Story about shoes… or why buying shoes will never be the same again!

[CBDB]

I seem to be thinking a lot about shoes at the moment, having realised that my walking feet seem to need much more flexibility these days than my current walking/hiking boots give them.

And I only started walking with my running shoes quite recently. I don’t know why I didn’t realise that before, but I have much less aches in my legs and back when I walk with my running shoes. Amazing how we still discover new things of how to treat our bodies, even after quite a few decades of walking in this world!

My mind is also circling around the topic of shoes, as before Christmas I wanted to buy a road shoe, as I only have a trail shoe. I did the research, spent hours on the internet, came back to Altras, chose the Paradigms but they were too big and so I sent them back. They also felt so much less flexible and that made me realise that from the adverts I cannot quite tell which shoe has a hard sole (is that the same as “supportive shoe”? “Cushioned”? “Dynamic”?) and which has a flexible sole (“responsive”? “Light”?).

The more I look into the subject of shoes, the more I realise I know nothing!

How did I ever survive choosing shoes in the past! 😱🤣

So I listened to another instalment of the podcast “IMMORTAL SOLES” about the history of shoes. It doesn’t help me with current shoe-choice dilemmas but it was certainly interesting.

Picture is of medieval crakow shoe on wooden platforms (elevating the walker above the dirt and sludge) , thought to be one of the predecessors of the high heel!

So let me know if I’m not alone in finding shoe shopping a nightmare, and what are your tips to safely navigate any shoe-shopping conundrums?

Immortal Soles Podcast (Jared and Nick Walker) immortalsolespodcast.com

Immortal Soles Podcast (Jared and Nick Walker) immortalsolespodcast.com

EPISODE 2 (2019) A QUICK JOG THROUGH HISTORY- PART II

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[Doris8 1000miles per year]

I found the paradigms altras not wide enough at toe box, which I sent back and not as flexible las .one peaks . I have been using my lone peaks as on pavements concrete as comfy at Madeira. Now I have my new brooks ghost 14 use them on walking on roads which mostly my walks are. I have big problem as have wedding in spring goodness knows what I’ll get with bunions nerve pain etc. I live in trainers . I look at reviews on sites before I buy especially for wide fitting. I found hoka wasn’t wide enough for me. I also look at Runrepeat it tells you reviews etc. Feet a nightmare 🦶

[CBDB Administrator in reply to Doris8]

it is a nightmare, isn’t it. I have yet to change my work shoes to a more healthy footwear. My criteria are becoming quite difficult to meet:

- 0-Drop

- wide toe box

- fairly flexible

And the last one is proven quite difficult to identify when buying online.

I have recently come across a shoe brand with wide toe boxes and flexible sole that makes work boots called hotter, and M&S has them in store. (Picture attached) So I might try those to see if they could be my new work shoes.

Boots

[Doris8 1000miles per year in reply to CBDB]

yes they’re smart , look wide looking at pictures. Good luck

[ChannelRunner2 2000miles per year]

OMG! Those shoes look so uncomfortable! My feet are delighting in knowing I don't have to walk in those shoes...

I tend to stick with a brand once I found a comfortable pair, though it's been a lot of trial and errors (and, unfortunately, injuries...). Of course, I can't help myself trying out new (to me) shoes and am, for example, very happy to have tried out Puma Run XX Nitro, a shoe designed for women's feet.

[CBDB Administrator in reply to ChannelRunner2]

do you have a dress boot that you feel comfortable by any chance? Something to wear for work? Just trying to understand which makes might be the best for my feet, which now have gotten used to living space and flexibility.

[ChannelRunner2 2000miles per year in reply to CBDB]

Ha, no, I don't have to dress up for work... I wore the Hoka hiking boots to work yesterday because I figured they'd be best in the slushy snow-rain-stuff we were having... I do have a pair of boots by Wolky and another by Waldviertler. The Wolky's sole is too thin, so my toes start hurting after a while and the Waldviertler sole is slippery (they've thankfully changed the sole design! I mean, how can you make winter boots with slippery soles?!?)

The ones I wore yesterday are in my #photowalk photo: healthunlocked.com/active10...

[LottieMW Administrator]

To start with, back in 2020, I had a trusty pair of Asics that I used for walking. However, I think the developing holes in the toes were telling me something, so after 3 weeks of starting C25k, I bit the bullet and visited a small local sports shop that does gait analysis. I ended up with a new pair of Asics (GT-2000), which I kept for running…and retired the old ones to walking only.

I have 3 main hobbies, one of which is running, so I don’t begrudge splashing out on a new pair of trainers annually.

The great thing is, even though I only go back once a year, the original member of staff is still there…and remembers me! So we have a chat about running and it’s all very sociable!

So in 2021 we went with Saucony (Omni 19), and I relegated the Asics to walking…and finally binned the original pair. This year I have a new pair of Sauconys (Guide 14), the old ones are for walking, and the Asics are just for general wear.

Top L-R: 2021 Sauconys, 2020 Asics…bottom: 2022 Sauconys. No pix of ancient Asics 😂

3 pairs of trainers

[LottieMW Administrator in reply to LottieMW]

of course, I didn’t really answer your question 🙄

I think a gait analysis is essential for runners, and still pretty important for serious street walkers. Trainers are like wellies and hiking boots…go a size up from your normal shoe size. I’m a size 7 (41), my wellies, allotment boots (aka hiking boots) and trainers are all size 8.

I haven’t explored the world of trail shoes…all my favourite routes have tarmac or firm gravel. It’s a possible future plan…I have a whole mountain behind me after all…⛰️

[CBDB Administrator in reply to LottieMW]

Yes. Agree complete.

Nothing beats trying shoes out in person. But I’m not having any luck with this, I fear. Tried a shop in a reasonable distance from us but they did not have any makes that I knew had wide toe boxes and zero drops. And I know now, those are non-negotiables for me.

Next shop with gait analysis is an hour away, so I’ll have to find the right Saturday. And that’s a Saturday gone, then ☹️. Hum ho.

[LottieMW Administrator in reply to CBDB]

that’s a real shame ☹️

[Marthaclemat]

I’ve just discovered Sole Bliss. Not walking shoes. Trendy boots (and shoes and sandals). They are not cheap but for someone with bunions like me they are a godsend. They have a ‘bunion pocket’, hidden. (And space for Hammer Tie too) For the first time in years I can ditch my trainers for going out out. I’m saving up for my second pair.

[Marthaclemat]

PS with regard to Sole Bliss. Buy a size smaller. They come up big.

[CBDB Administrator in reply to Marthaclemat]

Thanks. Just had a look but I can see most have a heel. I think I’m looking for:

- wide toe box (which they have)

- 0 drop (doesn’t look like it)

- flexible sole (not sure)

But great that you found something that suits you. I think I’m still on my finding-journey.

👍🏽👏👠👢🥾