An expensive, but the most rigid shoe ... why did I buy this? See below.
I went because I had a painful swelling on the top of my right foot and it was hard to wear shoes. He said it was cartilage likely resulting from too tight laces and accentuated by the bones on my foot becoming prominent due to my flat foot condition.
He said I could have surgery to remove the cartilage but it wasn't really necessary unless it really bothered me. He recommended some better shoes for me that were especially rigid. My current shoes failed all three tests of a good shoe.
I got some Brooks Ariels. They are of the most rigid variety of shoe. I thought they'd feel like bricks but they were actually really comfortable and fit my feet like gloves. It even has a modable gel in the bottom that conforms to your foot over time. It makes me so happy! They were really expensive but I think it'll be worth it.
The rigidity of the shoe forces my feet to keep their shape. It feels SO much better. I'm glad I found this out before grad school and long days standing up.