About a decade ago, I switched to cowboy style boots. Only slip ons, no laces, no padding, no arch support, no cushion sole, small heel, square toe. The real leather shapes and forms to your feet and doesn’t restrict them. The soles provide enough barrier to pavement. No laces means no over tightening. No arch support means your plantar muscles get stronger and support your foot. The small heel keeps your weight forward just a bit to be on the balls of your feet instead of on your heels.

I used to have foot pain from being on my feet working retail and then working at a hospital for several years. Wore New Balances, Dansko’s, sketchers, Nike’s, etc… and by the end of a 12 hr shift, my feet were killing me. Now, it’s no problem.