Shoes!!!

I use a soft rubber? "plug" in between my big toe and the next to stop my bunions pushing the 2nd toe up. It also helps with pain reduction as it keeps the foot bones aligned.

Think I'd be better with artificial ankles and feet. [ grumpy emoticon]

The thing about Hotter is, they are cushioned, far more than Footglove, so are wonderful for plantar fasciitis etc. They are not aiming to make wide shoes, although they do, they are a small company trying to make walking more comfortable for people in pain. Their shoes and boots have been a godsend to me since I had a bad fall and hurt my ankle and heel. Some of their shoes are also quite deep so that you can fit in even more padding if necessary, but you really need to try them on if you can.

Quite a few of their shoes fasten with Velcro, too.

I am still upset that shoes seem to cost more than 39/11 ....

Yes, Katek it probably is possible but they are not what one would describe as shoes and I would rather walk in my bare feet than wear anything supplied by that department. I am not in my first flush of youth so I want to be comfortable but I still like to wear something that looks "normal".

Ah.....not moved with the times then! I used to get horrible, horrible built up shoes from them when I was small-hoped they might have improved since the 1950's. As to cost....if people require special footwear for medical reasons is there any support funding available?

Veryoldbear - that made my laugh. 39/11 was quite a good price to pay in the late 1950s/early 60s, wasn't it? The really pricey ones were 49/11 and you could get cheap and cheerful fashion ones for 29/11. When I started work in the 1960s I once paid 59/11, which made me feel very grand. I've always loved shoes, though. My father warned me against wearing winkle pickers. Of course, I ignored him, but he was right.

These are expensive but fabulous
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00EOTUEP4?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

The hospital gave me my first pair. My feet are painful with arthritis. I use them in boots, shoes, even my slippers. Sometimes it's necessary to pull out the original shoe insole to have enough room.

I have very narrow feet - A/B fitting - and have always used some sort of an insole.

There's something wrong with my left foot which I think must be arthritis, so I will be looking for something of the sort. Thanks Coolgran.

I too have horrible feet, very wide, arthritic, bunions, and I've never in my life worn pointy toes (couldn't, having square feet)
I'm tempted to buy men's shoes as they're a much more sensible shape. I've got Clark's brogues which are supposed to be wide fitting but they're not wide enough. Would I get funny looks if I wore men's shoes?

I would so love ordinary feet. I take an AA fitting and the last pair (dowdy slip ons)was over £100. I'm getting quite despondent as I need some new walking shoes. The price is absurd.

I need EEE fitting, I saw some pretty sandals in the Cotton Traders book last week, but their shoes and sandals are all E fitting, booo! I`ve found that most of Bonmarche`s sandals fir me OK, but they must be wedge heeled, can`t walk in ordinary heels anymore. I`ve just bought some shoes from J.D.Williams sale, wedge heels, but higher than I`m used to. They fit, an d are comfy enough.......till I start walking, then I feel a bit unsteady, but I like them, so will keep practising in the house before venturing out in them!

amarmai I wish I'd thought of using a plug to prevent my second toe being pushed up - probably too late now as the damage is done.
I have never bought Hotter shoes, but have looked at them online and in catalogues that regularly came through our door instead of our neighbour's! Definitely worth a try.
Aplricot you sound just like me talking. My feet are horrible, very wide, with bunions and fallen arches. I am in constant pain and I get quite depressed when I see pretty high-heeled shoes - even those with quite modest heels - that I know I will never ever wear again. The shoes I live in these days are two pairs of Skechers - pull-on trainers with elasticated mock laces. They are so comfortable, but sometimes I just wish I could wear something a little more feminine

I may be on my own here........I like my feet, they are neat and pretty!May well be the best bits of me.However, I still like comfy shoes for normal day wear, and although they are pricey, Hotter shoes are really good, the leather is as soft as butter on my recent pair.Good soles on them too, for shock absorbing when you walk on pavements.I tend to buy them when they have a sale on, and they are much the same price now as Clarks shoes, which somebody has already said, have become really expensive recently.Soon be sandal weather, hooray.M&S foot gloves have become very poor IMO, so that they look much the same as they always did, but sadly lack the quality.

Reiker shoes are really good for people with neat feet, I have found, roses! I love their boots and sandals, always true to size.

And not for the first time, I find I've spelled the name wrong - it's Rieker.

Thanks Ana, I shall take a look at those.

Agree 100% Ana....I'm only a 3D and my Rieker sandals are so well fitting and look really nice as well. Now entering their fourth summer!

Rosesarered you are not alone. I consider my feet to be my best feature also. I have Hotters and Clark's and am always comfy. (I am lucky, I know.) Hotter do deluge us with catalogues and their best bargains are on line. I had some boots from their sale and love them. Once you know your size you can order safely.

So reassuring to read this thread. I thought I was the only one dreading getting new shoes. I'll be looking at some of the suggestions on here. Thank you Gransnetters.

Yes some good ideas on here. I have some arthritis in my feet, but the biggest problem is corns. I have them treated every few months but they always come back, especially in winter when we wear closed shoes.
I've already gone into open sandals, which I find most comfortable for walking.

I wear Hotter trainers for sightseeing etc and would disagree about the sizes being always the same. My last pair of trainers, with velcro, were a six and a half so I ordered the equivalent from the latest cataloque and they were huge. And an awful colour compared to the last ones I had. I've been disappointed in their designs recently but do only use them for walking.

I have a pair of Clark's boot that I have worn all winter because they are so comfy and I will be upset when they die. In summer I wear Moshulu as I love the colours.

I wear Ecco boots and shoes , they are the only footwear I have found that suit my perfectly ordinary feet , my sister can't wear them , she finds they rub her ankles . Again they are so pricey I wait for the sales , I used to get them in the big discount shop TKMax, but not seen any recently. I am another who wears sandals or bare feet when I can ............ looked them out last night so I hope the weather doesn't go downhill too soon

I love my Hotter trainers. I wear them when travelling. I also have a couple of pairs of Regatta trainers, (now somewhat the worse for wear). For the summer I have some Rieker sandals which I love. I must try and find some more for this year. I take size 5, and most makes of shoes fit me.