The Best Orthotic-Friendly Sandals in Singapore: Which Ones Actually Take an Orthotic
Which sandals really take a custom orthotic, which just look the part, and what to wear if you do not use orthotics.
If you NEED to wear a custom orthotic, closed-in shoes in this heat are misery. And in Singapore, the heat and humidity never really let up.
Good news: you do not have to. The features that let any footwear take an orthotic are a removable insole, extra depth, a wide toe box and a firm heel counter. In an open sandal those features are rare, which is what makes a properly orthotic-friendly one hard to find. The removable insole is the feature that decides it: the footbed lifts out so your own orthotic drops in, and Revere is the brand built around exactly that.
Worth knowing: every sandal here already sits inside our Recipe of Comfort, so the fitted footbed is supportive and top quality as it comes. For a lot of our competitors, a footbed like that is the only bar a sandal has to clear to be called "orthotic friendly". But if you need a little more, and want to drop your own custom orthotic in, this list is for you.
The best orthotic-friendly sandals in Singapore
We have a wide range of super supportive, stylish and well-built sandals. But if you want a sandal you can fit your orthotic into, Revere is the best place to look. Founded on the Gold Coast in 2012 to put real support into a summer sandal, Revere builds its whole range around a removable, orthotic-ready footbed, so it is the one brand here we can put our name behind for this without reservation. A removable footbed is the start, not the whole story. Two extra touches are what set Revere apart, and both come into play once you are wearing a device: a strip of velcro under the footbed that grips your custom orthotic so it will not slide around, and footbed walls that sit slightly raised, which tuck that orthotic down out of sight so it looks built-in rather than added on. Neither changes the shoe if you never put an orthotic in.
Revere Miami: the overall pick
The Revere Miami is the one we point most people to, because its adjustable straps solve the problem an orthotic creates. Slip your device in and the shoe's volume changes; the Miami's straps take that up or give it back. Underneath, the footbed lifts out for your own orthotic.
It is the one we recommend first, because adjustable straps plus a lift-out footbed is the most forgiving setup for a device that adds height and bulk. The trade is that the adjustability is visible, so it is not the pick if you want a clean, hardware-free look.
Revere Geneva: the everyday pick
The Revere Geneva is the simpler, dressier option that still takes your orthotic. It has the same lift-out footbed as the Miami, in a shape that reads more like a smart everyday sandal than a supportive one. This is the pair for work, lunch and the school run when you still want your device in.
It hides the orthotic-friendly engineering inside something that just looks good, which is the whole point of it. If you are on hard ground for hours, the more secure Como below will hold your foot better.
Revere Como: the secure slingback
The Revere Como is the slingback, and a held heel is what keeps your foot seated on the orthotic instead of sliding forward off it. Same lift-out footbed, with a back strap most open sandals do not give you. It is the pick if your foot tends to travel.
The back strap is the reason to choose it, and also the small catch: if you find any slingback fiddly to fasten, an open style is easier on and off.
What makes a sandal orthotic-friendly
Across footwear, four features let a shoe take your orthotic without giving up fit or stability. Here they are at a glance, then what each one means for an open sandal.
A removable insole is the one that matters most. Lift the fitted footbed out and there is a flat, finished bed underneath for your orthotic to sit on. In an open sandal this is the make-or-break, without it, your device has nowhere to go.
Extra depth is vertical room for the device. A closed shoe builds it into the upper; a sandal gets it from adjustable straps that free up volume once the orthotic raises your foot.
A wide toe box keeps the forefoot from pinching once your foot sits higher. In a sandal that is simply an open or generous forefoot, which most sandals already have.
A firm heel counter is the cup that holds the heel over the footbed. A sandal does the same job with a back strap or slingback, which is why a held heel matters more here than on a lace-up.
This is different from arch support alone, and the two get blurred constantly. A sandal can have excellent built-in arch support and still not be orthotic-friendly, because the support is the part you cannot remove. For the full explainer on the terms, we wrote one here: what is orthotic-friendly footwear.
Can I wear orthotic-friendly sandals without a custom orthotic?
Yes, and you lose nothing by doing it. The footbed that lifts out is a proper contoured footbed in its own right, with support already built in, so you wear the sandal exactly as it comes. The removability just waits in the background.
It is useful even if you never buy an orthotic. Footbeds soften and flatten with enough wear. Because this one lifts out, you can drop in a fresh replacement down the track and bring the support back, instead of replacing the whole sandal. It is a quiet way to make a pair you love last longer.
So if any of the Revere styles above caught your eye, buy it and wear it as-is. The orthotic-friendly part is a door you can open later, for your own device or just a fresh footbed, not a cost you pay now.
How to match a sandal to your orthotic
If you do wear a device, three things decide whether a sandal will actually work with it.
- Depth first. A rigid, full-length orthotic needs more room than a slim three-quarter one. Adjustable straps, like the Miami and Como, give you the most vertical give.
- Heel security second. An orthotic only works when your heel stays over it. A slingback or back strap keeps it there. An open slide is easier on, but lets the foot travel more.
- A footbed that holds and hides it third. Lift Revere's footbed out and there is a strip of velcro underneath that grips your orthotic so it will not slide around, and the footbed walls sit slightly raised, so a custom device drops below the rim and looks built-in rather than perched on top.
If you would like a hand working out what suits your feet, a podiatrist is a great place to start. You can find one through the Podiatry Association (Singapore).1 And if you are having an orthotic made, take the sandal along to the fitting so the two are matched up.
See the range that is built to take your orthotic
Every Revere sandal has a footbed that lifts out for your own orthotic. Browse the styles and colours in stock now.
Shop Revere sandalsOrthotic-friendly sandal FAQs
What are the best sandals that can fit orthotics in Singapore?
The best orthotic-friendly sandals are the ones with a footbed you can lift out for your own device. At The Comfort Co, Revere has by far the widest range, because the removable footbed is what the brand is built on. The Miami is the strongest all-rounder for its adjustable straps, the Geneva is the everyday pick, and the Como slingback holds the heel so your foot stays over the orthotic.
What makes a sandal orthotic-friendly?
Four features let footwear take an orthotic: a removable insole, extra depth, a wide toe box and a firm heel counter. In an open sandal the removable insole is the one that decides it, because it lifts out so your own orthotic can go in. Depth comes from adjustable straps, the open forefoot covers the toe box, and a back strap or slingback does the job of a heel counter.
Can you put orthotics in sandals?
Yes, in sandals with a removable footbed. Take the fitted footbed out first, then place your orthotic in the space it leaves, so your foot sits at the right height and the straps still fit. You cannot reliably add an orthotic on top of a fixed footbed.
Do I need a custom orthotic to wear orthotic-friendly sandals?
No. The footbed that lifts out is a contoured, supportive footbed in its own right, so you can wear the sandal as it comes. The removable feature simply gives you the option to add a device later, or to swap in a fresh footbed when the original wears down.
Are Revere sandals orthotic-friendly?
Yes. Revere builds its sandal range around a deep, removable footbed, which is why it is the widest orthotic-friendly range we carry.
Can you wear orthotics with slides or thongs?
Only if the specific style has a removable footbed. Many slides and thongs have a fixed footbed, so always check the product details first. Revere makes open and slingback styles that genuinely take an orthotic.
Not sure which style suits your orthotic or your foot? Our team fits these every day. Talk to a Comfort Concierge before you buy.
References
- Podiatry Association (Singapore). Find a podiatrist. podiatry.org.au