Finding a pair of sneakers that look good, feel comfortable and work with the rest of your wardrobe can be surprisingly difficult.
For many women, the compromise between style and support is one they make every day, whether they are walking to work, running errands or spending hours on their feet.
Australian footwear brand FRANKIE4 is hoping to change that, with new research into its Jackie sneaker earning the label a 2026 Australian Good Design Award in the Design Research category.
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The award recognises the brand’s collaboration with researchers at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), who investigated whether the comfort benefits reported by women wearing FRANKIE4 shoes could be measured scientifically.
The results were encouraging.
In an independent study involving 29 women experiencing plantar heel pain, the Jackie sneaker demonstrated a 15 per cent reduction in peak heel pressure. Participants also rated the test shoe between 47 and 67 per cent more comfortable than the control shoe.
For anyone who has spent an afternoon counting down the minutes until they can take their shoes off, it is an interesting development in the world of everyday footwear.
What makes the FRANKIE4 Jackie sneaker different?
The research focused on the relationship between the Jackie sneaker’s construction and its removable Sole Hero Footbed, examining how the combination influenced pressure beneath the foot while walking.
Researchers assessed six different shoe and insert conditions, measuring plantar pressure, impact forces and participants’ own comfort ratings.
The findings suggested that the shoe itself played a substantial role in the results, with its effect larger than that of any individual insert condition.
In other words, a supportive footbed is only one part of the equation. The shoe’s outsole, materials and overall construction also matter.
Rosie Jamieson, FRANKIE4’s associate director of technical footwear, said the findings reinforced the importance of considering the entire shoe when developing comfortable designs.
The Jackie sneaker combines layered support and cushioning with the removable Sole Hero® Footbed. It also comes with a Sole Saver Pack designed to offer additional fit flexibility.
For the brand, the goal is to incorporate this technical thinking into footwear women will want to wear every day, rather than reserving comfort-focused designs for exercise or specialist settings.
Why the research matters for everyday shoes
Foot pain is a common concern, yet everyday footwear does not always receive the same attention as running shoes or specialised athletic designs.
The FRANKIE4 study deliberately examined a lifestyle sneaker intended for daily wear, reflecting the reality that the shoes people choose for work, travel, shopping and social occasions can all influence the loads placed on their feet.
Researchers also examined how the contoured Sole Hero Footbed redistributed pressure. The findings indicated that it could reduce pressure around the heel without significantly increasing pressure in the arch area.
Melinda Smith, a physiotherapist, researcher and lecturer at the University of Queensland, highlighted another important consideration: comfort influences whether people will actually wear their shoes.
A shoe might offer technical support on paper, but its benefits are limited if it remains in the wardrobe because it is uncomfortable or does not suit the wearer’s style.
That balance between measurable performance and real-world wearability was central to the research recognised by the Australian Good Design Awards.
The study was published in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, moving the discussion beyond customer anecdotes and into peer-reviewed research.
Where to buy the FRANKIE4 Jackie sneaker
The Jackie sneaker is available in five colourways: White Tumbled, White/Rose Gold, Black Tumbled, Black/Black and White/Silver.
Its design makes it an option to consider for anyone looking for an everyday sneaker that can work across different outfits, while its removable footbed offers flexibility for the wearer.
FRANKIE4 was founded in Brisbane in 2010 by podiatrists and a physiotherapist. The brand combines footwear design with comfort-focused engineering and has expanded to eight retail stores across Australia, alongside a store in Seattle and its online and wholesale businesses.
The Australian Good Design Award recognises the research behind the Jackie, rather than offering a blanket endorsement of every shoe in the brand’s range.
It is also worth keeping the study’s limitations in mind. The research involved 29 women experiencing plantar heel pain, and its findings apply specifically to the Jackie sneaker and Sole Hero Footbed tested. Individual experiences may vary, and the footwear is not a medical device.
For shoppers who want to look beyond aesthetics when choosing their next pair of sneakers, the study offers an interesting example of how design and scientific research can work together.
Shop the collection: Visit FRANKIE4 at frankie4.com to explore the Jackie sneaker and its available colourways.
Research note: The findings are based on a 2025 independent Queensland University of Technology study involving 29 women experiencing plantar heel pain. Results are specific to the products tested and individual results may vary. The footwear is not a medical device.
