I see here that the request is for recommendations for 'shoes or sandals' that can be worn in comfort all day. The OP doesn't say what kind of foot problems she has, but my DH's experience in searching for new shoes may just be helpful on this thread.
There's lots of common sense on this thread and I'd agree that having soft or squidgy shoes or sandals might feel very good, but feet do need proper support. Totally flat shoes, especially for women, are not considered sensible for all day wear. Again, comfortable, but something with a low heel is better and more in line with the way that most of us walk. I have some fabulous sheepskin slippers for winter. I only wear them sitting down as to stand in something totally flat all day only results in my suffering ankle pain for a few days!
My DH has had two TKR's in 2 years. Totally successful and he's worked hard with the aftercare to ensure that he became painfree and happy with New Knees!
Then week after week, month after month until recently, niggling pain - like nerve pain - in one of his feet would wake him in the night after a few hours rest. This would mean he had to get up and take paracetamol to stop pain on top of his foot sometimes, under the foot sometimes. It rather spoilt the success of his surgery because from time to time in the day, it would make him decide against a long walk or intrude into all his activities.
Finally, and why do we often just put up with things for so long, he spoke to his Surgeon who examined his foot/feet and recommended an X ray and a Podiatrist. Routine examination, lots of walking on various machinery, video-d steps, his manner of walking, sheets of measurements and results spilling out of all sorts of technology offered the diagnosis.
He has nice straight legs now, but he has flat feet together with extremely high arches. Result? At his age, it's a fact that his arches are just no longer strong enough to support, all day, two feet which are flat. This means that he 'pays' for much activity or even inactivity with nerve pain and persistent aches which can wake him when sleeping and don't allow him guaranteed comfort in shoes or sandals.
Orthotics (specially constructed insoles) were the answer. Not cheap but probably better than constantly looking for different shoes or having precious sleep disturbed on an almost nightly basis.
They were 3-D printed. This means nothing to me, but hopefully this makes sense. Delivered within a week. Podiatrist said give them a fortnight or so and wear them every day in any shoes (easy to slip in and out when changing shoes).
The result is he no longer has pain, life is back to normal and he just wishes he had done something more proactive earlier. Maybe after lots of surgery, one has had more than enough, but he recommends similar research to anyone with foot problems. They are so difficult to diagnose. We all need our feet to work well and to support us in our daily lives. Hopefully this information may encourage others to learn a slightly different way of walking and make the small adjustments needed for an easier life.
