Shoes must be orthopedic. I injured my foot very badly and the doctor advised me to wear orthopedic shoes for at least 6 months to not put too much stress on all the torn tendons and ligaments after I stopped using the boot and crutches. The shoe has some arch support but is not soft so you feel most of the steps you take. I thought maybe they were just orthopedic shoes, but I tried other companies' smarter work shoes and found the Propets weren't as good. Yes, they look cuter than most supportive shoes and come in a variety of widths, but I wish I'd worn them outside so had to keep them.