Ergonomic, orthopedic-friendly, Shoes

[Pohemi]

I have several pairs of Merrells, both lows and mid Gore-Tex hikers. They require nearly no break-in, they're comfy out of the box. They're also well-built IMO, they tend to last me years. I'm not active like I use to be so my shoes don't get a lot of wear these days, but I've been swearing by them for 25 years, so I've definitely put prior pairs through the paces. They also have fantastic customer support (they're now a Wolverine brand.)

Wolverine boots are well made and durable. The boots I have now (and for the past decade) are Wolverine Gore-Tex. Redwings are some of the best boots I know of as far as construction and durability. Another good brand (made by Redwing but a bit cheaper in price) are Irish Setters. I use to like Georgia boots but I've not worn any in 30 years now.

I 2nd/3rd/4th the idea of seeing a podiatrist for orthotics though, even just the custom-fit insoles. I have arthritis, bunions, and neuromas in both feet. If I don't use the included insoles from my Merrills, it's the orthotic insoles. I won't buy department store inserts.

My house shoes are sketchers because they're easy slip-ons, but I never walk out the door to go anywhere in them.

 

[Muse]

I know about stretching but always managed to forget. I probably did myself no favors walking on my old Nikes long distances up hill during my time in university. Weren't bought for ergonomics, plus probably a budget choice(at Kohls). I had an ankle injury in HS as well.

I don't think orthotics will be in my budget but I still have a couple things.

Just how much do they change the "flexibility" of the shoe. Because if the sole is super floppy or bends too much in the middle of the foot, how much would the orthotics.
I would think the best combo would a shoe with the parameters outlined in the Kaiser document I saw with an orthotic.

I made the comment on Adidas because I was in a different store(Dick's) to just check out the performance of the displayed shoes. So for giggles, even though I already was confident they would suck, I gave the Adidas the pressure test. None were good, regardless of the price, except maybe the Ultraboost 22 in terms of a firm sole; hence my comment. But even that one was maybe too stiff in the toe area. I was more in the women's department to prepare a list of possible "good ones" for buying a shoe on clearance for my sister in the coming months.

The Gen-Venture 8 I got is ever so slightly a bit too big, so I could use an insert to correct the extra space.

My experience has been that foot doctors mostly aren't too good. I must have seen 6-8 before I had my neuroma surgery. Cortisone shots, whatever, I got no relief until one guy decided I absolutely did have a neuroma and he thought maybe 2, which he found was true and dealt with both the same procedure. He was recommended to me by a foot specialist outside my HMO, even though his location was a 60 mile drive each way. He was a former marathoner who competed at the Olympic trials. I believe he'd had neuroma surgery himself, no longer ran but was quite the serious bicyclist when I saw him. He was the only person I saw who had the smarts, nerve, courage, or whatever it took to make the call in my diagnosis. He said the second space neuroma in my left foot was among the largest he'd ever seen (Morton's Neuroma is most commonly found in the 3rd space, occasionally in the 2nd, I had both as it turned out). I used to be a pretty serious runner. Never competed, but had run a lot of miles. When I couldn't do that anymore I became a very serious swimmer. Anyway, that same podiatrist (Kaiser), worked up the Rx for my orthotics. He also got me to buy a pair of sandal-like footwear that I never use. I just put my orthotics in my shoes, almost invariably New Balance 4E size 11. I did buy several pairs of Skechers recently because I discovered they make size 11 4E also, and I couldn't find New Balance that would make acceptable skate uppers. While I was at it I ordered Skechers that will serve as hiking shoes. Again, in New Balance, I wasn't finding that.

 

[Muse]

My house shoes are sketchers because they're easy slip-ons, but I never walk out the door to go anywhere in them.

Around the house I was an old pair of New Balance 4E 11s. I took a ~5 mile walk in a new pair of Skechers a week ago. Felt OK.

 

[Charmonium]

Haven't read the thread but Gumbies now makes low cut ankle slippers qua boots.

 

[Pohemi]

My experience has been that foot doctors mostly aren't too good. I must have seen 6-8 before I had my neuroma surgery. Cortisone shots, whatever, I got no relief until one guy decided I absolutely did have a neuroma and he thought maybe 2, which he found was true and dealt with both the same procedure.

I'm currently dealing with exactly what you're referring to. I saw a podiatrist when I was 30 years old because I was having a lot of pain in my arches. After an examination and some imaging of both feet, he informed me that I had what I mentioned in my post above: arthritis, bunions, and neuromas possibly being caused or exacerbated by the bunions (bunions are basically the bone structure in your foot shifting and causing the sides near the ball of your feet to start protruding further out.)

That was over 15 years ago. I still have the pain, and I think the arthritis has gotten worse. Bunions don't seem to have progressed too much.

I'm now in a different healthcare network, with a different HMO. I saw a podiatrist just a few weeks ago. He took images of my right foot; only from the side (hard to see bunions from that angle, and not from the top of the foot.) He tells me that he sees no signs of arthritis OR bunions. He digs his knuckle into the nerve bundle in the arch of my foot and asks if it hurts, I almost punched him in the mouth. That nerve bundle would hurt from that whether you had foot problems or not.

So...he passes the buck to some other podiatrist that apparently deals more with soft tissue than orthopedics. Because the nerve bundle was sensitive.

Anyway...this other guy is in Milwaukee and doesn't travel up this way. That's 100 miles away. I really wish I could see someone outside my network. The guy I saw over 15 years ago retired long ago so I can't return to him. IDK where else to turn, but I know that these issues with my feet didn't magically disappear. This guy just either didn't care to deal with it, or he was too crappy of a doctor to have seen anything wrong.

Around the house I was an old pair of New Balance 4E 11s. I took a ~5 mile walk in a new pair of Skechers a week ago. Felt OK.

Are they sneakers? These aren't meant to be house shoes (by Skecher), they're like a leather slip-on that's almost styled like a boat shoe. They're plenty comfortable, I like the insoles that came in them, it's like an airfoam or something.

They're easy on/off which is why I like them, but I went out with them on my feet a few times when I first got them and constantly felt like they were in danger of slipping off my heel when I was walking full-stride, which never happens in my apartment.

 

[BoomerD]

Pohemi... https://www.orthofeet.com/collections/bunions-for-men

You can thank me later.

I have a brand-new pair of these:

No Lace Tie-Less Lace Shoes | Shreveport Brown

Get instant comfort & pain relief. Premium arch support, ergonomic soles, soft uppers & wide toe box. 60-day wear test. Free shipping & returns. Shreveport Brown.

www.orthofeet.com

Sitting on my un-used dining room table...I have to find longer laces for them. The ones that came with them are so short, I can barely get them tied. Hella comfortable though.

 

[BoomerD]

Also, I bought a pair of these about 16 months ago:
https://www.amazon.com/Rockport-Eur...=9033542&hvtargid=pla-570641155658&th=1&psc=1.
I bought them to wear when I take my dog out to pee/poop in the rain. If they got fucked up...they were cheap as chips...no big loss.

They were on a daily deal at Amazon for $28+ tax...cheapest shoes I've had on my feet in at least 30 years. I didn't expect much from them...but if I didn't like them, I knew I could return them to Amazon.
To my great surprise, they're hella comfortable and plenty roomy for my 12EEEE feet.

 

[Pohemi]

Pohemi... https://www.orthofeet.com/collections/bunions-for-men

You can thank me later.

Is it later yet? lol...thanks for the suggestion!
I just ordered these: https://www.orthofeet.com/products/bismarck-525-black

I'm not crazy about the aesthetic of the strap, but I care far less about how they look than how they function, comfort, etc. I have edema as well so the stretchables looked like a good idea, and I like speed laces or straps. The $15 off coupon code was nice too.

I'll let you know how they fit/feel after they arrive. Do they typically need a break-in period to form to your feet?

Edit:

Also, I bought a pair of these about 16 months ago:

I got a pair of these in an Amazon wardrobe order of 4 or 5 different pairs. The Rockports felt stiff, like I was walking on boards. I've been spoiled by my Merrills, and am not use to needing to break shoes in. I'm guessing that was at least part of it, that they needed to 'soften up' a bit. They went back though, along with all the rest of them in that order. They would have cost $80 iirc...if they were $30 I mighta kept them to give them a chance to break-in, heh.

 

[BoomerD]

Is it later yet? lol...I just ordered these: https://www.orthofeet.com/products/bismarck-525-black

I'm not crazy about the aesthetic of the strap, but I care far less about how they look than how they function, comfort, etc. I have edema as well so the stretchables looked like a good idea, and I like speed laces or straps. The $15 off coupon code was nice too.

I'll let you know how they fit/feel after they arrive. Do they typically need a break-in period to form to your feet?

Never worn those shoes before, but being a woven material, the uppers shouldn't take much to break in. The soles/insoles...maybe a few days, but shouldn't be bad. I highly recommend wearing them INDOORS around the house for a couple of days...give your feet the opportunity to get used to them where you have other shoes to put on...just in case.

 

[Pohemi]

Never worn those shoes before, but being a woven material, the uppers shouldn't take much to break in. The soles/insoles...maybe a few days, but shouldn't be bad. I highly recommend wearing them INDOORS around the house for a couple of days...give your feet the opportunity to get used to them where you have other shoes to put on...just in case.

Right, the insoles were what I wondered about. Some of the Orthotics are more set once they're made for your foot mold, but many like these that aren't custom will form/mold to the shape of your foot, but it can take a bit, which is fine.

I'm excited to get them now, lol.

 

[BoomerD]

Right, the insoles were what I wondered about. Some of the Orthotics are more set once they're made for your foot mold, but many like these that aren't custom will form/mold to the shape of your foot, but it can take a bit, which is fine.

I'm excited to get them now, lol.

I hope they work for you...if not, IIRC, you have 60 days to return them.

 

[Pohemi]

Right, the 60 day return policy was the reason I wasn't hesitant about them possibly not fitting correctly or having any other issues. They'll cover the return label if you need one as well.

 

[Muse]

Are they sneakers? These aren't meant to be house shoes (by Skecher), they're like a leather slip-on that's almost styled like a boat shoe. They're plenty comfortable, I like the insoles that came in them, it's like an airfoam or something.

They're easy on/off which is why I like them, but I went out with them on my feet a few times when I first got them and constantly felt like they were in danger of slipping off my heel when I was walking full-stride, which never happens in my apartment.

I wear old comfy worn New Balance size 11 4E cross trainers around the house and yard, or maybe they are tennis shoes, in New Balance there doesn't seem to be much difference. New Balance almost always fit me perfect from first wear, which is why I've worn almost exclusively New Balance for ~20+ years. They used to make golf shoes but don't any more AFAIK. So, my last golf shoe purchase was another brand.

I discovered Skechers via a tip from @Captante, i.e. that they make extra wide shoes. I was desperately in need of new uppers for my quad skate plates and couldn't find a New Balance basketball shoe that was remotely OK (my last skate uppers were New Balance basketball shoes).

I figured these would work and they did, it's what I'm skating now (bolted the plates to the shoes): Skechers - After Burn Memory Fit - Geardo Style #: 50120 BKCC Color: Black/Charcoal Size: 11.0 EW

I bought 2 more pairs of those Geardos (actually I may have 4 now, including for my skates, not sure), both to have backup for skating and for walking, hiking, whatever. They feel good, seem reasonably well made, and pretty cheap (found deals!). The weakness in them and many other Skechers is the "Memory Foam" insoles. Customer reviews reveal that they wear out, maybe in a year if you wear them a lot. Compounding the problem is that Skechers tends to glue them into the shoe. In the Geardos, they glue them in intensely. I had to remove the insoles to mount my skate plates, so this was a concern! I found a YT video by a guy who demonstrated live how he removed the insoles (with difficulty!). But I saw from that that it could be done.

I shopped and bought some more Skechers shoes after getting that initial pair of Geardos because of my frustration in finding anything that would remotely qualify for my skates. Also, I figured I wanted hiking shoes and had none. Skechers had a coupon discount going, so I jumped on it with a giant order for around 1/2 dozen pairs in August:

Relaxed Fit: Relment - Traven Brown Style #: 65529-CDB $105 ea https://www.skechers.com/shop-color/relaxed-fit-relment---traven/65529_CDB.html

Relaxed Fit: Selmen - Relodge Brown Style #: 204076-CDB $110 ea https://www.skechers.com/men/shoes/relaxed-fit-selmen---relodge/194428172507.html

After Burn Memory Fit - Geardo Black/Charcoal Style #: 50120-BKCC $70 ea https://www.skechers.com/shop-color/after-burn-memory-fit---geardo/50120_BKCC.html

Got 2 pairs of each using a 20% discount code, SUMMER20! They seem to fit me OK. I'd queried Skechers at Amazon and their customer support said they lightly glue in the Memory Foam insoles of the ones that aren't Geardos and so far I've found that to be true... MUCH more easily removed and replaced with whatever ... important to me because I have custom orthotics, also my Superfeet insoles.

Now, before buying any Skechers I went to one of their warehouses and didn't find what I needed (i.e. for my skates), but a sales guy their told me why they glue the insoles in so intensely: He said people would steal the insoles if they didn't. I figure it's maybe partly because they wear out. Don't know, but it was in Richmond, CA, which is a relatively high crime region.

 

[Muse]

Anyway...this other guy is in Milwaukee and doesn't travel up this way. That's 100 miles away. I really wish I could see someone outside my network. The guy I saw over 15 years ago retired long ago so I can't return to him. IDK where else to turn, but I know that these issues with my feet didn't magically disappear. This guy just either didn't care to deal with it, or he was too crappy of a doctor to have seen anything wrong.

Keep searching for a foot person who knows and cares. I was out of network for an appointment or two. Saw a woman who recommended that guy IN MY NETWORK, but 60 miles away. I made the drive maybe 1/2 dozen times (maybe more?), including the day I had my surgery, Dec. 30, 2005 (sister drove me to that one, couldn't drive home!). He's retired now.

A guy I worked with at my volunteer gig told me that his cousin was "the greatest foot guy in the world." I didn't get a chance to check that out, but it was one hell of an endorsement.

 

[Pohemi]

Keep searching for a foot person who knows and cares. I was out of network for an appointment or two. Saw a woman who recommended that guy IN MY NETWORK, but 60 miles away. I made the drive maybe 1/2 dozen times (maybe more?), including the day I had my surgery, Dec. 30, 2005 (sister drove me to that one, couldn't drive home!). He's retired now.

I've looked into going out of network. Problem is, I'm on Medicaid and assigned to an HMO through the state. The state makes most of the coverage decisions, but the HMOs to select from do have slight variations. So far, the state/HMO will NOT approve me going out of network because "that type of doctor is available in your network." They don't give a crap if I want a second opinion. So...it'd be out of pocket and on my measly disability stipend...no way I can do that without taking out a loan.

I also no longer drive or have a vehicle. I can arrange transport through the state if I need to, but I really try hard to avoid that as the drivers (that I've dealt with, anyway) had dirty personal vehicles, none had masked since 2021, several were super inconsiderate with playing music, talking loudly on speakerphone as if they were speaking at a rally, etc.

tl;dr it's just a lot of bullshit and brick walls.

 

[BoomerD]

Being on Medicaid, is it possible to get your ortohpedic shoes for free? (prescribed by a podiatrist)

Edit...looks like ONLY for people with the beetus and some other issues

 

[Pohemi]

Being on Medicaid, is it possible to get your ortohpedic shoes for free? (prescribed by a podiatrist)

In some (or many?) cases, yes. The guy I saw years back had offered to write a prescription so I would be able to get fit for them. At the time I was still somewhat active, so I opted for only the Orthotic insoles.

Of course, if this joker I've seen recently says there is nothing wrong with my feet, he isn't going to order Orthotics for me.

 

[I'dluv2]

I just put my orthotics in my shoes, almost invariably New Balance 4E size 11.

About 12 years ago I decided to splurge on some athletics shoes. I wear a 10 1/2 4E and the only ones that I found looked good to me were New Balance 1540's. I loved those shoes so much that once they were somewhat wore out & looking bad they became my yard work shoes. I still have them today, barely stay together.

So 3 years ago I decided to try another pair, they were at version 3 so I bought a pair. Couldn't wear them, when I walked I clomped around like I had clown shoes on. The cut was just slightly different. So my best friend comes to the house months later and I ask him what size he wore. 10 1/2 2E so he says he'll take them, I'm full of crap and must be walking wrong or some crap. Calls me a month later, laughing saying I was right there is something wrong with them. Ended up giving them away.

 

[Captante]

Most sneakers are so inconsistently made/sized these days that they can vary widely from pair to pair nevermind different models or brands.

Not surprising considering how many brands continue to be made by near-slave labor in places that don't have any workers rights.

 

[BoomerD]

Most sneakers are so inconsistently made/sized these days that they can vary widely from pair to pair nevermind different models or brands.

Not surprising considering how many brands continue to be made by near-slave labor in places that don't have any workers rights.

Ah, geez...here we go with that librul worker's rights crap...why should the rights of the peons interfere with a corporation's god-given profits?

(this is one of the reasons I think ANY company/corporation that off-shores its production/call centers, etc. should be hit with taxes/tariffs that exceed what the work would have cost here in the USA.)

 

[Torn Mind]

My experience has been that foot doctors mostly aren't too good. I must have seen 6-8 before I had my neuroma surgery. Cortisone shots, whatever, I got no relief until one guy decided I absolutely did have a neuroma and he thought maybe 2, which he found was true and dealt with both the same procedure. He was recommended to me by a foot specialist outside my HMO, even though his location was a 60 mile drive each way. He was a former marathoner who competed at the Olympic trials. I believe he'd had neuroma surgery himself, no longer ran but was quite the serious bicyclist when I saw him. He was the only person I saw who had the smarts, nerve, courage, or whatever it took to make the call in my diagnosis. He said the secondary neuroma in my left foot was the largest he'd ever seen. I used to be a pretty serious runner. Never competed, but had run a lot of miles. When I couldn't do that anymore I became a very serious swimmer. Anyway, that same podiatrist (Kaiser), worked up the Rx for my orthotics. He also got me to buy a pair of sandal-like footwear that I never use. I just put my orthotics in my shoes, almost invariably New Balance 4E size 11. I did buy several pairs of Skechers recently because I discovered they make size 11 4E also, and I couldn't find New Balance that would make acceptable skate uppers. While I was at it I ordered Skechers that will serve as hiking shoes. Again, in New Balance, I wasn't finding that.

Sounds all too familiar to me regarding dealing with the medical system. Anyway, I doubt any would give me the time of day because I have no diagnosable issues; it's all muscular problems. I'm also on Medicaid, so probably many won't accept or my insurance's primary care will find a way to not grant the referral(Kaiser is all in-house)

Anyway, docs don't look at muscular health and I do know what to do to loosen up muscles(a combo of trigger point pressure and stretching speeds things up.). It just remember to do that for at least my legs 30 mins or so a day. I've learned quite a bit of anatomy seeking various muscles to massage(and it might have been what messed up my left arm).

 

[Muse]

I've looked into going out of network. Problem is, I'm on Medicaid and assigned to an HMO through the state. The state makes most of the coverage decisions, but the HMOs to select from do have slight variations. So far, the state/HMO will NOT approve me going out of network because "that type of doctor is available in your network." They don't give a crap if I want a second opinion. So...it'd be out of pocket and on my measly disability stipend...no way I can do that without taking out a loan.

I also no longer drive or have a vehicle. I can arrange transport through the state if I need to, but I really try hard to avoid that as the drivers (that I've dealt with, anyway) had dirty personal vehicles, none had masked since 2021, several were super inconsiderate with playing music, talking loudly on speakerphone as if they were speaking at a rally, etc.

tl;dr it's just a lot of bullshit and brick walls.

Well, keep looking. Personnel changes happen, they come and go. Now, my MD brother told me AFTER MY SURGERY that an orthopedist would be more knowledgeable about the foot than a podiatrist. I said, "oh, I didn't know that." His reply: "I thought everybody knew that." I certainly did not, but I sure remembered the exchange. You might consider looking beyond podiatrists and see if you can find an orthopedist who has expertise in the foot, is what I am saying! I haven't seen another foot specialist since I had that exchange with my brother some 20 years ago, but if I do, I will keep it in mind. Anyway, keep looking! And doing what you can with what you have and what you know!

My brother didn't think much of my decision to fly across the country to have pioneering non-invasive surgery for my hyperparathyroidism issue that happened a bit before the foot surgery (he tried to discourage me, didn't like the doctor's website, too self-promotional.) But once done, he congratulated me. Recovery time was like zero. When my brother did it, it was invasively and recovery was ~6 weeks!

 

[JEDI]

i had arch problems in both feet since i was a teenager.
went to a podiatrist that was on my dad's insurance.
he recommended custom orthodics.

that did the trick for 15yrs.
Just kept on getting a new pair when padding got too worn.

downside: even with padding, it wasnt that comfortable for wearing long periods.

my problem is that the arches the comes with shoes dont feel high enough for support.
then one day i passed by a Rockport store.
i decided to try every shoe in the store.

I actually found one that felt great: Rockport Prowalkers

Wore those without the orthodics and i was fine!
Had to replace them every 2 years then i saw they had a buy 1 get 1 50% off sale.
bought 2 pairs so i didnt need to buy for 4 yrs.

but when it was time to buy, they CHANGED the Prowalkers design but still called it Prowalkers.
it was a completely different shoe!
And now i can't find the originals anywhere.

I saw a orthopedist just before Covid.
she recommended custom orthodics made by scanning your foot with a laser.
insurance doesnt cover and costs $800.

i decided to try the cheaper route of off the shelf orthodics from walmart.
if i dont like, i can return.
yup, returned ALL of them.

Then more research led me to Superfeet Green high arch orthodics.
i'm using them in sketchers for the past 18months.
Now i notice my Achilles tendon thickening.

I might have to bite the bullet and get the $800 orthodics.

 

[sdifox]

They don't do the step on box mould? I mean putting your weight on it is about as close as it can be no?

 

[JEDI]

They don't do the atep on box mould? I mean putting your weight on it is about as close as it can be no?

i tried those step into foam molding orthodics because they were cheaper than getting a new set of custom orthodics.
nope, didn't feel as good.
easy return for full refund.

the custom one at the time was made with plaster casting material, like for a arm or leg cast.