Dr. Jacqueline Sutera, DPM, is an NYC-based podiatrist and foot surgeon who specializes in women’s foot care. Dr. Sutera earned her medical degree from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine in Manhattan. She performed her residency at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in Queens, where she served as chief resident.

I spoke with PureWow editors to get their picks for the best sandals with arch support to round up this comprehensive list of our personal favorites. I also got insight from Dr. Sutera on what to look for when searching for arch support, like midsole cushioning, secure straps and shock absorption, so I could grab options from top brands we know and love.

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First, do you have existing foot issues like bunions, narrow feet, plantar fasciitis or high arches? “Look for a cushioned insole preferably with arch support built in,” say Dr. Sutera. Taking these things into account will help point you in the direction of finding the right shoe. “I speak a lot [about] proper ‘foot posture.’ We mostly hear about neck and back posture but feet are the foundation of our skeleton and without proper foot gear and support, skeletal pain and injury can occur over time,” she says. This means prioritizing supportive footwear is a big part in optimizing your foot health (along with seeing your podiatrist, of course). “When picking shoes, choose styles and brands that offer cushioning, arch support and shock absorption,” advises Dr. Sutera. “These good-for-you features are foot and body loving, both short term because they feel good and long term because they help to prevent and treat common foot complaints like plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, strained ligaments, ball of foot pain, etc.”

When it comes to knowing what to avoid, Dr. Sutera says to steer clear of shoes that are too thin or flat. “These features are sure to cause foot problems over time, even if you don’t have issues yet...Poor foot health can lead to inability to walk well and can affect mobility, which in some severe cases becomes chronic and irreversible,” she warns.

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