Take it from Dr. Bradley Schaeffer: It’s way, way, way too easy to literally cover up foot problems. “People just put on socks and shoes and forget it,” he says. “Or they think it’s legit to say the old adage, ‘My feet are barking,’ but pain is not normal.”
He certainly knows his stuff from head to pinky toe. As seen on TLC’s unscripted series “My Feet Are Killing Me,” the New York City-based podiatrist and foot surgeon has treated everything from disfiguring bunions to towering toenails to killer corns.
These bottom-of-the-body troubles may not be pretty, but they’re painfully relatable. “Everyone has foot and ankle issues,” says Dr. Schaeffer, who goes by “Dr. Brad” on the show. “So it’s good to be able to see on TV that cures are out there.” Besides, he adds, “Some people think feet are gross and others think feet are sexy. It’s hard to turn away.”
The most important step to achieving happy feet? Solid support by way of comfortable shoes and shock-absorbing rubber insoles. “When you walk around wearing the wrong thing, there’s a ripple effect throughout your whole body,” he explains. “So you want to be able to protect your knees, hips and back.” And for those fancy nights out? “Maybe wear something sensible on the way and then change. You don’t need to sacrifice fashion all the time!”
Before going into surgery, Dr. Schaeffer ran down his footwear essentials for CNN Underscored.
When it comes to high-impact athletic shoes, he recently switched to Hokas. “It’s designed for an active person,” he says. He notes its rocker bottom feature — i.e., a thicker-than-normal sole with a rounded heel: “That sole helps every step of the way when you run and it propels you forward.” FYI, actor Rainn Wilson is also a fan of the brand's comfy sneakers.?
Related: Editors’ picks: The 52 best products we tried and loved in June
Though dress shoes from Christian Louboutin and Ferragamo are “really nice,” he prefers to splurge on Tod’s hand-stitched, made-in-Italy loafers because of the removable insoles. “I think it’s a game changer when you can take out that flimsy insole and put in something more comfortable and fitting to your foot,” he says. And on the outside? “Tod’s shoes are still trendy!”
Related: Men’s fall fashion essentials: A head-to-toe guide
Dr. Schaeffer is often up and about for his job, so he’s diligent about what he puts on his feet all day. These shoes, which provide arch support and a have cushioned interior to help with shock absorption, go the distance. “They offload the pressure on my feet when I’m standing and walking around the office for long periods,” says Dr. Schaeffer, who has worked with the brand. He also notes that the sneakers are accepted by the American Podiatric Medical Association.
On the surface, wobbly flip-flops may not seem like ideal podiatrist-approved footwear. But Dr. Schaeffer admits to owning pairs of these sandals since college. “They have really good arch support and great padding and wear really well,” he says of the shoes, which boast a wide strap, leather sole and nonslip bottom. “I also think they look cool.”
Related: The 20 best sandals for men to buy now, according to style experts
“I like to tell my patients, ‘I don’t care if you have the best feet in the world — they’re not designed to walk around your hardwood floor for long periods of time,’” he says. “The bottoms of our feet can only withstand so much wear and tear.” That’s why he strolls around his pad in these faux shearling slip-ons, which offer stability, cushioning and arch support. Dr. Schaeffer, who has worked with Vionic, is also a fan of the brand's Tide Sandal, which he refers to as one of his recovery sandals. “If I’m running or playing basketball or spending time outdoors, I’ll put on these shoes because they let your foot breathe while offering support,” he says.?
Related: 27 cute slippers to keep you cozy and warm
Schaeffer admits he’s not much of a boot man. But for a rainy day (or night), he’s a fan of Hunter’s classic 100% waterproof rubber footwear. “Hunter does a lot of good things in the foot game,” he says. “Its shoes are very supportive.”
Dr. Schaeffer's pick is also available in women's sizes.
Related: The best rain jacket of 2023, tried and tested
Now, let’s talk about socks, baby. Schaeffer says he puts on a pair of these snug sleeves before his operations. “I think they’re great because they compress the blood vessels to help with circulation and prevent injury,” he explains. They’re also beneficial during traveling, especially on long flights: “You should wear them if you’re going to be standing up or seated for extended periods.”
Related: 21 pairs of travel shoes that offer supreme comfort and support
