Where do I stand on returning shoes that cause pain...

[AGHHHH]

But fit properly?

I spent £50 on new boots, they fit fine and felt comfortable when trying them on.

I slowly broke them in at home, didn't experience rubbing or anything but obviously can't walk much indoors and indoor surfaces are different to outside.

Within a few hours of wearing them out they caused severe sole pain, what I can only assume is plantar fasciitis, something I haven't experienced in years despite having multiple shoes, boots and trainers. I had to take them off and put my old ones on because I couldn't walk, it felt like the bottom of my foot was being sliced open every step I took.

I enquired about a refund and was told without a photo of the "injury" or a doctor's note they can't do anything, but foot pain / plantar fasciitis is pretty much invisible isn't it? And I'm not going to the doctor's because my new boots cause me pain!

Do I have any recourse here? Is this just another element of new shoes needing to be broken in? But I thought I did that, and I thought breaking in referred to rubbing not whatever this is...

I tried to fit an anti-fatigue insole but that made it too tight.

Would love to not lose £50.

Thank you!

Why should the shoe shop/manufacturer lose out becasue of a foot condition that you have?

Assuming the boots are not defective in any way I can't see that you are entitled to a refund if you have worn them outside.

You don't.

This is not the manufacturer's problem. It's your bad luck. You've already worn them enough to break them in and worn them outside.

That's exactly why I'm asking, because it's possible they are defective. This is the only pair of shoes that has caused me such pain, bar ones that didn't fit properly years ago. And that is because I rushed buying them and they didn't fit, my mistake. Not this time.

If I was actively aware of a current foot condition which meant I had to have specialist shoes made or whatever, but still chose to buy these, then fair enough... But why were all the other ones fine except these? I've been through a lot of footwear. I said plantar fasciitis going off a description, not that I actually have it. I don't know if it's a permanent thing that doesn't go away.

I checked them at home as much as possible.

Why should I lose out on something I couldn't have feasibly checked more than I did? I'm also less able to afford it than a popular chain. I didn't wear them straight out.

Well fair enough, if I don't have any recourse then I'll try to sell them to get at least something back.

Where are they from? I took a pair of sandals back to Clark's that caused bruising, swelling and cuts to my feet and they took them back. Have you been in and asked?

Would padded insoles help? It would also make them warmer.