Orthapaedic Shoe Wear Market Research
I’m exploring the idea of creating genuinely comfortable, supportive shoes that still look beautiful and luxurious – especially for Australian women with foot pain, injuries or past surgeries. This survey takes about 5–10 minutes. Your answers are anonymous unless you choose to leave your details at the end. By continuing, you confirm you’re 16+ and happy for your answers to be used for research and product development.
What country do you live in?
*
How old are you?
*
Under 16
16-20
21-25
26-35
36-45
46-55
56-65
66+
What size shoe do you wear?
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EG 10 AU Womens
When you think about 'shoes', who are you most likely buying for?
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Myself - woman
Myself - man
Myself - non-binary/gender diverse
I usually buy for someone else (partner/family member etc)
Prefer not to say
Foot Health & History
Do you currently have, or have you ever had any of the following?
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Ongoing foot pain (general)
Heel pain/plantar fasciitis
Flat feet
Very high arches
Bunions/hammertoes
Arthritis in feet/ankles
Previous foot or ankle fracture
Previous foot or ankle breakage
I've worn a moon boot before
I wear custom orthotics or insoles
None of the above
How often do you experience foot, leg or back pain related to your shoes?
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Never
Rarely
A few times a month
A few times a week
Most days
If you've ever worn a moon boot or had a foot/ankle injury, what was the most frustrating part about finding shoes to wear on the other foot?
Lifestyle & how you use shoes
On an average day, how many hours are you on your feet (standing or walking)?
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Less than 2 hours
2-4 hours
4-6 hours
6-8 hours
More than 8 hours
What best describes your main occupation
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Student
Desk based/office work
Healthcare/nursing/doctor/allied health
Hospitality/retail
Beauty/hair/nails
Education
Tradie/apprentice
Stay at home parent/carer
Other
Which of these best describes your everyday life?
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Mostly desk-based work
On my feet at work (retail, hospitality, healthcare, beauty etc)
Running after kids/caregiving
I walk or commute a lot
I exercise regularly (walking, gym etc)
Other
In a typical week, which types of shoes do you wear most often?
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Sneakers/trainers
Flat sandals
Slides
Thongs/Flip flops
Flat closed shoes (loafers, ballet flats)
Low heels (1-5cm)
High heels (5+cm)
Boots
Orthapaedic or 'comfort' shoes
Other
Current shoe experience & pain points
How satisfied are you with your current shoe options when it comes to comfort?
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Very unhappy
1
2
3
4
Extremely happy
5
1 is Very unhappy, 5 is Extremely happy
How satisfied are you with your current shoe options when it comes to style/aesthetics?
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Very unhappy
1
2
3
4
Extremely happy
5
1 is Very unhappy, 5 is Extremely happy
How often do you feel you have to choose between comfort and how your shoes look?
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Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
What do you find MOST frustrating about buying shoes?
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Comfortable shoes look boring or "old lady"
Stylish shoes hurt or cause pain
Hard to find shoes that work with orthoics/insoles
Hard to find my size
Hard to find a wide fit that works for my foot
Hard to find a narrow fit that works for my foot
Quality doesn't match the price
I can wear them inside for 5 minutes but they hurt after a day out
There aren't enough options suitable for events (weddings, parties, etc)
Other
Can you describe a recent time when your shoes caused you enough pain to ruin your day or change your plans?
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Style, aesthetics & preferences
When you need to look put together (work, events, nights out), what do you usually wear on your feet?
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Sneakers
Flat sandals
Low heels
High heels
Boots
Orthapaedic/comfort shoes
I avoid events where I have to stand a lot
Other
What words best describe the shoe style you wish you could wear comfortably?
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Minimal/clean
Classic/timeless
Trendy/fashion forward
Chunky/statement
Feminine/delicate
Edgy/Bold
Sporty
Other
Do you have any other conditions we should consider when designing shoes? (Eg chronic pain, EDS, autoimmune, neurological etc)
You can skip this if you prefer not to say
If you could design your dream shoe that is comfortable but beautiful & fits your style, what would it look like?
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Think any colour, heel height, shape, any details
If you could design your dream shoe that is comfortable but beautiful & fits your style, what would it look like?
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Think any colour, heel height, shape, any details
How appealing is this idea to you personally? “Shoes designed with genuine orthopaedic support but with the look & feel of a luxury/designer shoe”
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Not appealing
1
2
3
4
Extremely appealing
5
1 is Not appealing, 5 is Extremely appealing
If a brand like this existed, in which situations would you most likely want to wear these shoes?
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Everyday wear
Work/office
Nights out
Wedding/special events
Travel/city walking
Recovering from an injury/post surgery
To wear alongside a moon boot (to balance height)
Other
Would you be interested in a shoe specifically designed to be worn on the non-injured foot whilst you’re in a moon boot (with added height & support so you’re balanced)?
Yes, that would be amazing
Maybe - I’d want to know more
No, not really relevant to me
I know others who would be interested
Price & Quality
Roughly how much do you usually spend on 1 pair of shoes (in AUD)
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Under $80
$80-149
$150-249
$250-349
350+
How much would you expect to pay for a pair of shoes that is both genuinely comfortable & supportive but look luxurious? (in AUD)
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Under $120
$120-199
$200-299
$300-399
$400+
It depends on the brand/material
When deciding whether to buy a pair of shoes, how important are the following?
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Rows
Not Important (1)
2
3
4
Extremely important (5)
Comfort
Style/aesthetics
Ability to wear all day
Arch support/foot health
Brand reputation
Materials/quality
Price
Ability to fit orthotics or insoles
Future Founding Panel
We will contact you via email as the brand progresses and then you can be added to our founding community whatsapp group to stay updated!
Would you be open to being contacted for a short follow up chat or to test future concepts/prototypes?
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Yes
Maybe, depending on timing
No thanks
If yes, please leave your details below
First Name
Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.
Format: (000) 000-0000.
Email
example@example.com
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your experience with shoes, pain or what you wish existed?
Submit
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