Why Skecher Shoes are not Endorsed by Me | The Podiatry (2024)

Even if you do not own a pair of Skechers shoe, chances are you have heard of the brand or know someone who wears them. They have become a very popular style of shoe purporting to offer cushioning and comfort for wearers. Below are some of the most common reasons why they have garnered the support that they have:

· Lightweight flexible synthetic mesh upper with no stitching accommodates different shaped feet.

· Wide fitting style ensures that your little toe or bunion does not feel cramped against the material.

· Cushioned and lightweight thick memory foam, contours to your foot adds to the feeling of comfort.

· Affordable price tag at around $100 per pair.

Although the points listed above are enticing reasons to wear Sketchers on a daily basis the fact of the matter is there are two sides to every story. Much like the ‘free running’ variety of shoes that had people invested in the idea of lightweight, comfortable footwear, these soft and easily malleable form of footwear should be treated with suspicion by people who have biomechanically related foot and lower limb problems. Some reasons why some podiatrists are hesitant to endorse these light weight style Sketchers shoes includes:

· Minimal to no stability in the heel to counteract a heel that “rolls-in” excessively.

· No stability in the midsole. The same density memory foam is used from heel to toe, with ability to flex at any position rendering it unsupportive for feet that have tendency to over-pronate through the midsole.

· There mesh upper of the shoe offers no chance for adjustment, reducing its ability to secure the foot to the shoe as may be required.

These flexible Sketcher shoes remind me of the Nike Free shoe, which are still a very popular choice with people, in particular teenagers. Adults have thankfully now come to recognize that this variety of shoe is not suitable for running or any strenuous exercise, because it provides no support to the foot structures. So, I usually have no problem convincing patients of this as they often have reached the conclusion themselves prior to entering my treatment room. With common problems such as sore balls of the feet, sore arches, unstable ankles or knee pain, it is easy to see why people would be disappointed to hear that these ‘cushioning’ and ‘comfortable’ shoes are anything but what they claim to be.

In saying that, I am a firm believer that shoes like the Sketchers can be used within moderation and for the correct purpose. Below you will find some pointers on how to avoid sore feet whilst using Sketchers:

· Do not use them all day / every day! Feet fatigue with prolonged standing and walking and as such require stable footwear to reduce strain on the muscles, tendons, ligaments and the joint they support.

· Do not use them for fitness, long walks or exercise! You should be in a proper sport shoe for those moments and it could mean the difference between progression with your program and sustaining an injury during it.

· Do not attempt to use them with orthotics! Sketchers DO NOT have appropriate stability in the upper fabric and the heel counter to complement an orthotic. As such, you will probably find the orthotic redundant, or in worse case contributing to the cause of injury. Remember, an orthotic does 50% of the work. The shoe does the other 50%.

The take home message is, you avoid painful feet and costly treatments by simply using the right shoe for the right moment. If you struggle with choosing a shoe or require advice, seek the guidance of one of our specially trained podiatrist who can assess your feet and provide a specialised list of footwear appropriate for your needs. When in doubt, have a podiatrist check it out!

Dr Vanessa Hadchiti (Podiatrist)

Why Skecher Shoes are not Endorsed by Me | The Podiatry (2024)

FAQs

Why Skecher Shoes are not Endorsed by Me | The Podiatry? ›

Sketchers

Sketchers
Skechers designs, develops and markets a range of lifestyle and performance footwear, apparel and accessories for adults and children.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Skechers
DO NOT have appropriate stability in the upper fabric and the heel counter to complement an orthotic. As such, you will probably find the orthotic redundant, or in worse case contributing to the cause of injury. Remember, an orthotic does 50% of the work. The shoe does the other 50%.

Why do podiatrists not recommend Skechers? ›

But Mr Macaulay said he doesn't like Skechers. 'These slip on ones are made tighter to hold onto your feet, so can squeeze your toes and cause problems like neuromas. ' Neuromas is a thickening of tissue around a nerve in the foot that's been irritated or damaged.

Are Skechers podiatrists approved? ›

Experience effortless style and comfort with podiatrist-certified arch support developed using over 20 years of data.

What are the bad things about Skechers? ›

In fact, some recent studies show that there is increased pressure on the ankle and knee as well as the hamstrings and these shoes can actually lead to injury. If that were not bad enough, now Sketchers is in the news for marketing these shoes to 7 year old girls.

What shoes do podiatrists not recommend? ›

Podiatry Services
  • High heels.
  • Too flexible.
  • Slip on shoes.
  • Pointed toe box.
  • Flat sole.

Is there a class action lawsuit against Skechers? ›

Skechers denies any wrongdoing, but has agreed to establish a $40 million class action lawsuit settlement fund to resolve the litigation.

Are Skechers shoes bad for your feet and posture? ›

Skechers Shape-Ups lack arch support, so they are not intended for long-term use because they may cause injury in the long run. Lack of arch support and a firm sole can lead to alterations in: Gait. Posture.

Why do my feet hurt after wearing Skechers? ›

As a consequence, Skechers can cause ligament and muscle stresses and strains. The memory foam could take on the 'memory' of a poor gait style causing destabilising foot, ankle, knee, hip and lower back pain.

Are Skechers good shoes for being on your feet all day? ›

Skechers Max Cushioning Elite SR

Slip-resistant shoes are necessary for individuals who stand on their feet all day long, especially in terms of preventing a surprise injury. These Skechers sneakers have a slip-resistant outsole with oil resistance and a relaxed fit for optimal comfort and breathability.

Why do nurses wear Skechers? ›

One nurse that regularly spends 12 hours on her feet at work called these “the only shoes that don't leave me aching.” A second nurse said that these shoes offer “all the support” they need and that they would “definitely recommend [the shoes] to other nurses!” And yet another nurse who works 13-hour shifts called the ...

Are Skechers good for seniors? ›

Skechers Go Walk

It is one of the safest shoes for seniors, as it doesn't have laces or velcro straps that need to be fastened.

What are Skechers weaknesses? ›

Skechers' Weaknesses

High dependency on the footwear segment, limited category diversification. Reliance on fashion trends and consumer preferences. Low brand awareness in some international markets with expansion opportunity. Product safety issues and recalls in the past.

Are Skechers good for your knees? ›

Skechers shoes are known for their ability to flex and twist, promoting a natural stride when you walk. Skechers GOwalk Joy is an especially popular option for those with knee problems.

Do podiatrists approve of Skechers? ›

Skechers Arch Fit are a popular range of podiatrist certified footwear developed with over 20 years of data and 120,000 unweighted foot scans. The result is footwear designed to mould to your foot, encourage the dispersion of weight across the whole arch, whilst also offering increased levels of shock absorption.

What shoes do podiatrists recommend for seniors? ›

“For seniors, Vionic and Naturalizer are good options. There are many other options of dress shoes that would be appropriate for longer standing/walking. For women who plan to be in dress shoes for more than a couple hours in a day, they should wear a shoe that is not pointed in the toe with excessive high heels.”

What is the most common problem treated by podiatrist? ›

Common problems that podiatrists treat include bunions, heel pain, ingrown toenails, and athlete's foot. Treatment methods used by podiatrists can vary depending on the specific condition but often include things like orthotic devices, braces, or surgery.

Are Arch Fit Skechers good for your feet? ›

Shoes with arch support can help alleviate aches throughout the body, improve balance, and allow for the proper dispersion of weight across the foot to reduce fatigue - no more tired feet!

Are Skechers good for bad knees? ›

Skechers shoes are known for their ability to flex and twist, promoting a natural stride when you walk. Skechers GOwalk Joy is an especially popular option for those with knee problems.

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