The Rise of Accessible Footwear

The Issue of the Footwear Industry

Footwear is something that everyone needs. No matter who you are, you need to be able to move around the world. And most importantly, you want to be comfortable. Comfort can change the entire outcome of your day- imagine how sleeping on a rock hard mattress can affect how you wake up in the morning. Shoes are the exact same way. 

Wearing uncomfortable footwear for long periods of time can lead to both physical and mental pain. The worst feeling in the world is putting together a cohesive outfit and finding out the perfect shoes are just painful to wear. This is an all too common occurrence, especially for people with mobility issues. Some people’s feet require more or less support in order for them to be comfortable just doing a basic task such as walking. On the market right now, some of the shoes that provide that support do not lend themselves to fashion-forward individuals. So, it becomes a battle of comfort over fashion. However, some brands have begun to redesign their shoes with both comfort and fashion in mind.

New Balance 990s

The 990’s have become a staple footwear for many people, especially those who are looking for extreme amounts of comfort while also maintaining a fashionable lifestyle. They come in many different colorways, such as bone gray and purple and calcium with forest green. The aforementioned purple colorway was also a limited time drop, and to lifestyle enthusiasts that is a massive pull for them to buy the shoes before they sell out. Thus, the brand understands what people want in their footwear, and understanding their customer base allows them to have a connection with their customers they may have missed otherwise.

Comfort in the 990s is unparalleled. The sole is hard so people that need extra arch support can be comfortable in these shoes while supporting their individual needs. For me, a shoe needs to be stiff enough that when it is folded, the sole stays stiff and parallel to the rest of the shoe. And that is exactly what the 990s provide, a stiff sole to give support to ankles and make fashion comfortable. The inserts on the inside of the shoe are also able to be removed,  which allows medical custom inserts to be placed inside the shoe without compromising the look or the feel of the shoe itself. This makes people that need these medical accommodations feel like the rest of the world by hiding their inserts inside the shoe seamlessly while providing maximum comfort and support.

Nike Air Huarache Craft

Originally made for high performance running , the Nike Huarache line of shoes has evolved over the years to provide more comfort and support for both their runners and casual customers of the brand. Customers are drawn to the various colorways, and people with accessibility needs are drawn to both the fashion and the functionality of the shoes. The back of the shoes feature ankle support that connects directly to the base of the sole. As well as having a hard, unbendable sole and a removable insole from the inside of the shoe, this pair of sneakers were made to be adapted to user’s needs. 

Nike has been known for one style of shoe for many years, just the classic running shoe. Sure, they may have made sub-brands with different styles such as the high top Jordans or Air Forces. However, none of the other shoes are just as compatible with the general audience then the Huarache. I have been wearing them for many months now, and it has completely changed my opinion on the Nike brand. I see the brand now as more open to people with different needs than I ever did before trying these shoes. And that adaptability to consumer needs gives these shoes a rank above the others in the fight for comfortable mobility.

Fila Disruptor 2

The Disruptors are the perfect chunky sneaker to remind you of the early 2000s. Solid white and a sole that is bigger then the shoe itself- these are a statement to say the least. With minor red and blue accents for the branding, the shoes can fit to every outfit anyone can think of. 

While being a statement, the brand makes sure the shoes are comfortable for the wearer. The massive soles make arch support essential as they physically cannot bend unless they are broken. Even though they are ordinary sneakers from the sides, the low top is at a perfect height for optimal ankle support throughout the day. I have worn these shoes personally for over 3 years, and they have never failed me. They are an essential part of my wardrobe both as a fashion accessory and a necessary mobility aid. Fila recognizes the need for these shoes, and they have remained on the market for as long as I can remember. A brand needs to know their clientele, and Fila knows this by making sure these shoes stay in stock for their consumers. If anyone is looking for a fashionable pair of shoes, even if they do not need them for mobility, I highly recommend them for everyone’s essential wardrobe needs.

Shoes for Mobility

Everyone needs to feel comfortable in something that they are going to wear for many hours at a time. For the average person, they are on their feet for over three hours a day, depending on their job and their living situation it may be longer or shorter.The fact remains that we all need shoes for our daily lives. These brands have taken the next steps, designing footwear for us who need extra support for everyday functioning. It makes us with mobility issues feel less alienated. If more brands follow suit, the alien will soon become the normal among both fashionistas and the everyday customer.