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Feet and Shoes, weigh-in and advice

ch33zw1z

ch33zw1z

Lifer
All my life, I've had a heck-of-a time finding shoes for my foot type.

As I've aged, this is starting to catch up to me. I don't want to get long winded (because I tend to), so I'll try to keep it to pertinent deets.

Facts:

Foot type - I have high arches, and use a custom orthotic
- Skinny ankles, and wide forefoot.
- Widths: Left Foot borderline E, Right foot E
- Lengths: Left Foot 26cm, Right foot 26.4cm
*Note: I prefer to use cm or mm to measure, as I've found it's the most accurate. Other sizing can be misleading or "off", like one shoe in a 9 is not 27cm, but another is.
**Think duck feet 😉

I'm looking for a mid top shoe that will fit the orthotic comfortably, fit my wider feet, but will also support the ankle.

Typically what I have to do is get something in a size 9 (27cm), in a D or E width.

In a D width, it's snug, but less material and fits my ankles better.

In a E width, fits forefoot better, but is too roomy in the ankle area and lacks support.

Currently, I've just been using Adidas Samba's (recommended by orthotic maker for proper orthotic support), but they're a little snug on the balls of my feet area (where it's widest), and provide no ankle support, which has been strongly encouraged by a few professionals..

So, looking for shoe recommendations that I can look at / test out.

Most recently, a professional referred me to "NoBull" shoes. But so far their site doesn't really talk about widths.

Edit: professionals have warned me that wearing shoes that are too snug can create problems like bunions.
 
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I highly recommend finding two pairs of shoes. One pair to work with orthotic insoles, but also a minimalist shoe that fits your width. Then ever so slowly wear the minimalist shoes more and more to help build up the strength in your feet. You don't want to go so much that you have pain. Just give your feet a chance to build strength that they lost over the years with the insoles.
I would look at possible custom shoes for your ortho's. You can check with a local shoe cobbler to see if they can help you source such things.
 
I wanted to dig in on the "give your feet a chance to build strength" message.
Wearing your arch supports and padded shoes reduces the messages to your bodies systems and the mind regarding maintenance of the foot.
This will result in your body prioritizing energy and resources for other parts of your body that are more active.
This will result in your foot becoming weaker and more dependent on the shoe orthotics.
What is weaker? The muscles will become weaker. The tendon connections to the joints and muscles will become weaker. The bones of the foot will become less dense, less strong.
Thus if you decide to change your shoe to a more minimalist one, without the orthotic, you need to do so slowly, otherwise, you will find your foot and leg is not in any kind of shape to support you. Even the mind foot connection will be dulled, which could cause you to feel uncomfortable even walking barefoot.
So you start slow. Start with a 15-minute walk without the orthotics, barefoot, or in minimalist shoes. Do that for a week every other day. Then increase it to a 15 minute walk every day. Then make it 30 minutes every other day for 2 weeks. Then 30 minutes every day for 2 weeks.

Increase your time slowly, be very intentional in your foot placement, get your mind back connected to your forefoot, and heal, and toes. That slow progression should cause your body to start working to recruit muscle growth in your foot and lower leg. It should promote tendon connection strengthening and increased bone density. After 6 months you should be able to be barefoot or minimalist shoes for 1/2 a day. After a year, maybe the whole day. It'll depend on your body's response, and if you make sure you are fueling your body well with all the micronutrients it needs.
Older people will take longer than younger people. So just have patience. Eventually it may be possible to no longer need the orthotic.
 
mike8675309 said:
I wanted to dig in on the "give your feet a chance to build strength" message.
Wearing your arch supports and padded shoes reduces the messages to your bodies systems and the mind regarding maintenance of the foot.
This will result in your body prioritizing energy and resources for other parts of your body that are more active.
This will result in your foot becoming weaker and more dependent on the shoe orthotics.
What is weaker? The muscles will become weaker. The tendon connections to the joints and muscles will become weaker. The bones of the foot will become less dense, less strong.
Thus if you decide to change your shoe to a more minimalist one, without the orthotic, you need to do so slowly, otherwise, you will find your foot and leg is not in any kind of shape to support you. Even the mind foot connection will be dulled, which could cause you to feel uncomfortable even walking barefoot.
So you start slow. Start with a 15-minute walk without the orthotics, barefoot, or in minimalist shoes. Do that for a week every other day. Then increase it to a 15 minute walk every day. Then make it 30 minutes every other day for 2 weeks. Then 30 minutes every day for 2 weeks.

Increase your time slowly, be very intentional in your foot placement, get your mind back connected to your forefoot, and heal, and toes. That slow progression should cause your body to start working to recruit muscle growth in your foot and lower leg. It should promote tendon connection strengthening and increased bone density. After 6 months you should be able to be barefoot or minimalist shoes for 1/2 a day. After a year, maybe the whole day. It'll depend on your body's response, and if you make sure you are fueling your body well with all the micronutrients it needs.
Older people will take longer than younger people. So just have patience. Eventually it may be possible to no longer need the orthotic.
Click to expand...

Barefoot hasn't felt ok for me since my early 20's. I spent almost 20 years not wearing the orthotics. So 20-39 YO just ignoring the pain.

But yes, it's a much different feel. When I walk barefoot now, my feet kinda fight over using them like I used to and using them like the orthotics train them to.

Yep, gotta start slow, and keep up an exercise / stretch / massage routine.

The orthotic has change my feet and legs enough that it's noticeable. People with high arches like me tend to walk on the outside of their foot, and it can cause a pretty severe muscle imbalance, which I totally had.

I'm just trying to get an idea what footwear is out there.

I appreciate your input, sounds like you've got some xp 😉

Edit: I'm wearing the sambas because they're hard and flat, which was the recommendation from the pro's. No cushy soles recommended for the orthotics to be most effective
 
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Arch Supports That Do More Than Insoles | The Good Feet Store

Go beyond insoles with arch supports designed to support your feet and help relieve foot, knee, hip, and back discomfort. Visit a store near you.
www.goodfeet.com
I hear ads on the local radio about this store all the time. Don't know if the marketing is backed up or not, but the reach across the country is pretty wide...so maybe something good is going on there....
 
Torn Mind said:

Arch Supports That Do More Than Insoles | The Good Feet Store

Go beyond insoles with arch supports designed to support your feet and help relieve foot, knee, hip, and back discomfort. Visit a store near you.
www.goodfeet.com
I hear ads on the local radio about this store all the time. Don't know if the marketing is backed up or not, but the reach across the country is pretty wide...so maybe something good is going on there....
Click to expand...

Thanks TM. I'll keep them in mind and review the store. Mine are the type where the pro takes a custom impression of each foot and makes them based on that.

My pain kinda bounces between feet, lower legs, knees, etc... According to the pros, this is normal while things adjust and it could take some time to even out.
 
I'm not sure why anyone would suggest nobull trainers for something like what you describe. They are flat, have poor support, and while decent for working out, arent great for much anything else.
 
deadlyapp said:
I'm not sure why anyone would suggest nobull trainers for something like what you describe. They are flat, have poor support, and while decent for working out, arent great for much anything else.
Click to expand...

I think cuz I would put the orthotics in them.

I emailed nobull, they only make D widths for now, no plans to change in the future. So not pursuing them
 
I wear custom orthos as well, though my problem is collapsed arches and wide feet. Liking my kirkland leather sneakers, I bought three pairs. Not seeing them in costco now though.
 
I wish I could get my cousin to design you a shoe. He works for this little shoe/athletic company in Beaverton, OR. He does a lot of specialty shoe designs for individuals and the factory kicks out 5 or so pairs. I really wonder how much all that costs.
 
I ended up going to a small shoe store and trying a few pairs of Merrill's.

9 to tight, 8.5w to tight, 9W fits ok. They're a bit loose in the heal, but they'll break in a bit. Even the sambas fabric is worn out also.

The Merrill's are the low top's. I tried a pair of Merrill that were mid but they pushed my foot forward on the orthotic and it felt "weird"

So I went to Zappos and found another pair of Mer's in 9W for 30% less and grabbed those also. It's good to have a backup or an "inside" only pair.

Edit: I also picked up a "toe separator" to stretch the toes out, it's supposed to help so we shall see.
 
Scarpozzi said:
I wish I could get my cousin to design you a shoe. He works for this little shoe/athletic company in Beaverton, OR. He does a lot of specialty shoe designs for individuals and the factory kicks out 5 or so pairs. I really wonder how much all that costs.
Click to expand...

It really becomes a problem mid life and beyond. I talk about it from time to time in my travels and already have a few people that are like "yes, me 2", and they've battled bunions and problems requiring surgery around the balls of the feet.

Spent most of my life buying whatever shoes were cheapest, but that catches up with ya.
 
ch33zw1z said:
It really becomes a problem mid life and beyond. I talk about it from time to time in my travels and already have a few people that are like "yes, me 2", and they've battled bunions and problems requiring surgery around the balls of the feet.

Spent most of my life buying whatever shoes were cheapest, but that catches up with ya.
Click to expand...
My wife's uncle was a podiatrist. He actually sold Brooks shoes out of his shop. I remember showing him the Altra running shoes I was doing half marathons and marathons in. He grabbed the toe of the shoe and bent it at 45 degree angles...then said, "This is crap!" and threw the shoe across the room. I didn't stop running in them....they're my favorite running shoes. 😀
 
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