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Sjogrens Topics => Living With Sjogren's => Topic started by: SjoGirl on July 08, 2013, 05:22:59 PM

Title: Walking Shoes
Post by: SjoGirl on July 08, 2013, 05:22:59 PM
Anyone found walking shoes that you like? I have terrible bunions, think I may have a bit of neuropathy, and find that athletic shoes are uncomfortable -- too much arch support (I know too little is not good, but same with too much).
Title: Re: Walking Shoes
Post by: tamaran17 on July 08, 2013, 06:06:04 PM
Try The Walking Company stores. I have some issues with my ankles etc and they matched me up with a fantastic pair based on my needs and this thing I stood on that measured how I put pressure on my feet. Bit pricey but worth it
Title: Re: Walking Shoes
Post by: Cassi307 on July 08, 2013, 06:49:02 PM
I LOVE Ryka's. they advertise themselves as making shoes for a woman's foot. They truly are comfortable right out of the box. I have flat feet and heel spurs and they are perfect for me.

Good luck finding the perfect shoe!
Title: Re: Walking Shoes
Post by: Sleepy In Seattle on July 08, 2013, 09:35:15 PM
"Keen" brand shoes are really wide....I need that too! Stay away from Nikes - they are nice and cushy, but they are SO NARROW!!!!
Title: Re: Walking Shoes
Post by: grammad97 on July 08, 2013, 11:27:03 PM
I just bought a pair of Skechers Go Walks. Slip on fabric shoes. Incredibly light weight and oh so comfortable.  Memory foam stuff in sole. I can stand longer and walk further in these than anything else I own.
Title: Re: Walking Shoes
Post by: A66eyroad on July 09, 2013, 05:04:55 AM
I wear and love Nike, but I have to buy the men's size because the women's are always too narrow for my bunion bones.  If you have smallish feet and the men's are too big, maybe you can try youth boys size.

I wear a size 8 in women's shoes and a size 6 in men's.
Title: Re: Walking Shoes
Post by: bjnc on July 09, 2013, 08:30:58 AM
I wear Avia because they have a wide toe spread naturally.  They also make some of the styles in wide, which is very wide.  My toe spread has gotten wider over the years due to arthritis for so long, so the Avias are great.  They are very comfortable and not terribly expensive.  You can find them at most places which sell Nikes, Reeboks, etc.
Title: Re: Walking Shoes
Post by: jpd54 on July 09, 2013, 10:10:19 AM
 I wear New Balance 1540.  I had to go up a 1/2 size for this particular shoe.  It is expensive, but I wear it everyday.  I would recomend it to anybody.

                jpd
Title: Re: Walking Shoes
Post by: verythankfull on July 09, 2013, 12:11:15 PM
Alegria. 

With mod-severe ra, lupus, and sjogren's all pounding on my joints my feet were in agony.  I'd been wearing Crocs for years b/c I couldn't find anything else to wear when my New Balance tennis shoes proved too painful.  But Crocs were wrong in a number of ways for me--they're not stable, they really don't offer any kind of support or a properly aligned arch...etc.  I swore I was going to find a different kind of shoe that would work. 

Alegria fit the bill--I bought my first pair last month.  They're as supportive as Birks, but as cushioned as very soft slippers.  The internal structure is a cork/latex foot bed with replaceable memory foam insoles.  Some of their styles are a bit too out-there for me (they remind me of something Abby from NCIS would wear), but I love the Kayla models. I got the black leather nursing model since it's non-slip, goes w/ my light-protective clothes and it's what the store had (although I can't wait to get a couple more pair, incl. the bullseye professional model.)  They seriously feel like slippers and my feet feel good even with the shoes off.  And they're fairly lightweight, cool and breathable (even in a 119 degree desert.)  I've been told their sandals are just as comfortable as their shoes.

They even get compliments from barkingdogshoes (which I only mention b/c if you can't find a suggestion here that might work, barkingdog is hosted by a woman with numerous foot issues, incl. RA.)   

Good luck and happy shoe shopping!
Title: Re: Walking Shoes
Post by: Velcro on July 09, 2013, 12:19:55 PM
I was just introduced to the most comfortable ever tennis shoe.  It's not cheap, but they are incredible.  They have a gel-sole system that conforms to your foot shape and holds it.  It's like walking on a cloud...I swear.  They are called Brooks and they have a great website with ways to check your type of foot. 
Title: Re: Walking Shoes
Post by: SjoGirl on July 09, 2013, 04:39:51 PM
Thanks all. I had Brooks, but can't seem to wear them anymore as the arch is too much for my increasingly flat feet.

I'm familiar with Barking Dog Shoes.com which is both fun and informative.

I'm going to look at some of the brands you have mentioned. I've gotten used to ordering and returning ordering and returning. At least these days I've been able to keep a few pairs and wear something other than sneakers (which is all I could wear for about six months before I started Plaquenil).

Thanks again.
Title: Re: Walking Shoes
Post by: jazzlover on July 09, 2013, 05:03:19 PM
I have the New Balance 880.
Title: Re: Walking Shoes
Post by: Cassi307 on July 09, 2013, 05:28:29 PM
Just thought of this... What about Orthoheel? They are kind of expensive but bill themselves as an orthotic shoe.
Title: Re: Walking Shoes
Post by: wendyoh on July 09, 2013, 08:38:30 PM
I like to walk about an hour every day and have to wear tennies for that....usually my new balance are the safest bet but I cant remember which no. it is---I will say this tho, NB is not the company it was 5-10 years ago, i used to have good luck with any of their tennies I bought and a couple years ago I had to buy 3 pairs to get one pair of theirs that didnt hurt my feet after an hour. or the next day.  they have to cost a 100$, I wasted 40 than 60$ on the first two attempts because they used to be built better at that price. now there seems to be more variance on them, and for me it might feel ok for the first walk but if they are too cheap and not supportive enough I feel it later.

I also have had to have orthotics the last 20 years, they are mandatory or big problems will ensue and stop my walks.

I like keen maryjanes for work and short walks. unfortunately keen is changing their style and they dont have those wide flat maryjanes that are perfect for during work.....not sure what i will do, as I also have wide feet.
Title: Re: Walking Shoes
Post by: A66eyroad on July 10, 2013, 04:44:47 AM
Why are track/walking shoes so bright and ugly?  I'd like to just have white shoes, thank you, not neon green with hot pink laces and loud blue soles that ripple.

Wow, I feel better now!   8)
Title: Re: Walking Shoes
Post by: Velcro on July 10, 2013, 05:52:46 AM
Ha ha! My new Brooks are bright, electric blue!  I too am normally a white tennis shoe person only.  I miss being able to wear my white leather K-Swiss :(
Title: Re: Walking Shoes
Post by: CMNK12 on July 10, 2013, 06:26:35 AM
   Why not try running shoes instead? They make shoes that are for multiple feet, overpronaters, underpronaters and neutral. You can also look for a wide toe box. Maybe try the asics  that was my fav when I was a runner. Stores like fleet feet specialize in fitting people, watching you walk around in a proto type shoe, then custom fit you in the correct shoe. Good luck. CK
Title: Re: Walking Shoes
Post by: long time dry on July 10, 2013, 09:37:52 AM
You might wan to check out a couple of blogs.  I'm not sure about posting actual links, but the names are Barking Dog Shoes and Podiatry Shoe Review.  The first one is written by a woman with RA and the second by a podiatrist.  They have a lot of different suggestions and explanations of the pluses and minuses of each shoe.  I have found them helpful even though I don't have all of the same problems they discuss.  For example, I have narrow feet, OA, and various tendon problems.  There is also a list of approved shoes at the American Podiatric Medical Association website.
Title: Re: Walking Shoes
Post by: stillinshockwithsjogrens on July 11, 2013, 10:04:50 AM
I've had problems in the past walking my dogs - my knees, feet and hips would hurt greatly afterwards.  I tried many different shoes and have found that Asics Gel Kayano 10 (nothing less than that, as Asics has several different walking/tennis shoes, but these are it, for me) are second to none.  They have the perfect amount of support, flexibility, are super comfy.  I can walk in them all day long without any problems. 

To me, nothing Nike or Brooks has works for me like these shoes.  As always, this is just my personal experience and what works for me may not work best for you.
Title: Re: Walking Shoes
Post by: long time dry on July 11, 2013, 10:09:13 AM
I wear the same shoes as stillinshockwithsjogrens.  They are very comfortable and are better for me than others I have tried.  When my arthritis is very painful, I wear Danskos.  Only a few models fit me but I love the vegan sneakers that have a retro design.  Unfortunately, they have been discontinued and when the current supply runs out there will be no more.
Title: Re: Walking Shoes
Post by: quilt4fun on July 11, 2013, 12:07:04 PM
I just bought a pair of Skechers D'Lites.  in WIDE. (navy blue and white)  They have a wider and deeper toe box than anything else i have found.  I have been walking over a mile in the past few days and have not had a problem.  And they weren't expensive--found them at Famous Footwear.
Title: Re: Walking Shoes
Post by: A66eyroad on July 11, 2013, 01:32:28 PM
StillInShock, I went to Zappos and could only find the Kayano 19 --- is that better or worse than the Kayano 10?

Thanks to everyone for the great ideas!
Title: Re: Walking Shoes
Post by: SjoGirl on July 11, 2013, 05:15:27 PM
Thanks everyone. I have running shoes (for walking) and bought them at a store where they take a lot of time with fitting, watching you walk, etc.

I appreciate all of the ideas, I'm going to try some other shoes. Sometimes I think it doesn't really matter as much with the pain as I'm not sure that is a function of the SjS.

Thanks again.
Title: Re: Walking Shoes
Post by: jazzlover on July 11, 2013, 07:30:39 PM
Quote from: Cassi307 on July 09, 2013, 05:28:29 PM
Just thought of this... What about Orthoheel? They are kind of expensive but bill themselves as an orthotic shoe.
-
Several people on the plantar fasciitis board use the orthaheel. I had to go to custom orthotics due to severe pain in my feet, so I need a "real" shoe.
Title: Re: Walking Shoes
Post by: wendyoh on July 11, 2013, 07:33:59 PM
was it jazzlover who has NB 880s? I looked and those are the ones I have had best luck with, just got a new pair today......hopefully material not skimped on more since bought last pair 2 years ago.  with globalization and outsourcing and bottom line competition I notice so many products are getting chintizier these days.......
Title: Re: Walking Shoes
Post by: stillinshockwithsjogrens on July 11, 2013, 09:28:05 PM
Quote from: A66eyroad on July 11, 2013, 01:32:28 PM
StillInShock, I went to Zappos and could only find the Kayano 19 --- is that better or worse than the Kayano 10?

Thanks to everyone for the great ideas!

I think these are the newer version of the 10 (I got mine last year).  They look the same, priced the same.
Title: Re: Walking Shoes
Post by: Sooki on July 15, 2013, 10:29:48 AM
My sister has painful feet with sore pressure points on the bottom of her feet.  She really likes the Sketchers Go Walk as well.  They're lightweight; she can slip them on; and the memory foam cushions her poor feet.