The best sandals with custom orthotics have a removable footbed, enough depth to hold your device without your heel sitting high, and straps that keep your foot secure. If you want your own orthotics reshaped for summer, a sandal-specific pair made by a podiatrist suits you best. If you prefer to buy off the shelf, Revere, Ziera and Klouds are the removable-footbed brands to start with. Footlogics suits people who want built-in arch support without orthotics.
The problem is that most custom orthotics are made for closed shoes. Slip them into a thin sandal and they sit too high, slide around or show their edges. Skip them and the heel pain, arch strain or forefoot ache you treated all winter comes back. In Sydney, many people spend six months or more in sandals, so this matters.
This article gives you five ways to get it right, from having orthotics made for your sandals to three brands with removable footbeds and one built-in option. First, a short section covers what a sandal must offer before it can take your orthotics. As a podiatry practice, we add what to check when you try each pair on.
Can you wear custom orthotics in sandals?
Yes, you can wear custom orthotics in sandals, as long as the sandal has a removable footbed and enough depth to hold the orthotic without your heel lifting out of position. The sandal and the orthotic both need to suit each other.
What a sandal needs to take your orthotics
Start with the footbed. It should be thick and removable, not a paper-thin sheet glued in place. Then check the rest of the sandal against this list:
- Adjustable straps at the forefoot and heel or ankle, so your toes do not grip with every step
- A forefoot wide enough that your toes sit inside the edge
- A base thick enough to absorb shock under the heel
- Comfort from the first try-on, with no "breaking in" needed
A sandal only works with your orthotics if the footbed comes out and the strap system holds your foot in place.
Why your current orthotics may not transfer
Your orthotics were shaped for the shoes you brought to your fitting, usually sneakers or work shoes. A slimline business-shoe orthotic may sit too low in a deep sandal, so your foot rubs the ridge. A deep-heel-cup orthotic made for boots can sit noticeably higher than the sandal’s rim.
Open toes add a cosmetic issue. The top cover colour of your orthotic shows around the toes and arch, and a bright outline can look odd in a nude or white sandal. This is why many people have a second pair of sandals with custom orthotics made for summer, rather than swapping one pair between shoes.
How the five options compare
The table below sets the five options side by side. Prices are indicative retail figures from Australian stockists and vary by style and retailer.
| Option | Footbed | Takes your existing orthotics | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandal-specific orthotics (ModPod) | Made for the sandal | Replaces them | Quoted at consultation |
| Revere | Removable | Usually | About $190 to $200 |
| Ziera | Removable | Usually, check depth | About $240 to $260 |
| Klouds | Removable | Usually | About $220 |
| Footlogics | Built in | No | About $40 to $90 |
1. Custom orthotics made for your sandals
The most reliable route is a second pair of orthotics made for the sandal you will wear. We design these at ModPod Podiatry so the shape, depth and colour suit the sandal, not your work shoes.
How it works
Our APodA-registered podiatrists assess your feet using 3D scanning and pressure plate analysis, then prescribe custom orthotics built around your foot and the footwear you choose. For sandals, we want to see the pair you plan to wear, because the footbed, rim height and strap system all affect the design.
A dedicated pair also ends the daily swap. You leave one set of orthotics in your closed shoes and one in your sandals. We can also choose a top cover colour that suits the sandal.
A second pair made for your sandals beats forcing a work-shoe orthotic into a shallow footbed.
Who it suits and what it costs
This option suits anyone who wears sandals daily, has an orthotic that does not fit their favourite pair, or manages heel pain, plantar fasciitis or forefoot pain through summer. Cost depends on the device and your assessment, and we quote it at the consultation, while our guide to custom orthotic pricing in Sydney covers typical ranges.
- Five clinics: Sydney CBD, Mosman, Dee Why, Rose Bay and North Ryde
- On-site HICAPS claiming for private health rebates
- Medicare EPC eligibility checked for eligible patients
- Same-week appointments through online booking
2. Revere sandals with removable footbeds
Revere sandals are a dependable first pick for sandals that fit custom orthotics, because the range pairs removable insoles with strap systems that grip the foot. Podiatry clinics across Australia stock them for that reason.
What you get
The Miami has adjustable back, ankle and forefoot straps, plus strap extensions. The Geneva has a closed heel, which gives more ankle support and suits workplaces in summer. The Florence is a two-strap slide for easy slip-on wear, and the Montana is a three-strap men’s option with a soft neoprene lining.
All of these have removable insoles for orthotics, slip-resistant outersoles and soft leather linings. Because the footbed lifts out, you can drop your custom orthotic straight in. Compare the closed-heel Geneva with the open Miami if you need extra heel hold.
If your orthotic has a deep heel cup, choose a closed-heel style like the Geneva for the most secure fit.
Who it suits and what it costs
Revere suits people who want a podiatrist-friendly sandal at a mid-range price. Expect roughly $190 to $200 for styles such as the Como and Geneva at Australian stockists.
- Try on with your orthotic in place, not the original footbed
- Check the heel does not sit above the back strap
- Use the strap extensions if your foot swells in the heat
3. Ziera wide fit sandals
Ziera is the pick when width is your main problem. The brand lists several width fittings, and its sandals carry removable footbeds and arch support, with APodA-approved comfort claims on its range.
What you get
Many Ziera styles are made in wide and extra wide fittings, which helps when a bunion, a broad forefoot or a bulky orthotic makes standard sandals pinch. Styles include strappy flats, slides like the Binty and sandals with an ankle strap.
The removable footbed lets you swap in your orthotic, but check the depth before you commit. Ziera’s own footbed is already shaped, so some orthotics sit higher in the shoe once the original comes out. Try both widths if you are between sizes, since a sandal that is too wide lets the foot slide off the orthotic.
Extra width only helps if the orthotic still sits flat and your heel stays centred in the sandal.
Who it suits and what it costs
Ziera suits wider feet, bunions, and people who want a dressier look. Most styles at stockists run about $240 to $260, which is the top of this list.
- Test the width in the afternoon, when feet are largest
- Walk on a hard floor for a few minutes
- Check that your toes sit inside the edge of the sole
4. Klouds orthotic friendly sandals
Klouds has a dedicated orthotic friendly range, which covers sandals, slides and slippers. That makes it one of the easier brands to browse when you want sandals that fit custom orthotics.
What you get
The range can be filtered for needs such as arch support, bunions, plantar fasciitis and adjustable fit. Styles like the Abbey Pebble, Alyce and Elegance Luxe sit in the sandal selection, and many include strap extensions so you can fine-tune the fit over your orthotic.
Strap extensions matter more than they sound. Your foot sits slightly higher with an orthotic inside, so the strap length often needs adjusting. Slides and slippers in the same range help for around the house, where you also want support.
Adjustable straps and a removable footbed together are what make a sandal orthotic friendly.
Who it suits and what it costs
Klouds suits people who want to browse by condition, and anyone who wants a dressier option alongside a casual one. Typical retail is about $220 for the styles above.
- Confirm the footbed is removable on the exact style
- Fit with your orthotic in, with the original footbed set aside
- Ask the stockist about their return policy for worn-in testing
5. Footlogics sandals with built-in arch support
Footlogics is the option for people who want arch support without an orthotic. Its sandals and slides come with a built-in biomechanical footbed, developed by Australian podiatrists, so they are not designed to take custom orthotics.
What you get
Footlogics makes sandals, slides and thongs for men and women with built-in arch support and a contoured footbed. Styles include slides like the Tiki and strap sandals such as the Emma and Carol.
Think of them as a supportive option for home, the beach and short outings, rather than a replacement for a prescribed device. If you wear custom orthotics for a specific problem, speak to your podiatrist before you swap to a built-in footbed for all-day use.
Built-in arch support is a good add-on for casual wear, but it does not replace a prescribed orthotic.
Who it suits and what it costs
Footlogics suits people with mild foot fatigue, those who need a supportive pair for the house, or anyone who wants a budget summer option. Most styles sit around $40 to $90.
- Use them as a second pair for home or the beach
- Keep your orthotics in the shoes you wear for long walks and work
- Stop wearing any pair that causes new pain and have it assessed
Choosing the right pair for summer
The easiest way to get sandals with custom orthotics right is to match the sandal to your feet and your device. Pick a removable footbed, check the depth and straps, and fit with your orthotic in place. If nothing off the shelf works, a second pair of orthotics made for sandals solves it.
If foot pain is holding you back from wearing sandals, we can assess your feet, review the orthotics you already have and tell you what will work. Bring the sandals you love to the appointment. You can book an online appointment at any of our five Sydney clinics, usually within the same week.
