Walking Shoes

[SjoGirl]

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).

[tamaran17]

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

[Cassi307]

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!

[Sleepy In Seattle]

"Keen" brand shoes are really wide....I need that too! Stay away from Nikes - they are nice and cushy, but they are SO NARROW!!!!

[grammad97]

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.

[A66eyroad]

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.

[bjnc]

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.

[jpd54]

 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

[verythankfull]

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!

[Velcro]

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. 

[SjoGirl]

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.

[jazzlover]

I have the New Balance 880.

[Cassi307]

Just thought of this... What about Orthoheel? They are kind of expensive but bill themselves as an orthotic shoe.

[wendyoh]

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.

[A66eyroad]

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!