Walking Shoe Recommendations

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SeasideMemories
SeasideMemories Member Posts: 3,194
edited June 2014 in Working on Your Fitness

Hi All,

I have decided that I am going to get myself in better shape beginning now (well, actually Jan. 2)! 

I have gained a bit of weight during the course of things over the last 1 1/2 years and want to get back on track with the exercise, eating well and hopefully shed these pounds! 

I was walking regularly before my diagnosis and  have started walking again. I have noticed my feet really hurt when I'm done.  That doesn't seem right!  I do believe that my shoes need replacing!

Looking for any recommendations for what brand/type of shoe has worked for you.

Thanks for any suggestions you can provide.

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  • voraciousreader
    voraciousreader Member Posts: 7,496
    edited January 2011

    Visit a foot doctor and BRING A SHOPPING BAG FILLED WITH YOUR SHOES.

    Most people have foot pain because they are not wearing properly fitted shoes.  Furthermore, you might benefit from an orthotic.

    I wear the following brand shoes:

    Wolky

    Waldlaufer

    Finn Comfort

    Ziera/Kumfs

    Durea

    Think!

     Mephisto

    Good luck.

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited January 2011

    Seaside, I wear adidas Raziya because of the gel insole, very comfy!  Also nice is the mesh upper that allows your feet to breathe.  They're lightweight, low profile, and only cost fifty bucks.  I've walked 500+ miles in them since last year.  Good luck!

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  • TokyoSing
    TokyoSing Member Posts: 140
    edited January 2011

    Voracious Reader, I like your list.  I have painful joints in my knees and in my ankles from Arimidex. Most of my Ferragamos don't fit anymore.   I find that if I have proper ankle and arch support, I can get my 10,000 steps in everyday without any trouble.  Winter's good.  Good boots and clunky supportive shoes help.

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  • voraciousreader
    voraciousreader Member Posts: 7,496
    edited January 2011

    Tokyosing-

    All of the shoes that I recommend have excellent support.  In fact, the Durea have steel shanks along the sole.  My 26 year old daughter and I ONLY wear the shoes and sandals manufactured by these companies.  Many of the shoes also have wide "toe boxes" that give your toes more wiggle room.  I can't give these manufacturers enough accolades.  I recently mentioned on another thread that I treated my daughter on her birthday to a new pair of Ziera/Kumfs and she wore them on her special day.  She and the fiance walked across the Brooklyn Bridge and back on her birthday.  She had NO foot pain whatsoever!  The fiance's wasn't so lucky in his sneakers.

    It took both of us 3 long years to clean our closets of uncomfortable shoes and now we are the happiest campers.  We said goodbye to our Aerosoles, Easy Spirits and Naturalizers.  I know the shoes that I have mentioned can be very expensive at first.  But once you find a brand that works for you, you can shop the web and score a nice pair for very little money.  The only exception are the Finn Comforts and the Durea.  It's very hard to find them for little money.  Furthermore, these shoes will last FOREVER, so they're worth EVERY PENNY.  I can't tell you how many times I bought what I thought were a comfortable shoe and within weeks, I wore them out.  Not with these shoes and sandals.  They're terrific!  I also have my mother, sister and many of my close friends wearing them! 

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  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 3,194
    edited January 2011

    Thanks for responding ladies!

    I will check out your suggestions when I get a few minutes to myself.  Hopefully soon!

    VoraciousReader, I did look at a couple of your suggestions in the few minutes I had.  They are outside my price range but, great idea to look around online.  I will definitely do that and look at the rest!  Also, if they last so much longer than my cheaper walking shoes, they may very well be worth saving up for and making the investment!

    Badger,

    I'lll look at the Adidas as well.  The gel insole may be just the thing I need as it is the ball of my foot that seems to be the problem.

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  • TokyoSing
    TokyoSing Member Posts: 140
    edited January 2011

    I check Zappo's just about every week or so and have found Finn Comfort and Mephisto shoes for up to 30% discount.  Voracious Reader, you are right.  My first pair of Finns (circa 2002) are still with me, I am toying with the idea of sending them for a complete refurbishing ( about $120).  It's better for the environment for us to keep re-soling, repairing the same shoes.  

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  • voraciousreader
    voraciousreader Member Posts: 7,496
    edited January 2011

    Tokyosing-

    A few weeks ago, I scored a Mephisto sandal at Nordstrom's Rack.  Regularly priced at $247 - I paid $60!  My Canadian niece called me while visiting Florida last week and said she too grabbed a pair of Mephistos at Nordstrom's Rack...for $100!  She said they felt like butter!  She had been wearing Birkinstocks, but she said the Mephistos felt INSANE and were BEAUTIFUL!

    My friend's 85 year old mother, who ONLY wears Finn Comforts, treated my friend to a pair of Finn Comfort sandals, a few weeks ago before her vacation to Mexico.  She had returned from the foot doctor, a few days before, who said to her, "You're ruining your feet!"  The Finns were on sale at the local orthopedic shoe store...but I could tell you, even if they weren't on sale, she was buying those sandals!!  When she returned from Mexico, she asked where I find the sales!!!!

    Honestly, Tokyosing, I think you should scout out a new pair.  I've seen people bring their Dureas and Finns into the store to be resoled, but honestly, I think over $100 isn't worth it.  While occasionally I pay $200 for a pair of those brands of shoes I mentioned earlier, I often visit the Eneselow Shoe Store on Park Avenue South in Manhattan and shop the Clearance Section and often pay $150 for 2 pairs of shoes.  At the end of last summer they had a terrific sale.  My daughter and I, along with one of my friend's parents visited the store, and when we left ...I swear we could have been mistaken for tourists!  Between my daughter and I, we bought 8 pairs of shoes for a total of $385!  My friend's parents also spent $385 on 4 pairs of shoes! 

    Good luck!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2012

    deleted

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  • voraciousreader
    voraciousreader Member Posts: 7,496
    edited January 2011

    I forgot to mention, my daughter wears Mizuno sneakers at the gym.  She purchased them at a running store:

    http://www.amazon.com/Mizuno-Womens-Wave-Inspire-Running/dp/B002VJKBOI/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_t

    Before visiting the foot doctor, my last pair of shoes were the Sketchers.  Again, for me, they were comfortable for a few weeks, and then I had pain in the ball of my foot.  Ditto for the daughter.  All of the shoes, I mentioned and the Mizuno provide great comfort for us in that area without causing heel pain. 

    Also had heel pain.  Doctor told me to ONLY buy sandals with ankle straps.  Ditto for the daughter.  Voila, no heel pain anymore either!Wink

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited January 2011

    I had a horrible time finding the right athletic shoe. I would get blisters all the time using the treadmill. I tried everything.

    Finally I went to a place that specializes in athletic shoes. (Fleet Feet) Ended up my foot is narrow. There are very few athletic shoes that come in narrow and only one worked for me (Brooks). So all I can say is be sure you go to a place that really understands how to fit and has lots of brands… even if you just go for a walking shoe instead of an athletic shoe.

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