
Along with these great features, the Waverly Mary Jane Flats are reasonably priced. You get a great value and a comfortable pair of shoes with soft soles.
While the soles are soft, they still provide a surprising amount of support.
Pros
- Cushioned, removable footbed
- Padded collar and elastic goring
- Antimicrobial upper lining
Cons
- Only available in two colors
The Soft Walk Mary Jane Flats provide support and comfort with a removable footbed and flexible synthetic sole, making it the best overall choice.
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PUMA Women’s Vikky Sneaker
The PUMA Women’s Vikky Sneaker is a top choice if you want casual athletic wear instead of loafers or flats. The simple, casual design makes a great choice for everyday wear.
You can run errands in comfort, thanks to the soft foam sock liner and flexible rubber outsole. The liner is removable, allowing you to use a different insert.
The shoes are also lightweight, weighing only 9.6 ounces. The upper material is light, breathable, and provides a little more support compared to most loafers.
The Vikky Sneakers may be a little stiff when they first arrive. In fact, they may seem tighter compared to what you expect, until you break them in. You may need to wear them for several days before the material starts to stretch and form to the shape of your feet.
When purchasing a pair, keep in mind that these shoes are a little narrow. If you have wide feet or flat feet, consider purchasing one size larger compared to your standard size.
Pros
- Comfortable, lightweight design
- Casual athletic sneaker style
- The flexible outsole offers a natural feel
Cons
- The design is a little narrow
If you prefer athletic sneakers over loafers, the PUMA Vikky Sneakers provide a flexible option with soft rubber soles.
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IF FEEL Women’s Beige Flats Leather Casual Walking Slip On Driving Loafer Shoes
If you want flats and need a better grip, try the IF FEEL Women’s Beige Flats Leather Casual Walking Slip On Driving Loafer Shoes. These shoes feature flexible rubber outsoles with anti-slip patterns for added traction.
The shoes feel soft and comfortable, almost resembling a pair of slippers. They have a slip-on design and laces along with the upper and toe box.
The laces only appear on one side of the shoe, allowing you to loosen or tighten the upper for a custom fit.
You can also choose from 16 different colors to suit your taste. The casual design of the Serene Driving Loafers makes this a great choice for any occasion.
However, these shoes lack support for the arches of your feet.
The thin material, flexible soles, and lack of arch support may make these shoes uncomfortable on hard or rugged terrain. The sizes also run a little small, requiring some people to go up a size.
Pros
- Provides greater traction
- Laces on the side allow for a custom fit
- One of the most affordable choices
Cons
- Lacks arch support
The Flat Driving Loafers from Serene guarantee that you get a snug fit thanks to the stretchy leather material and laces on the side.
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Mordenmiss Women’s Casual Solid Color Moccasins Leather Loafer Shoes 41 Style 1-Coffee
These flats have a rounded toe box compared to the other flats, giving your toes more space. If you suffer from metatarsalgia or any foot problems, your feet may benefit from the extra space. It allows the muscles and tendons in your feet to properly stretch.
Unfortunately, these shoes are also a little narrow. If you have wide feet, you may need to go up a size compared to your standard size. The company also offers a limited selection of sizes, so they may not have an option to fit every foot.
The shoes are made from suede and feature flexible rubber outsoles. The shoes do not provide a lot of arch support, giving you more of a natural, barefoot feel.
The buckle on the top of the shoes is functional and allows you to tighten or loosen the upper leather material for a perfect fit. It is available in four colors, including brown, coffee, dark coffee, and green.
Pros
- Unique, stylish design
- The soft, durable leather material
- Roomy toe box
Cons
- A limited selection of sizes
The Casual Round Toe Flats from Mordenmiss give you a flexible sole combined with durable material, suitable for any season or setting.
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Skechers Men’s Classic Fit-Delson-Camden Sneaker
While the previous options are all women’s shoes, shoe companies make soft-sole footwear for men as well. The Skechers Men’s Classic Fit-Delson-Camden Sneaker stands out as a top choice.
These best-selling shoes are almost a cross between sneakers and slippers. They feature soft, breathable material that hugs your feet and a lacing system for a secure fit.
However, the upper material is not the most durable choice and may start to fray and wear quickly if worn in a rough environment.
The Skechers men’s slip-on shoes may not hold up well in some settings, but they remain comfortable for everyday wear and casual wear. The air-cooled memory foam inserts provide extra padding and support while helping to keep your feet dry and cool.
Most of the material is soft and flexible, including the outsoles. However, the outsoles also provide lots of traction.
These shoes come in standard sizes and six different colors, including black and gray.
Pros
- Breathable material keeps your feet dry
- Includes air-cooled memory foam inserts
- Outsoles provide flexible traction
Cons
- The upper material is not very durable
These flexible shoes give men a comfortable option thanks to the air-cooled memory foam inserts and breathable material.
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Buyer’s Guide – How to Choose Soft Sole Shoes
Finding a quality pair of soft-sole shoes requires a closer look at these features:
- Outsole
- Lining
- Footbed
- Upper materials
- Overall design
A soft outsole is typically made from leather, canvas, or rubber. A thin rubber outsole provides a little more support compared to a fabric outsole, which tends to feel more like walking barefoot.
In some cases, the entire shoe is made of leather or canvas. These shoes are often incredibly comfortable, but may wear out quickly when worn outdoors.
The next consideration is the lining. A soft sole shoe is more likely to contain soft lining to add more comfort to the lightweight design.
Some shoes even come with antimicrobial lining to help prevent fungal and bacterial growth.
If the outsole is made from a piece of fabric, such as leather, suede, or canvas, it helps to have a footbed with a little more cushioning. As the outsole may not offer optimal support when walking on hard surfaces, the footbed should help maintain the natural arch of your feet.
Soft sole shoes often use breathable upper materials. As mentioned, the entire shoe may be made from leather, suede, or canvas. Keep in mind that these lightweight shoes may not work well in cold weather, snow, or rainy conditions.
One of the most important details to consider is the overall design. You may prefer slip-on shoes, running shoes, or walking shoes.
Slip-on shoes are more likely to contain lightweight material while sneakers give you more support and a little less flexibility.
Conclusion
Before choosing a pair of soft-sole shoes, think about where you plan on wearing them.
Soft slip-on shoes, such as the flats or loafers, may work for an office setting, but will likely become worn out in a rougher environment. While sneakers may hold up better, they also tend to feature thicker soles and might be too casual for work attire.
In the end, there are trade-offs for each feature when shopping for the best soft sole shoes. If the sole is too soft or flexible, your foot takes more abuse when walking or running.
If the sole is too stiff or rigid, more of the shock from each step gets transferred to your feet.
