Shoes!?! A plug for Crocs?

Eva

I was listening to NPR this morning when an article came on regarding happy feet. With so many sensitive feet bloggers and recent shoe posts, I listened closely to what they had to say. What a surprise! Ballet shoes were bad, crocs were good. Well, I take that a bit out of context, but the podiatrist didn’t like flip flops, ballet shoes, and sandals without back straps. Here is a link to the article. What types of shoes do you feel most comfortable in? How do you protect your feet from "fashion"? One good point, they provided exercises in the article and video link to help our poor feet.

http://www.npr.org/templates/s.....d=91661083

17 years ago

General

7 replies

Latest reply was from Eva

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

VERY interesting Eva.

I can't wear very thin ballet flats either. They need to have a sturdy and robust sole so that you feel you have something substantial underneath your feet.

Shoes with arch support and straps do not work for me. I must have great natural arch support because I never have a problem with my arches and I don’t wear shoes with exaggerated arch support because they actually hurt. I’ve tried all shoe brands that are supposed to be “good” for your feet ( and I continue to try them because I do not leave a stone unturned), and I find them uncomfortable. Eccos, Danskos, Beautifeel Think!, Josef Seibel, Taryn Rose, Paul Green, Cole Haan and Crocs but to name a few. I guess I have to stick to what I can walk in!

I’m going to try the foot stretching thing. I shall report back.

17 years ago

Anonymous

I have an incredibly high arch and really require shoes that have arch support or the plantar fascia get inflamed. Many of my shoes have had the insoles ripped out and replaced with orthotics that increase the arch support. Wearing arch support has helped with my recovery from plantar fascitis and now I do wear some cute fashion-y shoes periodically at times when I know I will not be walking or standing for long periods of time.

My summer sandles are Mephisto Helen which feel like orthotics on my feet and I pretty much wear them every day for the day-to-day running around I do. I have little stick-on arch supprts that I put in to help hold up my arch. Not the best but help out enough that I don't have to spend the next couple days in bed.

In terms of higher heels, I must be very careful...too high and my inflamation flares. I also make sure that when I wear high heels, they have the "bend" hit a certain place in my foot so it acts like an orthotic of sorts.

Overall, the experience has been miserable for me. I love shoes and used to wear all the latest shoes all the time. Having to wear my "healthy" sandles every day has not been easy on my psyche. And there are very few "healthy" shoes that are actually cute and fashionable. And imagine me at a shoes store, testing every pair to see if I can rip out the insole and fit in my orthotic!

I have not yet resorted to Crocs. I doubt I ever will. Even my fussy feet have their limits.

17 years ago

shiny

Veteran

I think it's a good thing that summer is short around here. I don't find flat sandals all that comfortable. Lack of arch support is probably part of that. I can not wear flip-flops at all, I find them extremely painful for some reason. I generally do not like thongs - but did recently find a pair that works passably well (wouldn't wear them for more than a few hours though).

Ballet flats: I must have some cushioning, but I do find them comfy if they are cushioned. I have the best luck with Cole Haan and now own two pairs. I also like the Me Too flats. However the interesting thing is that in a ballet flat (no matter what brand) I have to go up 1/2 size. I'm not sure why this is, but it works. (Pumps and wedges and boots and sneakers I don't need to do that; just ballet flats).

I also have a pair of BR pointy-toed flats with very little cushioning. They are a bit tight but since they are leather they stretch out nicely as they warm up, and have taken the shape of my foot over time. Otherwise, rounded toe seems to work better.

I'm no foot expert, but I tend to think - short of wearing athletic sneaks every day - the most important thing to do is rotate shoes often and wear a variety of different styles. Wearing the same style day after day - whether flat or heeled - seems to cause the most problems.

17 years ago

Eva

Active Member

Marlene, I am sorry to hear that you have PF inflamation. Do you think the exercises help so that you can wear some heel? I can't wear really high heels (over 3 inches).

Shiny, I like flip flops for around the house. I grew up wearing them in Hawaii, but I find that they are not as comfortable.

I'm not sure my ballet flats are better. I like the ankle support of ankle boots, but that is for winter.

17 years ago

Becky

Veteran

For 8-hour shoes, I require extra-wide shoes with good arch support and cushioning. Do these exist in non-orthopedic styles? I have not found many!! I have better luck with cold weather shoes. I plan to try La Canadienne boots this fall/winter and also invest in some Munros. Summer is difficult for me. I cannot wear flip flops or sandals without a back strap (according to the NPR article, I guess this is good), and most sandals haven't enough arch support. Those I have found that meet my foot requirements haven't met with YLF approval in the looks department. *sigh* Perhaps custom-made shoes would be a good investment for me?

17 years ago

Anonymous

Becky -- if you ever find non-orthopedic shoes with good arch support, let me know! My only way to find cute shoes for my fussy feet is to make sure I can get my orthotic inside.

For summer shoes, you should at least TRY the Mephisto Helen sandals. They do tend to run on the wide side so maybe there is hope for you and your quest for a sandal. I doubt they will meet with 100% YLF approval but they are less "crunchy" than birkenstocks! I just got the silver ones and I think they are ALMOST cute. ALMOST. I like to wear them with some walking shorts and a tunic-y top with some of my long beaded necklaces. A little boho but it suits me. I also think they work for me since I have small feet so they do look slightly daintier than if they were in a bigger size.

Eva -- I did most of those exercises when my PF was at its worst point. Yes, they really helped! I also try and have my husband massage the soles of my foot to keep the tendons relaxed as often as I can convince him. My max heel height is currently 2-1/2 inches and over that I start risking the inflamation. Actually perfectly flat shoes are as risky for my feet as heels over 3 inches!

17 years ago

Eva

Active Member

Marlene, I say you tell your hubby you have the PF inflamation all the time to get those foot rubs. Then tell him its a miricle how well it works!

I don't have the inflamation, but I have friends who do. I do several of those exercises as part of my workout so it is good to know that it works.

17 years ago

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