Have your feet aged? Foot rant

[cakedup]

I used to wear heels EVERY DAY. I ran for buses in heels. I danced the night away in heels. I baked in heels. Well I never baked back then, but when I used to pop to the kitchen to top up my wine glass, it was in heels.

Fast forward 10 years later. Why the freaking hell do my feet ache so much? I am in my early 40s. I haven't worn heels since DS was born 10 years ago. But even comfy shoes are no longer comfy!!

I was out all day, fair bit of walking about, but I've always walked around loads, never had a car, live in London and like doing long days out. I was wearing CONVERSE shoes. You know those comfy trainer plimsoll type shoes. And I've got blisters! BLISTERS! From wearing CONVERSE?! I mean WTAF??

I bought myself some flat ballerinas the other day, I've worn them twice but just don't think I can wear them again because they felt like they were pinching even though they're not too small for me.

I even had to BREAK IN my flip flops this year. I've always loved wearing flip flops even though my bastard ugly feet are on show but for a few days they rubbed on one of my toes and gave me blisters.

I guess I have odd shaped feet. My big toes go inwards and the bone along that side sticks out, like a bunion, but was told many years ago that I don't have bunions.

I'm just really sad I can't do long days out any more without feeling like my feet have been stabbed a hundred times. And I'm only 42!! I dread to think what it will be like in another 10 years, my day out will consist of hobbling to the corner shop.

Is this right/normal? Have your feet aged? Is there nothing I can do?

My feet hurt if I don't wear supportive shoes with very small heels (just like the podiatrists recommend) but they always have done ever since I was a child. I've never worn heels or flats and I can't wear ballerina type shoes or anything between my toes. Most sandals give me blisters too. dd has converses, they don't look very comfy to me, too thin in the sole I think.

My shoe choices are a bit minimal! I mostly wear Mary Janes to work and trainers at home, jesus type sandals (with the two straps across the foot and a bit behind the ankle) in the summer and walking boots in the winter. My feet never hurt though.

I wonder if men's feet hurt? They mostly only really have sensible shoes in most men's shoe ranges.

Nooka, I was like you too for some time and has plantar fascis (sp?!) and my ankles often gave way when walking - it's been gradually strengthening them, probably through a lot of the capoeira moves I've done that has helped. Both are often a common hypermobility trait.

I don't think that there is anything wrong with my feet really, although last time ds and I bought ski boots we were told that we both pronate (we also have high arches) I guess that could mean my feet have slightly different angles than other people when I walk, hence the blisters from sandals.

OP do you get pain in your heels? That might be plantar fascis (I only know this because I've just googled it!)

I've never been able to wear high heels (higher than 4cm) because I'd get such a pain in my toe joint. It would be agony, my whole foot would spasm. Nothing to see though. (After googling, hallux limitus?)

So I'm older than you but my feet haven't changed. I look at heels in shops and think 'who can wear them?'. I don't know how people can walk in the shoes that we are being sold.

Even in my 20s, I was always wearing sensible shoes that didn't 100% match the rest of my fashion sense!

ps, OP, I'd fall over backwards in ballet flats. Fitflops are great for just schlepping around in. I love them.

something like this for summer OP

instead of totally flat ballet pumps OP

for work

I don't work for fitflop or anything, I only have two pairs, but they do work with your feet, not against them.

Magaly I always thought the aim of Fitflops was to tone up your legs, didn't realise they were actually good for your feet. I'm afraid I hate the summer sandals and work shoes, but love the range of ballet pumps. But how expensive?!! £85 for a pair of ballerinas! But I suppose if they save my aching feet and last....
The other thing is that they are leather and I'm vegan. But I would seriously consider making an allowance for what is now turning out to be a medical condition. I've just googled pics of hallux limitus and my toes look just like that! And almost everyone on my dad's side has feet like that too.

How annoying, I've just bought 2 pairs of ballerina flats. A cheap pair from ebay that were too small and not worth the expense of returning, and another pair from Office that pinch my toes.

Before my high heel phase, I lived in Doc Martens iwouldgoouttonight8. After that (and before high heel phase) I had a job that involved walking bare foot most of the time. So you'd think that counts for something, but I think I've just inherited my bad feet. I think I need to go a size bigger in Converse and get some cushioned insoles.

clam it's only really an issue for long days out that involve a lot of walking. Wearing flip flops/ballerinas to the park and back is no bother at all, for example. Do you walk around all day for hours? Or are you just bloody luck in which case get off this thread and join the 'getting older but feeling great' thread

The thing is ShizeItsWeegie, I don't think I have flat feet, in which case arched insoles would not really help me out? Having said that, my trainers have arched orthotic insoles, and someone definitely told me to put them there, I can't remember who. The podiatrist that I saw many years ago? The sales assitant in the store where I bought my trainers? (They analysed my feet as part of the service).

DelphiniumBlue - surely you just haven't found the right trainers? I was thinking that I could just get into wearing fancy trainers as they go with everything these days.

Ooh thanks Clarella, will look up the foot lady. Just had a quick look and the website looks great, I'm bound to get some great ideas there. I'm not putting a massive ribbon around my flip flops though.

I don't suppose there is any chance in hell of getting a GP referral to see a Podiatrist who can tell me exactly what my specific feet need?

OP get some inserts for those flats! They are a killer on your feet and converse don't really have much cushioning at all on the heals. An insert that raised your heal a bit and supports your arch will work wonders.

I was having the same problem and spent a silly amount on insoles and 99% of the problems have been solved.

As for blisters use anti friction tape inside the shoe where you normally get them.

Also. Birkenstocks sandals. I ditched flip flops for them and I haven't had any issues with my feet since. It did take a week to wear them in though but its so worth it.

You could try a private podiatrist; I went to one recently and it was only £25 for the consultation.

Converse are the most uncomfortable flat shoes in the history of the world.

Fact.

I went to a podiatrist who for £30 got rid of all my hard skin, told me my arches were falling and basically confirmed that I need to look after my feet a bit now.

I have since found that I can't really buy anything that costs less than about £80 ....

I live in leather boots in winter, and used to live in ballet flats in summer but now live in sandals and am an increasing devotee of fit flops - about to fork out for a pair of ballerinas.

Cakedup, I have worn my sandals (like the ones I linked to) every day for two summers now, so they're expensive but they don't wear out.

Yes, it's a style versus comfort issue all the time. I often look at shoes and think I'd like to tweak the design just slightly

I don't know if they claim to be good for your feet, they're just really comfortable!

Are you sure you're wearing the right size? My feet got bigger after DS2 and I walked around with uncomfy shoes for a couple of months before I realised.

I also can't wear completely flat shoes for long - I'm better in small heels, although I can wear higher heels as long as its a more block type heel.

bettyberry I am excited by the suggestion that insoles and anti friction tape could be the answer. Do you find you have to go up a size to accommodate them? Birkenstocks however....I don't know. I've never liked them. However, having read the description, they do sound like my feet would like them. I would consider the one bar mule.

stripytees and travailtotravel I don't suppose you're in London and can recommend me your podiatrist? I have a feeling you're not as it's not that cheap to see anyone in London.

TSSDNCOP I am so surprised by so many people saying converse are uncomfortable! Shame I have 4 bloody pairs of them.

Karoleann you raise a valid point. I'm a big size 6, depending on the shoe, and I'm ashamed to say that I try to avoid buying a size 7. It's silly really and I think I'll stop that now. I think the ballerina flats I bought recently are too small actually. But sometimes, depending on the shoe style, if i go up a size it's too big, but if I go down a size then it's too tight round my bunion (but not actually a bunion) area.

Some brilliant advice on here, thank you!

kinesiology tape is great for blisters, I use it for running to prevent blisters and stop existing ones from hurting

there are you tube vids explaining how to use it

My podiatrist is just outside London, literally 10 minutes over the border into Kent from SE London. Happy to recommend if that area is anywhere near you.

Ah yes Birkenstock sandals. Love them

Derxa Apes feet? LTB

Yes Claudia. Although he has put up with them for 30 years.

I'm 49 and my feet are in great shape but I certainly couldn't wear Converse, ballerinas or flip flops (unless walking on a beach). I can only wear high heels with wedge or solid heels and only then for short periods. But I walk for miles every day! Trainers are your friend, as are boots with thick soles and Birkenstock-inspired sandals.