Friday Findings and Feet
I finally saw a physical therapist about my shin pain and it turns out I don’t have what is technically referred to as shin splints. I have Tibialis anterior tendinopathy which is an inflammation of the anterior tibialis tendon. It’s from overuse in lousy shoes, just like shin splints would be but I don’t have the microscopic bone injury that shin splints have. I guess this is preferable but it still hurts a lot so shoes are top of mind for me.
Shoes and sandals that require me to grip my toes while walking are out of the question, for now, so I hobbled down to Nordstrom and bought these sandals. They have a cushioned insole and since they buckle on, are much better than any other sandal I brought. I have lots of comfortable, supportive sandals…just not with me. These aren’t something I’ll wear with a knee-length dress or skirt, but probably under a maxi dress.
I’m sort of crazy about how comfy my new Tulip shoes are. I’ve eyed them for years but always thought they were sort of goofy looking. Well, in the hunt for comfy shoes, goofy takes on a whole new meaning and I now choose to see these as creative. I love the colors this Flex style comes in and think the raspberry or fuschia will be perfect for fall. They come in 6 colors. I was told to size up, then warned they stretch so I bought ones that fit but are not loose. How fun are these leopard print ones?
MORE TULIPS
On the hunt for comfy shoes, I came across this company which has amazing reviews! Their shoes are light and airy, machine washable, and made with Eucalyptus Tree which is a renewable resource. This is the Tree Runner style which comes in 12 color combinations and is their everyday sneaker. They also make a boat shoe style here.
I will be hunting down more comfortable shoes going forward. This injury isn’t permanent, but it reminds me that my body isn’t nearly as resilient as it once was.
What sneakers do you like?
I have awful feet but I’m kind of a fitness person, so I also swear by Asics for working out. I do barre, HIIT classes, rowing, and circuit training, and I walk two crazy dogs daily, and the Asics provide good support for all. I read this post last week and was wandering Marshalls and found a pair of the Tulip shoes there (in my size!) for only $33! Snapped them up, love the feel, and the look is growing on me. FYI, Sierra Trading Post also has them at reasonable pricing. Not sure if I’m allow to post those stores here, so if not, edit away! Thanks for your blog; I enjoy your content!
Thank you
For walking, I’ve discovered that the Asics brand works best for me. I can walk many miles in them in complete comfort. I have one pair for the treadmill and a second pair for outdoors. They’re not cheap, but since I want to do lots of walking, the expense is well worth it.
Good, supportive shoes are worth the price
Y’all have to look up the angry orthopod calf stretches. He explains everything about all these feet problems, there is an anatomical reason related to what else- aging!! His stretches have saved me. I have been doing these for past four years. Takes nine minutes a day.
In the past, I could walk about 3 miles before burning and pain started. Now, I can (and have) walked allll day.
I still have to be careful with shoes. Naot, Altra, New Balance are great for me.
I will check him out! Thanks, Nancy
Sketchers are probably the most comfortable casual shoes for me. My running shoes are UnderArmour and I’m so impressed with them, good support and very comfortable.
Clark’s are probably my first choice for dressier shoes. It definitely seems that the older I get the more important comfortable and supportive footwear is
I have orthotics made by a podiatrist. Can’t be without them in my exercise/walking shoe. For summer I swear by Mephisto sandals..they have awesome arch support. And very stylish. I volunteer at a hospital charity shop and on my feet all day in Mephisto. I have had cortisone shots in my foot for Morton’s neuroma, believe it or not no pain from the needle due to an amazing tool the podiatrist has.
My podiatrist also recommended a sturdy sole that doesn’t bend in half., and of course orthotics. I exercise a lot, I use superfeet insoles in my Nike sneakers and dance shoes. I have had luck with Abeo, Clark’s, Ecco,Naot., Munro. I can’t wear Dansko, or any rubber based insoles, I am allergic to rubber, so some brands like AGL, and Aquaitalia, etc, had to be returned, too bad, they are well made shoes. If I walk flat Abeo clog type shoes are all day comfortable. If I walk stairs or hills in Europe, they didn’t work well, you need a bit more flexibility on those surfaces. European brands make sturdy brands because of cobblestone.
The current shoe styles with a long top aren’t good for my feet. When the top of the shoe hits my ankle, I clump around like I am wearing clown shoes and end up with tired muscles in both feet and shins. For me, being in style now also means my face doesn’t reflect suffering feet. I am heading toward shoes I can be graceful in…Trotters, Munro, and SAS.
I agree about sore feet and our faces:) It’s just not worth suffering
I’ve had several foot surgeries and bouts of plantar fasciitis in both feel. No flat shoes and no flip flops that cause gripping with the toes. For tennis shoes, I swear by ASICS, but DO get the mid range or above. The retail on the better ones is around $100 and up. The $39 ones are ok, but not nearly good enough. I also recommend sleeping in night splints when your fasciitis is flaring. Arch supports in as many shoes you wear as possible.
I have a dropped foot thanks to a spinal injury so have real trouble with shoes. I find Skechers, Ecco and Birkenstock Mayari style to be the best. I can’t wear any sort of mule or flip flop as I just kick them into the air. Very flat shoes are no good as they affect my hip and back. We also have a brand called Ziera here in NZ which are excellent and they offer a good online service. Hope you get better soon.
I had to laugh at your description of “I just kick them into the air.” Exactly what happens to me also. I didn’t have surgery but I had a serious infection in my lower back that resulted in neuropathy in one foot. I miss wearing slides. But, I’m also very thankful I’m still alive and able to walk. Thank you for the chuckle!
That sounds very scary. I’m sorry to hear about your neuropathy. I have some in my left foot and it’s so uncomfortable.
Brooks shoes for walking, Vionics for dress. I switch my Good Feet supports to my booties and dress boots and any other shoes I want to wear, even slippers. I still get plantar faciitis from time to time but not nearly like I used to!
Jennifer,
I, too, have been dealing with foot issues for a long time. I’ve had bunion surgery on one foot, and have had bouts of plantar fasciitis through the years. Finding “comfort” shoes is a challenge for my size 10 feet, often looking so clunky that I feel frumpy and unstylish. I’m a walker and after seeing a podiatrist for my last bout of p f, he recommended Brooks and Hoka for walking shoes. I also had custom orthotics made, (expensive) which I use in all my athletic shoes, but I have had some luck with over the counter orthotics, Protalus (onlne) and Dr. Scholl’s for other shoes. With sandals and other casual shoes, I’ve had good luck with Joseph Seibel, Ecco, Clarks, Naturalizer, and Naot, but the most comfortable around the house flip flops are OOFOS, available on Amazon or from Zappos. And thank goodness for Zappos free shipping, allowing me to order several pairs of shoes to try on, and sending back the ones that don’t fit! I so appreciate you for addressing this issue and any recommendations you offer…thank you!
If our feet aren’t happy the rest of our bodies suffer! I have found that if I wear my custom orthotics in my sneakers I have pretty good !luck. Gave up flip flops and anything between my toes years ago. Caused a Morton’s neuroma between my toes also planters fasciitis. You just have to find new ways to look cute.
As someone who has had foot problems and eventually surgery on both feet, my orthopedist has told me never to wear a shoe/sandal that is perfectly flat or very flexible….you must have soles that are thicker and have a structured arch, or you will continue to have issues and foot pain.
Mine too. Also said the shoe needs to have structure – so no Allbirds or things with mesh tops….
My podiatrist likes sandals (and shoes) where you cannot bend the soles completely in half. For comfort for me, nothing beats Clark’s. For sneakers, New Balance (from a running store, not a discount store … they are not the same, nor are Clark’s from there) or Brooks. Ecco makes great shoes, but I find they vary in size so I have to try them in store. When looking for sneakers, get fitted at a running store. You will be absolutely amazed at how well they can get you fitted for a shoe that is comfortable and supportive. They even look at your gait and how you position your foot as you stride.
Thank you, Jennifer, for publishing this topic and for being up front with your readers about foot problems. As a very active early 60s woman, I have been reduced to a hobbling specimen this summer due to plantar fasciitis. Naot and Hartjes sandals are saving me, to a degree, but I am seeking further medical help to improve this situation. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Seek out a good physical therapist. The one I met with here is more knowledgeable than many foot doctors I have seen at home in the US. If you are in the Vancouver area, I can send you his contact info
Thank you Jennifer, but I live outside Toronto, Ontario.
I walk a lot for exercise. I have planter fasciitis in one foot and morton’s neuroma in the other. It took me two years to find shoes to walk in comfortably. Ascics Nimbus 22 are what is working for me. I’m buying another pair soon before they’re fased out.
Now I’m looking for booties with arch support for fall.
I’ll let you know what I find for booties and I hope you will keep us posted on what you find too.
Vionics makes booties with arch support and they also make slim fit insoles that I use in booties that don’t have arch support. You may need to size up a half size to get them in, but they have been a life saver for me.
I have plantar fasciitis and do very well with Asics tennis shoes, Ecco soft 7 sneakers and Taos and Ecco sandals. Also wore Dansko clogs when I was working. All of these keep my foot issues at bay.
Thanks, Linda. I used to wear Dansko when I worked on my feet all day and they really saved my feet and back
Jennifer – I have had excellent comfort/performance with Dansko’s Reece sandal. I just purchased my 4th color. Check them out.
I have been suffering in pain for months and I have not received a diagnosis. How were you diagnosed? I think I have the same.
A very smart physical therapist, then I did a lot of reading online to confirm for myself
So glad you are posting about finding comfortable shoes. For everyday I like Clark’s, Skechers and Revere sandals. They are very comfortable. However, I do need to find comfortable evening shoes! Any ideas?
Not yet but I will keep you posted. I do know Beautifeel makes lovely ones. I use to have several pairs.
I hope the Allbirds work for you. I love the look of them, and really wanted to support their company. After wearing them for a day and literally limping home, I have given up on them. I have never had that kind of pain from a shoe before. My go tos are Hoka and SAS…haven’t gone wrong with these yet!
Oh no. We all have such different feet.I will look into Hoka
My running shoes are Hoka! The running store had equipment and expertise to scan my foot, watch my stride, and recommend those. I’ve been running and walking in them for two summers. I too have plantar fasciitis and arthritis, but these are my miracle workout shoes.