To be seemingly unable to deal with any kind of footwear?

[JonesyAndTheSalad]

I'm 44. I've always had "shoe problems" as my sister says.

I have big feet...a size 7-8 depending on what stlye I'm wearing.

I'm fine in a big, hard wearing boot...some sort of Doc Marten...but any other shoe seems to fall apart when I wear it.

I can't wear high heels or sandals as my weird shaped feet try to bust out of them....tried wide fitting and they just don't look pretty like the shoes in normal fittings look.

I destroy flip flops and good quality sandals or trainers in a matter of weeks.

I now live in Australia and I have quite a big garden and house all of a sudden...also got a few chickens and a big dog...which means I'm in and out all day.

I got crocs for the garden but they let in the dust meaning my poor feet are now cracked and black!

What am I meant to wear?? I can't be putting on boots every single time I come outside and taking them off again!

It annoys me to constantly take off and put on shoes!

I'm similar, mine are a 9 and I find I wreck shoes, I think I must stomp around in them!

Not sure what to suggest, but I sympathise!

I'm rubbish with shoes too. I think my feet are designed differently to normal people.

Anyway, have you tried a good quality hiking sandal? Teva or similar? Some of them are not too German holidaymaker.

I'm size 7.5 - 8 and hate uncomfortable shoes. I hate shoes in general.
Heels for work I do Clarks with a hidden platform that reduce heel height without looking lower. They go up to side 8 at least and wider fit. I wear flats for travelling and change on arrival.
I have some hotter loafers in a couple of different colours that are not too hideous, in several colours and very comfortable for everyday use in summer/spring.
I have 'plodders' flattish black slip ons that are extremely comfortable for winter daily use. Also ankle boots in several colours that I'm a recent convert to.
It's hard though - I've also always been hard on shoes, roll them over sideways and hate uncomfortable feet. I'm no good in sandals either because my feet dry out and crack and become agony.

Have you tried Birkenstocks?
Otherwise just stock up on flip flops? That's all most people seem to ever wear down under.

I'm a size 12. I'm in Ohio, my everyday footwear are crocs flip flops. Unless there's snow on the ground. :) Have you tried a slip on boat shoe, like Sperrys or similar? For work, I wear Tieks. They're flats, but I'm fairly tall, so that works for me. They're the most comfortable shoe I've ever owned.

Have you tried Merrell sandals? I love flip flops, but since my stroke, I can't wear them. My right foot rolls out slightly. I wanted something comfy for my holiday last year and decided to spend a bit more and buy decent sandals. We walked miles and my foot was never sore and they look nice too.

I'm also a size 8.

Men's shies. Better made and cheaper , go a size or half a size down.

Shoes!

Would canvas shoes be OK? I find Skechers GoWalk shoes incredibly comfortable, but they need to be the sock type that are made out of canvas; their other shoes seem to be made out of some sort of synthetic material that isn't nearly as forgiving of odd foot shapes.

Thanks all. But see...I wouldn;t mind a pretty shoe! All this talk of Birckenstocks and men's shoes. It's sad! :(

What about looking at shoes aimed at cross-dressers and transvestites?

I know someone that has a similar issue and that has worked well for her.

I have the opposite problem. I can't bear the sensation of proper shoes at all, there's now way I could wear boots. So actually end up wearing flipflips in January for my job as a delivery driver and giving myself horrendous chilblains.

If you are in Australia, I really recommend Bared shoes - expensive but worth it, very well-made/hardy, and accommodate all types of feet. If you don't live in Melbourne you can order them online - I find them true to size: bared.com.au/women

If crocs work wear then with some socks for at home. Not v pretty but comfy.

I'm the same. Big clumsy feet. I have two style of shoe depending on the weather - boots or ballerina pumps but the pumps have to be soft or they'll cut my feet to bits.

I never wear heels.

Fitflops did some workwear clogs in either black or white. Might be a bit more hardwearing than Crocs? They have a leather upper.

If your feet get dry/cracked wear with socks. And at bedtime moisturise and put on cotton socks.

Crumbs If your feet roll over it sounds like you need to see a podiatrist. You could end up with hip and knee problems later if this isn't addressed now.

Thanks all. But see...I wouldn;t mind a pretty shoe! All this talk of Birckenstocks and men's shoes. It's sad!

Oh come on, woman up. I'd like to look like Kylie..... but that isn't going to happen either.

If your feet are wide then you need wide shoes, whether they look as good or not. Why not get a couple of pricey pairs for very occasional wear - Gabor come up wide for example and are quite stout and then wear Birkenstocks etc the rest of the time?

I'm not sure what size they go up to but I love Toms canvas shoes in the summer. Not the most glam of shoes but so comfortable and perfect for popping in and out of the garden. You can get them from Schuh online and loads of other places.

FitFlop do some quite glamorous styles which I can wear for the evening on holiday ( back problems so no heels for me).

I agree there is a massive gap in the market for pretty yet comfy shoes and sandals.

If you're in Oz you should be able to get hold of Rossi's, which are absolutely the best. I wear mine summer and winter for nipping in and out of the house to see to the dog and hens, to deal with the horses, walking, mucking out - just everywhere in all weathers and with or without socks. They last me around 10 years and never, ever get sweaty. My last pair were only replaced because I hadn't looked after the leather properly in our very wet 2012 and it rotted.

See if you can get hold of Earth Spirit sandals - they're lovely. Leather, soft/cushioned soles but tough and hard wearing, some of their styles are all out practical, some are prettier (wide wedge heels with thin but strong straps) and they're easy to walk in. I wreck shoes too but always buy Earth Spirit sandals for summer now.

What about this site. They have pretty wide fit shoes and ship to Australia.

www.sargassoshoes.com/