Nobody has time for flimsy shoes, which is why we (and many HuffPost readers) continue to love clogs. Dr. Saylee Tulpule, a podiatrist in Washington, D.C. and Maryland says a good pair of clogs often have built-in arch support and added cushioning.
“Clogs can be comfortable for people that suffer from flat feet, heel pain, tendonitis or even lower back issues due to the degree of arch support and cushion,” Tulpule previously told HuffPost.
In our previous coverage, Dr. Tulpule recommended Dansko clogs, saying the brands carry the American Podiatrist Medical Association’s Seal of Approval. (She also recommended reader-beloved footwear brand Birkenstock, so we’ve also included some of its popular styles in the roundup ahead.)
To maximize safety and comfort, Dr. Tulpule suggests keeping to shoes with less than three-inch heels or platforms and choosing a style that has a polyurethane or EVA sole (which Dansko and Birkenstock offer) in lieu of traditional super firm wooden clogs, which can “aggravate flat feet.”
To give your feet a vacation while helping you stay stylish, here are some of our favorite styles.
The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.
Shopping managing editor Emily Ruane frequently rocks this classic style of Danskos to the HuffPost office, saying they’re ideal for walking, commuting and riding her bike all over New York. She’s worn them through multiple pregnancies, rain storms and more formal events where high heels were just not going to happen.
“They’re the kind of shoe that I never think about when I have them on,” she said. “When I am wearing them, my feel feel simultaneously completely supported and like I’m wearing nothing. I also like wearing them in inclement weather because they have the slightest platform, which can help when navigating subway puddles and the like.”
Ruane says she wears these Danskos with or without socks and finds even the dressier styles to be pretty slip-proof. The darker hues and patterns are easy to dress up for formal events, while some of the more vibrant and whimsical options are great for errands, weekends or fun days with kids.
If you’re looking for clogs to wear to work, Dr. Tulpule recommends something with a closed back for additional support as you’re moving. In previous reporting, Jacquelyn Coles Bielich, a registered nurse and clinical specialist at Medtronic, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania said this style is the only thing she’ll wear on her 12-hour shifts.
This style is available in women’s sizes 5-15 and in wide and narrow sizes.
Water-resistant and designed to repel dirt, oil and grease, the Birkenstock Super-Birki clog is as resilient and practical as it looks. The shoe’s squishy cork-latex footbed is crafted to anatomically match the foot for maximum comfort and support. You can even throw this in the washing machine up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Super-Birki is available in up to 10 colors, including neutrals and vibrant brights, in women’s sizes 4-12.5 and in men’s sizes 6-15.5.
Apart from clogs, Dansko also makes some great supportive heeled sandals. Dr. Priya Parthasarathy, a podiatrist at U.S. Foot & Ankle Specialists based in Silver Spring, Maryland previously told HuffPost that the ideal sandal is something with built-in arch support, an adjustable ankle strap, proper width and a slight wedge to take pressure off the Achilles and plantar fascia — all found in this retro ‘Season’ style.
We’ve written about this style before, acknowledging the handy (and kind of hidden) Velcro toe strap, that lets you ensure the correct width for your toe box and easily adjust during the day if your feet swell through lots of walking. The heel is just over two inches, giving you a little lift without making you unsteady.
These come in seven colors in sizes 5.5-12.
Dansko’s Ingrid clog balances function with a classically stylish look. Its chic strap can be worn across the shoe’s front (as pictured) for an understated professional vibe, or swung behind the heel for extra support while you’re on the go.
Plus, as with Dansko‘s other footwear, the open-back clog has great anti-stub protection thanks to its reinforced toe box, a comfy padded instep and a shock-absorbing bottom that conveniently helps propel you forward as you walk.
I love the rocker-bottom feature in particular: I find it does help propel me forward when I’m getting tired from walking!
Grab the Ingrid clog in three colors and in women’s sizes 4.5-12.
Completely lined with real shearling, Birkenstock’s Zermatt slipper shoe is like a marriage between your favorite warm slippers and actual shoes. The clog’s deliciously cozy lining — paired with the brand’s notoriously comfy contoured footbed — makes these both comfy on feet and supportive of arches.
Equipped with a soft wool upper, the clog is available in up to eight colors and in women’s and men’s sizes.
These modern yet nostalgic Mary Jane Danskos can be delightfully dressed up or down while keeping you comfy the whole time. clogs, Nicknamed the Beatrice, the clogs feature a cushy memory foam footbed, arch support, a leather upper and a hook and loop closure. Topped off with a polished metal button, the shoe sports a sweet two-inch block heel and a one-inch platform.
You can grab the style in up to three colors and in women’s sizes 5.5-12.
Folks are obsessed with this open-back Birkenstock shoe, which you’ll find everywhere from college campuses to startup offices and your favorite local walking trail. Birkenstock admits it’s the brand’s “most sought after clog,” likely due to the pillowy soft footbed which molds to your foot as you wear it. Plus, the shoe is notoriously lightweight, helping you feel energized instead of weighed down as you go about your day.
The Birkenstock Boston clog has a soft suede leather upper and a luxe suede leather lining. It’s available in up to six colors, regular/wide and medium/narrow widths, women’s sizes 4-12.5 and men’s sizes 6-17.5.
Something a little more like a Croc that still has that beloved Dansko support, this Dansko Kaci shoe is made from lightweight EVA, making the style easy to wipe clean. These clogs are slip-resistant, giving you extra stability on wet and oily surfaces, and have a removable insole that you can replace with your own orthotics.
These make for a great kitchen shoe, gardening clog or a general indoor/outdoor home shoe to keep by the door for grabbing the mail, taking out the trash or walking the dog. They’re available in up to six colors in sizes 36-42.
With a thick shearling cuff and a sweater-like lining, Dansko’s Magda clog is a great choice for folks looking for the arch support clogs are known for — with some extra warmth and comfort.
The cozy clog is made with a bouncy cork midsole and a non-slip rubber outsole that’ll stand the test of inclement outside weather.
Grab it in up to two colors and in women’s sizes 5.5-12.
If you like the stability of a backed clog but want the ease of an open back, this strap clog may be the happy middle. Featuring a cushioned leather footbed, cork sole and moisture-absorbing lining made to minimize foot odor, it’s a workhorse of a shoe that’s comfortable and easy to wear.
This is available in eight colors and women’s sizes 5.5-12.
Per Dr. Tulpule, you can wear an open back clog and still get support and security. “A backless clog will be easier to slip into and reduce chances of friction at the heel counter,” she said.
If you like an open-heel clog, we like this version from Dansko, that offers a padded instep, a reinforced toe and a wide heel for stability. This style is made with their classic “rocker-bottom” sole that helps propel you forward when walking.
Shopping writer (and clog lover) Haley Zovickian has worn this style saying, “Beyond its practical features — of which there are delightfully many — I loved the laidback vibe its backless style provided, plus the opportunity to show off my collection of fun socks, which are usually obscured by closed heels.”
This style is available with leather and fabric uppers, in up to five colors and in women’s sizes 4.5-12. It has a two-inch heel.