Want shoes: natural/wide toe box, laced up, sturdy sole…and non-ugly!

[Sabee]

Hello,

I have developed pain in the ball of my foot - haven’t been seen by a GP yet, but will be arranging. So far, google has suggested capsulitis if I consider my symptoms (feel like a marble in the ball of my foot, pain when i walk, second toe affected etc).

I think the shoes I have been wearing have been tight on my toes and caused these issues - Googling, suggests i need shoes that have a barefoot aesthetic (wide enough toe box for my toes to spread), a sturdy sole (almost like a walking shoe) and preferably laced I think, so there is good support.

I was resisting, so I went and bought some Ecco shoes today - so comfy and heavenly in the shop! Wore them home, and bam - pain in the feet all evening. I have just spent over £100 on what is considered to be a good brand and it still hurts.

I have some temporary insoles from shuropody which i have been wearing, and I didn’t have them on the new shoes so maybe that didn’t help.

But i think its because the soles are too soft! The rest of my feet felt sore from walking too, and when i had laced them a bit tight they felt weird, a bit pins and needly!

I have in recent weeks, tried merrell (too uncomfortable), Hoka (too springy), Scarpa Mojito (too stiff), Fly boots (too hard and impossible for me to walk in), Meindl (which were the best but I didn’t get them as they were ugly :( ), camper (most comfy so far but was unsure).

I would love any suggestions from anyone who has the same thing as me - am pretty desperate.

I don’t want to go down the ugly orthopaedic shoe route - unless i have to :(

I hate trainers, love boots, love Toast, poetry fashion etc but I guess that’s irrelevant :(

Thank you

Clarks Funny Dream? They are so ugly it's almost ironic, but are eeally comfortable.

Have a look on Happy Little Soles, they have the largest range of barefoot shoes in the UK.

Once you get used to barefoot shoes, even most wide fit normal shoes look and feel narrow because the toebox tapers so much whereas our feet are usually widest around the toes.

Purple avocado - I think I have tried these in the past - i felt like a clown wearing them :( but they were comfortable :(

ferns - thank you I will have a browse!

Just to empathise i need barefoot style shoes but the sole must be solid, not flexible (has to pass the twist test - I shouldnt be able to twist it)

Thank you for the recommendations!

vionics geox?

Blundstone - I have only ever worn the pull on Chelsea Boot style they do (but I have had a few pairs), but they do a lace up style too.

Actually, ignore that suggestion. They are not barefoot.

(Whispers) Hotter? I have a similar problem, and their ankle boots are miraculous (can dig out the name of them, if you are interested). I wear them to walk to places, then change into something less comfortable when I get there.

The thing is that barefoot style shoes are by definition flexible with a thin sole that allows proprioception. So if you want sturdy/ firm sole then avoid barefoot.

How about Birkenstock shoes? I have a pair of their slip-on trainers and they're very comfy but support my foot/arch. I'm eyeing up a pair of their chelsea boots at the moment. Expensive, but their shoes/sandals last forever.

Birkenstocks

Vichymother - thank you, I have heard of vionics but never found a style I was drawn to… had good in the past, I felt they ran a little narrow? I mean I have slim feet but my toes need space

ibiza - I did think about blundstone - they are not barefoot but they have the toe box - but I think they would be a little too loose on the ankle!

Simonjones - I did a quick browse on hotter and there are one or two (at most lol) that look like i could try lol

Flockamenie - I understand what you are saying - I guess there should be another word for something that is foot-shaped? I. Thought Ecco was good but i need a sturdier sole and to be honest my toes could have had more room in the shoes I bought :(

I have ordered some boots from TOAST see how that fares…

Thank you for the suggestions

Oh, and I think i need to try keen - i have read online they have lots of toe room… but they are walking shoes…

Alwayscheery - thank you i did try some, maybe it was the style I tried but it was a boot but it didn’t have much sole support - I will see if i can look at other models…

I have a male colleague who wears Birkenstock shoes and they’re not ugly at all so I’d give those a go.
Also try M&S wide fit. I just bought their Chelsea boots (obviously don’t fit your lace up brief) and find them incredibly comfy. Camper shoes are excellent.
(I only wear flat, comfortable shoes and have v square toes so need a wide toe box)

Another vote for Birkenstocks. I don't have the same problem as you but have v high arches and suffer with plantar pain..I wear insoles in all my shoes, but have just bought a pair of the Birkenstock Bend shoes and they are so comfy. Pricey, but great for my feet and no insole needed. Very firm, sturdy Birkenstock foot bed.

If it feels like a marble it may be a Morton's neuroma. May be helpful to know.

@Sabee - I don't suppose you live anywhere near Hebden Bridge (W Yorks/Manchester) do you? There is a shop there (Ruby Shoes Day), which sells a huge range of the type of shoe you're describing. If you're able to get there, I'm sure you'd find something.

Watching with interest. I need a wide toe box tie, but annoyingly find that many wider toes still come in narrow at the very front.

For summer or around the house try Rocket Dog Jazzin. W

Sorry posted too soon...

They have wide toe area and comfy insole, but are canvas, so not ideal for this time of year!

Oooh l’ve just seen a podiatry consultant with my similar problem. Massive chronic corn on my toe.

He drew round my feet and then put my shoe on top. My foot was wider than the shoe.

His advice was to buy lace ups with at least 2cm at the end and tie them tightly. I’m a 6. He said to get a 7 1/2.

Try them on at the end of the day when your feet are bigger. Get someone else to press on for bit. You can’t do it yourself.

I refuse to wear hideous shoes. Just bought some more Nike airforce in a bigger size. He described these as good shoes.

I would stop buying new shoes at this point and spend the money instead on seeing an experienced podiatrist to get a proper diagnosis of what is going on and determine the appropriate treatment. Perhaps it’s what you think it is, perhaps it isn’t.

I also wear Nike Air Force in a larger size! Comfiest shoes ever!

Vivobarefoot. I have two pairs of Geox - pink and black. Super comfy.

I paid to see two podiatrists. Neither of them helped, and made it worse in fact!

Good old nhs sorted it for me.

Another vote for going up a size or two for trainers. I started to wear a pair of cheap supermarket trainers that didn't fit my son. They're a nine and I'm a six but omg it's like walking on air so comfy. I think we often underestimate our actual size or sizes have got smaller. I've got some walking boots that re heaven too, and I got them up a size too. They're fairly smart with trousers etc so not just for hiking.

This doctor was just fantastic. He shoved his hand in my trainers and could feel my toe marks at the end! That’s when he said they were too small.

Having said that, I’ve had ball of foot pain, and Birkies nailed it for me.