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Trainers...yes or no?

(83 Posts)
polomint Fri 25-Oct-24 15:21:48

I used to wear stiletto shoes ,sling back shoes and sandals in my younger years but since retiring I have worn flat shoes. I now feel I need a little more support but I really don't relish the thought of wearing trainers. I know they are very popular, in fact out shopping it looks like everyone is wearing them but me. How comfortable are they?

MayBee70 Fri 25-Oct-24 17:27:12

I started wearing trainers when I inherited a pair of my son’s Nike trainers that he’d grown out of. They lasted for years and really helped when I had plantar fasciitis. I now live in trainers and Crocs. I like the way that I can put my own arch supports into them.

Allira Fri 25-Oct-24 17:30:19

RosiesMaw2

^they do but they frown at some of the brands which they don't think are supportive enough eg Skechers^
You will note I didn't quote them!
Even Skechers come in a choice of uppers however- fabric/knit may not give enough support but they come in leather as well.

I do wear softer Skechers indoors as I can't walk round in bare feet or slippers.

Don't tell the podiatrist! 😀

Casdon Fri 25-Oct-24 17:48:27

I prefer to vary my footwear, because I think trainers spread your feet and affect your gait if you wear them exclusively. I’ve recently bought some very comfortable and supportive leather trainers, but often wear ankle boots, loafers, sandals, and smarter shoes when I go out and I’m not walking far. I don’t like slip on trainers, they make my ankles ache if I wear them for long walks, as they aren’t supportive enough.

CanadianGran Fri 25-Oct-24 17:48:56

Gosh, I don't know anyone that doesn't wear trainers! The name aptly describes them; they were built for physical exercise so offer support and comfort and cushioning for impact.

If you don't like the casual look of them, many companies offer nice looking shoes with the same support, but not necessarily the cushioning. You could go for a nice loafer or oxford shoe instead.

M0nica Fri 25-Oct-24 17:59:06

RosiesMaw2

Unlike polomint I think smart or edgy trainers are infinitely smarter than old lady flat shoes!
Look at Solebliss, Gabor, Moda in Pelle etc for inspiration. (Then check out more budget-friendly brands.)
As for making your feet sweaty, that is down to the material of the uppers- leather and fabric are just as available as man made uppers.
Your feet will thank you for them. And podiatrists admire your common sense as well as your style.

Not all flat shoes are 'old lady'. I have no shoes that could be described as 'trainers' but I have a huge range of shoes in various fabrics and colours including floral patterns, patent leatherand bling that are anything but 'old lady'

MissInterpreted Fri 25-Oct-24 18:04:23

I do wear trainers a lot, and at the moment, my favourite pair were from Matalan. They are very comfy - my main priority when it comes to footwear. If I'm not wearing trainers, then it'll usually be ankle boots.

eazybee Fri 25-Oct-24 18:39:52

Try loafers. They are flat, comfortable and often have thicker soles, and are stylish with snaffles (?) on the tongue.

Cossy Fri 25-Oct-24 19:01:04

I wear trainers, lace up and slip ons, mainly sketchers. I have two pairs of sketchers sandals for the summer and several different pairs of assorted flat boots for the winter

Norah Fri 25-Oct-24 19:10:49

I wear a range of shoes - trainers, sandals, leather flats, high heels.

It's down to purpose. Walking, sports, mucking about, or Church.

I like Merrill, Joseph Seibel, Mephisto, Birkenstock, Chuck's, Docs, NewBalance. For dress shoes - choice is endless, but you didn't ask.

Greyisnotmycolour Fri 25-Oct-24 19:39:50

There's all sorts of styles between trainers and boots. Try a shoe shop like Dune and find something versatile that you'd be happy with, you might surprise yourself.

Greyisnotmycolour Fri 25-Oct-24 19:41:57

Skechers are like walking on air, they are so light and springy but if you need more support look at other brands.

HeavenLeigh Fri 25-Oct-24 19:51:40

I do own Nike air trainers which I wear when I go walking a few miles a day, I will admit they are supportive but I actually prefer to wear pumps. Sketcher type
High boots or ankle boots, I haven’t worn high shoes for around 20 years

Primrose53 Fri 25-Oct-24 20:16:38

I have black patent trainers and pale blue ones with laces and zips. Both really comfy. Also an ancient white and purple pair for walking longer distances.

MiniMoon Fri 25-Oct-24 23:14:51

I love my sketchers trainers. My brother in law was advised to wear sketchers shoes by his rheumatology consultant, they are all he wears now.
DH bought a pair of sketchers slip ins to wear for work. They look like smart black lace up shoes, but they are slip ons with elastic laces. He loves them.

henetha Sat 26-Oct-24 00:07:58

My feet love trainers. It's possible to get trainers that are smarter. I like Sketchers or Pavers, especially with memory foam insoles. They are heaven.

gentleshores Sat 26-Oct-24 23:59:14

I'll second Skechers - especially for comfort. I have Morton's neuromas in both feet (for over 10 years) and had to change all my footwear - it was too painful to walk otherwise. Initially I only found a handful of makes of shoes with cushioned soles that I could actually walk in pain-free. Hotter shoes and Josef Siebel/Romika. The latter being quite expensive and didn't always fit correctly so it was mainly Hotter shoes and one smart pair of suede boots by Romika. Plus Wolky Jewel sandals (a tip from a podiatry blog there). Which I do love actually. But none of them are cheap.

I became somewhat of an expert on comfort footwear - being pain free is important. Now I didn't like the look of a lot of the Hotter shoes, but I did like their walking shoes - which are like leather trainers.

I found wellingtons (Aigle ones - as they have rubber soles and are cushioned) that worked. But couldn't find any trainers. Until I tried Skechers. They are the only trainers with enough cushioning for being pain-free.

So if they work for me, with Morton's neuromas, they must work for others.

As to whether to wear trainers or not - it's a personal thing - and maybe depends on your style and what you wear. If you wear skirts a lot then you might prefer comfortable smart boots instead. Or sandals. Before I had the Morton's neuromas I was a big fan of boots. Mainly because I'm a half size and usually had to go half a size up - which was ok with boots - they stayed on, but not always with shoes.

I still love nice suede boots. From a podiatry point of view though, the best shoes for foot health aren't flat - they have at least a one inch heel - ie slightly higher at the back than the front.

gentleshores Sun 27-Oct-24 00:01:46

So I'd say wear what you want. I wouldn't wear trainers with a skirt and tights :-) I would with trousers - sometimes. But just because a lot of people wear them doesn't mean you have to.

Greyduster Sun 27-Oct-24 06:48:52

Since I had my hip replaced I have only worn shoes with a small block heel once. I have a pair of flat black leather shoes for when trainers or Skechers won’t do, but usually it’s trainers or my Salomon walking shoes (which I would live in if I could drive in them).

petra Sun 27-Oct-24 07:32:15

Why does it have to be a choice between stilettos/sandals or trainers? Why not a good quality stylish loafer.?

petra Sun 27-Oct-24 07:38:39

I want these but i don’t wear all the shoes I have so it’s a no no 😥

Poppyred Sun 27-Oct-24 07:54:25

I have a pair of black and white converse worn with jeans but otherwise it’s no. Nothing stylish about trainers and when worn with dresses look ridiculous! But hey ho it’s the fashion….so everyone wears them.

There are plenty of good quality loafers out there.

Aveline Sun 27-Oct-24 11:05:14

I have two pairs of Gabor moccasins. They are very comfortable, supportive and not completely flat.

Zeddy2 Sun 27-Oct-24 11:47:46

Lunar slippers have a heel

dogsmother Sun 27-Oct-24 11:56:41

Yes !
Also various other footwear excluding Skechers which I loathe, never yet found a pair for me.
I have expensive and inexpensive shoes and boots and sandals. I’m passed wearing anything with more than a couple of inches in a heel now though.
Trainers are very supportive and comfortable.

Nannarose Sun 27-Oct-24 12:08:49

Geisswein have great merino wool flats in loads ocfcolours. They are sufficiently supprtive, but also quite flexible.