I have "difficult" feet

[minkydog]

I have always had trouble finding shoes, due to flat feet. But in the last several years it has just gotten to be ridiculous. The bones in my feet have subluxed to the point that there is no longer any arch, so the bones are literally on the floor rather than being suspended within the foot. The tendons are stretched and arthritis has set in. I wear orthotics and sensible shoes all the time. NO flip flops, no crocs, no pretty heels. I hate shoe shopping. I can try on 23 pairs of shoes and maybe fine ONE pair that fits, kinda.

So today I decided it was time to buy new shoes. All I want is a pair of good-fitting sensible shoes. DH found a New BAlance store nearby. I have worn New Balance for years, but I always bought them at Sears. The ones at Sears are no longer wide enough, though. Anyway, I didn't have a lot of hope,but I went to the New Balance store anyway. THe guy measured my foot and I couldn't believe it--I should be wearing a EE width women's shoe! No wonder I can't find shoes to fit! Well, New Balance carries womens shoes up to EEEE. The guy went to the back and brought out a few pairs in my newly-adjusted size and guess what? THEY FIT! They feel so good I wore them out of the store! My birthday is next month and I think I'll ask for ANOTHER pair!

'Course, they cost an arm and a leg. But you know? THe last pair lasted over 3 years--that's like 20 cents a day?

 

[JerseyJanice]

Congrats on finding a pair you can wear!

I am finding out that feet do not age well. In my 20s, I could wear anything on my feet and nothing bothered them. Now a day in a bad pair of shoes could mess me up for weeks.

 

[minkydog]

Congrats on finding a pair you can wear!

I am finding out that feet do not age well. In my 20s, I could wear anything on my feet and nothing bothered them. Now a day in a bad pair of shoes could mess me up for weeks.

I know exactly what you mean. If I had known back then just what having flat feet would mean in my 40s & 50s I'd like to think I would have done some things differently.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

I LOVE my NB shoes!!! I was doing some research yesterday that might help you too. On the NB website when you look at a shoe, among the info listed is a "shoe last". All shoes are built around a last, so NB lists the general qualities of it's last, arch height, heel width, toe box width and height. Once you find a last that fits you, you can then search the site for other shoes built around that last. SL-2 in a wide works for me, but $98 for my shoes is pricey, worth it but pricey.

 

[wdwfan16]

New Balance makes a great sneakers. Glad you found ones that fit. I love their sneakers. I have a wider than average foot (D) and they always fit.

 

[RNMOM]

There is a good website that has all kinds of shoes and all the brands which carry wide and extra wide. Footsmart.com. Just add the www. in front. There are several manufacturers who make dressier shoes, boots and leather tie shoes if you need them. Some made to fit orthotics too. Good luck.

 

[powellrj]

I wear a EEEE and shoes have always been a nightmare to buy. I started wearing zcoils last year and while they are super ugly, they feel great!

 

[cteddiesgirl]

I don't have flat feet, but do have very wide feet. Also, I wear a very small size. Try finding 5EE in a store. Especially any cute shoes with more than a 1 inch heel. That size also doesn't always fit because technically I could go a smaller size. They just don't make them wide enough.

I have had to order shoes for years and my cheapest shoes cost at least $80.

So I know what it's like trying to find shoes to fit.
I have also worn New Balance tennis shoes for many years. Long before most people had heard of them.

I LOVE my NB shoes!!! I was doing some research yesterday that might help you too. On the NB website when you look at a shoe, among the info listed is a "shoe last". All shoes are built around a last, so NB lists the general qualities of it's last, arch height, heel width, toe box width and height. Once you find a last that fits you, you can then search the site for other shoes built around that last. SL-2 in a wide works for me, but $98 for my shoes is pricey, worth it but pricey.

Munro shoes do the same thing. http://www.munroshoes.com
I've worn their shoes for years too.

 

[marcyinPA]

My DS15 has horribly flat, wide feet...to the point that his ankle bones nearly touch the floor. We've been to the podiatrist, but it's time to go back. I'm thinking we may have to re-visit surgery. I don't want to do it, because the surgery is pretty invasive and healing can take a good 6 months, but as he's grown, it seems to have become worse.

New Balance have always been the best for him, but being a teen, he tends to want to go the more fashionable route. It's always been a really hard thing for him to deal with! (not being able to wear what the other kids are wearing!)

 

[Imzadi]

Congrats! I know how you feel. Some gals go crazy over a new pair of shoes. I look at a pair and I think of the possible pain I may be in.

I am finding out that feet do not age well. In my 20s, I could wear anything on my feet and nothing bothered them. Now a day in a bad pair of shoes could mess me up for weeks.

Me, too. I end up with foot & leg cramps. And if I'm not careful, it screws up my back as each step puts me off balance in a funky pair of shoes.

 

[Kathi OD]

I have always had trouble finding shoes, due to flat feet. But in the last several years it has just gotten to be ridiculous. The bones in my feet have subluxed to the point that there is no longer any arch, so the bones are literally on the floor rather than being suspended within the foot. The tendons are stretched and arthritis has set in. I wear orthotics and sensible shoes all the time. NO flip flops, no crocs, no pretty heels. I hate shoe shopping. I can try on 23 pairs of shoes and maybe fine ONE pair that fits, kinda.

So today I decided it was time to buy new shoes. All I want is a pair of good-fitting sensible shoes. DH found a New BAlance store nearby. I have worn New Balance for years, but I always bought them at Sears. The ones at Sears are no longer wide enough, though. Anyway, I didn't have a lot of hope,but I went to the New Balance store anyway. THe guy measured my foot and I couldn't believe it--I should be wearing a EE width women's shoe! No wonder I can't find shoes to fit! Well, New Balance carries womens shoes up to EEEE. The guy went to the back and brought out a few pairs in my newly-adjusted size and guess what? THEY FIT! They feel so good I wore them out of the store! My birthday is next month and I think I'll ask for ANOTHER pair!

'Course, they cost an arm and a leg. But you know? THe last pair lasted over 3 years--that's like 20 cents a day?

Another good source for New Balance in different widths is Zappos.com.
With free shipping both ways, you can't go wrong. I my New Balance shoes!

 

[snarlingcoyote]

Well. . .

One foot is a 7.5 EE; the other foot is a 9 D. I have one pair of NB sneakers that I've had for about 6 years that fit both feet. I got them at a church yard sale - in the box, brand new. I call them my Providence sneakers.

Normally I just buy a 9.5 Nike. They fit (more or less).

I recently bought some Teva Mush and now they've molded to my feet. Everytime I put them on, I notice that they have extremely high arches and then have to remember "oh. Right. They molded to MY arches!" I've never actually owned any shoes before with arches that come up to the tops of MY arches.

I'm thinking of buying two new pair of sneakers for Christmas - one size for my left food and one for my right foot! It's the only way I can justify the wastefulness.

 

[tweety38]

The New Balance tent sale at the factory starts this Thur. I can't wait. I wear a size 12 4E. Hope they have slot, plan on buying a few pairs. My son is a size 14 4E and my husband is a 16 2E.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My sister finally settled on a pair of NB. She also has difficult feet. She was born club foot and always needed special shoes. She wore a brace with a shoe for 20yrs.

She recently had major surgery 2yrs ago and was happy that she could buy NB. She was headed to a wheelchair.

For those of you that need to step it up, there are places that will fit you better. They are just expensive and you need a doctor's order.

 

[golfgal]

When I saw "flat feet" in your post I was immediately going to suggest NB shoes.

If you want some nice dress shoes I can HIGHLY recommend the brand below. I have the opposite problem, too high arches so my feet are also hard to fit but the munro shoes use an athletic insole and have a rubber sole. They are the MOST comfortable shoes EVER. I wear a 9 medium so no "size" problems but with the high arches I have difficulty finding dress shoes that stay on my feet. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these shoes.

I don't have flat feet, but do have very wide feet. Also, I wear a very small size. Try finding 5EE in a store. Especially any cute shoes with more than a 1 inch heel. That size also doesn't always fit because technically I could go a smaller size. They just don't make them wide enough.

I have had to order shoes for years and my cheapest shoes cost at least $80.

So I know what it's like trying to find shoes to fit.
I have also worn New Balance tennis shoes for many years. Long before most people had heard of them.




Munro shoes do the same thing. http://www.munroshoes.com
I've worn their shoes for years too.

 

[paintnolish]

Can you do Birkenstocks?

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

Me Too

New Balance MENS 7 EEEE on a SL-2 last myself plus Custom Orthotics make me a Happy Camper.

New Balance also has a Women's shoe Line Aravon. I have a pair of their sandals.

 

[minkydog]

My DS15 has horribly flat, wide feet...to the point that his ankle bones nearly touch the floor. We've been to the podiatrist, but it's time to go back. I'm thinking we may have to re-visit surgery. I don't want to do it, because the surgery is pretty invasive and healing can take a good 6 months, but as he's grown, it seems to have become worse.

He has my sympathy.The cure is almost worse than the injury. I'm at the point where surgery is the only thing we haven't tried. In fact, I was scheduled to have the rt foot reconstructed this summer, but DHs health took a turn and we had to cancel. Some days I rock along thinking, "Oh, this isn't so bad." Then I try to walk less than a mile, and have to ice my post-tibial tendon for 3 days to recover.

Congrats! I know how you feel. Some gals go crazy over a new pair of shoes. I look at a pair and I think of the possible pain I may be in.

I know exactly what you mean. Jimmy Choo? Who's he?

Can you do Birkenstocks?

I have tried Birks before and I actually have one pair of sandals, but they really aren't my favorites. They hurt my feet and ankles a lot and they just aren't comfortable to wear. I have my two older NBs--one in white and one in black. I wear these pretty much every day, to every thing, every function. And now I have my new NBs, which I will wear to work (I'm a school nurse.)

 

[powellrj]

Can you do Birkenstocks?

I can't, my feet are too thick and they don't fit.