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Original poster

Summer work shoes for the dreaded plantar fasciitis

33 replies

NormalForNuneaton · 20/05/2023 19:44

My plantar fasciitis has really flared up after wearing some flat summery shoes the other weekend so Birkies are the only comfortable footwear right now.

The trouble is I should only be wearing "covered" footwear at work. The rest of the year I wear ankle boots or flatform type brogues with a heel cup/support thing in which works well but these are just too hot in the summer!

What shoes are out there to wear with summer office/work wear (smartish cropped trousers, knee length skirts etc)? Shoes that are not too flat, not too frumpy. Or maybe shoes that the heel cup might still fit in.

Also, I find those little hidden socklet things never stay on my feet and end up bunched under my foot which is a PITA

OP posts:
Zhougzhoug · 20/05/2023 19:55

I can’t really help on the shoes - presume you can’t get away with trainers?

But I can help with the socks - these ones stay on:
https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0160442007.html

it has to be these. H&M do other trainer/liner socks in larger packs but they are different. It’s these, with a little silicone band inside that keeps them on your foot.

3-pack liner socks - Black - Ladies | H&M GB

Short, fine-knit socks designed to be hidden by your shoes with a silicone trim at the back of the heel to keep them in place.

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0160442007.html

HewasH20 · 20/05/2023 20:01

Birkenstock do some shoes which I wear all winter and summer. It was actually their sandals causing my problem, as my feet were essentially gripping my Arizonas or Mayaris I also swear by Skechers though after a recommendation here. They don't solve your covered foot/ not frumpy need though.

EmmaStone · 20/05/2023 20:14

Would loafers work?

buckleten · 20/05/2023 20:30

I have some Birkenstock Bend low in black which I wear to work.. I could have written this post myself! I have just bought two pairs of Vivaia shoes for work, but am finding them quite stiff and uncomfortable, not quite as advertised! I am still looking for the holy grail..

Cantonet · 20/05/2023 20:36

Vionic shoes.
I wear Vionics all year around due to plantar fasciitis. All Vionics come with arch support & a shaped insole. Plus a multitude of styles that don't look arthopaedic at all. You can often pick them up on eBay or Tk Maxx at a discount.

Outandup · 20/05/2023 20:36

FitFlop brand shoes are great for my PF and fallen arches.

It’s a matter of finding what works for your PF as I found Skechers were horrendously unsupportive and Birkenstocks left me in agony.

Original poster
NormalForNuneaton · 20/05/2023 21:30

Thanks everyone for your suggestions

@Zhougzhoug thank you for the tip about the liner socks I'll definitely try those.

@EmmaStone I bought some really nice Dune loafers buf I found that they didn't stay on my feet properly and I was having to "grip" them with my toes as I walked.

Off to look at Birkenstock Bend and Vionics .....

OP posts:
HewasH20 · 20/05/2023 23:50

buckleten · 20/05/2023 20:30

I have some Birkenstock Bend low in black which I wear to work.. I could have written this post myself! I have just bought two pairs of Vivaia shoes for work, but am finding them quite stiff and uncomfortable, not quite as advertised! I am still looking for the holy grail..

Mine are purple suede and sand suede along with a pair of Mary Jane's. So comfy.

IfOnlyOurEyesSawSouls · 21/05/2023 00:23

Marking my place as i use to live in Birkenstocks and now its Fitflop... getting bored of lack of style ☹️

lookingforMolly · 21/05/2023 00:43

I've recently developed very painful PF in my right foot probably due to weight gain and stress.

I can't take pain relief as paracetamol doesn't mix with one of my meds, and ibuprofen has now given me gastritis despite taking 40mg omeprazole a day!! Other anti inflammatory meds don't mix with my other medication.

So to combat the pain all I can do is wear trainers & sandals with some arch support, including black trainers to work (I'm a care assistant which involves lots of walking).
And regularly put my foot in a bowl of iced water which numbs it. Obviously no good when busy.

Has anyone got any other ideas @NormalForNuneaton, @waltzingparrot, @Outandup, @Cantonet thanks

lookingforMolly · 21/05/2023 00:46

Seeing a physio at work for my left hip on Tuesday so I'm also going to mention the PF.
I am currently on a diet and exercise regime as I know losing weight may help with a lot of issues as I'm also pre diabetic.
Just desperate re the PF as it's so sore and I keep limping!

Emelene · 21/05/2023 01:39

I’ve been wearing Skechers but looking for alternative brands!

CatsForLife · 21/05/2023 06:32

Only Oofos shoes sorted my PF out. Can’t wear anything else now.

Outandup · 21/05/2023 06:41

@lookingforMolly My PF isn’t currently anywhere as bad as it used to be (was agonising) and the following has helped:

Always wear good shoes with arch support such as FitFlops, Vionics. FitFlops have become very expensive in the past year so I keep an eye on their sales but also look out for them on Amazon as they often have last seasons styles a bit cheaper.
Physio told me to only wear shoes that are secure on my feet ie no flip flops, wear sandals with straps etc as it causes more strain on your foot otherwise
Never go without shoes, even at home. You can buy slippers at FitFlop or I also have a pair of their flip flops that are specifically for around the house only (I have found I can get away with flip flops at home, just not out and about).
Do stretching exercises (look online)
Keep a small bottle of water in the freezer and then sit down each night for 15-20 mins and put it under your foot and roll backwards and forwards
I had a PF night splint from Amazon which holds your foot in correct alignment as you sleep with a wedge to add an optional calf stretch - foot feels so much better in the morning

If nothing helps after a few weeks then see your GP for a podiatry referral or you can have an injection in your foot as a last resort. You may need custom-made orthotics like me as I also have fallen arches which doesn’t help.

Squirrelsnut · 21/05/2023 06:59

OP, I also have PF and it's horrible.
I started eating Very low gluten and low sugar for health reasons and a welcome side effect has been much improved PF. Worth a try?

allnewname · 21/05/2023 07:25

Following for inspiration, trying to keep PF at bay.

ALittleBitExtra · 21/05/2023 07:33

Following with interest... I really need some smart office type shoes but my PF is awful so I'm living in my Skechers which isn't a great look!
Also made the mistake of wearing my beautiful but impractical Converse on a night out recently, agony the next day!

Cantonet · 21/05/2023 08:00

The main things that have helped me is wearing Vionic slippers at home. I literally put them on first thing as at my worst I could barely walk barefoot. Special socks at night to keep your foot in the correct position. Doing Foot stretches every day & shock wave/laser treatment at the physio. I also wear walking Vionic trainers for dog walks & flatform chunky ones for daytime. I do find I'm absolutely fine with flipflops, so I wear Vionic High tide in the summer.
I have flat feet, so I really need arch support. Other PF sufferers don't so maybe it's not so important. Most Fitflops don't have arch support apart from the newer trainers. But I used to find them very comfortable pre PF.
PF seems to be mainly triggered by hormonal changes & seems quite random in the way it comes & goes . I've lost weight & don't have High blood sugar but I don't believe it's made much of a difference. Or maybe it has because it's gone in one foot☺️

lookingforMolly · 21/05/2023 08:15

Thanks @Outandup

Interesting that you say it's triggered by hormonal changes @Cantonet as I may be peri menopausal.

Original poster
NormalForNuneaton · 21/05/2023 08:29

I've had a look at some of the suggested shoes but cant find any that are suitable.

The ones that I like, style-wise, are just too trainer like for work (eg Birkenstock Bend), and the ones that are suitable for work are just not me/too ugly.😕

How I envy people who can just pick any shoe!

OP posts:
ClaraBourne · 21/05/2023 11:58

Another PF sufferer here. I'd definitely recommend physio and podiatry referral.

I've got insoles the podiatrist gave me. I got one pair only though. I looked at the ones I was buying and they had a much flatter arch. The ones I have now have 3.5 cm. I still get morning pain a bit but can go most of the day pain free.

waltzingparrot · 21/05/2023 12:01

I second a Plantar fasciitis night splint - that really helped plus a pair of orthopedic inserts. Also, I love Skechers ArchFit range. Haven't had a problem since using these supports. Do not wear flats again or go barefoot in summer.

Soundbathfan · 21/05/2023 12:35

ClaraBourne · 21/05/2023 11:58

Another PF sufferer here. I'd definitely recommend physio and podiatry referral.

I've got insoles the podiatrist gave me. I got one pair only though. I looked at the ones I was buying and they had a much flatter arch. The ones I have now have 3.5 cm. I still get morning pain a bit but can go most of the day pain free.

Nhs or private? I've never got anywhere with the nhs with this so curious if others have!

Pippielk · 21/05/2023 21:53

I got insoles from NHS podiatry which has helped. Daily stretches of calf also help. If I neglect the stretches and do a good bit of walking I can feel it coming back.
Also I found a boot on Amazon to keep you foot in the correct position at night made a big difference when it was bad - now I just wear it every night as a preventative. took a few nights to get used to it…
My pf came on after pregnancy so maybe it is hormonal related…