Typically, that results in crew members rotating between two sets of shoes: a snappy-looking pair to wear in the terminal, where appearing polished is a job requirement, and a more sensible, affordable pair that they change into for the service portion of a flight. After all, as several flight attendant bloggers underscored, high heels and turbulence are not a winning combination. And regularly hitting the brakes on a drink cart can scuff, even rip, the tops of their shoes. What follows are some of their favorite shoes and brands, ideas you can steal for your own weary soles. “You’re looking for something that’s comfortable inside but at the same time doesn’t look too casual on the outside, which is pretty difficult,” said Bobby Laurie, a Los Angeles-based flight attendant for almost seven years who writes about life in the sky on his blog, “Up, Up and a Gay” and on the Web site Savvy Stews.A leather loafer by Skechers called Men’s Work: Exalt - Closer ($65), which has a soft fabric lining, a removable cushioned insole and a shock-absorbing midsole, and Timberland’s Pro Five Star Ashford Lace-Up leather shoe ($110), which the company’s Web site notes was designed for restaurant and hospitality industry professionals and has “anti-fatigue technology” meant to support and cushion feet.

In addition to liking the sturdy construction of these shoes, Mr. Laurie said he was delighted that they do not set off metal detectors (he said his Skechers even say so on the box). nike running shoes size chartBeing a flight attendant means that he does not have to remove his shoes when he goes through security, he said, as long as they don’t “beep.”mens shoes brands in dubai This is handy, and not only for flight attendants. cheap but good tennis shoesIt’s useful for fliers enrolled in the T.S.A. PreCheck program, which can enable frequent travelers who have been prescreened to pass through security without removing their shoes as long as they do not trigger the detectors.nike discount shoes online india

Should a pair of shoes pinch or rub him the wrong way, Mr. Laurie has a novel way to mitigate the pain, even at 36,000 feet: he sticks maxi pads in his loafers. “Every airplane’s got them,” he said. nike shoes $50 or less“It adds extra cushioning while breaking them in.”best running shoes for basketball One shoe brand popular among flight attendants is the go-to choice of many chefs and doctors, who are also on their feet for many hours: Dansko, known for its chunky clogs (about $80 to $150). To some flight attendants, these clogs (which they said many airlines consider too casual to be worn in the terminal) are heaven during a flight, enabling them to sidestep not only foot pain, but back aches, too. “They’re so comfortable,” said Sara Keagle, who has been a flight attendant for 20 years and lives in Houston, where she writes a blog, “The Flying Pinto.”

She said she also likes Sam & Libby ballet flats, which she has worn during flights. Some flight attendants, however, say Dansko clogs lack style. “I just can’t bring myself to wear them,” said Ms. Brown, who tweets as @GracingTheSkies. “It took me two years to find the perfect shoes.”The Nurture brand (about $30 to $90, available at Dillard’s) because she thinks the shoes are both fashionable and comfortable. “The salesperson was actually a flight attendant and she was like, ‘You’re going to want to wear these,’ ” Ms. Brown said. The saleswoman also recommended Aerosoles and Naturalizer brands, Ms. Brown said, although she prefers shoes by Rockport (dress shoes from about $100 to $150) and Clarks (dress shoes from about $85 to $140). She always carries a pair of flats and advises passengers to do the same. (For those who want to travel with the bare minimum, she suggests Dr. Scholl’s “fast flats,” which can be rolled up and stashed in a handbag.)

Avoid peep toes, she warned (they might pinch or squeeze), and when flying, don’t wear sandals. “You have no idea how many people are like, ‘I’m freezing cold,’ ” she said. Heather Poole, who lives in Los Angeles and has been a flight attendant for more than 15 years, acknowledged that many female flight attendants put Dansko clogs on in the plane but described the shoes as “hideous.” Her favorite in-flight pair? Kelly & Katie flats with a cushioned insole ($29.95) from Design Shoe Warehouse. In the terminal she wears shoes by Aerosoles. “I actually get lots of compliments on those,” she said in an e-mail while her flight from New York to San Diego was delayed. , advises passengers to wear comfortable shoes because you never know when you will have to run for a plane in an airport, or get off a plane should there be an emergency. (This is also why she advises against wearing flip-flops.) Her solution for tired feet? Upon arriving home after a long trip she uses a heated foot massager by HoMedics.

) ), both of which she wears in the terminal. “They’re real stylish but they’re still comfortable,” said Ms. Broughton, who said she usually wears a heel of at least three inches. “The girls at work ask me a lot about it,” she said of the never-ending search for flight-worthy shoes, “and I steer them right to that brand. I know girls that have literally gone out and got the exact same shoes.” When Ms. Broughton, who in her spare time works on the travel Web site and online series “Savvy Stews,” is not amid the clouds, she takes care of her feet by exercising them and switching up her shoes. Rolling a tennis ball under her arches can feel great too, she said. And like Ms. Poole, she recommended foot massages. “I do have a masseuse,” she said. “And he lives with me.”Few of us are strangers to lower back pain. In fact, as many as 80 percent of people have back pain at some point in their lives and half of all workers experience back pain symptoms each year, according to the American Chiropractic Association.

Not only that, but back pain ranks as the number two reason people see a doctor.Sometimes the cause is obvious, like a sports injury or bending the wrong way. Other times, however, the reason might be surprising, like when the culprit turns out to be your feet and improper footwear. But finding the right shoes — and there are many choices — may help you find relief. Back Pain and Footwear: What’s the Connection? Though your feet and favorite stilettos can seem far removed from your back, they really can be related and contributing to your pain and, in turn, stress and fatigue. It’s called a kinetic chain, the idea that the way you move one part of your body affects other areas, says Jeremy Smith, MD, a spine surgeon and back pain specialist with the Orthopaedic Specialty Institute in Orange, California.“When you have bad arch support and the gait pattern is off, that pattern travels into your back and can create stress on your back,” Dr. Smith says. Back pain and footwear can also be connected through poor choices made as consumers and fashionistas.

For example, high heels can throw off alignment and add extra stress and strain on the lower back. Flip flops, at the other extreme, are so flat that the lack of support can lead to arch pain, heel pain, ankle pain, or knee pain.“Flip flops really just provide cushioning to the foot or a protective layer from the ground,” says Kenneth S. Jung, MD, a foot and ankle surgeon at Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles. When Is It Time to Visit the Podiatrist? Back pain can have many causes, but if your primary doctor can't determine the reason for your pain, then it’s time to consider seeing a podiatrist to check out your feet, gait, and alignment. To prepare for the appointment, make a list of questions and symptoms along with a medical history, including medications taken and lab tests and other tests you've had, such as X-rays and MRIs. Also, if your pain gets worse when you exercise or walk, be sure to bring along the shoes you wear for those activities. The Pros and Cons of Specialized Footwear Besides avoiding certain types of shoes, like high heels and flip flops, consider proactively purchasing special shoes that can help prevent or ease your back pain.

“Specialized footwear can be custom-made to accommodate an individual’s foot shape if a deformity exists,” Dr. Jung says. “Modifications, including rocker soles, heel lifts, wedges, and posts, may be added to achieve the desired effect.”By wearing specialized footwear, you may see improvement in foot and overall alignment, which can lead to more efficient muscle use. You can also get shoes custom-made to address your specific foot and back issues.Getting specialized footwear isn't quite as easy as going to your favorite shoe store, however. You need to be fitted by a specialist, and the shoes can be costly. As with any shoes, prices vary by brand, but the cost ranges from hundreds of dollars up to $1,000, depending on the manufacturer and craftsmanship (though your podiatrist may have a coupon you can use at specialized shoe stores). Also, because your feet will probably change over time, you may need to have the shoes modified in the future. Best Footwear for Back Pain There are a number of good choices when it comes to shoes designed to ease or reduce symptoms from musculoskeletal complaints involving foot, knee, hip, and back pain, Jung says.

“All of these are linked, and the force imparted on the foot is ultimately imparted on the back.”The main thing you should focus on is making sure you choose the right shoe for your particular foot type and problem.For starters, one of the most important features to look for is the arch — it should be designed to work with the natural arch of your foot. Generally speaking, there are three arch shapes: over-pronation (low), neutral, and excessive supination (high). Running shoes are generally designed to address many different issues, with motion control helping pronation, stability for the neutral arch, and cushioned to assist supination arches. “Minimal” shoes are a specialized option to consider. “These shoes are designed to promote the foot striking the ground with the front or middle of the foot rather than the heel,” says Dr. Jung. “This alters the way the foot and the lower extremity contact and interact with the ground.” Specially designed inserts or insoles can also help relieve back pain in some cases because they provide extra support.