Best Memory Foam Shoes for Men & Women

A few years back, women's shoes with memory foam inserts hit the market with a rush of compliments for the amazing comfort of this innovation. Men's memory foam shoes quickly followed with the Skechers brand incorporating these insoles into most of their product line.

Check out this extensive article on the benefits and issues with memory foam if you want to learn more about that. We cover the key takeaways after the reviews so if you want to read a shorter version of the main points just click the orange button under here.

If you just want to get to the reviews – here they come.

Links disclosure: Some links on this page go to affiliate partners where, without cost to you, we may receive a commission if you make a purchase.

The table below gives a quick view of the shoes reviewed in this article which are our picks of the best memory foam shoes for both men and women. Use the jump links in the table as well as in the reviews to jump up and down the page quickly and easily. Blue buttons are for men & pink are for women.

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1. Fila Memory Workshift SR Work Shoe

Overview

Fila makes a range of these slip-resistant work shoes with memory foam inserts. This is the standard model though there are steel capped and composite toe models also available.

Suitable for anyone working in potentially slippery conditions including chefs, restaurant servers, nurses and a host of other professions.

Fitting

Width fittings are either medium or extra wide. With lengths to suit size 6.5 to 16, there should be a size to fit almost everyone.

Do note though that the shoe last (shape) is quite short so you should order a half to one size normal than your normal size depending on the thickness of socks you wear. The shoe has a decent lace up area which runs from the bottom of the instep to the top of the shoe and allows for you to ensure a good fit by simply adjusting the laces.

Comfort & Cushioning

Assuming you get the right size and note that these do come up rather small in length and width, then the memory foam insoles will give moderate support your arches and a very comfortable underfoot feel.

Bear in mind that these are budget priced shoes and the memory foam insoles and suffer from durability issues that most memory foam products face.

If you replace your shoes every six months or so then this will not become an issue but if you wear them every day and all day, then you should be prepared to replace the insoles every so often. The elastic quality of memory foam means that they flatten out over the use.

Style

The shoe is styled in a casual sneaker type design with the souls specifically suited to provide additional grip on slippery and wet surfaces.

However, you will need to exercise care if the surface is particularly slippery because no rubber sole provides high levels of grip on oily or icy surfaces.

The point is that despite the fact that the shoe provides additional grip, you still need to exercise caution.

These shoes come in black or white color which makes them well suited for nurses, bartenders and servers, and chefs.

Fila Memory Workshift SR – Features of Interest

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2. Skechers Sport Synergy Sneaker

Overview

Sketchers are perhaps the best-known shoe brand for memory foam shoes.

It should come as no surprise that some of the shoes feature in this best memory foam shoes roundup but it might surprise you to know that they are the third largest athletic footwear brand in the United States.

Sketches Synergy Power Switch Memory Foam shoes are excellent for walkers (but not so good for running). The sneaker design makes a versatile and comfortable memory foam walking shoe.

Fitting

Sketchers Synergy Sport shoes feature a flexible knit upper that approaches a one-piece design mostly avoiding internal seams.

They come in the standard width as well as extra wide, but the shoe last is a little narrow so if you often find regular fitting a little tight then definitely order the extra width.

This shoe has an open lacing area with a well-padded tongue that is stitched to the bottom (which is why it's not a truly one-piece design), with reinforced lacing eyelet loops through which the lace is threaded.

This lacing system makes the laces slightly more difficult to position if you are a person who likes to fully undo the laces on your shoes when taking them taking off.

On the other hand, if you prefer to place your shoes in a more relaxed way this will not be a problem.

The upper is a perforated flexible knit which provides some give and breathability to the shoe and adds to your foot comfort and helps keep your feet drier.

Comfort & Cushioning

This is a very comfortable and lightweight walking shoe that features Skechers memory foam insoles which give a wonderfully soft feeling underfoot while still providing a little arch support.

If you read our article on memory foam you will understand that the comfort and support will wear off with use and therefore pricing becomes an important factor because you will need to replace the shoes every season, although durability does depend on your use.

The flexible knit upper is add to the comfort because they are flexible and breathable and the shoe is well cushioned to the tongue and collar around your ankles.

I found this to be one of the most comfortable walking shoes the general wear but durability is the issue.

Style

This is quite a good-looking shoe from Skechers with a rugged -looking sole that provides flexibility in the forefoot area and a well-cushioned midsole which absorbs shock well.

We like the flexible knit material used for the uppers and the shoe is constructed using lightweight materials throughout, making you almost forget you're wearing them while you're out and about is exactly what this shoe should do.

There is a range of colors to choose from and the casual sneaker style looks pretty good.

Skechers Synergy Sport – Features of Interest

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3. Saucony Liteform Feel Sneaker

Overview

Saucony is a top shoe brand and offers this budget sneaker as a comfortable walking shoe for general wear.

A casual looking sneaker with a FORM2U memory foam sockliner which is Saucony's branding for their memory foam inserts.

The Saucony Liteform Feel Sneaker is a very comfortable everyday casual sneaker.

Fitting

Sizes run from 7 to 15 which should cover most guys, and there are half sizes but note that only medium width fittings are available.

The shoes come up a little shorter than normal so you should upsize by a half to one fitting size.

The lacing system runs through regular eyelets in the reinforced lacing closure edges, with five lacing eyelets providing plenty of adaptability to suit your instep height.

The tongue has a useful pull tab to make it easy to pull on the shoe.

Comfort & Cushioning

The memory foam inserts make the shoes very comfortable from the off.

Durability once again rears its head with the inserts which will start to lose support and comfort rather more quickly than other materials.

The molded EVA midsole provides good enough shock absorbent's and the whole shoe is very lightweight.

Although durability is an issue the price point is very low which makes the shoe generally good value for money.

Style

The shoe is very casually styled with a pleasingly aesthetic flexible knit upper that looks really nice.

Styled as a running shoe, which they are plainly is not well suited for, it does lend a sporty feel to your footwear.

There is a charcoal grey and light grey color choice which will match most outfits styles and can be worn with jeans or more formal styles.

Saucony Liteform Sneaker – Features of Interest

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4. Nunn Bush Cam Moc Toe Oxford

Overview

The Nunn Bush Cam Moc Toe Oxford is a shoe that sits between a casual and formal style making it suitable for office environments as well as casual engagements.

This great looking shoe is wonderfully soft leather uppers and looks rather classy in a casual sort of way.

Better than average memory sole inserts make this a very comfortable shoe where a regular sneaker or sports shoe would make you feel underdressed.

Fitting

Medium, wide and extra wide fittings coupled with a flexible lace-up arrangement should make finding the right fit a breeze.

There is a full range of lengths available with half sizes up to 11 1/2 and a shoe last that does not taper too much in the midfoot, providing an average fit for most people.

Although the shoe has only four lacing eyelets, the lacing system provides plenty of adjustment for your instep heights and the laces travel freely through the metal cleated eyelets, making them easy to get on and off.

There is also a loop to keep the shoe tongue in position where the laces are passed through the loop between opposing eyelets.

Comfort & Cushioning

Comfort and cushioning comes largely from the better than average quality memory foam insole which also has a gel insert that sits on a foam pad under the heel to provide additional shock absorbance and comfort.

Even though the memory foam in the shoes is quite high quality, it is rather thinner than desirable and still suffers from durability issues.

The molded EVA footbed provides better than average under-arch support which provides an average level of support suited to most feet.

Has plenty of cushioning around the collar of the shoe to protect your ankles and Achilles heel and the tongue is also padded to distribute pressure under the laces.

Overall comfort and cushioning are excellent though sadly rather short-lived as the shoes are unlikely to last you more than a season.

Style

This shoe is an attractive casual formal shoe with a classic style which makes it a very versatile item of footwear suited for most occasions.

Perfectly suited the people who work on concrete or are walking on concrete all day and designed specifically as a walking shoe.

Soft leather uppers are accentuated by a thicker than average rubber sole with EVA midsole to provide additional cushioning and spring in your step.

Nunn Bush make an alternative shoe called the Cameron which is very similar but has a distinctive stitched leather reach between the upper and sole at the joint, which makes for a more casual looking design.

Nunn Bush Cam Moc Toe Oxford – Features of Interest

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5. Skechers Glides Docklands

Overview
An extremely comfortable casual slip on shoe that is suitable for work or general casual use.

Durability issues the memory foam remain and as long as you do not expect the shoes to last more than about a year then your expectation should be met especially as regards to comfortable walking.

A very nice mid-priced slip-on shoe from Skechers.

Fitting

Unfortunately, the shoes are only available in a medium fitting, but if you have a medium width foot then they are very comfortable slip-on shoes.

Available in a wide range of lengths to suit most foot sizes, and the shoe sizing is average so your normal shoe size should fit.

Comfort & Cushioning

The shoe comes with sketchers memory foam insoles and is styled on their relaxed fit range, which gives a good shape to the shoe and avoids those tight pressure points found on many Asian made shoes these days.

Shoes are well cushioned around the collar and heel to protect your ankles and Achilles and add to the overall comfort that you will feel wearing the shoes.

The leather uppers are good quality and reasonably soft so they will adapt to the shape of your foot pretty well, as with most leather shoes.

The elastic gore either side of the shoe is quite narrow which will cause a problem for you if you have high insteps.

Getting the shoes on offer is made easier by loops provided at the top of the shoe and behind the heel.

Style

The shoe styling is quite unusual because of the stitch detailing to the leather uppers which provides a distinctive look.

Other than that the slip-on style is fairly classic and good enough to wear for most work environments or just wear out for casual engagements.

The rubber soles are quite thick to look at and are welded to the shoe with a rubber beading which adds to the styling and gives a slightly rugged man look.

Overall I find a shoe is quite attractive.

Skechers Glides Oxford – Features of Interest

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6. Clarks Tunsil Plain Oxford

Overview

An all synthetic memory foam shoe from Clarks and part of their Cloudsteppers range of wonderfully comfortable shoes.

A laid-back design that will be perfectly fine for most office environments and of course for casual wear.

A simple and effective super comfortable shoe for men.

Fitting

The shoe comes in medium and wide width fittings and in the full range of lengths and is built on a shoe last that matches the shape of the shoe to the average person's foot.

That may sound rather trite, but if that is your opinion then perhaps you haven't tried on the latest shoes originating out of Asia.

The Oxford styling allows plenty of flexibility to lace down and fit nearly all instep heights and shapes and is designed for relaxed lacing rather than tying them on like a straitjacket.

That's bad for your feet anyway!

Comfort & Cushioning

These shoes are truly very comfortable, and some of the best from Clark's range of memory foam shoes.

The memory foam insoles coupled with an excellent midsole provide a lightness of feel and comfort that takes the comfort and feel of memory foam inserts to a whole new level.

The non-marking rubber soles are soft and slightly springy and flexible enough to make walking a pleasure.

The material used throughout the shoe is soft and pliable and there is also excellent cushioning to the tongue and around the shoe collar.

A well thought out, designed and super comfortable shoe.

Style

The shoe is styled in a fairly plain fashion, with a little detailed stitching to the quarters of the shoe proving the point that less is sometimes more.

The rest of the uppers are otherwise plain synthetic material with some more detailed stitching around the heel counter which attached to the cushioned soft heel back that protects your Achilles heel.

The synthetic souls and midsole are colored to provide tonal contrast to the uppers of the shoe to give an overall simple but pleasing appearance.

Clarks Tunsil Oxford – Features of Interest

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7. Hey Dude Wally Woven Loafer

Overview

If Casual is your style then the Hey Dude Wally range offers some excellent memory foam shoes that are truly casual.

Great levels of comfort from the memory foam insoles which are removable and breathable.

These machine washable shoes are ideal for travel, super lightweight and highly fashionable.

Fitting

The shoes are built to a square last which makes for an easy fit for anyone with a medium width shoe.

That said if you are a half size, then you should size up to the next larger size for a good fit.

Unfortunately, if you are wide footed then you are out of luck.

The lacing system is not so much a system as at high to pull the top edges of the uppers together which make the shoes sit gently on your feet.

Comfort & Cushioning

The memory foam insole provides plenty of cushioning as you would expect and is removable so that when the foam starts to lose its recovery properties you can swap these out for an alternative in order to extend their use.

The shoe is built to a relaxed shape which is augmented by the lacing system which is a simple tie across the top of the instep and secured by means of simple knots at the end for a truly relaxed feel.

Style

The styling of the shoes is definitely laid-back and relaxed and very casual.

Everything about the shoe indicates comfort from the woven breathable uppers to the lacing design and moccasin styling that make them look almost like your grandmother might have knitted them.

I love the styling of the shoes but unfortunately, the lack of a wider with fitting means that those of us with wider feet are out of luck.

Hey Dude Wally Woven – Features of Interest

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8. Skechers Sport Afterburn

Overview

The Skechers Sport Afterburn memory foam training shoes are rugged looking yet sporty casual walking shoes that provide very high levels of comfort.

Although marketed as training shoes and are running shoes, they are not so well suited to those purposes given the durability and heat build-up properties of memory foam.

The rugged soles add to the chunky look of the shoes yet they defy their looks as they are quite lightweight.

Fitting

The Skechers Afterburn Sport Design style is been around for some time and regularly gets great reviews from buyers. The extra-wide with fittings help those with wider feet and there is a wide range of lengths available though you should upsize about half size as they run a little short.

There is a wide lacing area, with laces looped through synthetic ties that can be tied down for a snug fit or left looser according to your preference.

There is a well-padded tongue under the laces to distribute the pressure on your instep and a loop through towards the top to hold the padded tongue in position.

Comfort & Cushioning

The Afterburn Memory Foam shoes are very comfortable for walking and general use in the shoe is more sturdily made than many of its competitors.

They have plenty of cushioning to the heel and collar of the shoe as well as to the tongue which combines with the memory foam makes for a very comfortable fit.

Comfort and cushioning are not only provided by the memory foam insoles but also by the foam midsole which works together well to provide an all-round comfortable stride.

Style

You will see that the style of the shoe is fairly classic sporty sneaker like appearance bordering on a trail shoe look to give a rugged and manly design.

If you're looking for a comfortable walking exercise shoe with memory foam insoles then the Skechers Afterburn are well worth your closer look.

Skechers Afterburn Sport – Features of Interest

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9. Fila Memory Multiswift

Overview

It's the end of the line for the Multiswift range of memory foam shoes from Fila which means you can buy them at a hefty discount.

These popular and well-rated shoes are replaced in the current lineup but remain a quality choice if you're looking for a sporty looking shoe with a memory foam insert.

Grab them while they last.

Fitting

The Memory Multiswift comes only in a medium width fitting but in a full range of lengths so you will probably find a size to fit you.

These shoes have flexible fabric and mesh uppers which have a little give to them which aids a comfortable feel for your feet.

The lacing system is decent with laces running from the lower middle of the instep to the top and lays pressures distributed by a padded tongue underneath.

Comfort & Cushioning

The Fila Memory Multiswift is a well made and competent shoe designed to take the rigors of walking exercise and running.

The memory foam insole sits on top of a quality foam midsole which works together to reduce and absorb shock as well as provide high levels of comfort while you're walking.

The outsole is a rubber which adds a little extra durability.

Style

These shoes have a fashionable design whilst maintaining the sporty look and the knit uppers look pretty cool.

The laces are rainbow colored which ties in with the branding logos and color segments between the midsole and up which set the shoe off and give it a good look.

This is more an exercise walking shoe than a shoe that can be worn in the office or for work because of its bright color splashes.

Fila Memory Multiswift – Features of Interest

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10. Dr Scholl's Sport Sandal

Overview

The Dr. Scholl's Andrews Fisherman's Sandal for women is a lightweight breathable fabric and synthetic sandal with a cause step memory foam insole.

The open style design and fabric uppers work together with the upgraded memory foam insole to give the optimum breathability and minimum heat buildup around your feet.

These fashionable and very lightweight saddles look great and feel great underfoot.

Fitting

These sandals only come in a medium fitting and are close at the end of the foot around the toes to provide little protection for them.

There is a hook and loop fastener across the top of the instep joins with an elasticated lacing arrangement that fits between loops either side of your foot but is otherwise not adjustable.

If you have very wide feet then they will not likely fit but if you're a medium fitting then these will do the job nicely.

The bungee-style laces expand as you pull the sandals on slip-on style and then contract back to give a good fit around your foot.

Style

These shoes look very good on your feet and being lightweight are a breeze to wear.

You can loosen off the strap to pull the mom with the aid of a small loop pull at the back of the heel and then fastened into place with the hook and loop fastener.

The open style design is trendy and looks pretty good.

View Dr. Scholl's Andrews Sandal – Features of Interest

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11. Skechers D'Lites memory Foam Sneaker

Overview

The Skechers D'Lites are one of the top-selling Skechers sneakers and come in a wide range of colors to suit your existing wardrobe.

Their sporty styling and raised heel are ideal for you with you are just walking around casually or for walking exercise.

The memory foam insoles in the shoes are not removable but are upgraded to provide a cooler feel to counter the heat buildup that affected the original memory foam material.

Fitting

Available in medium, wide, and extra wide fittings you should have no problem in finding the right size for your particular foot shape.

This sporty sneaker has a good wide lacing area that opens up to make getting the shoe on off easy and then to tie down securely on your foot.

The laces extend the top of your instep metal eyelets available for those who more strenuous exercise and reduce foot slip.

The heel of the shoe is strengthened with a heel counter that runs from the sides and round the back of the shoe for a little bit of extra stability.

Comfort & Cushioning

The main reason that people by memory foam shoes is to get the best available comfort and cushioning in a lightweight package that feels great.

The original memory foam material retains heat which used to make the shoe is rather hot to wear and has been tackled by encouraging the passage of air through the material by changes in the design during manufacture.

This allows the memory foam insoles in the shoes to feel cooler underfoot and reduce what was the main complaint of the original wonder material.

Apart from the insole, the shoe has a good midsole with a strengthened section under the instep to give better arch support and a raised heel to give you a little lift and provide the optimum heel to toe drop for walking.

The shoe is good at absorbing shock and there is plenty of cushioning around the collar and heel of the shoe as well as to the tongue under the lacing area to distribute forces and reduce the risk of any rubbing on your instep.

The upper materials are detailed with overlays and stitching but still provide breathability from the synthetic mesh uppers.

Style

The basic shoe style is a classic sporty sneaker type design with a fairly rugged outsole and synthetic uppers and laces that pass through loops stitched into the shoe quarters.

These shoes differentiate themselves by the stitching and overlay patterns of the leather-like material to provide the overall sporty look.

The shoes feel wonderfully comfortable and work very well as walking shoes.

Skechers D'Lites – Features of Interest

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12. Skechers Go Walk Joy

Overview

The Skechers Go Walk Joy Walking Shoe is a super lightweight slip-on, rubber-soled shoes suitable for all day walking as well as the travelers.

The Go Walk Joy has an improved midsole material that provides slightly better shock absorbent's and cushioning through what Skechers described as the 5Gen Midsole.

Designed for walking and super lightweight will find these shoes some of the most comfortable on the market and the improved memory foam cushion your feet perfectly.

Fitting

The Go Walk Joy is available in medium and wide fittings and comes up fairly true to size.

The midfoot area does taper in slightly but for most people, this is not a problem. If you do have a wider midfoot than usual then opt for the wide fitting.

This slip-on shoe has stretchy uppers and unless your feet are swollen or the shoe is too small they are generally fairly easy to get on and off which is held by the small pull tab at the back of the heel.

The mesh uppers are designed to give and stretch where your foot requires it while still providing a snug fit as the material hugs your foot.

Comfort & Cushioning

The Go Walk Joy Walking Shoe is quite lightweight and well suited for air travel walking around at your destination.

The upgraded memory foam insoles to a great job of cushioning your foot although there is not much in the way of arch support other than what is provided from the slightly shaped midsole and what the memory foam can give.

The main difference in the insole is the liner and it seems to us that most of the cushioning improvements have come from the improved design of the midsole.

This is an extremely comfortable and relaxed casual style slip on that is best suited to people with normal instep heights.

Style

The styling of the shoe is very plain but still fashionable and there are several different colors for you to choose from.

We love the look of the stretchy uppers and the shoe looks very nice on your feet and in wear. The slip-on styling makes it easy to wear and as relaxing as it is comfortable.

The shoe is best suited for casual walking rather than exercise walking, by which we mean general all daywear and for walking around town whether on holiday or going about your usual day-to-day tasks.

Skechers Go Walk Joy – Features of Interest

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13. Adidas Ultraboost

Overview

First, we should point out that the Ultraboost from Adidas is not strictly a memory foam shoe. However, the ultra base material is very similar to memory foam in its properties.

To be honest the Adidas ultra boost is a shoe in a different class to the majority of the others in this list and is designed more for energetic exercise walking then to be worn as an all-day casual shoe.

The Ultraboost are exceptionally comfortable, provide incredible energy return to your step, are ultralightweight and technically superior all of which comes at a much higher price point.

Fitting

The shoe only comes in a medium fitting with a wide range of lengths available.

The upper material is very flexible and together and with the wide lacing area the shoe will fit most instep heights and shapes.

The flexibility of the other material is important as it both provides flex for the differing shapes of your foot through your gait cycle and also recovers to fit snugly which reduces rubbing and sore points.

The biggest issue with this shoe is that it only comes in a medium fitting so if you have wider feet then you will need to give it a miss.

Comfort & Cushioning

The Adidas Ultraboost is supremely comfortable and very well cushioned, providing about as perfect a feel underfoot as you can get while exercising energetically.

The excellent midsole is made to utilize the energy you put into this shoe through your weight as you land by springing back and helping you through the push-off phase. This spring is known as energy return which you may have read about.

The outsole is flexible this is exactly what you want for walking and the prime knit upper is designed to provide support in key areas and allow greater expansion for fit in others through manipulation of the knit pattern of the material.

All this adds up to an exceptionally technically proficient and physically amazing shoe for high-energy walkers.

Style

The styling of this shoe is unashamedly athletic and it is targeted directly to users who will make full use of the highly technical design.

The shoe is slightly futuristic looking but is aesthetically beautiful.

The price point of the shoe is high and on par with the very best athletic shoes which is what this is.

If you have the budget then it's a wonderful shoe for simply walking exercise but do understand that the technical provisions mainly benefit you if you are putting high-energy into your walking.

The materials and quality of the shoe are very high and durability is good.

Adidas Ultraboost – Features of Interest

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14. Sketchers Gratis Going Places

Overview

Another strong contender from Skechers is the Gratis Going Places air cooled memory foam shoe that is perfect for travelers as well as for all-day wear whilst out and about or for work.

This relaxed fit shoe provides a very comfortable feel underfoot thanks to the memory foam which is an upgraded version that allows air to pass through and ventilate your foot thus reducing heat buildup.

Fitting

The shoe is only available in medium width fittings but does come up quite true to size in width if a little small in length – order up half a size.

The lacing system is a bungee style continuous lace which you basically adjust for uneven fit around your foot.

Obviously out of reach for people with wider feet.

Comfort & Cushioning

This is another very comfortable shoe in the mid-range price point and the last is fairly generous in the midfoot which provides a comfortable fit in conjunction with the flexible uppers.

Comfort and breathability come from the air-cooled memory foam insole as well as a perforated mesh type upper which is well detailed for design aesthetics.

The sole is laterally reached to encourage flexibility and making your walking experience as comfortable as possible.

Style

The shoe has a relaxed but fashionable styling in the form of a sporty casual sneaker.

From the rear, the shoe is somewhat unconventional as the heel counter has an oval porthole opening this is rather distinctive.

This is a great shoe for nurses or medical workers are on their feet all day as long as you are working in dry areas away from likely spillage since cleaning the shoes is more difficult with fabric and leather uppers.

Skechers Gratis Going Places – Features of Interest

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15. Dr. Scholl's Madison Slip On Sneaker

Overview

A memory foam slip-on loafer from Dr. Scholl's which is available in a dizzying array of colors.

The great shoe for traveling in or for walking on deck if you go cruising.

Standard memory foam insoles for comfort.

Fitting

This slip-on shoe is available in medium and wide fittings which will suit the vast majority of foot shapes and hopefully yours.

The elastic gore which allows for flexibility in the upper to get the shoe on and off is rather small and so restricts the amount of variation available which makes the shoe rather unsuited to people with high insteps.

The shoe sole is a little stiff and the uppers may take time to adapt to your foot shape so unlike some of the other shoes in this list here is a short breaking in period required.

Comfort & Cushioning

The simple design shoes are quite comfortable thanks to the memory foam but there is a lack of breathability to the uppers which coupled with the heat retaining properties of memory foam may leave you with rather hot feeling feet.

For that reason, this shoe is less suited for all day and everyday wear and is better suited if you are taking them off occasionally through the day.

Is plenty of cushioning around the heel and collar of the shoe to protect your instep and ankles and up the comfort levels.

Style

These shoes have a very classic design for a loafer type deck shoe with souls that have reminiscences of old-style tennis shoes.

The main plus point for the shoes is the wide range of colors available that make them readily suited to any existing wardrobe you may have.

Dr. Scholl's Madison Slip-On – Features of Interest

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16. Keds Center Jersey Sneaker

Overview

The Keds Center Jersey Sneaker beautiful, youthful modern design lace-up sneaker with memory foam insoles that are stylishly great.

Beautiful fabric uppers and plenty of adaptability to suit instep and foot shape variations.

Very comfortable memory foam sneaker with removable insoles to extend the lifespan of the shoe.

Fitting

Although only available in a medium fitting, this shoe has a wide and long lacing area which will suit any instep height.

If you have wider feet then you will need to pick one of the other shoes in the list as these will come up to narrow.

Comfort & Cushioning

The classic design shoe that has cushioning around the collar but it should be noted that the cushioning is rather muted to suit the styling of the shoe.

The memory foam insoles do a good job of providing moderate support to your foot arches and to give a comfortable underfoot feel which is typical of memory foam.

A big plus point of the shoes is that the insoles are removable and so you can swap them out when the memory foam material loses its support and responsiveness.

Style

A classic lace-up sneaker style with great looking fabric uppers and deck shoe style midsole that looks like old-fashioned tennis shoes much as the Dr. Scholl's above.

The style is unrestrained will match any wardrobe choice.

Keds Center Jersey Sneaker – Features of Interest

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What Do I Need to Know About Memory Foam Shoes?

 

Memory foam is a material that was developed by NASA and intended to provide a supportive surface which would recover its shape after use.

Obviously, such material had benefits outside the field of spaceships and was rapidly adopted for bedding and medical use and later for shoes. It is a pretty amazing material but has several drawbacks.

So far as shoes are concerned, there are three potential drawbacks.

Memory Foam has Heat Retention Issues

Memory foam retains heat and your feet are heat generators, especially when you are doing a lot of walking or exercising with more exertion.

So the heat from your feet heats up the memory foam which holds the heat and makes you sweat more as well as keeping your feet hot because the heat is not dissipated.

The result is not very pleasant from a wear point of view nor for your nose as the moist, warm atmosphere is great for bacteria which multiply. And bacteria smell pretty bad.

Later memory foams such as the cool foam developed by Skechers adapt the material to allow air to pass out of it which both ventilates the insole better and reduces moisture as well so reducing the heat retention as well as humidity in the shoe – both good for feet and noses!

Memory Foam is Not Very Durable

Although the durability of the material from breaking apart was resolved at an early stage, memory foam is a plastic and elastic material. The plastic quality enables it to shape to your foot as soon as you apply force to it and the elastic property enables the foam to spring back into shape as soon as the pressure is taken off.

Over time the material loses its elastic property and fails to return to its shape before you put your weight on it. This issue gets progressively worse over time until the material squashes down and becomes pretty useless overall. This durability issue persists in standard memory foam and is worse in poor quality and thin material.

There are newer materials which are chemically different as well as being different from an industrial process point of view. One of these is Orthalite which we are in the process of writing up an information piece on and the other is materials such as Ultraboost and other materials developed by manufacturers to enhance comfort and all the other desirable shoe features.

So this is the crux of the durability issue. It is great to put on a pair of new memory foam shoes but after six months or so the insoles have waned along with the new shiny toy excitement feeling.

Memory Foam is not Absorbent

We have already touched on this issue relating to moisture in the form of sweat building up in the shoe.

As memory foam is not absorbent the water simply sits in the shoe creating odor unless it can be transported out of the shoe. there are various ways of assisting the moisture out of the shoe.

One is by ensuring maximum breathability through open weave uppers or open style design such as the sandals featured above. The other is by designing the material in the industrial process to force air through the foam using the loading and unloading cycle of your natural walking gait.

As you load the foam it is possible to use the compression to drive air through from the top to the bottom of the insole to either circulate within the shoe and out through the uppers or to dissipate through ventilation built into the midsole design. Then as you remove the load when your leg is lifted off the ground to walk, the spring back movement of the foam can be used to draw air back into the insole ready for you to squash out again when you put your leg back down.

All of this costs money of course which is why there is a continual drive to develop new materials such as Ultraboost which is licensed by Adidas and comprises a chemically different material with similar properties and reducing the undesirable properties of memory foam. Another innovation is the Orthalite material which is processed in a particular way to reduce some of the issues that memory foam has which are negatives as far as shoes are concerned.

Related reading:

• Walking shoes for men buying guide
• Are memory Shoes Good or Bad for You
• Best Water Shoes

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