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 USA, Inc. is an American multinational footwear and apparel company. Headquartered in Manhattan Beach, California, it was founded in 1992 and is the third largest footwear brand in the United States.
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 like Skechers? ›

The US trainers have been around for more than three decades and cost around £60. 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. '

What are the bad things about 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.

What is the controversy with Skechers? ›

In 2021, French prosecutors launched an investigation into whether Skechers and other brands had concealed or profited from forced Uyghur labor. A December 2023 report by Sheffield Hallam University again found connections to forced Uyghur labor. Skechers has found no evidence of forced labor taking place.

Are Skecher shoes good for your feet? ›

So, Are Skechers Good For Your Feet? The short answer is yes, but it depends. While Skechers are designed to be comfortable and supportive, the type of Skechers you choose will depend on your individual foot needs and what activities you'll be using them for.

What is the disadvantage of Skechers shoes? ›

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%.

What shoes do podiatrists not recommend? ›

Pointed toe box

Pointed shoes may look nice, however they force your forefoot to squeeze into the toebox. The most common complaints we see in those who regularly wear pointed shoes are ingrown toenails, corns and forefoot pain.

Is there a class action lawsuit against Skechers? ›

Besides Shape-ups, the FTC alleged that Skechers also made deceptive claims about its Resistance Runner, Toners, and Tone-ups shoes. Under the terms of the FTC settlement, the funds were distributed through a court-approved class action lawsuit.

What is the Skechers shape up lawsuit? ›

David Vladeck, Director, FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection, announces that Skechers will pay $40 million in consumer refunds to settle FTC charges of deceptive advertising of Shape-ups and other toning shoes at the Federal Trade Commission May 16, 2012.

Can you return Skechers shoes after wearing them? ›

The requirement for shoes to be unworn and in new, re-sellable condition is specified in our Returns Policy HERE. If you believe your item may have a manufacturing fault present, please see HERE for instructions on initiating an assessment.

Is Skechers made in China? ›

Where are Skechers made 2020? So now you know what Skechers are made out of, They're actually manufactured in a variety of factories, mainly in China and Vietnam.

Who is Skechers biggest competitor? ›

Skechers USA Inc: Competitors
  • NIKE Inc Headquarters. 83,700. $51.2B.
  • adidas AG Headquarters. Germany. 51,561. $23.2B.
  • VF Corp Headquarters. 19,800. $11.6B.
  • Puma SE Headquarters. Germany. 18,681. $9.3B.

Why was Skechers sued? ›

New Balance, Skechers sued for allegedly infringing designs from a legacy athletic company. The lawsuit comes from a high-profile sneaker company. When it comes to athletic sneakers, many are so similar in design that they can be hard to tell apart.

Why do doctors recommend Skechers shoes? ›

Arch support– the entire weight of your body rest on your feet, arch support can personalize your arch type, support weight and reduce the impact on your heels. Slip on feature – it's for the hygiene reason; you can easily slip on and off without touching it preventing the bacteria and virus too.

Do Skecher Shape Up really work? ›

Studies show there are no proven benefits of shape-up shoes and using this footwear can increase your risk of fall accidents and injuries during exercise.

Are Skechers good for seniors? ›

With a convenient slip-on style and affordable price, Skechers' Go Walk Flex Alani Shoes are an excellent choice for older adults who want casual walking shoes.

Are memory foam shoes bad for your feet? ›

The problem stems from the fact that the shoes are purchased because they are "lightweight and spongy and supportive." That's fine for a while, but as people wear them for everything, including work and athletic activity, the memory foam breaks down, and without firmness in the soles, the fatigue and tendon/fascia ...

Do podiatrists recommend Skechers arch fit? ›

What do podiatrists think of Skechers? Many people who are looking for arch support footwear have previously spoken to a podiatrist and been given advice on what to look for, and in most cases only a few brands will be mentioned with Skechers certainly being one of them.

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