Does everyone else just suck up shoe discomfort?

[ilovecherries]

I've had a lot of foot/ankle/leg surgery so my footwear options are a bit limited anyway, but it's getting ridiculous. The only things I can wear are trainers, Go Walks and the (very occasional and for short periods of time only) odd pair of Fitflops. And when I say trainers, that's what I mean - New Balance, Nike etc, not fashion trainers. You can imagine what they does for my clothing choices.

I've spent the entire morning in shoe shops. I think I tried on every pair in Clarks (including Hamble Oaks and loafers), Sole Trader, Shuh (multiple brands), Next, Hotters and M&S. I've even tried Wolkys. Everything hurt. Far too rigid, hard leather, thin soles. Loafers, brogues, cube heels, ballet flats, ankle boots, Mary Janes. Every one of them hurt. Is there a memo out there that I didn't get saying that shoes are meant to hurt? I see people saying a certain shoe is 'so comfy' and looking at it makes my eyes water. I don't have unusual feet. Size 7.5, standard width. I've tried insoles, gel cushions, blister plasters and heel protectors and they still hurt. My cupboard is full of shoes I bought hoping to 'wear them in'. Except I could never wear them long enough to do that. Am I destined to wear trainers for the rest of my life?

Is it the wearing or the walking that hurts? FWIW, I almost invariably wear trainers, or walking shoes, ie low-rise walking boots, but I have some proper shoes for work as I have a desk job. I'm a size 3 so my choices are fairly limited too!

Can your doctor refer you to a podiatrist or your relevant specialist for some advice? I wear custom orthotics, plus toe separators when they get more painful, as I have slightly misaligned toes.

I have very flat feet and if I don't support them properly end up with knee pain and sciatica 🙄so know about the limited shoes options.
I personally find Clarks hamble oaks are very comfortable they have some cushioning on the sole.
Have you tried ECCO they have an outlet store online and they do a 7.5 cause I'm the same size.

Was just coming on here to suggest ECCO. They got me through a particularly painful bout of plantar faciatis

For the shoes you have, I'd suggest investing in some shoe stretchers, it helps a bit with breaking them in.

Have you tried Think! Shoes? My mother was a bit princess and the pea about her feet and she swore up and down these were the most comfortable make ever. Something about a special sole that moulded to your feet. I think it's German and the designs are a bit twee but there are some more neutral ones among them. Mephisto also considered a good troubled feet brand from Germany, but their designs are even more... ehm... sensible.

Otherwise, as pp mentioned it may just be worth getting custom insoles or similar made with a podiatrist.

I have hallux ridigus and wear trainers pretty much all the time -otherwise I get foot pain. Nike Internationalist are my trainers of choice -they look vaguely "fashion" and are so comfortable

I can tolerate flat pumps or cushioned wedges for short periods for smart occasions

My orthopaedic consultant helpfully said 'if your shoes hurt, then it's fine to wear trainers all the time'. He clearly doesn't appreciate the extent to which this limits sartorial choices! The podiatrist (was there yesterday) says Morton's toe (a short big toe) does make shoes harder to find, but she said nothing in particular could be done. Her advice was 'keep trying till you find something you like, then buy two pairs in every colour'. She was wearing apple turnover shoes herself though. :( The only positive was that she said twice in 30 minutes that I really had the best feet she'd ever seen on someone my age. So it's not bunions, corns, hard skin, gout etc. Clearly they are special snowflake feet. I don't really get as far as walking in them, to be honest. A short walk across a carpeted shop and I'm wincing. My bad foot is obviously worse, but the other one doesn't really care for shoes either. Yes, I've tried Ecco, I just forgot to add them to my list, but thanks for trying.

I love Nike Internationalist as well. Haven't heard of Think - will check them out, thanks. Have also tried Geox, and did have a look at Mephisto but decided if things were that bad, I would stick with trainers. I have a gorgeous pair of Ugg leather bikers I bought on sale in the spring. I tried them on today and I don't think I'm going to be sole to tolerate them, even though they fit.

The other footwear I can tolerate in the winter are Fitflops sheepskin boots - ugly as hell but so warm and comfy

Gabor shoes are good - I have very sensitive feet that don't tolerate converse, ballerina flats etc but I find Gabor really comfy. Superga are also good for a more dressy sort of trainer.

I've got some other shoes but my favourites ( so comfy ) are Hotter Leanne and Hotter Pixie boots

I'm the same-I wear Fit Flops or Birkenstocks in the summer and Fly London boots (sometimes DM wedges) in the winter! Everything else is agony.

Fly boots have the most amazing bouncy soles; have you tried them?

Try Softinos or Wonders, both brands are soft leather with flexible soles, and not too ugly.

Also did your podiatrist recommend in soles at all? Might give you more options?

Vionics are good when my feet hurt.

I feel your pain - literally. Nothing wrong with my feet - size 5 and narrow - but God its so hard to find comfortable shoes which will look smart with a business suit?

Recently went on a business trip to london. I had a pair of patent leather loafers and a pair of heeled court shoes. not hugely expensive as don't have the budget but not Primark's best either. Ended up trying not to cry because of blisters and bleeding heels and had to walk around City airport carrying my shoes as couldnt bear to put them back on. I'm not convinced comfortable shoes exist other than trainers!

I have difficult sensitive feet and have been lucky with Pikolinos, Gabor, Ash and Ugg. Hit and miss though, but found some good ones.

None are cheap brands...

Shoes made in Italy (if you can find them) are usually a superior fit (and comfy). Ash are Italian I think, and very comfy + modern. £££ but you can buy in the sale.

Clarks is hopeless, IMO, as is Hotter. They look comfy but are hard.

Thanks for all the ideas. Some brands there I haven't tried so have ordered 4 pairs of boots in assorted brands from Amazon (criteria had yo be free delivery and returns!) in the hope that something will work. I'm still coming to terms with my Ugg bikers probably not being wearable. I was clearly delusional when I bought them in March. Demented - my eyes are watering with empathy.

Can I just add: I have some Think! shoes and they are super comfy, style is fine too. Germans are very sensible about shoes. :)

Are there any Think styles you'd recommend trying? Something I can wear with jersey dresses and thick tights?

Going to echo what's being said about Ecco (sorry). They're super comfy.

I absolutely agree with everyone who has recommended Gabor shoes. They are super comfortable from the first wear, and come in a range of styles, including elegant and fashionable.

I tore all the ligaments in my right ankle a year and a half ago. Gabor shoes have been my saviour.

Try Charles Clinkard online - they due a huge range of Gabor shoes.

Also, ditch the Uggs. Not designed for comfortable walking I'm afraid.

You could also look at Timberland; they do a range of very comfortable (if expensive) boots and shoes that are not walking boots.

I had plantar faciatis a couple of years ago - so . Generally I am in boring old Sketchers to keep it at bay but I picked up some gel soles in Tesco the other day for £8. Haven't tried them yet, but they look hopeful.

Try Hotter shoes.

If you need something for a special occasion try Esska - and also Chie Mihara are designed by a Spanish podiatrist (that's her name too) and are beautifully made. £££ but on eBay there are often second hand ones. You might be lucky with ones with no heels