Need rocker soled footwear :(

DonnaF

I just got back from the podiatrist who told me I should get surgery to fuse my big toe and that my best bet for footwear is rigid bottoms with rocker soles and less than 2" heel height. I am going to put off surgery as long as possible because that means three months of no driving.

I'm looking for ideas and advice on brands beyond what I see on BarkingDogShoes, much of which aren't to my taste. I also have wide-ish feet with bunions and narrow heels and have developed a poison eye for mary janes. My feet get very cold (Reynaud's), so I really need closed toed shoes or preferably booties. Big order, huh?

Danskos sometimes give me a fit; Sanitas never. Feet get too cold for FitFlops, plus not my style. I've never tried Alegria, but they strike me as too boho for my style. Other brands??? Hope I don't have to return my entire NAS footwear order which will arrive in a few hours.

Has anyone tried FlyLondon? How do they fit?

12 years ago

Dressing

11 replies

Latest reply was from Suz

velvetychocolate

Veteran

What are "rocker soles" ? In the meantime, you can trying looking at "The Walking Company" website, to see if you can find some 'comfort brand' shoes that you might like:

http://www.thewalkingcompany.com/dressshoes-womens

I ended up buying a pair of Rieker shoes in Greece of all places - was on a cruise and walking a lot, and my most comfortable shoes just weren't up the job. The Riekers were pretty good! Saved my feet on that trip.

http://www.zappos.com/rieker-womens-shoes~p

They're not always to my taste, but sometimes if you give a good look through their styles, you might find something you like. Good luck with this, and sorry to hear about the foot issues

12 years ago

rebekahphoto

Veteran

Naot might have something that would work. I have also heard good things about Aetrex, however I have not worn them myself

12 years ago

Jjsloane

Veteran

Is this temporary or long term? Are you looking for everyday shoes or just for "therapy"?
I wear Skechers Shape Ups when I'm going to be on my feet for long periods of time (help my back mostly) but would not wear them for fashion.
I've tried 1 pair of Fly London and they were too small width and lengthwise, but it could have been the conversion form EU size. I'd recommend buying from somewhere you can have free returns and try a few styles/sizes.

12 years ago

Glory

Veteran

what are rocker soles? I thought at first maybe as in rocker chick? I will hunt for you once you educate me

12 years ago

DonnaF

Veteran

Rocker soles kind of ski jump up at the toe end so you roll off the bottoms of the shoes rather than flex your feet or trip over them for that matter. Clogs are typically made this way and pretty much all of the Dansko line.

As it is, my right foot hardly flexes at all any more anyway, so it doesn't necessarily flex enough for all 2" heels. This is a rest of my life kind of thing. Surgery would only remove the pain after recovery but would not make this foot any more functional. Clompy rocker soles would minimize my pain at this point and would probably be what I would have to wear after eventual surgery since I would lose all range of motion in one foot.

12 years ago

kellygirl

Veteran

Ugh. Fit flops has a casual boot that is actually pretty cute. I think the soles on this brand is typically rigid (but I wouldn't call it a rocker sole.) It's what I wear now when I'm not wearing athletic shoes. I do think Dansko has some boot options and Ugg too. My Ugg boots have a clog sole and they are lined in shearling Good luck. Sorry to hear about your foot.

12 years ago

rebekahphoto

Veteran

sorry to hear! Last fall my mom had surgery on her big toe, combination of arthritis & joint issues. It helped with some of the pain, which was good & recovery was a boot for a while.
So now her foot does not flex at the front, so many shoes are out.....she has some success with the shoes with zippers in the back (for easy entry) Cole Haan has some. mostly wears Naots, Birks, Ecco, a nice pair of boots from Reiker (look like frye biker boots but lighter)

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

SO sorry to hear this Donna. It sounds discouraging. I share some of your fit issues (narrow heel) and that alone is a nuisance.

I don't own any Fly London shoes, but Shannon has a brilliant pair of sandals from them. The styles can be pretty cool and fun. I find them quite heavy (in weight) and I have not been able to get a good fit in them, but I have been sorely tempted to buy a few anyway because of the style. So those might be a good bet.

12 years ago

Diana

Veteran

Personally I think you'll have the best luck with boots, since the rocker sole can be made to look funky rather than frumpy on a boot. Plus fit tends to be easier with the narrow heel, etc.

I have these Naots in pewter, and they are some of the most comfortable boots I own despite the fact that they have a pretty high heel. There is a platform that offsets some of the height, but I don't know if they're still too high. They are much better looking IRL and on a foot:
http://www.zappos.com/naot-foo.....st=fcl%3A0

Here's a Naot with a lower heel:
http://www.zappos.com/naot-foo.....st=fcl%3A0

Dansko always has some boot options:
http://www.amazon.com/Dansko-W.....d=13741060
http://www.amazon.com/Dansko-W.....d=13741060

Earth shoes don't work for me (the high arches and negative heels are really uncomfortable for my flat feet) but they might work for your feet:
http://www.amazon.com/Kalso-Wo.....F8&qi

12 years ago

DonnaF

Veteran

@rebekahphoto: Your mom and I must be foot twinnies as yes, my problem is arthritis combined with joint issues and the doctor said joint replacement doesn't work on toes.

I just realized that I am between sizes in Fly London as I am in Ecco since I wear 6.5/7 which works for Dansko sizing when Dansko fits.

Off to check more web sites for styles I haven't seen.

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Donna, don't give up on Fly. I am a perfect fit in an Ecco 37 almost all the time (once in a while it will be too big). Well, I just do not fit the Flys at all at any size. So you might have more luck there than you think.

12 years ago

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