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kitewithfishSo, basic rundown - I have chronic tendonitis in my plantar fascia, the tendons that let you grab things with your toes, and that means I shop for shoes with the following in mind a) pain mitigation via padding and b) supportive structures to keep my feet in good shape.
I wear, usually, a size 7 or 8 with an orthotic insert, but sometimes I can pull off a shoe that is a 6 wide if the shoe runs a bit roomy and I don't have to wear an orthotic with that design.
_______________________
Guidelines: American Podiatric Medical Association https://www.apma.org/Patients/content.cfm?ItemNumber=1108
_______________________________
Medical stuff:
NatraCure Cold Therapy Socks: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003L4WOKG/ - These are socks that have little cold packs that fit in pockets around the sock. They CANNOT be walked in, but they can be thrown into the freezer to chill you feet. You can remove all the ice packs that you don't need (I don't use the one on top of the toes, by example) and they are solidly great if you are supposed to be icing your feet. 9/10 (bc ugly)
Nice Stretch Night Splint: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001G0N6JU/
This is not a walking boot, tho it looks like it - it's a night splint to keep your foot at an nice right angle while you sleep. It's actually one of the most comfortable I have used, primarily because it doesn't fuck around on giving you structure. All the elements are adjustable, it locks firmly and you can walk to the bathroom without taking it off, and you can put it on without strangling your leg. 9/10. (The little anti-slip skids on the bottom wear off in time)
Wooden Foot Roller: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KK2RJC - the model doesn't really matter, what matters is that it has little rubber nonslip rings to keep it from splintering on hard surfaces, and it has a variety of good angles on how to use it. Ballet dancers use them - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nh9fdJftCE
Commercial Orthotic - https://www.suprememed.com/protech-full-length
These are the gold standard, there are similar ones for like $30 and they are NOT as good - these last about 6 months of daily wear in the Pre-Covid days.
_________________________________________________
Shoes:
Things I Wear Without an Orthotic: (mostly sandals and slippers - some of these sandals have recently been on sale, so worth looking at!)
Chaco Cloud Sandals: https://www.chacos.com/US/en/z-cloud-wide-width/28957W.html?dwvar_28957W_color=J107366W#cgid=women-footwear-sandals&prefn1=size&prefv1=6&prefn2=width&prefv2=Wide&start=1
These are hiking sandals, the straps are completely adjustable, and they are great in terms of arch support. I find that the "Cloud" base has more cushioning than the classic base, which I prefer for shock absorption. They have excellent arch support - I had to try a few sizes to get the right one for me, but if you are willing to try them on in person (or use some of mine to figure out the right fit) they are a good investment. AND, my sister who wears a size 7 can just buy a kid's size shoe and finds that those are as good in terms of quality for wear as the adults shoes, but about 40$ cheaper. Depends on your needs and taste.
Vionic Sandals - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07C1171Y7
Vionic is an orthotic brand - they bought Orthoheel, which previously made these shoes. They are more expensive than they are worth, BUT, you can get an flip flop that has actually good arch support. Their main problem is wear - the sole of the shoe loses arch support more quickly than other brands, so I mostly get these as casual sandals that I will wear for cute outfits, and flip flops for summer, but not for much outdoor use.
Powerstep Luxe Orthotic Slippers - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077K6CCYN/
These slippers are made by the same brand that makes my orthotics -they are slippers with excellent arch support! This is honestly really great!
_________________________________________________________________
Shoes I wear with Orthotics:
Keen Presidio - https://www.keenfootwear.com/p/W-PRESIDIO.html?dwvar_W-PRESIDIO_color=1023168&cgid=collections_presidio
Keen makes hiking boots and work boots, and these shoes have the most solid base I have ever worn. They also have excellent toe room. Honestly, they are my go-to for close toed shoes most days - slightly heavy, but very very good. I also have this shoe in an ankle boot form, and they make a Mary Jane I have not tried but it looks solid.
Timberland Bramhall Oxford - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011L4V0K2
Slightly less solid base than the Keens, but still very good. I love the styling, and I wish they were still making them. The brand has some other shoes that are similar in style, but I haven't tried them yet. https://www.timberland.com/shop/womens-shoes#facet=ads_f14001_ntk_cs%253A%2522Oxfords%2522&beginIndex=0
Doc Martens: https://www.drmartens.com/us/en/p/22133001
The secret to wearing Doc Martens as non-punk shoes is 1) get models without contrast stitching or branded elements and b) polish the shit out of them. If you do those two things, you can get some really great shoes. They, sadly, generally cannot be resoled ,but they have a solidly good bouncy sole and a good style. These, I recommend with a slight reservation, in that the zipper tabs ripped off when I had worn them every day for almost a year, so I bought more zipper pulls and worn them into the ground.
I wear, usually, a size 7 or 8 with an orthotic insert, but sometimes I can pull off a shoe that is a 6 wide if the shoe runs a bit roomy and I don't have to wear an orthotic with that design.
_______________________
Guidelines: American Podiatric Medical Association https://www.apma.org/Patients/content.cfm?ItemNumber=1108
_______________________________
Medical stuff:
NatraCure Cold Therapy Socks: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003L4WOKG/ - These are socks that have little cold packs that fit in pockets around the sock. They CANNOT be walked in, but they can be thrown into the freezer to chill you feet. You can remove all the ice packs that you don't need (I don't use the one on top of the toes, by example) and they are solidly great if you are supposed to be icing your feet. 9/10 (bc ugly)
Nice Stretch Night Splint: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001G0N6JU/
This is not a walking boot, tho it looks like it - it's a night splint to keep your foot at an nice right angle while you sleep. It's actually one of the most comfortable I have used, primarily because it doesn't fuck around on giving you structure. All the elements are adjustable, it locks firmly and you can walk to the bathroom without taking it off, and you can put it on without strangling your leg. 9/10. (The little anti-slip skids on the bottom wear off in time)
Wooden Foot Roller: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KK2RJC - the model doesn't really matter, what matters is that it has little rubber nonslip rings to keep it from splintering on hard surfaces, and it has a variety of good angles on how to use it. Ballet dancers use them - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nh9fdJftCE
Commercial Orthotic - https://www.suprememed.com/protech-full-length
These are the gold standard, there are similar ones for like $30 and they are NOT as good - these last about 6 months of daily wear in the Pre-Covid days.
_________________________________________________
Shoes:
Things I Wear Without an Orthotic: (mostly sandals and slippers - some of these sandals have recently been on sale, so worth looking at!)
Chaco Cloud Sandals: https://www.chacos.com/US/en/z-cloud-wide-width/28957W.html?dwvar_28957W_color=J107366W#cgid=women-footwear-sandals&prefn1=size&prefv1=6&prefn2=width&prefv2=Wide&start=1
These are hiking sandals, the straps are completely adjustable, and they are great in terms of arch support. I find that the "Cloud" base has more cushioning than the classic base, which I prefer for shock absorption. They have excellent arch support - I had to try a few sizes to get the right one for me, but if you are willing to try them on in person (or use some of mine to figure out the right fit) they are a good investment. AND, my sister who wears a size 7 can just buy a kid's size shoe and finds that those are as good in terms of quality for wear as the adults shoes, but about 40$ cheaper. Depends on your needs and taste.
Vionic Sandals - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07C1171Y7
Vionic is an orthotic brand - they bought Orthoheel, which previously made these shoes. They are more expensive than they are worth, BUT, you can get an flip flop that has actually good arch support. Their main problem is wear - the sole of the shoe loses arch support more quickly than other brands, so I mostly get these as casual sandals that I will wear for cute outfits, and flip flops for summer, but not for much outdoor use.
Powerstep Luxe Orthotic Slippers - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077K6CCYN/
These slippers are made by the same brand that makes my orthotics -they are slippers with excellent arch support! This is honestly really great!
_________________________________________________________________
Shoes I wear with Orthotics:
Keen Presidio - https://www.keenfootwear.com/p/W-PRESIDIO.html?dwvar_W-PRESIDIO_color=1023168&cgid=collections_presidio
Keen makes hiking boots and work boots, and these shoes have the most solid base I have ever worn. They also have excellent toe room. Honestly, they are my go-to for close toed shoes most days - slightly heavy, but very very good. I also have this shoe in an ankle boot form, and they make a Mary Jane I have not tried but it looks solid.
Timberland Bramhall Oxford - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011L4V0K2
Slightly less solid base than the Keens, but still very good. I love the styling, and I wish they were still making them. The brand has some other shoes that are similar in style, but I haven't tried them yet. https://www.timberland.com/shop/womens-shoes#facet=ads_f14001_ntk_cs%253A%2522Oxfords%2522&beginIndex=0
Doc Martens: https://www.drmartens.com/us/en/p/22133001
The secret to wearing Doc Martens as non-punk shoes is 1) get models without contrast stitching or branded elements and b) polish the shit out of them. If you do those two things, you can get some really great shoes. They, sadly, generally cannot be resoled ,but they have a solidly good bouncy sole and a good style. These, I recommend with a slight reservation, in that the zipper tabs ripped off when I had worn them every day for almost a year, so I bought more zipper pulls and worn them into the ground.
