Shoes for problem feet

[cougar14]

I'm being hampered by various foot problems that are wearing me down. Don't want to go into a full boot, but need a shoe that has a strong backbone, good arch support, and thick tough rugged sole. All the outdoorsey looking shoes look good, but oftentimes aren't very. Anyone got good experience/recommendations? Thanks!!

 

[Milton]

I had to have orthotics prepared for my troublesome feet and the shoes that were suggested were New Balance.I walk a lot for exercise and the New Balance shoes last a good while and have a very strong arch support built in.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Sounds like a consultation with a professional would help.
In recent years I have bought 100% of my footwear from thrift shops, have a couple pairs of foundlings. I experiment with various styles of insoles, cutting them to fit-half insoles are often the solution. In addition I have several stretchers, I have several pairs where stretching has turned them from too tight to just right.
I have found Red Wing boots have required no breaking in, though I have bought any in years.

 

[VaTom]

Merrill is a good brand that I found helped me. Many styles they have in low quarter and higher top hikers. Brooks for athletic shoes and Neil M brand for dressier shoes. I have flat feet and wide at front/narrow at heel. Wore Bass Weejun loafers for years due to only shoes that felt good. Doctor said I needed more support so I found those brands offer the best comfort and support.

 

[DeathGrip]

I'm kinda like VaTom except the flat part, At least not yet.

For walking I found Sketchers a good value. They have some with a built in gel insole that's really nice for long periods of standing or walking.


I only wear my boat shoes when I go out anymore. Those Sperry's were killing my feets. I used to wear them all day. Without socks. I shudder at the thought now.

 

[pharman]

orthotics

I had orthotics made by my Podiatrist...have NOT had any foot problems since...see a Podiatrist BEFORE you buy anymore shoes!

 

[sar4937]

Orthotics, or seek out a specialty shoe store and see a podiatrist. My feet are awful, and when my shoes wear, my knees begin to suffer. I have extremely wide/flat feet, and only certain brands come in my size. Of those, only certain shoes have the arch support, and wear factor I need. I have been wearing Keen's, but there seems to be differences in sizing within their line. This is not an endorsement, everyone is different.

 

[rockquarry]

I had to have orthotics prepared for my troublesome feet and the shoes that were suggested were New Balance.I walk a lot for exercise and the New Balance shoes last a good while and have a very strong arch support built in.

My doctor recommended New Balance years ago, the stiffest they made. Don't remember the model number offhand, but with New Balance, the stiffest and most supportive shoes are also the most expensive. However, the price is offset by the fact that they outlast the cheaper,less supportive New Balance models by a considerable margin. New Balance makes cheap shoes like other manufacturers and they're not worth having if your feet need shoes with rigidity.

 

[Farmer17]

Almost any brand of decent running or cross training shoes feel great when they're new, but later on, not so much. That's why I buy new shoes fairly often, I don't buy the newest and coolest style I buy last years style at a discount store for half to one third the price. The older I get, the quicker I want to buy new shoes.

 

[kwselke]

I'm being hampered by various foot problems that are wearing me down. Don't want to go into a full boot, but need a shoe that has a strong backbone, good arch support, and thick tough rugged sole. All the outdoorsey looking shoes look good, but oftentimes aren't very. Anyone got good experience/recommendations? Thanks!!

My left foot has a fallen arch and is a classic flat foot. My right foot has a high arch and is "normal". I buy shoes for my weak left foot.

Asics brand shoes that carry a "Doctor Recommended" label have been good for my feet. The GT-1000, GT-2000, and Surveyor models have impressed me.

A bit more comfortable for me are the Brook's shoes for over pronators... flat feet. Currently I have a pair of Brooks Adrenalin GTS and a pair of Brooks Beast in my shoe rotation. I actually think the Beast are correcting my walking gate.

Mizuno shoes for over-pronators have served me well in the past, but I have not seen any at reasonable prices recently.

When my feet were young and in good shape New Balance 990s were top of the line. Now that I'm old they are not great for my feet.

 

[URIT]

Save yourself a ton of misery and money by seeing a Podiatrist.

The doctor can diagnose our foot problem(s) and recommend the proper course of action.

 

[oneounceload]

US-made Danners are one possibility, Russell's hand made from Berlin WI are not cheap; but they are custom made to YOUR feet.

 

[max]

Several years ago I had some major foot surgery. My surgeon who also happens to serve a number of collegiate and pro teams recommended New Balance and told me to get a new pair every 6 months. I can tell the difference when I get the new ones.

The lady who made my orthotics, and I learned a huge amount of info about feet from her, also said New Balance. They both recommended the leather 928v3's I believe.

 

[oneounceload]

Several years ago I had some major foot surgery. My surgeon who also happens to serve a number of collegiate and pro teams recommended New Balance and told me to get a new pair every 6 months. I can tell the difference when I get the new ones.

The lady who made my orthotics, and I learned a huge amount of info about feet from her, also said New Balance. They both recommended the leather 928v3's I believe.

I love their 608s for my walking; I buy some gel orthotic insoles and they make them last 6 more months.

 

[shouldazagged]

New Balance and Rockport walkers help me a lot. I also use Dr. Scholl arch support insoles in them. But a podiatrist is certainly your best bet.

If I weren't already seeing a pulmonologist, cardiologist, dermatologist (cancer), vascular surgeon, opthamologist, and a primary doc, I would see one myself.

 

[M.o.M.]

I had terrible plantar fasciitis. I did PT, wore New Balance shoes with inserts, nothing helped. I had to put my feet up by 3 every day. Getting up with the baby in the night was torture it hurt so bad. I read about Birkenstocks, and got a pair of Londons for daily wear and sandals for getting out of bed and knocking around the house. The guy who owned the shop I went to had some degree in feet. He was amazing, and told me never to go without shoes until the pain was completely gone. I had been living barefoot or in flip flops, or cheap flats, so I did myself in. I am happy to say that I am completely healed. I can wear any shoe now for a few hours, no problem, but I always want to put those Birks back on, they feel so good on my feet. They are pricey, but surgery or PT is way more expensive!

 

[cougar14]

I appreciate everyone's responses. I've been wearing a boot for 2 weeks per my podiatrist, she says if it's not lots better, she'll probably inject it and maybe order an MRI. The problem is the two small bones above the ball of your foot which act as pivots for the tendons controlling the big toe. Unless the MRI shows something else. I got new shoes and inserts, but they're not going to help much until the pain gets under control. Probably have to endure the injection.

 

[gasaman]

Chippewa boots or New Balance sneakers.

 

[H Richard]

I'm also a New Balance advocate. I'm on my 6th or 7th pair over the past 8-10 years. In the winter I wear a heavier shoe, currently a Johnston & Murphy chukka boot. Waterproof, medium heavy sole, good traction, not cheap. For outdoor bad weather etc, Keen makes a nice boot with a great arch support.