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?

Do not buy shoes that hurt. No man would do this.

Hope the search is successful.

I have Skechers Chugga boots for winter. I like them with skinny jeans or thick tights and dresses.

A couple of weeks ago, I read a rave recommendation for these for plantar fasciitis and other common podiatry problems. Actually, it was recommending the set from the Yoga Matters site, which are currently sold out and much more expensive.

Conversely, I don't get on with Gabor shoes at all. I think with shoes it's very individual what fits your foot. I used to be a perfect Ecco size 40, and they were always comfortable. Then they started messing with the fit, and now it's maybe every third or fourth style that fits well.

My current favourites are Clarks Glick Darby shoes. Mmmm.

But yes, I think to a certain extent a lot of people put up with discomfort! I've learnt to put up with some discomfort, I used to be very princessy. Still don't wear heels though. Nonetheless I noticed a corn forming the other day. I think that we are conditioned to think certain shoes look good, and they are the ones we want aesthetically, but this is not what are feet really want at all. :(

Back to update. A pair of Fly London Chelsea boots arrived today. I'm not committing to them yet but have worn them for a couple of hours round the house, and I think they may have potential. Toes not sore, PF isn't complaining, soles of feet/knees/hips/lower back are all happy. Struggled a little to get my bad foot extended enough to slide the right one one, but once on, it feels ok. They aren't super glamorous but if I can make them work I will be very happy.

Did you try these?

www.clarks.co.uk/c/Un-Loop/p/20312837

Very ugly but incredibly comfortable. Have lots of NHS friends who are nurses and therapists who swear by them. 12 hour shifts on feet....

I do have these, Zippy, and I thought they were ok - ugly but functional - but my physio told me off for them. She said they completely lacked support or any type of foot stabilisation. However, I do wear them still for the occasions when trainers just don't hack it.

Another vote for Fly so I hope you continue to cope with the ones you're testing out.
Picolinos - some styles can look a bit dowdy but I got ankle boots in the sale a couple of years ago and they have been very comfy.

Shuropody.com

They also have stores and stock various brands listed on this thread as well as their own.

I live in "activewear" and would always go for comfort, wrecking your feet isn't something that interests me much to my DH's disgust x

benvado shoes they are made in Italy but they are so comfy , i do lots of walking and I sware by them in the summer for sandals for work.

Haven't got anything elegant to offer but I too have feet that look normal yet are too snowflakey for most footwear listed here including Go Walks and Fitflops
My only solutions have been narrowed down to three footwear styles- don't know if they'll help but here goes.

1. Scholl Lusaka sandals (part of their Bioprint range) which I can wear whilst on my feet all day at work. On my 4th year in these and hoping they repeat them next year...

1. Clarks Unlady shoes which can now be bought in Clarks Outlets (been wearing them since 2011). I've had about 6 pairs, one was somehow not as comfy but they exchanged them without question.

1. Lotus Relife boots has to be with the moulded rubber sole like these

The shoes and boots I size up in to accommodate Scholl sports orthotics

I dream of choosing something I actually like and that goes with the kind of clothes I used to wear.

I haven't seen Rieker recommended yet. They make some really comfy footwear.

I also have difficult to please feet and can never order shoes online as I would be living in the post office.

Marriednotdead-I realylike those shoes and boots you've posted! The sandals look quite Birkenstock- like too. Are the shoes/boots comfortable in themselves or only because you put the insole in?

Pricey but Russell and Bromley shoes are always sooo comfortable.

I also wear a lot of trainers. I have a pair of black Nike trainers that (I'd like to think) go with everything.

For when I need 'real' shoes, Geox are quite comfortable, I find.

For nights out in heels, nothing beats YSL Tribute shoes and Jimmy Choos in general. I know they are expensive but they are classic and sturdy - I've been wearing the same pairs for +10 years. They are incredibly comfortable to walk or dance in. I've never had to take my shoes off in a club or on the way back home.

I wear hotter - Leap and Francis styles both have a low cushioned heel and rolled edge to the upper and are in standard and wider fit.

(I am Leap size 6 wide or Francis size 6.5 standard)

Just need to keep trying.

I have special snowflake feet too (as does my daughter - school shoe shopping is nothe fun!)
Have you tried TK Maxx? They often have brands I've never heard of before and I'm occasionally lucky finding something I can bear to wear. I think my last pair were Earth Spirit??? Not beautiful but felt supportive and very soft leather.

I have just posted about needing orthopaedic shoes! I have an ankle that needs ligament reconstruction and the other now with complex pain syndrome . I'm going to buy a pair of shoes, boots and slippers and had only heard of vionic so far

I have a pair of Earth Spirit sandals and they are really hard wearing. I bought them 4 years ago and they are still going strong.

I live somewhere where it isn't hot enough for sandals most of the time so that is probably why they haven't worn out. They were perfect for tramping round the theme parks in Orlando last year.

These soft brogue boots are amazingly comfortable. They come in a many colours and depending on your size you might get a good price.

I've had the brick colour for a couple of years now and they are still in good nick. They are big in the toe box which I like.

Where do you live? There is a fantastic old school shoe shop in Wells (Somerset) called Basil Powells, they only sell comfy shoes!

I have special snowflake feet too due to their odd proportions. I've found Hotter best for a smarter shoe for work, but can understand the soles being too firm for other people.

I mainly live in Birkenstocks in the summer and boots in the winter with a smattering of Dunlops with an insole, or trainers in between, although finding a quality running shoe for my feet is as much luck as judgement.

I don't understand slip on/ court/ ballet pumps at all. My ankles are slim compared to my forefoot and mountainous instep, so any kind of slip on grates my ankles like a cheese grater in minutes. It does have a depressing effect on one's sartorial choices!

@Appuskidu- they're both very cushioned as a matter of course and normal people probably don't need to add any extra padding. The boots aren't reheelable, nor are they leather, but I managed to get 2 winters out of the last pair and will do a second year in the ones I linked to if nothing better comes up. (I have the added issue of mega skinny legs so wide fit footwear with narrow calves doesn't often compute.)
The Clarks shoes have a removeable insole but having tried every combo, my feet have decided they want both- which means my feet are barely covered at the side near my arches... the straps are all that keeps them on.
I can't afford to try experimenting unless I'm off work for at least a week because once they're inflamed it takes days for them to stop sulking.

Well, the DPD man staggered up the path with 5 pairs this morning. I think though the Fly ones still have the edge. Struggled a bit to get my orthotics in place in them, but once in, they did make a big difference. I'm still finding it hard to ease my bad foot in because the ankle doesn't full extend any more, but it's not painful to put them on, just a faff.