Wide foot with heel pain - birkenstocks worth it?

[episodic]

I hate to plunk down 100$ on a pair of shoes - everything I read online seems to sing these shoe's praises. . .

Opinions? Keep in mind there is a 'wide foot' involved.

Update:
Evidently, they are not made wide enough.

My foot at it's widest point is 11 cm. They don't make a shoe that wide until size 47, but I'm a size 45 . . . .

Sheesh, me and my weird feet. I guess I'll go on being that guy with the crocs. . .

 

[Freshgeardude]

go new balance

 

[episodic]

Originally posted by: freshgeardude
go new balance

can't wear 'tennie shoes' to work. . . sorry, should have said that.

 

[Pliablemoose]

I've worn Birkies for years, Wal Mart sells a knock off for pennies on the dollar I'd recommend first.

 

[episodic]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
I've worn Birkies for years, Wal Mart sells a knock off for pennies on the dollar I'd recommend first.

Funny, the walmart near me has reduced their shoe dept to almost nothing. I can't even pick up anything there anymore in my size. Have looked recently, too.

 

[lxskllr]

Birks are better than the ripoffs mostly due to the real cork footbed. There's also little touches that make them better, and better manufacturing. I doubt China can do anything as well as the Germans ;^)

 

[episodic]

I was thinking they might be worth it as I see that they can be resoled easily at a variety of places that you can mail them to, extending their life span for quite a while?

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: episodic
I hate to plunk down 100$ on a pair of shoes - everything I read online seems to sing these shoe's praises. . .

Opinions? Keep in mind there is a 'wide foot' involved.

You have issues with $100 shoes? That's cheap for quality footware.

Odds are, you're experiencing plantar fasciitis...something I experienced myself for the first time last year. I ended up buying some Haflinger wool slipper clogs and wearing them almost everywhere...even to school and the store/mall, etc. Within a couple of months, the heel pain was gone...BUT, since something like that's probably NOT suitable for work wear...either wear a QUALITY shoe with good arch support and insole...or, buy a GOOD pair of orthotic insoles for your shoes.

They make quite a bit of difference.

As for cheap shoes...I've always held the opinion that there are two things a working man should never scrimp on...his bed and his work boots/shoes.
You usually spend too much time in one...and not nearly enough time in the other.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: episodic
I was thinking they might be worth it as I see that they can be resoled easily at a variety of places that you can mail them to, extending their life span for quite a while?

You can resole them yourself also. It isn't terribly difficult. The biggest thing is to take care of the cork. Keep a layer of glue covering it so it doesn't get chipped out.

 

[seemingly random]

I used to wear birkenstocks (in the summer). They're damn comfortable. Just don't ever get them soaking wet. I have no experience with the impostors. I'd try a pair of each since you shouldn't wear the same shoe all of the time.

I now often wear a low hiking shoe from new balance ($140). It's wide enough for me and damn comfortable. I do miss the ease of a sandal though.

 

[seemingly random]

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: episodic
I hate to plunk down 100$ on a pair of shoes - everything I read online seems to sing these shoe's praises. . .

Opinions? Keep in mind there is a 'wide foot' involved.

You have issues with $100 shoes? That's cheap for quality footware.

Odds are, you're experiencing plantar fasciitis...something I experienced myself for the first time last year. I ended up buying some Haflinger wool slipper clogs and wearing them almost everywhere...even to school and the store/mall, etc. Within a couple of months, the heel pain was gone...BUT, since something like that's probably NOT suitable for work wear...either wear a QUALITY shoe with good arch support and insole...or, buy a GOOD pair of orthotic insoles for your shoes.

They make quite a bit of difference.

As for cheap shoes...I've always held the opinion that there are two things a working man should never scrimp on...his bed and his work boots/shoes.
You usually spend too much time in one...and not nearly enough time in the other.

The people across the road have haflinger horses (small draft horses). The joke is "how many haflingers does it take to make a full one?".

 

[episodic]

So no real thoughts? C'mon ATOT - I KNOW you are more opinionated than this. You are disappointing me.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: episodic
So no real thoughts? C'mon ATOT - I KNOW you are more opinionated than this. You are disappointing me.

A few people told you what they thought. They absolutely are worth the money, just like all other quality footwear. I have a pair of Birks, and they replaced my old pair. When my current Birks are trashed, I'll be getting another pair. Is that enough of an endorsement?

 

[episodic]

Originally posted by: lxskllr

Originally posted by: episodic
So no real thoughts? C'mon ATOT - I KNOW you are more opinionated than this. You are disappointing me.

A few people told you what they thought. They absolutely are worth the money, just like all other quality footwear. I have a pair of Birks, and they replaced my old pair. When my current Birks are trashed, I'll be getting another pair. Is that enough of an endorsement?

Ok, I'm sorry. I was wanting to hear from more people with wide feet and feet pain.

Also, I'm very interested in how long it takes the 'cork' to break in? If I want a pair of these things, due to my location, I am unable to try on a pair and will have to mail order them.

Hope that helps, I wasn't trying to be a jerk, I promise.


Also, I like the Boston style in patent leather. Is the leather soft supple when you get it or more rigid like boots? I may go with the suede if that is the case. I just like the way that leather wears and it is much easier to clean and or on a day when it is raining lightly.

What is the difference in the patent leather and the "Nubock" leather like this one?
http://www.shoebuy.com/birkens...n-nubuck/238396/509961

I like the look, but don't want something I'll have to be afraid of it being 'moist' outside. . .

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: episodic

Ok, I'm sorry. I was wanting to hear from more people with wide feet and feet pain.

Also, I'm very interested in how long it takes the 'cork' to break in? If I want a pair of these things, due to my location, I am unable to try on a pair and will have to mail order them.

Hope that helps, I wasn't trying to be a jerk, I promise.


Also, I like the Boston style in patent leather. Is the leather soft supple when you get it or more rigid like boots? I may go with the suede if that is the case. I just like the way that leather wears and it is much easier to clean and or on a day when it is raining lightly.

I can't give indication in regards to heel pain. I would suspect that it's highly individualistic, and something that helps one person may not help another.

I've had mine awhile so my memory's foggy, but I remember 1-2 weeks of daily wear before they're broken in. They'll continue to get more comfortable over the life of the shoe.

The leather comes semi rigid. They can be a little uncomfortable at pressure points until they get broken in. A bandaid can help in that regard. I don't care for suede, so I've never had them, but I would expect them to be softer from the start.

I just looked at the page, and the Boston is the clog. I've always had the strap sandal, so I can't give specific advice. In general, I'd stay away from synthetics that cover your feet. They breed germs, and can give you stinky, uncomfortable feet. Birks may be better in that regard, but I'm insistent on natural leather for my shoes. That's the major reason I don't wear sneakers. They have too many synthetic components, and breed bacteria.

 

[Fayd]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqDv8fHHE-w

fast-forward to 1:30 or so, and listen ^_^

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: Fayd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqDv8fHHE-w

fast-forward to 1:30 or so, and listen ^_^

:^D

 

[seemingly random]

Originally posted by: episodic
So no real thoughts? C'mon ATOT - I KNOW you are more opinionated than this. You are disappointing me.

Arrogant fucker...

It sounds like your achilles heel (other than the above) is the width problem. I developed a width problem in my late 20s. I have no idea why. I've tried standard c-width shoes a couple of times since and, after a couple of days of "breaking in", can't walk.

Any wide-enough (and long-enough), well-built shoe will probably be fine. The birks are fine sandals but you may have to endure the stereotypes that go with them.

 

[funkymatt]

on my 2nd pair of birks... just got them in May. My first pair I got over the summer of 1998 and had them resoled once and could have gone a second time in lieu of the new ones, but my MIL insisted on getting a new pair for my bday. Still breaking the new ones in on the weekends, so they're slightly uncomfortable- but it shouldn't be too much longer until they're in the sweet spot.

 

[chusteczka]

I do not expect the shoe you wear to affect your heel pain. A rubber heel cup would probably work better than different shoes.

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://www.4hospitals.org/heel-cups-c.html"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://www.4hospitals.org/heel-cups-c.html">https://www.4hospitals.org/heel-cups-c.html</a></a>

What is causing your heel pain? Has your lifestyle changed where you are not running as often as you used to?

I developed heel pain several years ago because my lifestyle changed so I was not running as often as I used to. This caused the tendon on the bottom of my foot to contract. As it contracted, the bone on the inside bottom of my heel grew outward (towards my toes) to hold on to the contracting tendon. This heel spur caused pain. The solution was to stretch the bottom of my foot by standing with my toes on a stair and letting my heels hang off the end.

Doctors may attempt cortisone shots to relieve the pain but these are unnecessary. The only real treatment is to stretch the tendon on the bottom of your foot to stop the bone growth. A wooden foot massager/roller works very well for this situation since it stretches the foot and keeps the tendon warm while sitting.

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: episodic
I hate to plunk down 100$ on a pair of shoes - everything I read online seems to sing these shoe's praises. . .

Opinions? Keep in mind there is a 'wide foot' involved.

You have issues with $100 shoes? That's cheap for quality footware.

Odds are, you're experiencing plantar fasciitis...something I experienced myself for the first time last year. I ended up buying some Haflinger wool slipper clogs and wearing them almost everywhere...even to school and the store/mall, etc. Within a couple of months, the heel pain was gone...BUT, since something like that's probably NOT suitable for work wear...either wear a QUALITY shoe with good arch support and insole...or, buy a GOOD pair of orthotic insoles for your shoes.

They make quite a bit of difference.

As for cheap shoes...I've always held the opinion that there are two things a working man should never scrimp on...his bed and his work boots/shoes.
You usually spend too much time in one...and not nearly enough time in the other.

after your reply to my shoe thread a couple weeks ago, i spend $71 on a pair of NB 811s and my feet love them. ive never spent more than 45 or 50 on so/so shoes, the extra 20 was worth it, and i was about to spend 80 on them but googled around once more before i ordered...theyd be worth the 80, easily.

listen to this man

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: episodic

Originally posted by: lxskllr

Originally posted by: episodic
So no real thoughts? C'mon ATOT - I KNOW you are more opinionated than this. You are disappointing me.

A few people told you what they thought. They absolutely are worth the money, just like all other quality footwear. I have a pair of Birks, and they replaced my old pair. When my current Birks are trashed, I'll be getting another pair. Is that enough of an endorsement?

Ok, I'm sorry. I was wanting to hear from more people with wide feet and feet pain.

Also, I'm very interested in how long it takes the 'cork' to break in? If I want a pair of these things, due to my location, I am unable to try on a pair and will have to mail order them.

Hope that helps, I wasn't trying to be a jerk, I promise.


Also, I like the Boston style in patent leather. Is the leather soft supple when you get it or more rigid like boots? I may go with the suede if that is the case. I just like the way that leather wears and it is much easier to clean and or on a day when it is raining lightly.

What is the difference in the patent leather and the "Nubock" leather like this one?
http://www.shoebuy.com/birkens...n-nubuck/238396/509961

I like the look, but don't want something I'll have to be afraid of it being 'moist' outside. . .

Wide feet with feet pain? Dude...I wear a FF width. (more or less 4E. That wide enough for ya?
To my great surprise, my Finn Comforts don't come in wide widths...and fit me like a glove. EXCELLENT support for my feet, comfortable to wear all day. Not cheap though...but quality products rarely are.

Cheap shoes don't give your feet the proper support, usually don't have the right kinds of arch support, (a little "bump" in the middle does not an arch support make) and generally are just bad for your feet...especially if you already have foot problems.

Here's teh Google links for Plantar Fasciitis. It's more common than you'd think...and easily treatable...usually by wearing GOOD shoes...and not going barefoot.

 

[episodic]

bump for shopping update.

 

[BoomerD]

My brand new New Balance 927's arrived today. Ordered then on Friday...Amazon Prime is FAST!
They were about $105, but I had a $100 gift card that I "won" by participating in a Microsoft survey several months ago, so they actually cost me $5.00.

Go to Amazon's shoe page, filter the shoes by your size and see what kinds of choices you get. When you have Flintstone Feet like mine, the options are fairly limited...but MOST people will get lots of choices. Again, with heel pain, give serious consideration to orthotic shoes (or GOOD orthotic insoles)...at least short term, until the heel pain goes away.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
I've worn Birkies for years, Wal Mart sells a knock off for pennies on the dollar I'd recommend first.

I had a pair of those, I think they cost eight bucks. They were pretty comfortable, and I'd probably still be wearing them if they hadn't fallen prey to a puppy chewing session.