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?

I get crippling back pain if I wear anything but trainers or motion control running shoes for any length of time. The only exceptions,have been a pair of merrell leather zip up ankle boots and doc martens with a Support insole.

Yay-which Fly pair did you get?

You will probably laugh/cry but I used to wear these or these to work in a job where I was on my feet for up to 12 hours. My feet were incredibly painful as I was waiting for corrective surgery, and these were the best things I found.

If you ever fancy a city break, there are at least 3 stores in Munich city centre dedicated to "bequeme Schuhe" (comfy shoes) plus a couple of small/big shoe specialists. It's a very normal thing here.

appuskidu, I got the Salv Chelsea boot

I buy fit flop boots. TBH my problems are quite horrific as I have had amputations and reconstructions.

Sorry, I can't help you, but wanted to sympathise with you. I'm a size 9 EEEEE. I can't wear heels, due to a leg injury and the few companies that make shoes in this size, go for styles my long dead grandmother would have considered old fashioned. Shopping for shoes is a chore to be endured, not enjoyed and if I'm honest, I can't remember ever managing to get a pair of shoes I've loved, just ones that 'will have to do'. I'm now in my fifties and cannot remember a time when I haven't cried after shopping for shoes. I feel totally humiliated by the whole experience. Every time.
Sorry for the rant - I'm amazed that shoe manufacturers don't cater more for these issues, clearly there are many of us with shoe issues and I would have thought a decent sized market for a realistically priced range of styles. I really hope you find something suitable, op.

Ooh, I really like those first Crocs Wombling.

I would never have known they were Crocs.

I have a really bad bunion on one foot and have had frequent bouts of plantar fasciitis. Only one pair of (really well worn in) shoes fit, but even they start to hurt after a while. Got fed up of trawling the shops and the web then discovered barefoot shoes and haven't looked back. It won't solve your sartorial woes but honestly, my feet are so much happier now. It does take a few weeks to transition to them first though - you have to do it incrementally

Another struggler here - I love being able to wear different styles of shoes too, but for the last few years everything I've been getting on high street just hurts! ...Especially after 1 hour of wear. Too hard/too heavy/too shallow/too flat/dig into heels/ look and feel shapeless after 3 times wearing. And that applies even to previously reliable brands, like Ecco ... urgh.

These are my current favourites: softinos, Fly, Paul Green and, this will sound very strange: Lotta from Stockholm wooden clogs

I also agree w PP above that shoes made in Italy or in Germany are usually so much more comfortable than those made in any other country. Something about the choice of leather perhaps?

Life is too short for uncomfortable shoes - can't think of anything worse (though, low lying crotch tights and ill fitting bras come close...) I've found the following are comfortable from the first wear: Clarks Originals and Trigenic, Ecco, Geox, and Timberland boots. Fitflops great, too.