Runners that look like shoes?

Hi all

First time for me to post here and hoping someone can help me.

Due to bad back pain, I can only wear supportive runners (usual nike air sort). I have to attend a wedding in a few weeks and won't really get away with suit and trainers so my question is... Does any brand make footwear that feels as supportive and light as a trainer but looks like a shoe?

Any help or ideas appreciated.

Try ECCO shoes - they seem to do something along the lines you are looking for.

Could you try MBT's - a friend of mine had them on him the other day and he had a lovely black pair which would easily pass as shoes - they also do shoes and sandals as well!. I bought a pair of MBTs when I hurt my back a couple of years ago (broken vertebrae) found them pretty good!. The only thing is, they are not very light if that's what you're looking for and pretty expensive.

Thanks for the replies daffodil and ney001

Those ecco shoes look really good - I'll try to get to the shops during the week and check them out.

I think the Ecco shop on Wicklow Street is having a sale at the mo! Also, you could try Rieker shoes, they do the same thing as Ecco. I used to work in a place that specialised in comfort shoes, we would never recommend runners for people with bad backs etc, there is usually way more support in a shoe!

Thanks everyone for replies I got a pair of supportive ones in clarks so hope they do the job. Usually stick to runners as I have bogey knees also :-~ so need the shock absorbsion.

if you are ever in the US check out the brand Cole Haan (www.colehaan.com).


The are pricey, but they also include the Nike Air technology into a lot of their shoes, the link above bring you directly to the current range of 'Air' shoes. They have a good range of casual and smart shoes.
They also usually have an outlet in the main outlet malls - Woodbury common has one, and discounts can be up to 75% - so those $200 shoes can be picked up for $50.
I've a number of pairs of high heels with the Air technology that I've bought over the past couple of years and I could walk for miles in them, and do.... Don't worry they also do mens shoes ;-)
I've bought some off Ebay over the past few months, but it helped knowing that I wear XX.5 US size in flats, and XX size in heels!