Frankie4 NAT vs JACKIE: Which Style Suits You Best?

So you've landed on Frankie4. You know you want a pair. But now you're looking at the Nat and the Jackie side by side, they both look incredible, and you're not entirely sure what the actual difference is.

Sound familiar? It's one of the most common questions we get asked in store at Bstore. And it's a good one, because both styles are genuinely brilliant — just designed for slightly different people and different ways of living.

Let's work through it together.

What Should I Look for in a Supportive Everyday Sneaker?

Before we get into the Nat versus Jackie debate, it's worth knowing what actually makes a sneaker worth investing in — because not all sneakers are created equal, even the ones that look similar on the surface.

A genuinely supportive everyday sneaker needs a few things: meaningful arch support (not just a cushioned insole), a deep heel cup that keeps your foot stable rather than letting it roll inward, forefoot cushioning for the hours when your feet start to feel it, and a fit that can be adjusted to suit your actual foot shape rather than a generic template.

It matters more than most people realise. Research suggests that around 75% of Australians will experience a significant foot problem at some point in their lives, and poor footwear is one of the most common contributing factors. Conditions like plantar fasciitis, one of the most frequently treated foot complaints in podiatry clinics, are often made significantly worse by shoes that look supportive but offer nothing where it counts.

This is exactly what Frankie4 was built to address. Founded by podiatrists Caroline and Alan McCulloch, every single style including both the Nat and the Jackie is engineered from the foot up with clinical intent. So whichever one you choose, you're already making a much smarter decision than most sneakers on the market allow.

Now, on to the actual comparison.

Are the Nat and Jackie Actually That Different?

More than they look, but less than you might think. Here's the honest answer.

Under your foot, they are identical. Both styles are built on the same podiatrist-designed Sole Hero® Footbed, the same triple-layer cushioning system, and the same Sole Saver Pack® that lets you customise the fit for regular, wide or narrow feet. Both have the Goldilocks heel counter for stability, the same leather upper and recycled foam lining, and the same slip-resistant outsole tested to ISO standards.

So neither shoe is "more supportive" than the other. If you're managing heel pain, plantar fasciitis, arch pain or forefoot soreness, either style will work equally well to help ease those symptoms.

Where they differ is above the foot: the silhouette, the details, and how they fit into your everyday life.

What Is the Nat Actually Like?

The Nat is Frankie4's most adaptable sneaker. It's designed to flex around your life rather than ask you to plan your day around it.

Can you wear it without laces?

Yes, and this is the thing that makes the Nat genuinely unique. An elastic gusset sits beneath the laces, which means you can slip the Nat on and off without ever touching the laces at all. If you're doing school drop-offs, running between appointments, or just someone who finds lacing up shoes an unnecessary daily ritual, that elastic gusset quietly changes everything. It's one of those features you don't know you need until you have it, and then you can't imagine going back.

Can you personalise it?

Yes. The Nat comes with interchangeable laces made from recycled cotton in statement finishes, so you can switch up the look depending on your outfit, your mood, or the occasion. It's a small thing that makes the shoe feel more personal and more fun.

Who is the Nat best for?

The Nat is the right choice if you want a sneaker that works around you. If you value ease, hate fussing with laces, love the idea of changing things up, or simply need your shoes to keep pace with a busy life, the Nat was designed with you in mind.

Shop the Nat at Bstore

What Is the Jackie Actually Like?

The Jackie is Frankie4's most polished everyday sneaker. It takes the same supportive foundation and wraps it in a silhouette that leans a little more refined and considered.

Does it feel more elevated than other sneakers?

That's exactly the point. The Jackie is made with a soft textured leather upper that gives it a more premium look and feel compared to a standard sneaker. It's the kind of shoe that works from a weekend brunch to a smart-casual work environment without skipping a beat. You don't have to try hard in the Jackie. It does that for you.

Is it a traditional lace-up?

Yes. There's no elastic gusset on the Jackie, so it's a proper lace-up sneaker. If you prefer the feel of a traditional fit across the top of your foot and don't need the slip-on functionality, this is actually a plus. The fit stays exactly where you set it, and the shoe feels tailored to your foot throughout the day.

Who is the Jackie best for?

The Jackie is the right choice if you want a sneaker that feels a little more special without being over-styled. If you love the look of a clean, textured leather sneaker that works across multiple contexts, prefer a classic lace-up feel, or want something that sits well in a slightly more polished wardrobe, Jackie is your shoe.

Shop the Jackie at Bstore

What Size Should I Order? Do They Run True to Size?

Good news: both the Nat and Jackie are true to size, so order your usual size with confidence.

Both styles are designed with a standard width and a slightly tapered toe that keeps the silhouette looking clean and polished without squishing your forefoot. The tapered shape still works comfortably for most feet, including those with mild bunions, so you don't need to size up to get a comfortable fit across the front of your foot.

The heel fit on both styles is particularly good. The Goldilocks heel counter hugs the back of your foot snugly without digging in, which makes a real difference over a long day on your feet. The lace-up on both styles also lets you fine-tune the fit across the top of your foot, so if you're between fits through the midfoot you can adjust easily.

What if I have narrow or wide feet?

This is where the Sole Saver Pack® that comes in every box becomes your best friend. Both styles come with interchangeable footbeds and forefoot cushions so you can tailor the internal fit to your foot shape without changing your size. More on that below.

What if I'm genuinely unsure?

Come in to any of our Bstore locations and try them on. Our team can assess your foot shape, walk you through the Sole Saver Pack® setup, and make sure you leave in the right size and configuration for your feet.

What Is the Sole Saver Pack and Does It Come with Both?

Yes, both styles come with the Sole Saver Pack® included in the box, and it's worth understanding before you buy.

Inside the box you'll find two full-length footbeds, two half-length footbeds and two forefoot cushions, all designed to be mixed and matched based on the shape of your individual feet. Frankie4 was built on the understanding that no two feet are the same, and often your left and right aren't alike either.

How do you know which footbed to use?

If your feet are a standard width, the full-length footbed gives you the complete layered support experience, deep heel cradle, arch support and forefoot cushioning from the first wear. If your feet run narrow, slipping a forefoot cushion under the full-length footbed brings the fit in snugly around the front of the shoe. If you have wider feet, bunions, a neuroma or hammer toes, the half-length footbed creates more room across the forefoot while keeping all the arch support in place beneath you. And if your two feet are genuinely different from each other (more common than most people realise), you can build a completely different configuration for each foot.

Not sure which setup is right for you? Come in to any of our Bstore locations and our team can help you work through it. It takes a few minutes and makes a real difference to how the shoe feels every single day.

Which One Is Better for Foot Pain?

Both are equally effective, and here's why that's a good thing.

Because the Nat and Jackie share the same Sole Hero® Footbed and triple-layer cushioning system, they deliver the same level of podiatrist-designed support. Whether you're managing plantar fasciitis, heel pain, arch discomfort or sore forefoot, either shoe is designed to help ease those symptoms. The deep heel cup supports posture and stability, and the forefoot cushioning handles the hours when your feet really start to feel the day.

The only exception worth noting: if getting shoes on and off is physically difficult for you, whether due to arthritis, limited mobility, or anything else, the Nat's elastic gusset makes it the more practical everyday choice.

Otherwise, let your lifestyle and style preference lead the decision. On support, both styles have you completely covered.

So How Do You Actually Choose?

Ask yourself one question: do I want a sneaker that adapts to my day, or one that simply looks and feels polished the moment I put it on?

Here's a quick summary to make the decision easy.

Choose the Nat if you:

• Want the option to slip your shoes on and off without touching the laces
• Love the idea of swapping out laces to change the look
• Live a busy, on-the-go life where ease and flexibility matter as much as style
• Want a sneaker that adapts to you, not the other way around

Choose the Jackie if you:

• Prefer a refined, slightly more elevated everyday sneaker
• Love the structured fit of a classic lace-up
• Want something that moves easily from weekend to smart-casual without looking like you tried
• Like a cleaner, more considered aesthetic with a premium leather finish

Both styles are right for you if you:

• Need genuine podiatrist-designed support for heel pain, plantar fasciitis or arch discomfort
• Have narrow, wide or mismatched feet (the Sole Saver Pack® has you covered)
• Want a true-to-size sneaker that feels as good at the end of the day as it does at the start

Still genuinely torn? Come in and try both. Our team across all Bstore locations loves helping customers find the right style, the right footbed configuration, and the right fit for the way they actually live. No pressure, just good advice and the right shoes for your feet.

Explore the full Frankie4 range at Bstore, with free shipping on orders over $160 Australia-wide.