The Search for Shoes and Comfy Feet

It has been almost two years since my whining post on my feet. So much has changed, and yet, so much is the same. The pain in my feet kept getting worse…although the doctors couldn’t find exactly what was wrong. One doctor suggested surgery, and second opinions were no help. I could barely walk. I wore lace-up braces and athletic shoes with orthotics and tons of pain pills.

I knew that I needed to help myself, so I thought if I lost weight perhaps it would help my pain level. I stopped eating wheat, and noticed within 2-4 weeks a drastic improvement. DRASTIC. And I found that avoiding foods in the nightshade family (tomatoes, potatoes, peppers) also improved my foot pain. I was able to stop all the medications and the braces. That experience made me realize that there are other inflammatory causing foods — besides the nightshade family and gluten, sugar and alcohol are other examples. Well, at least for me. And then I stopped drinking Diet Coke and I experienced more improvement.

My feet are still super sensitive to everything. I’ll be the old lady predicting weather and catastrophic events due changes in my foot pain.

Even if I’m top of all my good eating, my feet still hurt almost all of the time. I just have better and worse days. I have severe flat feet, extreme over-pronation, and a high instep, plus harder to fit narrow feet and heel. The search for the right comfortable shoes is ever consuming. I rarely buy shoes, and when I do, they need to last for years (because they are so expensive). When I finally do find the right shoes and buy them, it’s a big long production. I know I could buy online and buy from Zappos or other sites, but I do prefer to actually try on shoes.

I do not like to wear athletic shoes. My style is SO not sporty! But on days that I’m spending so much time on my feet, I wear my orthotics in my athletic shoes and endure the bad fashion choice. But what to wear with skirts and slacks, and even harder, dress up clothes? For years I’ve been wearing mostly Dansko, with some Mephisto sandals for summer. I need shoes with a strap. Clogs or clog style used to work, but now they aggravate my problems. Dansko shoes I think have changed. They are not comfortable for me any more.

I do have prescription orthotics, but they are 3/4 size. Shoes rarely accommodate the orthotics comfortably without removing the footbed, and having only a 3/4 means there is no padding at the toe area. Solutions? One solution might mean a new full size orthotic. Not a great option because it means more $$$, but…

I can wear shoes without orthotics if they are super supportive, but it’s getting harder and harder to find the right shoes with extremely good arch and ankle support and nothing to aggravate my high instep. For years my go-to store has been The Walking Company. The local store is 40 minutes away, so our trips are planned and few and far between.

This Friday was one of those rare trips, and DH and the boys accompanied me for moral support. I did spend some time researching online, but most of the shoes I thought would work didn’t. Most of the shoes that could support orthotics weren’t supportive for the pronation issue. Floppy and soft and low sides don’t work and flats aren’t good. I also need ankle support. The process was long and tedious. I ended up buying Dansko Harlow but they are going back. After wearing them at home, they are causing metatarsal pain — an issue I don’t usually have!

I think my feet have outgrown this store. Dansko doesn’t support my feet any more, and the other two major brands that The Walking Company really pushes (ABEO and UC 24/7, I think these are their own brands) really don’t work for me. The store carries less stock in the other brands, so I can’t try on other options. Plus, it seems they are just pushing brands, and really not catering to each foot.

Of course, now comes summer, and I HATE to wear shoes. My feet get hot and uncomfortable. But I need shoes now with some support for all times. It’s been a hard fact to face that I cannot be barefoot anymore.

While I’m still looking for the everyday shoes to wear all year, I need some cooler summer options. Ideally I like to have a dressier sandal and then something that can endure long walks and picnics and baseball games. Mephisto Helen has been my tough sandals (and house shoes / flip flops) for years (I’ve gone through 3 pairs), but it’s seriously time for new ones as the footbed has no support any more. I’m considering switching to Mephisto Elka or Hannel or Birkenstock Habana or Florida. Switching to Birkenstock would be a big jump for me (and my DH) as we aren’t even slightly crunchy or have any hippie fashion acclimation at all. This post has some possible options, although I am concerned about the soft sides. The closed toe shoes might be a good substitute for those awful looking athletic shoes, but I am concerned that they are so flat….

I’m impressed if you made it this far on my whining post about my feet and shoes! Does anyone else have this problem? I can’t find the right shoe. My current shoes are 2-3 years old AT LEAST. They are uncomfortable and almost unwearable, but seem to be better than the newer options. It’s not that I’m indecisive, it’s just that my feet are so needy! So now I need to return my new Danskos and find another local store that specializes in more orthopedic shoes, and perhaps buy my supportive sandals online.

If you have similar problems, I’d love to hear your recommendations!

ETA: I think I’ve found a store I’d like to try: Potomac Cobbler Foot Comfort Center.