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?
For years I was a big fan of Brooks sneakers but my daughter suggested I try Hoka brand sneaks which I had never heard of. So this time when I needed new sneaks I tried on both the Brooks & the Hokaās-and I am so so glad I did! The cushioning in the Hoka is unbelievable! Yet it is still supportive. My feet and knees are so grateful!
My physical therapist suggested Hokas today, so I will be checking them out.
As a senior ballroom performance dancer, I’ve experienced a variety of foot “defuga;toes” over the last 20 years, so cushiony shoes are a must and most good manufacturers are getting the message. I just wish the ballroom shoe designers would too! I always order my dance shoes with a double padded sole but “foot abuse” happens. I’ve had good luck with Clarks for everyday shoes and sandals and New Balance for my walking shoes. With the right shoes, you won’t be thinking about your feet so much!
I do love many of the Clarks styles. Thanks, Kathleen. I love the idea of double padded insoles.
Like so many of you, I have multiple foot problems. And a ginormous shoe collection–many of which I can no longer wear but which I’ve held onto for stupid reasons (mostly because they were really expensive). It’s been on my to-do list to pull them all out, try them on or look them over and make some solid decisions. I appreciate all the recommendations of brands to investigate. A plaintive request to shoe companies: I wear a 5.5/35.5 (as measured with a Brannock device). I don’t understand why shoe ranges usually skip this size–they will be supplied as 5,6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, etc. (I know it’s true at the upper end, also, they skip 10.5). Allbirds has one style, its flat, that comes in a 5.5–for the other models, they recommend sizing up. That doesn’t work–I’ve tried both their 5 and 6, and neither fit. Vionic is the same for their shoes. For companies that pride themselves on fit, I find this baffling. I used to make shoes ‘fit’ with various bits of padding, but it’s not worth it to me any more. Instead, I wear a lot of Naot.
I totally agree that finding wuality comfortable shoes in small sizes is nearly impossible. I too wear size 5.5 ( in US sizes) and 35.5 in European sizes. A lot of site say a 5.5 equate to a 36. Not so. I walk straight out of the 36ās. Many brands just donāt make small sizes.!
So I wear Clarks sandals ( wedges in different heights) and New Balance 460ās. Hard to find, but the arch placement is perfect. For regular closed shoes I search for style first ( still!) but they have to be soft leather that will conform with mu bony feet. Does anybody else have the problem of a bone on the top of the foot that protrudes? It makes any loafer or espadrille type shoe ( with a high top part of the shoe) impossible to wear.)
I am a 9 1/2 and most brands don’t make it!!
I agree that many manufacturers do not make 9 1/2 because that’s my size. I have Vionic ballet flats I love and spent more than I wanted on a pair of their thongs when my plantar fasciitis was acting up….it was worth every penny. I also bought Vionic slippers which, though expensive, are better than a flat slipper. I like FitFlop but they also do not make 9 1/2. I have two pairs in size 9 and one fits better than the other; the size 10 is just too large. Good luck!
I wear FitFlop shoes a LOT. Love their sneakers! No, I don’t work for them or get any sort of kickback, but here are the current women’s sneakers they offer in the US: https://www.fitflop.com/us/en/shop/womens-sneakers-us
I didn’t know they made sneakers! Thanks, Barb.
I think those shoes are kind of cute. I always went for form over comfort but not anymore. I’m all about comfort now since I’ve been walking a lot. I’ve been happy with Asics and Nike lately. I have some Clarks sandals that I like too.
Ouch! Good luck on your healing journey. Have you ever heard of euroSoft by Sofft? I found a wonderful pair of sandals by this brand. I have a corn so I bought a wide in this brand and it was perfect. Another brand that seems super comfortable to me is SAS Tripad comfort. Good luck!
Those shoes are cute and cushy but are flat and still don’t have the arch support so many of us were recommending. Lots of good brands were recommended – give some a try! Lots of cute styles to choose from.
I usually donāt go by name or price when it comes to shoes. I try them on. I wear Keds and Sperry topsiders most of the time. Sometimes, just the addition of a new innersole can make an old shoe fit right again. I donāt believe in buying a shoe that isnāt comfortable right off the bat. Some do get a little looser over time and thatās where the innersole comes in. I pay attention to width in particular. If the width doesnāt feel right, they will always be uncomfortable. Cloud steppers by Clarkās is a great sandal. Cole Haan and UNI make great booties.
Cute offerings! Glad you got a good diagnosis and are on the mend. I am more focused on shoes that are comfortable. On the sneaker side, I got a pair of Vionic sneakers and love them. I also found a pair from Vince Camuto. I just got a pair from Cariuma; these have a cork footbed and are really fun. Allbirds are wonderful. I found a great pair of Mephisto sandals in the Nordstrom sale. Some Steve Madden sandals have good padding.
Thank you for such good information on good supportive and comfortable shoes. I was diagnosed with arthritis in my feet. This has been so helpful.
Oooh, that sounds painful! I am glad you are finding relief. As someone who has had foot problems, one thing you might want to ask the physical therapist or a podiatrist about any shoes you get going forward is whether or not you benefit from a flexible or an inflexible shoe. Some people do better in shoes with a very flexible sole, like the Tulip shoes. Others, like me, need a more supportive shoe with a relatively inflexible shoe, that doesn’t flex much when you twist it. It all depends on your foot and your issues, but it can make a big difference. Fortunately, these days it is possible to find a variety of shoes with good cushioning, especially sneakers, in both types. Best of luck!
You might try Aarvon sandals. Iām not crazy about the look on the closed toe. I need narrow width so that affects my choices.
Due to my knee replacement, I have spent the summer in my keds slip ons. I love the prints. I also have been wearing a Clarks mary jane that is suede with a perforated toe. Both have been great for therapy and walking.
Hi Jennifer, I love Vionic and Taos shoes for great support and comfort. I have multiple pairs of each brand. Bionics has multiple types of heels, if you want dressier shoes. These days I lean toward flats and very low heels.
Altra shoes for a great basic running shoe. They have a zero drop and wide enough to let my toes wiggle and accommodates my custom orthotics. These were recommended by my naturopath and foot doctor.
For sandals it Birkenstockās or Vionics. This summer I found a Tory Birch sandal that has a support similar to my Birkenstockās, what a great find!
Also, I found a great support group for Plantar Faciitis on Face Book. Many people raved about these stretches on YouTube by āFrank Ngā. I started the stretches and felt better within a couple of weeks. They totally saved my feet and overall well being!
Good luck!
I feel what you are going through. Several years ago I had heel pain. It was from too flat shoes. I have found Clarks unstructured are good. Not cheap. I even know to not go barefoot in the house. My daughter even got it from a weekend away wearing flip flops. She had to stay away from flat shoes for almost a year. Good luck. I like the sandals in the post I think they would go well with dresses.
I agree with those who have suggested Vionic. I have numerous foot issues and they are the only ones that have helped me. Their slippers are also great instead of bare feet. Hope you heal quickly.
Hi Susan, I have the Oldbirds, I mean Allbirds! Tree Runners and have found these to be thee best walking shoes for my 70 Y/O feet. They provide great support for my feet and no back pain either upper or lower after I walk up to two miles. I highly recommend these shoes.
Glad your feet and legs are feeling better! As a retired cosmetologist, standing on my feet for over 42 years, I have found Taos shoes the best for me. Arch support is the key. Your physical therapist is right about the toe grip being a bad thing, I had to have my big toe fused because of wear and tear by wearing sandles/flip flops that caused me to grip with my toes.
Take care of you, xoxo
Oh goodness, Peggy, that sounds so painful
I love my Allbirdsā¦they have been washed, they dry quickly, they are lightweight, and have great support and no break-in period. I have 4 pairs. Also love the Ecco Soft 7 sneaker shoe, which I have in multiple colorsā¦ they have been a great shoe for travel. I only wear flip flops at the pool, as I hate the smacking sound on the heel as you walk. Hope your shin pain is gone soon!
I do love my Ecco Soft 7 sneakers too…why did I leave them at home?:)
Well, thanks for doing so much research for us, but since it is because of your injury, not so great. I have discovered the Vionic flip flops in pretty styles, and have replaced all the others. They just feel so flat now, and the arch support in the Vionic ones feels so natural. I have never been able to wear the slides, so that is out of the question anyway. Those tulip ones look like fun to wear with jeans, but I am still having a problem with finding feminine low heal shoes to wear with dresses and skirts. For me, I have never been a sneaker and skirt type of gal. Wishing you much comfort and wishes for a full recovery.
Iāve never been a sneaker gal either so Iāve got lots of work ahead of me and quite possibly a change of style.
Jennifer, Hello from one with a plethora of foot problems, most of them inherited from a Mom with truly bad feet…One comment above mentioned seeing a Pedorthist who will make a ‘mold’ of your feet: Don’t go the route of ‘foot specialists’ who have you stand on a digital machine (looks much like a weight scales) and make an insert based upon pressure points. No. That’s a big waste of $600 or more dollars. Good Pedorthist will make a ‘removable footbed’ to place in your shoes that footbeds to remove. Don’t fall for the ‘drop in’ Orthotics, either,another big waste…. To enable myself to keep walking and traveling (I am now 73 yrs.), I selected one mfgr. of shoe that had many, many styles with ‘removable footbeds’. For me, that was Israeli-made brand, ‘Naot’….You can go onto the online order company, Zappos, and view the line of Naots. If you ever tended to go barefoot around the house, stop that practice. I ruined what little health I had of my genetically-predisposed foot problem feet by wearing heels in my 30’s, 40’s and 50’s, by wearing high heels and by going barefoot. OH, also by wearing Dr.Scholl’s sandals with a WOODEN sole! For the last 15-18 years, I purchase Naots with removable footbed. Have the Pedorthist ‘re-make’ your custom insert about every 5-7 years, as with age, the configuration of the bottom of your foot changes… You have the capacity to ‘halt’ the progress of foot problems, but it means giving up bare feet, flip flops, and backless mules…Nothing in the world limits one more than painful foot problems which steal much joy of activities in the 65+ age category. Sorry this is so long but perhaps it could help others who are on the verge of serious foot disorder: plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, fallen arches, bunions, arthritis or osteoarthritis of the feet, and ‘diminishing fat pad on bottom of foot’, which occurs with aging. If this post is geared for the too drastic foot disordered woman, I won’t be hurt if you choose not to post it, but make a few notes as at this point in your life: your problems could be kept to a rather painful minimum.
Thank you for this information! Itās so helpful!
Totally agree with you. Vionics, Taos, Naots, and Berkinstocks are my go tos.
Naots are the best! As a retired teacher, Iāve been wearing them for years.
I just bought of pair of Naots today and am hoping they work out for me.
Thanks for sharing this. I have been loosing the fat padding for several years which just makes them ache. I will look for a specialist when I get home. My arches are flattening and I want to stop the progression.
Thanks for all the info..
Hope the new shoes help your pain. Ages ago, you recommended the Eco soft 7, and they helped my foot pain so much. I, also, have been buying Arcopedico shoes which are wonderful, too.
I love Arcopedico too! Sadly mine are at home.
There are many supportive fashionable sandals and shoes for day-to-day activities and outings.
I wear the flimsier ones for “sit down” outings like going out to dinner and visiting.
Looking forward to your shoe ideas in future posts.
Agreed. I call those restaurant shoes:)
I have a bunion and also plantar fasciitis and have basically removed all the high heels & flats with no support from my closet š and replaced them with Naturalizer, Birkenstock and Vionic shoes. They have better fit and support for walking for my feet. I find that some shoes, even though very comfortable for walking are not supportive enough (Skechers for example) and I am still in pain at the end of the day. I recently saw a pedorthic doctor (specialist in orthotics) they sell the Vionic flip flops in their office and he suggestedI get an orthotic to help with my issues. They are made so slim now you can put them in just about any shoe that you can remove the insole.
My old orthotics were so clunky I could get them into any of my shoes. Iām glad to hear theyāre improved.
I have had similar problems so I can relate to your issues. When I asked my doctor when I could return to wearing flip flops or slides, she said, “Uh….never.” So I donated all of them and my feet are happier. Love Ilse Jacobsen shoes (although don’t wear them for super long walks as you will start to grip your toes as the shoes stretch) and love, love, love Allbirds. Luckily, sneakers are in style! Also like Gentle Souls (affordable comfort) and some Ecco, Eileen Fisher, and Josef Seibel. In winter (I am in a colder climate), I live in my Blundstone boots. Don’t worry, you will find a good assortment of “comfort” shoes that still look stylish. In fact, I look forward to your updates on your purchases!
Check out Vionic for flip flops, they have the arch support and will probably help you!
I think Iāll be in the same boat. Gripping is bad for me. I love Gentle Souls too. Munro is great. I will be keeping everyone posted.
I feel your pain! I am on the hunt for comfortable, supportive fashion sneakers. For walking/exercise I LOVE Brooks Adrenaline. They are so good that I bought two pair–one to keep for wearing in the house and one for outside. Wishing you a speedy recovery!
Thank Lori. Weāre on the same hunt
Thank you for your always very informative blog!
As we spend most of our retired time now in Denmark I am a fan of “Ilse Jacobsen” design! Shoes are comfortable and jackets / pullover have a lovely design.
Also like to recommend “nature shoes”, danish design, handmade in Portugal. Bought several pairs for our long beach walks. They are stylish, but most important for me : super “bequem”!!
All the best to you!
Yours Angela
Great recommendation, thank you! What a great place to spend your retirement
Oh Jennifer, I hope you heal up fine! Sounds quite painful! On your post you mentioned lousy shoes. In my early thirties I injured myself badly with flip flop style (no back) sandals, and after seeing two doctors I swore off backless shoes forever(no flip flops or mule styles ever again!)Having to grip toes on stairs going up or down can be dangerous I learned the hard way!
I hope youāre healing and thinking of your dear feet!
I guess Iām lucky. I listened to similar advise about backless shoes and gave them up before I had a bad experience. There are lots of stylish shoes choices out there with good support and comfort.
I hope you are right about Tulip Flex shoes stretching. Iām still waiting for mine to give a bit to accommodate my wide feet.
That sounds very smart. Iām going to rethink my shoes and go through them all when I get home. Thank you
Hi there! Long time reader first time poster. The Allbirds are fantastic you should get them. The liners are wool and you can replace them when they wear out extending the life of your shoes. I have the Tree Runners and Wool loungers which I wear as house shoes in the winter. So cosy! Iām thinking of getting a third pair actually. š
Thank you, Anne! Now to narrow down a color š