Shoes and other footwear

I can empathise as I also have to wear orthotics to help with lower back problems and a slight scoliosis. I usually wear lace ups, which give the best result, I find, but I do get fed up with them, as they dictate the rest of your wardrobe. I usually buy my shoes from Andrew Graham, a small independent shop in Didsbury - he carries quite a stock of suitable shoes and will always order a different size for you to try. I'm quite a fan of Josef Siebel shoes, as they have a removable insole which you can replace with your orthotics. I also find that Ecco shoes don't work so well, as my foot ends up feeling squashed and cramped. I haven't yet found any way of wearing orthotics with summer sandals, even the trekking as opposed to strappy type. I've tried glueing them with all sorts of adhesives, but they always seem to work loose.

I have always had foot problems, and used to be prescribed arch supports which were made for me. However, when we moved they were not available here. I was told always to wear laceups when I was in my teens -of course I didn't. I have tried all types of shoe, but any suggestions would be gratefully received. My wardrobe's full of shoes that 'might be comfortable'.

Flitflot are comfy

If I wear a skirt I don't like 'flat, clumpy' and I did find a pair of Gabor low heeled shoes with a wide strap which are comfy and fairly supportive, bearing in mind I wouldn't wear a skirt if I was walking a lot.

But the foot does tend to 'bounce' out of shoes with the orthotics. I find the readymade ones too high and uncomfortable, the ones I used to have made were much better.

This is a very timely thread for me, as I have orthotic inserts and have been struggling to find suitable shoes. I also need a very flexible sole as I have foot joints impinging and I need to have the flexibility to walk in a way that minimises that.

I will try the suggested companies - and thank you for this.

I too am struggling to find sandals for the summer with a built-up back in order to accommodate the orthotics - so if anyone spots any, then please post a link!

As to buying shoes on the internet - I do this, and just send them back if they do not fit. One of the problems I have is that the continental sizes are rated differently by different makers - I take a 41, which some say is a 7, and others an 8, so you are never quite sure which you ae getting.

Also, there is an assumption that if you want lace-up or velcro fastening, you must have wide feet. I don't - I used to be a DD, but one foot (the broken one) is now wider than the other due to swelling.

Hotter's catalogue has some sandals with built-up backs, Mishap. A number of retailers around the country are stocking a limited range of their shoes. As does our local garden centre.

www.hottershoes.com/en/Spring-2014/Classics/59704_florence-extra-wide-sandals

Pavers, Loretta and Rohde ,

If you are near Ross on Wye, Labels" has a selection (not orthopaedic but sensible) of shoes

Thanks everyone. I am indeed near Ross-on-Wye! - I will pop in and see what Labels have.

A subject close to my heart as well. I wear custom made orthotics and also find difficulty getting the right shoes. To a certain extent, my style goes with the flatty-lace-ups types. Hotter do some good ones in great colours - and of course they are known for having removable insoles so that orthotics can fit in without that irritating extra-rise at the heel.
I will pay a lot for shoes and then really look after them.

I can't do sandals, and besides, the orthotics show at the toe which I don't like. I look for a sandal-cum-shoe with closed in heel and toe but made with lighter and softer material with cut out vents etc. Sounds awful, but there are some good styles out there. I've found some great 'walking sandals' which work as a cross-over between shoes and sandals - and are, blissfully, very comfortable!

All I can say is good luck!

I wear Hotter shoes all of the time and find them extremely comfortable. I only wear trousers nowadays because of my laceups but Hotter do a very comfortable shoe with a strap in lovely colours.

Since I had my ankle pinned and plated 4 years ago I have had gross swelling of that foot and ankle so I now buy the largest width that Hotter make which does cut down on style and colours, but to be honest if my feet are comfortable I am beyond caring.

I will try Hotter again, SiL recommends them as well. Must admit I bought a pair of pretty Hotter sandals a couple of years ago from TKMaxx, but they are most uncomfortable, i'mconstantly looking for shoes/sandals that look nice as well as comfortable and supportive. I have been known to dive into shoe shops on trips out and emerge wearing different shoes - desperation.

ffinochio - can you fit the orthotic in the walkers' sandals OK, even if they have an open back and toe?

I have started getting twinging pain in my left foot, it sets me off limping then eases. I have started wearing the "off the shelf" arch supports again to see if helps.
Not surprisingly, when I think about it. It's my left foot, I badly sprained that ankle by tripping when coming downstairs carrying 1 yr old DS and landing very heavily on my left foot.

Maternal instinct meant I did not let go of DS to save myself!

I suspect the impact of this accident did damage which eventually caused my back problems three years later. My back's facet joint problems are worse on that side as well.

Yes! you really do need shoes with higher backs with orthotics. I find Hotter and Pavors good.

Mishap Yes, the orthotics can fit in with the walking sandals/shoes quiet well - although one with a semi-enclosed heel is best, otherwise the orthotics tend to shift if fastenings don't give enough support. I have found both ends enclosed to some extent works best but I would choose heel closure over toe closure if I had to make a choice.

Nellie; maybe you should see your doctor. I've recently had an x ray on my foot which has been causing me a bit of pain [always had pain from a bunion but this was a different pain]. Had an x ray to see what was going on and nothing showed up so he's sending me to orthopaedic to have it checked out properly and have special orthotics made to stop the problem getting worse. He wasn't at all dismissive of it which I thought he might be.

Perhaps I should go to GP again as we have moved since the refusal of hospital in London to prescribe anything.

Also get pain across the whole of the toe joints on left foot where they join the foot, suddenly comes on making me limp, then will suddenly go again. Have always longed for good feet, I am sure I would walk a lot more
I bought a pair of sturdy Berghaus trainers for walking but got the pain across the toe joints really badly in them. Another pair of expensive shoes just sitting there.

I always buy DB shoes online. They used to make shoes with wider nd deeper fittings (2E to 6E), but I see from their latest mail order catalogue that they now also do E fitting too shoes too - standard width but with a slightly deeper toobox.

Their www.widerfitshoes.co.uk/[website has advice on measuring size and width fitting, and free returns so you can try them on at home. They have removable insoles to allow for orthotics. They are well made and in many different styles, and are very helpful over the phone. I sing their praises whenever I can (but I am not on any commission - wish I were)

(Up to £37 savings till Feb 17th)

Mistyped that link. Should be www.widerfitshoes.co.uk/

The problem with Hotter is that once they have your name and address you are bombarded monthly or more frequently at times with their expensive looking brochure. They used to send me emails as well as adding the brochure until they received a few choice words from me.

They also sell your information on. I know because they thought my middle name started with F but it is M so I was able to find out the extent. That has also stopped.

I wait until there are "sales" eg no p&p or buy 2 pairs and get the cheaper one at half price or whatever. I prefer the no p&p as I rarely want to buy 2 pairs of shoes at the same time.

At least Hotter is a British company. I can put up with the brochures as long as I get good service when I order shoes. I can go straight from the letterbox to the recycling bin.

DB shoes are made in Northamptonshire, apart from their Da Bella" range which are made in Italy (to a different last - they don't fit my British feet)

Elegran I was born in Northampton. Many of my family worked in the boot and shoe making industry...which, at one time, was world famous.

soop Ah, the boot and shoe industry. We have connections as well. :-)

Hotter, I'm almost sure, is an American company. I don't get bombarded with brochures - nor am I aware of any onward selling - at least as far as my inbox is concerned.

ffinnochio My Nana [when young] worked in the punching room.

And ours in Staffford years ago.

I wonder if anyone could help me find a pair of shoes for my grandma. She has terribly swollen feet and a nasty sore on one foot which is dressed weekly by the district nurse. She doesn't get very far these days as she is 97 but does very much enjoy going to her local church which she cannot do at the moment because she simply cannot get any shoes on. She blankly refuses to go in her slippers and so she is becoming housebound which upsets both of us.