Podiatrists and people with crap feet! Walk this way...

[TurduckenFucken]

I’ve been told by a podiatrist that I need shoes that pass the twist test, and that have a solid heel counter. Any suggestions for shoes that aren’t awful? I’m normally a jeans/trousers or dress and ankle boots person. I really don’t want to look like I’m on my way to climb Everest.

Would DMs do?

I’ll need to buy online.

What's the twist test?

I doubt DMs would twist! Sketchers shoes or some New Balance trainers would work.

What's a solid heel counter?

The twist test is as follows: hold the shoe out in front of you so the heel is in one hand and the toe is in the other. Twist them in opposite directions. Apparently if the shoe twists it isn’t supportive enough.

The heel counter is the structure that goes behind your heel (the painful bit on DMs). Apparently you shouldn’t be able to squash this with your fingers.

I have hiking boots that meet these standards but I really don’t want to wear them in real life!

I need shoes like that and have DMs and also a pair of asics trainers (I think the GT-2000s) that are more casual

Ah, so you’ve found DMs to be sturdy enough? Shoes or boots?

When I was diagnosed with planta fasciitis, the podiatrist advised shoes that failed the twist test, could be twisted. I found Clarks Hamble Oak EE width perfect and now have them in a variety of colours, silver, gold, two tone green, two tone purple/wine, tan, two tone peach/cream and black for work, nurse. I bought most of them in the sale as they are expensive, to me, and regularly scanned the website. Check out the Clarks Outlets. They are so comfortable and I feel great in them. Good luck.

I've got boots myself as I have terrible ankles as well and need support there also

Asics are good. I have a couple of pairs of Vionic shoes though they’re expensive. I have flat feet and a dodgy back and did live in sketchers but pretty sure they made my back worse.

Did the podiatrist say why you need solid soles, no twist etc? Do you roll in or out on your ankles? My podiatrist recommended going to a trainer shop called 'runners need' (UK) where they put me on a treadmill and videoed me walking fast/running. Surprisingly it was free and I ended up buying the shoes that stop my ankle rolling in online for £30 cheaper than the shop! This might be an option to have an assessment and try the various shoes in their shop- doing the twist test etc. The buy online.

Yep, the podiatrist said no twist and ideally little bend (eg the toe shouldn’t be able to be bent up more than a little).

I like those brogues, but I think there would be too much flex in them.

The podiatrist said definitely no Skechers.

What is wrong with your feet, OP? I find it amazing that the correct thing to do is go so inflexible. It seems like it's the opposite of what you'd think is good in a shoe.

I have some arthritis and also tendon inflammation and muscle tightness. It’s a bit of a vicious circle; I’m compensating for the inflammation and tightness when I walk due to pain, which is in turn making everything worse. I think the idea is that firmly supportive footwear will mean my feet are held in the right place when I walk. I have some exercises to do which will hopefully fix the muscle problems.

Following as I have been given inserts and was told that sketchers were one of the worst things hy a hospital podiatrist/orthotics person.

She wanted me in lace ups or boots that were similarly sturdy
She was okay with clarks brogues... but I have such sensitive feet I found they dig in and rub :(

I have done okay with boots but am dreading summer. Flat shoes like converse have no heel so are out (and again were the course of my leg pain) . Slight heel and non bendy were the recommendations. I worse brogues one summer but the new pair hurt.

I think hotter is my future ☹

What about duckfeet?

No Squashed! Do not succumb to Hotter! That is what this thread is for, the doyennes of S&B will save us!

Sorry to tell you, but I think Converse are also out due to the lack of any type of support in the sole. I wear Birkenstock Rios, which are not to everyone’s taste, but the podiatrist said they were ok (not for now why I’m healing). I think they’re the right type of fugly. Just about.

Thanks for the Duckfeet suggestion, they look really comfy but I suspect the crepe sole wouldn’t pass the twist test. Grr.

Yep converse etc were def out . Sounds like we've had similar advice. Please save me!

I'm a podiatrist and I wear Skechers 24/7, they are the only shoes that make my arthritis stop hurting, they are flexible and have a broad heel for tight achilles tendon support, I love them, my patients love them.
I can't comment on your problem though as I'd need a lot more information.

How weird, when I went to my hospital appointment I had been wearing sketches for comfort but she definitely said a big no. Is there a lot of variety between podiatrists? I had painful legs when walking and her insoles seem to have helepd. But moving from living in sketchers and converse to "sensible shoes" is hard. U even have a pair of leather lace up trainers from clarks Ive put my insoles in that look properly orthopedic :(

She did , like op, twist the shoes and show me it was no good.

She said my leather knee length boots I bought in were ok as they accepted the insole, but Ive been buying shoes a half size bigger or with removable insoles.

Hotter is fine if you are selective.

I suppose it depends on your ailment. For me, my tight calves are the main problem, they are stopping me walking in the best way so are causing foot pain. I also have an arthritic joint that is being exacerbated by my foot twisting.

Show us yer Hotters, Anna!

I have problems with my feet and wear Hotters. For what you're looking for, buying online means you need to be able to guarantee they're gonna meet the twist test. Online descriptions never say if they have a stiffened heel counter either, it's really hard to do this online. All Hotter styles are made to these standards and so you are much more likely to get something that is comfortable and supportive. I'll link to a few that I own and wear.

www.hotter.com/gb/en/shake-shoes-shakxsuksl?fit=Standard+Fit&colour=Navy

www.hotter.com/gb/en/viviene-heels-vivyys?fit=Standard+Fit&colour=Leopard%20Multi

www.hotter.com/gb/en/padstow-boots?fit=Standard+Fit&colour=Dark%20Tan

www.hotter.com/gb/en/joanna-heels?fit=Standard+Fit&colour=Black

Thanks so much for going to the effort of posting those links. The last ones will come in useful when I’m allowed heels again, I do actually need some smart heels. Not sure about the others, they’re not really me.