Need a Very cushiony Crocs alternative

[Brit_Jude]

I have constant foot pain due to plantar faciitis and a heal spur as a result. I have high arches. Been to the podiatrist and he recomended Asics Gel Nimbus so those are my tennies, these were my Disney shoes in Jul 09. I love, love, love my Mephiston Helen sandals - these are the shoes that I can be pain free in, though not cheap. Unfortunately I can't wear these in the winter for work with my business suits. I do wear them as my house shoes as I can never go bare foot. So for work I have opted for the Sanita professional clogs, I was not sure at first but after a month and a half I am having pain free days. These have to be a little big on you...you should be able to put a pencil between your heal the the back of the clog. I was going to get Dansko's but after some research I found out that Sanita used to make them for Dansko's but then Dansko switched to cheaper supplier in China and there were lots of remarks about a dip in quality and fit. The folks at work now call me the little duch girl I also wear a foot brace at night which helps. My physical therapist is trying to get me to breakdown and get some MBT's, a couple of people at the office rave about them, you need to have your foot and gait assesed for these though and they look funky but to be without pain might be worth it. I am going to stick with the Sanita clogs for now though.

Please see a foot doctor if you haven't already as they may be able to start some treatment and recomend some shoes suited to your specific problem.

 

[scjo68]

I want to send a big Thank You out to all of you with suggestions.

My DH wants me to see a foot doctor, too. I probably should.

My boss didn't specifically tell me I couldn't wear Crocs. In fact, the chair of our Board(who officially sets policy and officially approves staff hiring and is a friend of mine) wears Crocs almost exclusively, so I think if I pushed it I could get away with it. And I wore the Crocs Patricia sandal to work constantly when the weather was warm. They don't look like Crocs so it was OK. It's just that the director makes such a big deal about the kids not wearing them to school (because of running and climbing on the playground) that I would rather not be so obvious about wearing something that they cannot wear.

Anyway, I did get a pair of Merrells. They are comfy enough to get through the day IF I wear my Crocs inserts with them. I do feel like with the price I paid for them they should be ready to go out of the box, without the added inserts, but, oh well....

Does anyone know anything about the Fit Flop clogs for fall/ winter?

I never bought the Flip Flop version, since the Crocs Flip Flops worked great for me in summer. But they did seem well cushioned when I tried them in the store. I found where they have a cold weather clog version, but have only found them online, not in person. I'm wondering if they would work.

 

[i*heart*minniemouse]

I am a prek teacher and have to say these are the BEST shoes I have found

They sell then at DSW--they are a bit pricy, like $70 a pair, but they last me a while, at least the entire year--I am on my second year in them now. The inside of the shoe is like that memory foam stuff--they are so comfortable and I don't have any pain in them.

I will second that on the Softspots! Love them!
I get mine from footsmart dot com.

Barb

 

[tam626]

That is a really good idea, and I have looked, but for some reason, Crocs that are built to look like regular shoes just don't stay on my feet well. I seem to have a problem with the sizing- One size is too short, and the nexts size up just flops off my foot. Perhaps these new styles would work better for me, but I'd like to try them on first.

Does anyone know of any chains that carry a variety of Croc styles? Everyone here is pretty much putting their current stock on clearance (I've bought up lots of them myself) and not getting any more.

This is why I feel like I need to investigate other brands. I know folks here like Merrells alot, but I know they are not all the same in cushioning.

I have the same problem. I have some different Crocs that are'nt the original clog type & fit great so I bought a pair of the new prepairs & they were too small. Had to send them back. Same size but not the same fit.

 

[Zuzu03]

I live in my Merrills, I have so many pairs of them, shoes, sandals, clogs. Up here in Vermont it seems as if everyone has at least one pair. I teach all day and conduct theatre rehearsals at night. I also wear them when I'm taking my students on tour in France and by the end of the day I'm still going strong. Definately see the foot doc first though! Good luck!

 

[luvndisney358]

I too have been plagued with Plantar Fascitis and I wear New Balance 1225's the newer model of the 1224. They are stability control/motion control sneakers and so far so good. Got them at a local NB store here in NJ and hopefully my feet won't scream come our trip in January! Best take my crocs also!

 

[bakers3]

I have severe PF and a huge wicked looking (had it xrayed) bone spur on my right heel. I adore my Crocs Athens flip flops for WDW but need a good pair of running/walking shoes to alternate with. I wear 11-12 depending on the brand and I need wider shoes to accommodate my toes so it isn't easy or cheap to find good fitting comfortable shoes!

I recently found the following info online about New Balance while searching for good shoes for walking:

New Balance Running Shoes: The following New Balance running shoes help with heel pain (plantar fasciitis): 1225, 1123 (best), 1011 (best), the 850 (best), and 993.

New Balance Walking Shoes: If you are interested in walking shoes, the following styles should be considered if you have heel pain or plantar fasciitis: 927 (best), the 845 (best), and the 811.

I just ordered a pair of the women's 1011 in an 11.5 D (width) for 67.00 on Amazon - nearly 50% off. I am hoping they will fit well and be comfy - the only shoes I ever buy online are crocs because I know my size so well.

 

[luvndisney358]

Hi there! I Have had a bout of plantar fascitis and just went to the New Balance store and bought the 1225 Running shoes which have motion/stability control and support in the arch where we need it. I love them and am breaking them in for my upcoming January trip !

Good luck! I love these sneakers!

 

[luvndisney358]

Okay so call me a dummy! Too much going on right now but I didn't mean to post at my own post! HAHAHA UGH!!!

 

[rubato]

Okay so call me a dummy! Too much going on right now but I didn't mean to post at my own post! HAHAHA UGH!!!

Crack me up!!!!This sounds like something I would do!

 

[J Le]

Does anyone know anything about the Fit Flop clogs for fall/ winter?

I never bought the Flip Flop version, since the Crocs Flip Flops worked great for me in summer. But they did seem well cushioned when I tried them in the store. I found where they have a cold weather clog version, but have only found them online, not in person. I'm wondering if they would work.

I bought a pair of the Fit Flops (clog style) a couple weeks ago at Macy's. My butt and thighs were feeling it for the first 3-4 days but my feet felt great. They are very warm. I haven't used them for more than a couple hours of walking around the mall so I'm holding off on whether these would work for a full Disney day. I've got some unique problems and I feel more comfortable with a bit more ankle support.

 

[LSchrow]

Nothing is better than Crocs Goodluck

actually, i found fit-flops the best (as have all my friends/family that tried them).

yes, they are pricey at about $50 a pair, but are absolutely the most comfy footwear i've ever owned (runner ups are my uggs). figure i love to walk, and spend about 9 days doing lots of it at wdw, yet have never had a blister or foot/leg pain since i started wearing them. dd hates things between her toes, so opted for tevas, which are very good, just not quite as amazing as fit-flops.
unfortunately, i also have about 10 pairs of crocs (regular & flip flop styes) i doubt i'll ever wear again

 

[benolathe]

Me too!! I love my Fit Flops. Yes, they are expensive - but I am really surprised that it is the only shoe that I really want to wear now. Mine have brown sequins on them, so they are somewhat cute too.

Just read yesterday that there is a Fit Flops Clog. Now I will need to find a pair of those.

 

[irisesareblue]

I'm not sure if these have been mentioned but can you get Geox shoes in the US? They are wonderful - all I used to wear was Crocs but now with these Geox shoes I'm in heaven. They are really pricey (usually around $100-150.00per pair) but they also have a lifetime guarantee. I wear Black Ada's which even have velcro closures on them.

I've also seen them on ebay for around $90 US

 

[Elasti-girl]

Anything by Born are so comfortable. I am also a teacher and I frequently wear them. Pricey but worth it. You can also find them marked down at TJ Maxx.

 

[mjchef99]

Greetings,
for years i have worked on steel and concrete floors which have causesd me great pain in the foot knee and hip area. Well I have finally found a shoe that took that pain away within 30 minutes, much to my amazement, i too have tried everything under the sun. the shoe i am talking about is by SKETCHER its called the "Shape Up" i was so happy with them that i bought 3 pairs and now even wear them to work. they can be pricey but well worth every penny.
I plan on bringing mine to disney in January. I hope this helps you, It sure did me I am still in disbelief but very grateful that i gave in and tried a pair on.
mjchef99

 

[WildGrits]

A few years ago I got a pair of Crocs Mammoths for X-mas. Although I found them very comfy, they were very slippery outside in any sort of wet or icy walking.

I have since bought a pair of Lands End Mocs. I love them. My job is sitting so I can't say how good they are if on your feet all day but I can say that I am Pooh Size with spurs from way back and they do not bother me at all in my mocs.

 

[msmith07101]

I want to send a big Thank You out to all of you with suggestions.

My DH wants me to see a foot doctor, too. I probably should.

My boss didn't specifically tell me I couldn't wear Crocs. In fact, the chair of our Board(who officially sets policy and officially approves staff hiring and is a friend of mine) wears Crocs almost exclusively, so I think if I pushed it I could get away with it. And I wore the Crocs Patricia sandal to work constantly when the weather was warm. They don't look like Crocs so it was OK. It's just that the director makes such a big deal about the kids not wearing them to school (because of running and climbing on the playground) that I would rather not be so obvious about wearing something that they cannot wear.

Anyway, I did get a pair of Merrells. They are comfy enough to get through the day IF I wear my Crocs inserts with them. I do feel like with the price I paid for them they should be ready to go out of the box, without the added inserts, but, oh well....

Does anyone know anything about the Fit Flop clogs for fall/ winter?

I never bought the Flip Flop version, since the Crocs Flip Flops worked great for me in summer. But they did seem well cushioned when I tried them in the store. I found where they have a cold weather clog version, but have only found them online, not in person. I'm wondering if they would work.

Yes!! I discovered the sandal Fit Flops while on our Disney Cruise this summer. Ordinarliy I can't stand a flip flop type sandal with the piece between my toes...but I just loved the Fit Flops so much! I was bummed when it turned cold! What was I going to do without the most comfy shoes I own?? So I found the clog type Fit Flops online and ordered a pair...I just love them! I have bunions and they bother me with most shoes...except my fit flops. I love, love, love them!! Worth every penny!

 

[scjo68]

OP again...I looked all over and only found one store to carry Fit flop clogs locally, and they did not have my size to try on, but I did at least get to see them IRL. Our Macy's doesn't carry them.

I found them online, but it was hard finding them in my size and still I wasn't sure if they would fit. So I wanted to order them from somehere with free shipping and free return shipping in case they didn't fit.

I finally ordered them from Piperlime, and I love them!

I am now wearing Fit Flop clogs (Gough model) almost exclusively. They're more comfortable than my Merrellls for sure. They feel very similar to Crocs, without screaming the fact that they are Crocs. Now, of course they are very comfy/frumpy -looking, I'n not claiming that they are cute and fashoinable, but I gave up on that long ago..

I ordered a 10, and they fit well. I usually cannot wear a 10 in anything that has a back and is closed toe, then I usually need 10.5 or 11. So the may run a tad on the large size.

Mjchef, are the Skecher Shape-ups very cusioned? I have some regular skechers and can'yt wear them more than a half hour or so... not nearly cushioned enough. But I might be interested in the shape ups if they are different.

It's funny how what works for some doesn't work for others. I know many folks who swear by Dansko clogs, but to me they feel like walking barefoot on cement.

 

[ZoZo]

I've had a lot of luck with Clarks clogs. They are pretty supportive (not as cushy as Crocs, though), and look good. I'm wearing some now!