So fed up of sore, aching feet

[SevenEleven]

So I have plenty of choice in the shoe department - converse, skechers trainers, ugg boots, leather boots, ballet flats and flip flops of various descriptions - but they all hurt my feet in some way or another. I have size 6 feet, but they are narrow and my toes are really long and bony. I love shoes and want to look stylish, but I want comfort too! Does anyone have any recommendations for every day footwear that I can wear for the school run, nipping out etc? I don't think I could wear trainers full time, but o would consider it if they were super comfy!

Lynne2015: Could I ask if you would say the Skechers run big or small? I am a half size and don't know whether to go down or up. Thanks!

No, don't go up a shoesize. If possible take the sole out of the shoe and replace it with an orthotic. Look for slimline orthoses (you can find some good ones in the large boots).

A word of warning though - orthoses will help if you have collapsing arches i.e. If you have an arch when non weightbearing but your arch lowers significantly when you weightbear.
If you are truly flatfooted i.e. no arch weightbearing or non weightbearing then orthoses won't help.

Look at your foot and decide before you spend money on a pair.

No they should fit. You might need to cut the edges to size.

IME skechers run a big big. I am usually a size 6, but my last pair were a 5 (from the kids range) and fitted perfectly.

MerdeAlor and Goshhhhhh - thanks for the info. My arch is there when I am sat down, but gone when I stand up. I have weak ankles too, which is part of it I think as they roll inwards. I'll look online for some slimline orthoses as they may help the shoes I already have.

Something like this?

Perfect Seven Vasyli are a really good brand.

Fab, thanks Merde think I will order some to try out.

Tried on some New Balance trainers today, but didn't think they were as comfy as my Skechers, so the search is still on! Think I will order the Teva sandals I linked to and see what they are like. If they are comfy then at least that's summer sorted!

Does going bare foot have an adverse effect? I do this a lot and now can't find anything that isn't uncomfortable in some way.

I find best overall for comfort.

chopinbabe it depends. If you have an optimal functioning foot, then barefoot is good. Unfortunately more that 70% of us don't have that.

Generally if you have a moderate or high arched stable foot foot type (doesn't change much between weightbearing and non weightbearing) then barefoot is fine. If not then a good shoe is better, it will support your foot.

Lots of time barefoot can make your arch lower, then the foot spreads making it harder to fit into shoes.

Heads up!!! Jones Boot Makers have 30% off today and Debenhams have 25% off so a good time to buy branded shoes! Am debating over some fitflops now...

Can I ask where in your feet they hurt?

I have very slightly hypermobile joints and my feet apparently spread out when walked on a lot and the arches collapse. This causes pain in the soles of my feet - after a day's sightseeing on holiday I would be crying with pain.

I went to a chiropodist who does gait analysis who told me all this and advised me on what shoes to wear and gave me some insoles. I now have very happy feet!

I was considering the Fitflops/Barefoot shoes route and it turned out this would have been the completely wrong thing to do as MerdeAlor says. I'd really recommend the gait analysis, it wasn't expensive and has saved a fortune on shoes I'd buy and then couldn't wear.

Ah, missed the bit about fitflops not being good!! My feet just generally hurt on the balls of my feet, the tops of my toes toes and heels rub as they are bony, sometimes on the joint of my little toe where the shoe cuts in etc. I just feel like I want my feet to sink into something comfortable and soothing, if that makes sense! That's why I bough Ugg boots and whilst they don't rub, they don't give the support I would like. My shoes just seem so hard and jarring and although I like the look of them all I don't look forward to wearing them as I know my feet will hurt in some way at some point. I used to do pointe work in ballet classes, so I am used to foot pain - and to be fair it is nothing like that - but if I could just get some shoes that I could put on and then forget about and get on with my day, I would be so happy!

Ugg Boots are notorious for having no support at all.

Although the shoes I was advised to get all looked like hideous gran shoes, the advice was worth it and I do stick to more attractive versions of them. Can't recommend the analysis highly enough.