I bought the classic medium after ordering the Valerie closed heel tie front sandal with the wide width. This was my first Alegria shoe and the wide footbed is lower not wider (the sandal it turns out is wide enough by design for my bunions), which made my foot sit too low in the closed heel. So first I ordered the high arch footbed, which I think I will end up using in the sandal, but when my feet are tired, and while the high is still molding to my foot, it seems a bit too high on one foot. So, I decided to try the classic medium, on sale, and it was comfortable right out of the box! I am surprised at how comfortable all 3 versions of the footbed are. I’ve put the low inside an athletic shoe that I wear indoors and it gives it more toe room. I’m gradually breaking in the high arch footbed and alternate between wearing that one and my custom orthotics in the Valerie sandal. Often, after walking for exercise in my very supportive, NB 1540 athletic shoes with my custom orthotics, I come home, do some foot stretching and massaging, and then wear the Valerie sandal with this classic medium. My feet are still supported but this comfortable footbed allows them to relax—a spa-like feeling. I watched the med techs in a hospital medical complex walking in various Alegria shoes, looked these shoes up, and am delighted Alegria makes a closed heel tie sandal and a variety of affordable, supportive footbeds.
