Gransnet forums

Style & beauty

Shoes!!!

(75 Posts)
Falconbird Tue 07-Apr-15 08:02:50

Since I was in my 50s I've had a terrible time with shoes. The non leather ones were really hurting my feet (tried them because I'm a veggie and they're cheap.) I had callouses on both feet.

Managed to get my feet back into shape in my sixties by wearing leather slip ons and making sure they were proper leather - some have plastic uppers and a leather skim over the top. I had a nice pair of leather loafers and wore them for months until, the insole became all rumpled up and made the soles of my feet sore. I was so mad as I have to walk everywhere.

aggie Wed 08-Apr-15 11:14:51

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

kittylester Wed 08-Apr-15 10:51:23

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.

TriciaF Wed 08-Apr-15 10:11:34

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.

nonnanna Wed 08-Apr-15 08:16:04

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.

rubysong Wed 08-Apr-15 02:54:19

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.

Katek Tue 07-Apr-15 23:24:29

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 Tue 07-Apr-15 22:54:44

Thanks Ana, I shall take a look at those.

Ana Tue 07-Apr-15 22:38:47

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

Ana Tue 07-Apr-15 22:37:16

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

rosesarered Tue 07-Apr-15 22:27:23

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.

AshTree Tue 07-Apr-15 22:20:22

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 sad

numberplease Tue 07-Apr-15 22:16:26

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!

Stansgran Tue 07-Apr-15 22:02:10

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.

apricot Tue 07-Apr-15 20:53:33

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?

annodomini Tue 07-Apr-15 20:14:52

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.

Coolgran65 Tue 07-Apr-15 19:57:05

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.

NotTooOld Tue 07-Apr-15 19:41:01

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.

Katek Tue 07-Apr-15 19:01:16

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?

Charleygirl Tue 07-Apr-15 17:14:48

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".

Veryoldbear Tue 07-Apr-15 15:11:08

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

janerowena Tue 07-Apr-15 14:56:07

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

janerowena Tue 07-Apr-15 14:53:52

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.

Galen Tue 07-Apr-15 14:50:15

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

amarmai Tue 07-Apr-15 14:46:47

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.

Katek Tue 07-Apr-15 14:43:53

Is there any provision from NHS orthotics for shoes for those of you with problem feet? I know my friend with the very prem baby had to get her first pair of walking shoes via the hospital as she was barely a size 1. Is there any help available for older people?