Support shoes for Hypermobile feet

[Allfurcoatandnoknickers]

I’ve found out recently that my hypermobility extends to my feet. I’ve got Achilles tendinitis and bunions forming - yay.
Having to review my footwear - nothing seems comfy any more apart from my walking boots!
Im after some supportive trainers that aren’t fabric at the sides so supportive of my feet to stop them rolling around.
I’m after some every day leather type trainers that offer full support that I can wear with my orthotics.
Any suggestions from fellow foot sufferers?

Just bookmarking (I've even name changed for the occasion!) as I don't really have anything useful to add.

I'm currently having some orthotics made. I have hideously unstable feet/ankles (in fact all my joints really) and I recently gave myself two stress fractures in my foot because of the way I'm holding my feet/ankles to stay upright which precipitated the referral to the orthotics guy. Re shoes I've always found lace up boots in the winter good and Birkenstocks in the summer.

I'm waiting for a physio appointment so I'm hoping it's someone with hyper-mobility knowledge - like others, I've got a raft of other health issues that all interconnect and as a result it feels like nothing is ever straightforward.

Has anyone done strength training as a way to help the wobbliness? It's something I've been looking into recently but I don't know if I'd be able to do it (well or safely) given that my hands/wrists are also very unstable.

My feet are a mess after being trodden on by horses plus I'm flat footed too but I've just bought these and have to say I'm living in them right now. They're not for doing any proper gym training in but for walking around in then they are supremely supportive and comfortable. My Skechers (that made my feet ache horribly) have been binned

www.lemieux.com/clothing/footwear/trax-waterproof-trainer-black

Sounds like there are a fair few of us in the same boat. There seems to be very little known about how these things all interconnect, and you are very often treated one symptom at a time. I've found pilates helps me with my stability, but it's the cardio exercise I'm missing at the moment - even though I moaned about it, I actually loved the way running made me feel. I'm waiting to speak to a Sports medicine bod to see if they can give any advice. I've got orthotics being made as we speak, and hopefully they will offer more support too.

Ooh nice!! I've just bought some Hotter shoes to see if they help at all - they look nice and sensible and supporting 🙄

I found the orthotics actually made the hypermobility worse. The problem wasn't the shape of my feet (which was corrected by the orthotics) but bendy joints higher up.

I was the same. Anything I’ve had made by podiatry or occupational therapy has been unusable. Could just be the hospital I go to though.

I have Classical EDS and getting any sort of shoe is a nightmare. I’ve just got back from 2 hours in Blacks Outdoors trying to get walking shoes. I have returned with some North Face Hedgehog Futurelights which seem to be v promising 🤞🏼.

Other brands I have been ok with are Saucony, but they’re not waterproof so big issue in the rain) and some Fit Flop trainers and boots. Lots of assistants recommend ASICS and Brooks. They’ve not worked out for me but are worth trying. I hope you get something that’s comfy and not too grim looking. It’s a major project embarking on a footwear mission.

@Allfurcoatandnoknickers I’m hyper mobile and have POTS. I can recommend a great physio in London if that helps?

I find sandals with a 1-2 inch heel the most comfortable. I wear orthotics in asics for exercise.

Thanks - I’m in Yorkshire but ever hopeful that I’ll find someone with knowledge of both conditions!

Watching with interest

Ah it's a shame you're not a little bit further North as I'm in Newcastle and have a great physio who's really clued up on hypermobility.

I'm hyper mobile, including my feet. I actually find highly supportive shoes make it worse no better and have found barefoot shoes the only truly comfortable options for me. Took me a while to get used to but now struggling with anything else!

I have Ehler’s Danlos syndrome. I went to a podiatrist and have very sexy orthotics. They have made a huge difference to my stability and also the pain I was getting due to deformed legs and hip joints. I would discuss shoe options with the podiatrist. (Mine recommended Dr Martens for me!)

Do you have a physio near you that specialises in ballet (specifically pointe readiness assessments)? If so, they could be a good place to start if you are having trouble finding someone. They are likely to have seen plenty of hypermobile people, and prepared many, many strengthening programs for feet /ankles / legs / butts / core

@Oiyouoverthere yes same for me. I wish someone had put me on to them 25 years ago!

I have Nike trainers for my custom orthotics. My eds also affects my feet. The Nikes are leather rather than mesh.

Hmm not sure - could maybe check that one out!

Saloman shoes seem to be the ones all the physios and podiatrists wear in case that's any help. The kind you tighten with a pull cord.

@Allfurcoatandnoknickers they do video appointments? Happy to share the name if helpful. She was recommended by a surgeon friend who said she’s the most clued up physio she knows regarding POTS/EDS/hypermobility.

Yes please!

Watching as well. Trouble is that you really need to wear any shoes for while before you can tell if they'll work out. Skechers caused knee problems for me. And Birkenstock leather trainers just don't seem to let my foot roll so, again knee pain as well as foot pain.

@Allfurcoatandnoknickers sent you a PM

Interesting you say this @MaybeSeven

When I had sprained my ankle for the umpteenth time I saw a physio - who by sheer chance was the ex-head of physio for the Royal Ballet.

She promptly diagnosed my tight tendons and lax ligaments, showed my how I was hypermobile, gave me some exercises to do and touch wood, I haven't sprained my ankle since.

So glad to find this post. Same here. Wobbly ankles getting worse with every passing year. Tree pose no longer a possibility. I’m thinking of a private physio or a local foot clinic. Agree that walking boots, I have special fab ones for bunions, are the best support but can’t really wear them all the time. 😳

I love my Keen walking boots. I’d wear them every day if I could, they’re so supportive.

I’ve also suffered with Achilles problems, sorted only by doing private rehab pilates focussing on strength and stability from the feet upwards. Regular physio and specialist mayo-facia physio didn’t do anything.

Unfortunately, with peri I’m also getting spontaneous tendon issues elsewhere (currently right at the top of my hamstring ie my butt, and inner elbow) it’s so sharp and painful. I’m 42 and I feel 100 years old.

Can I ask those with EDS what benefit there is to getting a diagnosis?

My instructor is positive I have EDS. I’ve dislocated both shoulders, both elbows regularly, both thumbs regularly, big toes when I walk barefoot, jaw pretty much daily, and my left hip. I’ve got the pullable skin, slow digestion, easy bruising and slow would healing (every bruise or cut lasts months and big ones can last years). I’ve dealt with pain and fatigue my whole life but no doctor has ever got to the bottom of it.

It's so hard isn't it? I've never been diagnosed with EDS, but saw a POTS specialist (which I have) and they said I'm hypermobile and scored highly on the Beighton score. I've self-referred into a Physical Activity Referral scheme and have my first appointment next week to sort out a programme. It's 12 weeks long and I can use the gym,pool and activity sessions but they sort out a programme for me. It costs £70 and I'll definitely have the motivation to go when it's a specific date and time. Doing exercises at home is a non-starter for me unfortunately!

I’m hypermobile with scoliosis. Exercise works: I have worked with a Pilates instructor and more recently a PT who is very interested in feet. I’ve gone over the last 2 years from having ankles that would roll without the slightest warning and having at least one bad (crutches) sprain a year to not being able to recall the last time my ankles rolled, including during pregnancy when all bets were off.

I also find the best shoes for me are barefoot styles like Vivobarefoot.