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Comfy Shoes

N

Neicy0412

Well-Known Member
Messages
166
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Has anyone out there found somewhere you can buy really comfy wide fit shoes, I am T1 and have some nerve damage in my (extremely wide) feet. I have tried Viva la Diva, Simply Be and Ambrose Wilson, but they don't have anything suitable. I work full time and spend up to 10 hours a day on my feet, so comfort is really important. I have to wear a "Business shoe" so trainer type shoes are out. The last pair I bought are now almost ready for the bin, they are "Free step" ugly but functional however I can't find them anywhere now. Any suggestions would be truly welcome.
 
I've had a pair of Padders for ages and they are good. Many of them have a removable insole so there is 2 width fittings.
Cosyfeet also do wide fittings.
Regards
Angie
 
Hi Neicy0412, I have very wide feet and know the problem of buying extra wide shoes, I always look in Clarks as Ive never found any other shop that sells extra wide fitting shoes in more than the odd one style here and there. Clarks extra wide fit shoes are always in there more expensive ranges or so it seems and are not always fashionable either but I do find them very comfy. I assume they also carry ladys wide fit styles as well.

Just checked in a pair I have to 'hand' and I think they may be size 'G' width.

Other than that the only other option I have ever found is to either buy a size too big or buy made to measure, nice but very expensive.

I find the only trainers I can find in a good fit are Reebok Originals, unfortunately they have acquired a somewhat chavvy image but again I do find them comfortable.

Do give Clarks a look, the bigger stores seem to carry the biggest selection too :thumbup:
 
Although I don't have really wide feet I was once told by a shoe salesman that I have what they call in the trade Short Fat Feet. Does this mean I qualify? I also damaged a toenail and I got very picky about shoes.

Tesco Extra sell a lot of cheap low quality shoes but there is one they sell which is the only one I buy now. It is a perfectly good going to a meeting shoe with a moulded sole and if you squint you could imagine that the top was suede. It is a slip on with elastic either side of the tongue and feels like I am wearing something close to an indoor slipper.

The colour is tan but I believe I caught sight of black ones there recently. They are a man's shoe but fairly unisex I suppose. Over time I have bought three pairs. They start off as going out shoes, progress to slouch round the house shoes and end up being dismantled by the ferrets. I keep a fresh pair in the wardrobe and this pair will become the going out shoes in their turn.
 
I was having problems with back pain and sore feet when my control was bad and I kept having to sit down. I found a shop in Oxford that sells a brand called Anatomic Co Ltd - they do a gel range and I now have a pair of work shoes and a pair of casual boots from them. They're not cheap, about £100 a pair, but the shoes have now lasted nearly 2 years so I guess you get what you pay for and they're amazingly comfortable.
 
Try Hotter Shoes. They have a website, and are also available in some shops - if you ask they'll be able to let you know local stockists. I found them about 3 years ago and now wear nothing else - a particular style called 'Sunrise' is hardly ever off my feet.

I have very wide feet (EEEE or F), and to make matters were my little toes are on sideways with the nails facing outwards (dislocated as a baby, according to the podiatrist), which means that they rub and blister easily, so I have to wear seamfree socks as well. I get those from Cosyfeet, but I don't like their shoes.

Viv 8)
 
My wife recommends Hotter Shoes. They have some of their own shops, and are also sold in other shoe retailers. They can be ordered from their website, or from their catalogue.
She has fallen arches, and needed wide enough shoes to take a medical instep.
She's been using them for about three years. She's been very pleased with every purchase, as has a friend of hers.

Good luck with your search

Geoff
 
Hi Neicy,

Up to10 hours a day on your feet is far to excessive for a start, If you are employed then your employer must change working conditions. (unless you walk to work etc
Your feet deserve the best, can you remember where you got those poor old ugly shoes from ( bet your feet did not think they were ugly).

You could also contact " advice@shoeconsultant.co.uk "

good luck.

Roy.

"I still have my feet on the ground, I just wear better shoes."
 
Aww, Ray. I work in retail so there is no option to sit down, and to be honest it's ok, as long as my feet are in "happy shoes" my last pair was from Ambrose Wilson, and I bought two pairs but one has long since gone to "happy shoe heaven" and the second pair are on life support, to be fair I haven't had to buy any for 18 months so I have had my money's worth, but as with everything I suppose, when you find something that really works for you, you can bet your bottom dollar that it will be discontinued! I have had some great replies so I will check out everyone's suggestions,and hopefully my sad fat tootsies will soon be newly shod
 
Hi everyone, again, lol, just checking out Hotter shoes, read the reviews on a few pairs and noticed some of the reviews say the shoes are not "true to width" that a little more "wiggle room" is needed, what are your experiences please, I have noticed that you have to pay upfront, so no 14 day free trial, which is what I am used to, reluctant to part with my hard earned cash if I may have to send them back and then wait for a refund, I usually order several pairs and send back the ones I don't want, obviously this is not an option with Hotter, the shoes do look great though, would love to try them, just concerned they may not be wide enough.
 
Try contacting them and explaining the situation. I know some companies will send measuring kits for their sizing and also give you a chance to try different sizes before purchase. They may just be prepared to help. I take it you are not near one of their retailers?

Just a thought, they can only say no!

Regards
Angie
 
Before I was diagnosed with diabetes I started having problems with shooting pains down my legs and pains in my toes - my doctor told me to walk more! I found wearing ordinary shoes excrutiatingly painful and tried all sorts of shoes, Padders, FlyFlots etc as I also needed to wear a 'business shoe' for work. However, my feet still felt cramped and painful so I resorted to wearing sandals year in year out and then I discovered Crocs. They're not the most flattering of shoes, especially the cheaper ones, but I found some of the more expensive ones very comfortable and not as clumpy and if I buy black I can get away with them for work too as I mainly wear trousers. I have blue and pink for the summer and wear them with everything - and if anything I've had people asking me where I bought them. They're the comfiest shoes I've ever worn in my life and not just because they give your toes room to move but because they cushion your spine as you walk. Feels like walking on air.
 
Hi...
Try cosyfeet shoes or hotters shoes ...
Flyflots or pavers range too ...
I used to use these till ended up with 3 pairs of handmade orthotic shoes from blatchfords in sheffield.
My podiatry team referred me to a foot specialist and he referred me to the biomechanics and orthotics
specialist team at hospital.
Have severe neuropathy and arthritis in both my feet plus muscle tone weakness and wastage in legs and ankles.
Am charchot foot type and high risk foot group so warranted hand made shoes being created to help me.
Certain styles with both hotter, cosyfeeet are extra wide plus best go with the velcro tabs across the shoes so
you can slacken them off as the day goes on and your feet swell.
Soak your tooties after a day on them and massage suitable cream into your skin keep skin condition well.
Plus it will soothe any aches and pains too.
It is so true - look after your feet - and they will look after you ... :thumbup:
After all they " carry us " around all our lives !
Hope this helps.
Anna.
 
Hi Anna, I've never heard of Flyflots so I will certainly look them up, I do agree about looking after your feet, I use Gehwol Fusscraft (I may have spelt that wrong) it is the most amazing cream, my chiropodist recommended it, I use the mint version, it is wonderful and seems to have an ongoing effect, my feet used to burn at the end of the day, but now they don't, I use it twice a day, it is cooling, soothing and moisturising, I remember my teens and early twenties when I used to cram my feet into towering stilletos, if I could go back and give my younger self one piece of advice it would be "get into flats!!!! Lol,
 
I deliberately go for a wide toe-box on any shoes, shaped toes are a thing of the past I'm afraid!

My favourite Hotter "Sunrise" are a Mary-Jane shape, extra-wide fit with plenty of wiggle-room. They stretch a bit, too. Since I bought them I've lost a lot of weight. My feet don't swell any more, and they seem to have lost weight as well as the rest of me! so I now have to wear thicker socks with the old pair, and am considering trying a normal-fitting pair next time.

Do take the time to contact them. They pride themselves on their customer service, and in my experience will do their best to help. Their new brochure is just out, it's free and shows their full range - men's shoes too, SId!

Viv 8)

This is not an advert; they don't pay me :wink: and I do have other makes which I (rarely) wear. I used to wear Ecco, which can be pretty good, too.
 
Hi All...
Viv's post is a recommendation 'not' in any way to be seen or taken as an advert ...
Know what you mean viv as the foot "discomfort" kicks in - we do have to try other makes of footwear
and other options till our feet "tell us" what they are happy wearing!!!! :lol:
My late auntie flo used to favour the ecco footwear range - I tried them but my feet didnt like
these at all. Felt too rigid around my foot and too hard under my feet!
I favoured the hotters and flyflot range (these have the anatomic shock impact insoles)
I always went with the velcro tab fasteners to slacken off tension as the day went along...
Great stress relief on the feet as foot swells during the day!
Some brands are more expensive than others but I always thought my feet deserved the extra
expense . . . :thumbup: As they carried me around...
Anna.
 
As Angie says Padders are gods.
I have a couple pairs. I also buy Clarks. they are not as good as they used to be, but still pretty comfortable. It's worth trying M&S Footgloves. Some of the styles are very comfy.. I have a couple of Fly flots too. Buy on-line.
Every so often, I try Cotton Traders. Trouble is I'm between a 7 and an 8 and the fit of CT is hit and miss for me.
I went bonkers one day recently and boughtt a pair of shoes from "Shoe Zone" ultra cheap, synthetic, not high quality products, but amazingly comfortable for all that.
At the moment, I'm in a pair of "Jessica" sandals by Pavers. And then of course there's "Hotter". Which are beautiful, fairly pricey and don't fit me. [wrong shape]
Hana
 
Thanks Vivienne, I have requested a Hotter catalogue, can't wait, I have looked on line too and they do look really good.
 
Neicy0412.
Please do let us all know what you end up comfortable in as this input
can and will help others experiencing similar foot discomfort.
Anna.
 
Expensive but again Ecco are a very good make that I believe do a wide fitting.
 
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