End of tether with endless shoe/foot problems

[Maria53]

I've had foot issues since I was 21, I'm now 29. It became a chronic problem for years and I was in what felt like endless hospital appointments with no sure diagnosis. Getting shoes that fit is next to impossible.

I've mainly been wearing Red or Dead shoes which have been so comfy for my wide feet. They now appear to have discontinued them and I need a new pair!

For hill walking I have Salomon trainers and boots. Again not perfect but close due to wider foot box. But they don't look good with summer dresses and skirts!

Last week I had my feet measured. They told me I over pronate and am quite flat footed - podiatrist told me this before. They also said I'm a size 3 - just no way!! I'm size 5 usually, sometimes 4 1/2.

After looking through some threads here I ordered 2 new pairs of shoes - a pair of rocket dogs and a pair of fit flops. The size 4 fit flops are slightly too small and i had blood on my third toe from where the pinky was rubbing today.

The size 5 rocket dogs are massive on me! So I feel I'm back to square one again. My dreams of finally wearing good looking trainers with summer dresses are fast disappearing

[quote northernstars]@Newnormal99 have you tried ASOS? I'm a 9 wide and have bought some of their shoes. They have some extra wide too. Last week I gave in and bought a pair of men's 9s in Clarks.[/quote]
I'm ok - it's my sis that has the issues! I am an 8 so ok most of the time although I don't tend to go foe dainty anyway. Good to know about ASOS though. My youngest has sensory issues around her feet and needs everything wide fitting so that may be a good place to try for her. I hate taking her places like Clark's because what they say fits (and they are technically right!) doesn't fit in her head!

I agree about the Skechers. I've worn Skechers boots and canvas shoes and love them at first. They are so padded they feel like heaven. It doesn't last though. There's not enough support and end up causing me problems.
I think fashion brand wide fit shoes are fine for special occasions but not great if you have foot issues.

Vionics all the way. I have flat wide feet and I now buy no other brand. The styles are very current and I can often pick them up cheaply on Legend Shoes, Simply Feet or Tk Maxx. They do have a sale on their website right now though.

I have EEE feet and tend to get my shoes from Simply Be.

My feet are pretty wide and I’ve found superga trainers surprisingly good. Always try instore though.

There are wide fitting shoes, but they are bloody fugly.

You're buying shoes too long for you, because your feet are so wide.

I did this and have calluses, hammer toes and a host of other issues.

You need to have your feet properly measured and recomnendations by a professional.

Shuropody have chiropodists and some podiatry knowledge.

You could ask for an appointment to get your feet measured, they do some sort of gait analysis as well.

They are pricey though and will give you the hard sell.

Vionic size guide say they do wide fit E. I'm a EEE

I find Ecco can be narrow or wide depending on the style. Keen are great.

@WandaD

here I've added the link for the wide fit.

Great link!

Just ordered ballet pumps and sandals.

👍🏻

I feel your pain OP, my feet are too wide for most wide fit shoes.

If you want a pair of white trainers to go with summer midi dresses etc, rather than proper trainers, I find Superga are very wide, but weirdly I find the sizing is not consistent, so I'm a half size smaller in the white than the rose gold. If you have Amazon Prime you can order 5 pairs with prime wardrobe and get them for free, try them on and send back any or all you don't want free returns and then they charge you for any you keep.

Clarks are too narrow for me, but strangely I can fit into Primark wide fit and Matalan wide fit, not the best quality but if I fancy something new at least I can go and have a browse there.

Otherwise I buy everything from simply be who have EEE fit, and you can get proper leather boots etc. It's a mismatch of different brands so the sizing is very variable, I normally order about £180 worth and keep about £90!

As said further up, I’ve got wide feet but my Stan Smiths fit comfortably. I do the thing of buying the next size up too.

Hotter may be your saviour as you can filter by city style and function.OK most of the styles seem to be target at older people by the do have some more stylish pairs.

Adidas Supercourt trainers might fit the bill. Wider than Stan Smiths, with a bit of a retro vibe that would work with dresses/summery outfits.

Try Hotter. They do have some nice styles and their boots and sandals are very comfortable.
I have Clarks shoes that I cant wear, they are so incomfortable.
I wear Hotter Whisper boots all through autumn and winter. They last for years and I only buy in the sale.

@Maria53 I work in a shoe shop that specialises in shoes for “problematic” feet. It’s far more common than you think obviously it’s hard to make proper recommendations without having you here for a fitting but we sell shoes from brands from all over Europe so hopefully I can offer a few pointers 😊

Firstly - PLEASE stay away from Sketchers and Crocs - I can’t stress that one enough. They feel comfortable but they 100% will be making your problem worse.

Have you tried Ecco? Off the top of my head the “Soft” range could fit the bill! The vast majority of Eccos have a double leather insole so you can remove one and it turns the shoe into a wide fit shoe (Ecco are wider as standard so this removal results in a bit more than a UK “wide fit”) but still leaves the shoe with a proper insole etc. A lot of people think of Ecco as an “old lady” brand but you’d be surprised how many pairs I sell to ladies in their 20s and 30s 😊 they have fantastic arch support etc too. Removable insole is also great for people that need to wear an orthotic. Something like this:

gb.ecco.com/en-GB/product/5642780148/ECCO-SOFT-7-W?param=%7Btrbo%7D&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIx-36oaLk8AIV4YBQBh3zTQPnEAQYAiABEgJPdvD_BwE

If you wear an orthotic, or even if you just need much wider fit, I can’t recommended Christian Dietz enough. They are far more expensive but are so we’ll made and will honestly last you years! Again, removable insole (very deep one so fab for anyone wearing deep orthotics) and they do some lovely styles 😊

www.peterhahn.co.uk/christian-dietz-lace-up-shoes-made-of-kidskin-suede-navy-364029.html?campaign=Preissuchmaschinen%2FWomen+%3E+Shoes+%3E+Lace-ups%2F364029&pmk=IAASPSU130812-04&styProdUuid=9e784346-a800-55ce-925b-41220e1174d4&styCampaignId=17120&utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=google_shopping_uk&utm_campaign=17120&stySource=7&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4NXF66Lk8AIVi4BQBh0BWQsEEAQYASABEgKnJvD_BwE

Also, for the German wider feet comments - these are all actually accurate 🤣 the average German foot can be around a 3rd wider than the average UK foot 🤷🏻‍♀️😊 so as a general rule - if you’re looking for wide fit then German brands actually are a good place to start! Rieker and Remonte for more budget friendly options although - lots are synthetic so not as hard wearing as like likes of Ecco 😊 Gabor is a great option too. Look for Gabor G Fit for extra wide styles 😊
Avoid Italian and Spanish for wider feet. Beautiful shoe makers and beautiful quality but definitely narrower 😊

@KM38 That's such a great post. If it's not outing, I don't think anyone would mind you mentioning the name of the shop (understatement of the year, I think you'd come into a queue tomorrow). But obviously if it's a small indie and would be really obvious that you are you, don't feel under any pressure to share!

I totally understand op.

Do you wear an insole? I struggled until I did, has changed my life! I also find ECCO, Seibel and then things like Vans comfortable - but need the insole.

I have wide fit sketchers that fit great and hotter shoes for walking sandals. Nothing else even comes close to fitting my feet.

James inglis do EE from size 4 upwards. They are pricy but they have some reasonable style sandals.
I have narrow feet and use them for AA and customer service is good, and the staff on the phone helpful.

www.fitflop.com/uk/en/shop/lulu-leather-cross-slides-p-K04#592

I have these fit flops. I also have the ones with the back strap. I also have silver trainers but imo they are not so comfy. I'm a size 6 length but wear a size 8 in women's and i can get away with mans 7 in trainers (reebok). I have really wide feet and I have tried echo, birkenstok, next, clarks, Marks and spencer, simply be is ok. All i can suggest is you give fitflop another go. They have sales through out the year.

In my case. - My toes are broad - my wee toe lies over and sticks out so my problem is that fit flops no matter the style rub on my wee toe.

Sorry just realised the Ee choice isn't huge, I had looked at the E fitting.

[quote KM38]@Maria53 I work in a shoe shop that specialises in shoes for “problematic” feet. It’s far more common than you think obviously it’s hard to make proper recommendations without having you here for a fitting but we sell shoes from brands from all over Europe so hopefully I can offer a few pointers 😊

Firstly - PLEASE stay away from Sketchers and Crocs - I can’t stress that one enough. They feel comfortable but they 100% will be making your problem worse.

Have you tried Ecco? Off the top of my head the “Soft” range could fit the bill! The vast majority of Eccos have a double leather insole so you can remove one and it turns the shoe into a wide fit shoe (Ecco are wider as standard so this removal results in a bit more than a UK “wide fit”) but still leaves the shoe with a proper insole etc. A lot of people think of Ecco as an “old lady” brand but you’d be surprised how many pairs I sell to ladies in their 20s and 30s 😊 they have fantastic arch support etc too. Removable insole is also great for people that need to wear an orthotic. Something like this:

gb.ecco.com/en-GB/product/5642780148/ECCO-SOFT-7-W?param=%7Btrbo%7D&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIx-36oaLk8AIV4YBQBh3zTQPnEAQYAiABEgJPdvD_BwE

If you wear an orthotic, or even if you just need much wider fit, I can’t recommended Christian Dietz enough. They are far more expensive but are so we’ll made and will honestly last you years! Again, removable insole (very deep one so fab for anyone wearing deep orthotics) and they do some lovely styles 😊

www.peterhahn.co.uk/christian-dietz-lace-up-shoes-made-of-kidskin-suede-navy-364029.html?campaign=Preissuchmaschinen%2FWomen+%3E+Shoes+%3E+Lace-ups%2F364029&pmk=IAASPSU130812-04&styProdUuid=9e784346-a800-55ce-925b-41220e1174d4&styCampaignId=17120&utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=google_shopping_uk&utm_campaign=17120&stySource=7&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4NXF66Lk8AIVi4BQBh0BWQsEEAQYASABEgKnJvD_BwE

Also, for the German wider feet comments - these are all actually accurate 🤣 the average German foot can be around a 3rd wider than the average UK foot 🤷🏻‍♀️😊 so as a general rule - if you’re looking for wide fit then German brands actually are a good place to start! Rieker and Remonte for more budget friendly options although - lots are synthetic so not as hard wearing as like likes of Ecco 😊 Gabor is a great option too. Look for Gabor G Fit for extra wide styles 😊
Avoid Italian and Spanish for wider feet. Beautiful shoe makers and beautiful quality but definitely narrower 😊[/quote]
Great advice,thanks. Sketchers don't fit me anyway! I'll look at ECCO as I haven't tried them. Funny about the German connection and I actually have a pair of Reiker size 5 boots that are a good fit!

Well based on the recommendation from this thread, I bought Vionics in 4.5. They arrived today and they are too bloody big! And the 4 I got from fitflops last week too small.

It has made me feel crappy again today and my blistered feet are pinching as we speak. It just seems never ending. Going to try the Vionics a size down and same for my rocket dogs which were also too big

Ive also ordered shoes from Birkenstock as I already wear the sandal

www.simplyfeet.co.uk/vionic-splendid-honey.html

How about these?