Skechers vs Orthotic: What Works for Irish Runners?

When you're pounding the pavement in Dublin rain or climbing hills in Galway, your feet need more than just a cushioned sole—they need Skechers, a popular brand of running and walking shoes known for comfort and memory foam. Also known as memory foam shoes, they’re everywhere in Ireland, from city streets to coastal paths. But do they actually fix foot pain, or do you need something more targeted like orthotic, custom or over-the-counter inserts designed to support arches and correct alignment. Also known as insoles, they’re often prescribed for overpronation, plantar fasciitis, or flat feet.

Here’s the real talk: Skechers aren’t orthotics. They’re shoes with soft foam. Orthotics are medical-grade support built into your shoe. Many Irish runners wear Skechers because they feel good out of the box—no break-in, no blisters. But if your heel aches after a 5K, or your arch collapses when you walk, that foam isn’t fixing the root problem. It’s just hiding it. That’s where orthotics come in. They’re not just for older runners or people with injuries. A lot of Irish women in their 30s and 40s who walk for fitness or commute on cobblestones swear by them. You don’t need a doctor’s referral to try over-the-counter ones—brands like Superfeet or Footbalance are sold in Irish pharmacies and running shops. But if you’re buying Skechers hoping they’ll replace orthotics, you’re setting yourself up for long-term pain.

The confusion comes from marketing. Skechers ads show people walking pain-free. But they don’t say if those people already wear orthotics underneath. In Ireland, where the ground is uneven, the weather is wet, and walking is part of daily life, your foot’s job is harder than you think. A good pair of Skechers can be part of the solution—but only if your foot structure is already stable. If you’re rolling inward, your knee’s taking the hit. If your arches are collapsing, your lower back will feel it by Friday. That’s not a shoe problem. That’s a support problem. And that’s where orthotics step in—not as a replacement for good shoes, but as the missing piece in your running setup.

So what do Irish runners actually do? Most use a mix. They buy supportive shoes like Skechers, then slip in an orthotic insert if they feel discomfort. Some swap out the factory insole entirely. Others skip Skechers altogether and go for brands like Brooks or Asics that have built-in stability features. There’s no one-size-fits-all. But if you’ve tried cheap trainers and still feel sore, it’s not about the brand—it’s about the structure beneath your foot. Below, you’ll find real stories from Irish runners who switched from Skechers to orthotics, or kept both, and what actually changed for them.