shoe/sneaker recommendations

[smrice95]

I am hoping I can ask this here. I am looking for a comfortable shoe and sneaker brand. I got my first pair of Birkenstocks a few months ago and since then my feet and hips are great. (I have plantar fasciitis and yes I do all the stretches etc.) I am not a sneaker person. Since I typically go to Disney in the summer I spend days, even park days in my Croc flip flops - capri Vs. Now that it is winter, I am looking for a shoe and flat sneaker with arch support and accommodates a wide foot! Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[NannyBeBe]

I suffered with plantar fasciitis for years until I found SAS shoes. They have many styles and all widths. I suggest that you find a store near you and try them.

 

[slo]

Sadly…..my feet absolutely love plantar fasciitis and I’m currently recovering from my 2nd surgery (each foot has had surgery for this),

Any type of flip flops are very bad for plantar fasciitis because when you walk with a flip flop, your plantar fascia has tension and stress when your heel comes up and has to bring up that flip flop with it. When you wear a sneaker, that doesn’t happen so your plantar fascia has less stress put on it. I love my Birkenstock Madrid style and sadly, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to wear them anymore because of what I described.

I’ve tried all sorts of sneakers and these are the current ones that I wear.



Unfortunately, you may need to force yourself to start wearing whatever sneaker works best for you and you’ll probably need to invest in custom orthotics - not the ones that are over the counter. Your podiatrist should be able to do that or guide you to someone that can. They aren’t cheap, but they are worth it.

Good luck….i understand what you’re going through.

 

[unrequited23]

I've had luck with Asics, but recommend that you go to a running store and get fitted. They will analyze your gait, suggest a few styles/brands and offer insoles if needed. (I under-pronate, have high arches and a narrow heel.)

 

[ddluvsdisney]

I also suffer from plantar fasciitis and only wear Brooks sneakers to Disney.
I did also find Skechers arch support sneakers (these look like the Converse sneakers.) I won’t wear them walking around the parks, but have worn them all day at work with no issues.
Good luck!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I'm on my feet all day at work plus walking 4 blocks each way from the train station to my building. Sandals and flip flops kill my feet and I can only wear them for the few hours necessary for whatever we're doing (beach day, dinner on a cruise, etc.)
I love Asics and used to buy their cheaper models until my feet started hurting more and I was develping a painful callous on the outer part of one foot.
When I had a 20% off coupon, I tried their higher end models and I will never go back. No need to break them in. They are so comfortable and cushioning on day 1. Some of their colors are a bit outrageous for me. I need something that works with scrubs so I've been shopping for another pair lately.
I would ask the advice from either a podiatrist or an orthopedic doc that specializes in feet/ankles.

 

[easyas123]

I LOVE my Dansko shoes - I have clogs, boots, hiking sneakers, loafers & flip flops. I'm wearing a pair of their slippers now. I probably have nearly 20 pairs - hazard of living within driving distance of the Company Store/Outlet
I also have found Brooks sneakers to be the most supportive for my weak ankles.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

I LOVE my Dansko shoes - I have clogs, boots, hiking sneakers, loafers & flip flops. I'm wearing a pair of their slippers now. I probably have nearly 20 pairs - hazard of living within driving distance of the Company Store/Outlet
I also have found Brooks sneakers to be the most supportive for my weak ankles.

OMG I do love my Dansko clogs as well. I only have 4 pairs. Where is the company/ outlet store?
I wish there was an outlet near me!!

 

[easyas123]

It’s in SE PA, not far from the DE line. It’s awesome. It’s arranged by shoe size not by shoe so you go right to your size and there’s just a plethora of shoes. Some you’ve never seen before some that are ones that they might not have brought out into mass production, although Most of them are ones that they have brought out into mass production. Benches by each carousel and there’s multiple carousels of each size and you can just go in there and try things on and the best part is it’s in and out of the way small industrial park not in an outlet area per se so sometimes you go in there and it’s dead there’s hardly anyone in there, and other times it can be super busy. I once walked out of there with seven pairs….. my husband jokingly called that my Personal Best!!!

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I would strongly recommend going to a running shop to get fitted. Even if sports isn’t your goal, they are usually so well equipped to guide you to the right shoes. On average, whenever I’ve been fitted, they usually have me try at least 10 different shoes.

Now personally, I’m a Brooks Glycerin girl. I need a “neutral” shoe and prefer high cushioning. While I can wear many other models and brands as day to day shoes, if I’m distance walking or on my feet all day…this is it. In fact, things like the super popular Brooks Ghosts (my dad’s and DD17s shoe of choice), Hoka Bondis, Hoka Clifton’s, ASICS Gel Nimbus (DHs shoe pref) and Saucony Triumph are absolute no’s for me. So this is why I think being fitted in person is tremendously beneficial. You are also not obligated to buy if they fit you, which is good because often you have better color options and sometimes prices online. Fleet Feet is the chain I use for fittings but you may have other local run shop options to help.

Three side notes…
1. There are several higher max cushioning shoes out there that are usually either a love it or hate it thing. If you’re considering something like the Hoka Bondi, Brooks Ghost Max, or Brooks Glycerin Max… try them in person first. That high profile and rocker sole style isn’t for everyone and can take some getting used to, especially on stairs.
2. A few models are about to have their new versions drop. Consequently, the current version is on sale but may also be in limited quantities due to sale demands. The Brooks Glycerin 22, for example, is currently on sale for about $125 since the 23s are expected next month. I usually check Zappos, Amazon, Dicks, Brooks, Academy, and Scheels anytime I need to buy since they may have more colors and places like Dicks are known to discount some more heavily based on inventory and popularity. Case in point, I just got a pair that was discounted to $116 due to dwindling inventory in the color.
3. It’s crazy but sometimes different colors of the same shoe model and iteration fit differently. Now I usually have several pairs in rotation due to high usage, but I’ve had seven pairs of Glycerin 22s and each color has felt a bit different. So if you get fitted in something white but order something dark blue online, you might feel some difference.

Another Side note- I do distance walking. I walk every day… bare minimum 5-6 miles and often 50+ miles a week. So I go through shoes more than an average person.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

It’s in SE PA, not far from the DE line. It’s awesome. It’s arranged by shoe size not by shoe so you go right to your size and there’s just a plethora of shoes. Some you’ve never seen before some that are ones that they might not have brought out into mass production, although Most of them are ones that they have brought out into mass production. Benches by each carousel and there’s multiple carousels of each size and you can just go in there and try things on and the best part is it’s in and out of the way small industrial park not in an outlet area per se so sometimes you go in there and it’s dead there’s hardly anyone in there, and other times it can be super busy. I once walked out of there with seven pairs….. my husband jokingly called that my Personal Best!!!

I think I’m going to make a road trip there over the summer! Thank you!

 

[princesscinderella]

My MIL has plantar fasciitis and swears by the brand Vionics.

https://www.vionicshoes.com/women/plantar-fasciitis-shoes.html

 

[smrice95]

I'm on my feet all day at work plus walking 4 blocks each way from the train station to my building. Sandals and flip flops kill my feet and I can only wear them for the few hours necessary for whatever we're doing (beach day, dinner on a cruise, etc.)
I love Asics and used to buy their cheaper models until my feet started hurting more and I was develping a painful callous on the outer part of one foot.
When I had a 20% off coupon, I tried their higher end models and I will never go back. No need to break them in. They are so comfortable and cushioning on day 1. Some of their colors are a bit outrageous for me. I need something that works with scrubs so I've been shopping for another pair lately.
I would ask the advice from either a podiatrist or an orthopedic doc that specializes in feet/ankles.

My podiatrist would not recommend any brands but sent me to a shoe store. The Birkenstocks were the only thing that fit my feet that wasn't a sneaker. I have a wide foot. I was turned off by the sales associate.

I have also read (and asked the podiatrist this and got conflicting answers from what he shared in an earlier visit) that a flatter show with arch support is better than an incline like the many of the high end sneakers. The podiatrist even said you want to keep you foot "pulled up" when sitting or sleeping rather than hanging relaxing. When I questioned him and the foot specialist I feel I got BS answers.

 

[smrice95]

OMG I do love my Dansko clogs as well. I only have 4 pairs. Where is the company/ outlet store?
I wish there was an outlet near me!!

And Dansko was one of the brands at the shoe store I was sent to but I couldn't get the clog on my foot. I would love to try other styles though.

 

[Miffy]

I love my Hoka Clifton 8s, however, I don't like the new version (Clifton 10) so lately I've been haunting ebay for the old version.

Because of this, when I got home from WDW a couple of weeks ago, I tried to find a new pair of sneakers. I saw a lot of people at WDW wearing ONs, so I tried them--they don't fit me properly. Then I tried on a few different models of Brooks, and they also don't fit me properly. So now I'm back looking for the old Clifton 8s online.

The 3 brands of sneakers I saw most often at WDW: Hoka, Brooks, ON. The other well-known brands were represented, but not to the extent of those 3.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

I love my Hoka Clifton 8s, however, I don't like the new version (Clifton 10) so lately I've been haunting ebay for the old version.

Because of this, when I got home from WDW a couple of weeks ago, I tried to find a new pair of sneakers. I saw a lot of people at WDW wearing ONs, so I tried them--they don't fit me properly. Then I tried on a few different models of Brooks, and they also don't fit me properly. So now I'm back looking for the old Clifton 8s online.

The 3 brands of sneakers I saw most often at WDW: Hoka, Brooks, ON. The other well-known brands were represented, but not to the extent of those 3.

I agree with the ONs. I wanted to like them so badly.
My DH loves his Hokas, but they are too wide for me.

 

[Miffy]

I agree with the ONs. I wanted to like them so badly.
My DH loves his Hokas, but they are too wide for me.

Hoka makes several different models. The Cliftons have been the only ones I've ever liked and unfortunately I don't like the new version.

I know. The ONs were a big disappointment because they are so attractive.

 

[Christine]

My podiatrist would not recommend any brands but sent me to a shoe store. The Birkenstocks were the only thing that fit my feet that wasn't a sneaker. I have a wide foot. I was turned off by the sales associate.

I have also read (and asked the podiatrist this and got conflicting answers from what he shared in an earlier visit) that a flatter show with arch support is better than an incline like the many of the high end sneakers. The podiatrist even said you want to keep you foot "pulled up" when sitting or sleeping rather than hanging relaxing. When I questioned him and the foot specialist I feel I got BS answers.

He's talking about shoe "drop." The Birkenstocks are either a 0 or a negative shoe drop. Some of the thick rocker soled shoes also have a very low drop. I know HOKA does and Altra.

Many times with plantar fasciitis they recommend you sleep in a night brace that keeps your foot at a 90 degree angle when you sleep (or toes pulled up as you said). This doesn't "cure" anything but keeps the fascia from contracting at night when your foot is relaxed so that when you wake up in the morning you don't get the pain when you first stand up.

My husband had PF so bad he missed out on the Boston Marathon. Once he got himself into Hoka Cliftons he's been fine.

This is going to be one of those things where you are going to have to trial and error this because what works for you may not work for another.

I would advice against a really flat, cute sneaker for Disney, such as Adidas or anything like that as they really don't have any support, though there are far worse choices.

Any good running shoe is going to have pretty good arch support/stability so find one that feels good on your feet. Hoka generally runs wide in the forefoot and they also make some pretty wide sizes.