Best tennis shoes for support?

[martyshoney]

I have a really bad neck, I actually have a brain disease that I had surgery for in Dec. last year, and what I have causes severe neck pain and if I walk too much without good support shoes my pain gets even worse What brand tennis shoe do you all wear that gives you the best support for your spine? This is really important for our upcoming trip, if I don't have the right shoe I will unfortunately end up in a wheelchair and as I don't "look" sick at all I will undoubtedly get "those" looks. I know I should not worry about that at all but unfortunately I do. I have a handicap tag for my vehicle and even close friends and family who know all that I have gone through and still go through act like I am taking advantage of something. I always say the same thing, "HELLO, I had BRAIN surgery, people, not an ingrown toenail removed!!" Anyway, any help on this would be greatly appreciated!

 

[canopynut66]

I have a really bad neck, I actually have a brain disease that I had surgery for in Dec. last year, and what I have causes severe neck pain and if I walk too much without good support shoes my pain gets even worse What brand tennis shoe do you all wear that gives you the best support for your spine? This is really important for our upcoming trip, if I don't have the right shoe I will unfortunately end up in a wheelchair and as I don't "look" sick at all I will undoubtedly get "those" looks. I know I should not worry about that at all but unfortunately I do. I have a handicap tag for my vehicle and even close friends and family who know all that I have gone through and still go through act like I am taking advantage of something. I always say the same thing, "HELLO, I had BRAIN surgery, people, not an ingrown toenail removed!!" Anyway, any help on this would be greatly appreciated!

foot doctor put me in new balance several years ago and they really helped me while I still walking..but two years ago got up one morning felt strange and legs were like jello found out have MS so am on a scooter when I go to WDW or to the grocery etc and so also look fine but get a lot of stares. but I just pray to myself and hope none of them ever get this as it is so frustrating. but I also there are a lot worse things that people have than this

 

[wdw4rfam]

Most foot doctors recommend New Balance, and I used them for YEARS- just switched to Asics in the last 3 years because I started running. MUCH better in my opinion. They are stable and have a lot of cushioning. Walking around Disney this last trip was much nicer in them. I have found that you get what you pay for with cushioning.
I know the stares from people well. We have an autistic son, and we have a GAC, and we have gotton stares, and comments like- nobody looks handicapped to me... We know why we have it, and I have gotton to the point where I just let it roll off.

 

[Sandy61]

I bought a pair of Ryka tennis shoes from Famous Footwear. They are very comfortable and seem to hold your foot and ankle in a correct position. The box says they are made for women based on research on the angle of women's pelvis, legs and feet. Seems to be very well made. I hope you can find them because they truly seem to be made differently and have wonderful support.

When I hold the shoes I make sure I can manually flex the toes up and down. I put my hand inside to feel if it is comfortable all over inside or hard as a rock. I wear the shoes about 10 minutes while I walk around the store. Also make sure you can not pull the heel off your heel, it shouldn't slip up and down. I look for enough seaming and construction on the side that my ankle won't collapse to the left or right. You can always buy the shoes and wear them around the house for hours and then decide to return them. Just don't wear them outside until you know you want to keep them.

 

[csharpwv]

Most foot doctors recommend New Balance, and I used them for YEARS- just switched to Asics in the last 3 years because I started running. MUCH better in my opinion. They are stable and have a lot of cushioning. Walking around Disney this last trip was much nicer in them. I have found that you get what you pay for with cushioning.
I know the stares from people well. We have an autistic son, and we have a GAC, and we have gotton stares, and comments like- nobody looks handicapped to me... We know why we have it, and I have gotton to the point where I just let it roll off.

See the part of me that is evil would want to look at those people and say..
"Actually you don't look handicapped either - but to be so ignorant as to make that comment to a family with an autistic child, you must not have the mental capacity of an adult. Poor thing!"

Funny? I think so.

Anyway - the key to stabilizing your back while walking comes in motion control shoes. These shoes have a hard plastic shank at the bottom of the sole that do not allow the foot to flex to the fullest extent. I know what you are thinking - that sounds awful! However, if you have own shoes that you can easily fold in half from heel to toe - you will understand. Those shoes don't provide enough support to any part of your foot to stabilize your foot, let alone your back!

I know opinions vary widely on what a shoe should and shouldn't do - especially with the whole barefoot shoe craze right now... and the resulting increase in foot injuries - it seems to make sense that the type of shoe you wear should reflect your body size, build, weight, and carriage.

Then, there are the shoes that make your body slant forward due to a wedge shaped sole block made up of foam and other materials. Who thought that was a good idea?

Anyway - you have to take into consideration the design and construction of the shoe. Some of the best shoes that I've purchased ended up being horribly uncomfortable. Some of the shoes that I bough just because they were priced right ended up being the best!
Case in point, the dress shoes that I favor right now were under $30.00 - but they do not hurt my feet, they support my arches, and they don't have a heel! (I'm not talking about a 'high heel' - I'm a guy! HAHA) They aren't wedge shaped under the heel, with a weak stretch between the ball of the foot and the heel.

I've had good luck with New Balance for tennis shoes - and Clarks/Bostonians in dress shoes.

Ask about motion control shoes - New Balance makes 2-3 types - and they also sell motion control insoles.

 

[DisneyOHFan]

I walk in the Susan G Komen 3 Day for the Cure which is a 60 mile walk, so my feet take a beating. Over the years, I have tried different shoes. I have discovered it is not just the shoes. I too wear New Balance, but I also have Sole Softec Insoles which have made ALL the difference in the world. My legs, feet and back don't get as tired.

 

[kwdw]

Another New Balance user here. I can wear them with the insoles they come with and be comfortable, but they are even better with my custom shoe inserts.

If you are routinely struggle with this, it might be worth a trip to a foot doctor! You can try some of the store-bought ones, too, but ultimately I've found the custom ones better.

 

[Linleedo]

New Balance are highly recommended by most physical therapists. They are very supportive. I've worked with physical therapists for 11 years. They are the best choice by far.

 

[TriciaMcNS]

New Balance are highly recommended by most physical therapists. They are very supportive. I've worked with physical therapists for 11 years. They are the best choice by far.

Okay, I bought two pairs of New Balance walking shoes. Now I have two weeks to break them in - better get moving!