Overuse injuries are quite common, but these issues can be resolved by wearing the right kind of shoes. However, it is hard to find comfortable dress shoes considering that most cushioned shoes are designed for running.
When I switched from a sports career to a technical sales role, I went through the same dilemma. Years of running on concrete weakened my knees, leading to the onset of metatarsalgia—a condition where the bottom of the metatarsals in your foot becomes painful and inflamed. It was hard to find the right kind of dress shoes that could alleviate my issues. A few years later, the idea to start a company focused on cushioning in shoes came to me, and Maratown was born.
Typically, dress shoes are made with hard soles and provide at best approximately 5mm of cushioning under the heel and forefoot. Maratown shoes, on the other hand, come with a whole inch of cushioning under the heel and half an inch under the forefoot.
When trying on any shoe, cushioning is of the utmost importance. At Maratown, this is the foundation on which our shoes are built. In addition to cushioning, other comfort features recommended by foot specialists are equally important. For instance, proper fit is a must. In this regard, “Derby-style” shoes are often easier to fit due to their open lacing system compared to Oxfords, whose eyelet face is stitched underneath, making the upper stiffer and more constraining.
A comfortable shoe also needs to bend at the forefoot rather than in the middle, as foot articulation occurs between the metatarsal and phalanges. Breathability is another important feature. This can be achieved with a natural leather or textile upper—but not with synthetic leather or overly shiny materials.
A good comfort shoe will also offer support around the heel, guiding the foot forward when it hits the ground, as well as under the arch, ensuring pressure is spread throughout the entire sole.
Finally, when it comes to cushioned shoes, stability is a must-have feature. Maratown shoes ensure stability through their wider dual-softness sole. This design combines a soft middle and sole with a firmer contour, guiding your foot securely in the middle.
To learn more about Maratown and how to order your pair of comfortable cushioned dress shoes, click here.
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Imagine standing at the starting line of a half marathon, surrounded by athletes in high-tech running gear, their feet clad in the latest performance sneakers. Now, picture someone next to you wearing classic leather dress shoes. Sounds unbelievable? It has happened—more than once.
As the founder of Maratown, I have spent years exploring the intersection of footwear innovation and comfort. One of the most polarizing debates in the shoe industry revolves around cushioning—whether it's a necessary advancement or an unnecessary barrier between our feet and the ground.
When it comes to running shoes, brands like Hoka, Adidas, and Nike have earned their reputations for comfort and performance. Their shoes are often designed with cutting-edge technology to provide maximum support, cushioning, and a responsive feel that’s unmatched in the athletic shoe industry. But despite their success in producing highly comfortable footwear for runners, none of these giants have ventured into creating shoes that combine the same level of comfort with a more refined, dressy aesthetic for professional environments.
