Shoes for swimming

[Citylife1]

I have charcot foot and really want to get into swimming again. I would not wear water shoes in the pool but need them to get from the changing room to the pool. I want a pair of non slip shoes for the poolside easily put on and taken off, I would welcome advice.

Also do others find swimming helps

Cheryl

[REGreen]

Dear Citylife,

Yes do get back into swimming. The feeling of being supported by the water without having to balance on wobbly, sore feet is bliss. It is like being in a new dimension. It energises you and the the feeling of being back in command of your body is great. I am lucky to have a big, deep pool in the river on my farm so I can swim anytime, any day when it is warm enough. For this I have to wear shoes as the bottom of the pool is rocky and uneven. I having tried old plimpsolls, neoprene swimming shoes and now crocs. I would think crocs would answer your problem. They are easy to get on and off, protect your toes if you stumble on the way to the water, waterproof if you shower in them before going into the pool and are cheap and easy to get hold off. If anyone does run off with them while you are swimming they a re easy to replace.

Good luck and don't hold back it is worth the gasping moment when you get into very cold water for the pleasure you will.

Best wishes,

RE Green

[Buzzybee21]

Hi Cheryl

I use rubber , croc type shoes to walk to the side of the pool .I bought them on Amazon a few years ago. I guess Amazon will have a variety of waterproof footwear available . Croc style are easiest to slip foot in and out .

[PRseam]

I do water aerobics and deep water running and wear slip on water shoes for both. I can not really walk without something on my feet.

[Thel]

I’m like you unable to walk or stand without something on my feet, I was given a pair of crocs for to try in the shower and they worked , don’t know if I could keep them on all day because of my dropped foot 🦶 it’s worth trying a pair mine will certainly go everywhere with me in future especially when on holiday.there are different prices so give it a go.

[Citylife1 in reply to Thel]

Thanks ThelI think I will give the crocs a go. Do you find your aquatic shoes stay on in the pool while you are swimming. Apart from getting from changing room to poolside, the pool I usually use out of lockdown is a private pool as the public pools in my area have more water on the outside than in the pool. However the disadvantage of the private pool is the horrible metal ladder steps so painful when getting out, but aquatic shoes may be the answer as well as crocs

Private pools could learn a lot about facilities for disabled people-they charge enough

[Ladywonder in reply to Thel]

I'm also like yous I might have to get some crocs hopefully they will work for me . We have no pools open at the moment but if they ever do open I may go I had my hip replaced so I think it would do me some good to exercise in a pool

[Amanita]

Hi, Citylife1,

I had just this problem when going to an aquatic exercise class (for people with health issues). The wet floor tiles were perilously slippery.

I tried all sorts of footwear designed for swimming, but either they didn't fit my super-wide CMT feet - or I couldn't get then on with my super- weak CMT hands. Or they worked loose and fell off.

Somebody on this forum suggested wearing ordinary socks, which certainly helped a bit, but they tended to slip down and become trip-hazards.

Then I found some ridiculously cheap aquatic shoes with pimply soles at Lidl's . They were perfect - I could get them on with a bit of a struggle and they didn't fall off. The pimples wore down fairly quickly, but they were so cheap I had bought several pairs.

I could then use more concentration on not letting my crutches skid.

The water exercises were absolutely marvellous - when I eventually got enough confidence not to cling to the edge of the pool - and I could do all sorts of wonderful things (eg star jumps) which are totally impossible on land . I think it even improved my balance a bit.

It would have been too difficult to take them off and put them back on at the poolside so I wore them in the water.

I had to give up after a hip replacement, which limited my movement and prevented me from being able to get my dry-land footwear back on unaided afterwards.( I can only do it at home because everything is the right height and in the right place).

I do hope you find something suitable. I certainly recommend water exercises - or swimming (which I never really mastered) Not just the exercise - the company was great too.

[Ladywonder in reply to Amanita]

Do you not swim no more because of your hip replacement. I've had a replacement and have gone swimming twice since it .I found it very hard to kick my feet to swim but figured with time it would become easier then covid hit so no more swimming might consider getting a cheap pool this summer

[Amanita in reply to Ladywonder]

Thanks, Ladywonder,

Since my (R) hip replacement my surgeon gave me strict instructions never to put my right foot on my left knee . This makes putting on my R sock, AFO and boot very difficult indeed. - even at home where everything is in exactly the right place and at the right height, unlike a changing cubicle.

The staff at the pool won't assist anyone in this personal way (it was difficult sometimes to get them to produce the hoist to get me into the water and then attract their attention to get me out) . I even investigated paying a carer to come and help me with my footwear, but couldn't find anyone able to come on a regular basis, so had to admit defeat.

I'm sure I'd be fine in the water, and really do miss the exercise classes.

[kyia_boots in reply to Amanita]

That's really sad. I feel for you. Would you be able to reinvestigate a carer to assist after lockdown. It would be worth it to get back in the pool with all the benefits of a swim?

[Amanita in reply to kyia_boots]

Thank you, Kyia_boots,

I have already explored paying a carer, but couldn't find anyone who could come on a regular basis.

Meanwhile I heard that the class expanded enormously in size since I gave up, so pressure on the 4 disabled changing cubicles (which already doubled as parent-and-baby) would be even worse, so it looks as though I befitted from the class at the best time.

[Ladywonder in reply to Amanita]

Oh I'm with you on hip replacement I have hard enough time getting socks on in the morning 5 years later my other hips getting to that point of may need done doctor already told me knees are a no go . He didn't think I'd walk after my hip surgery so pretty sure hed be Leary of doing my other. I have to make sure I go with someone who understands my needs and doesn't mind helping I hate it but its what's best

[Djbomer]

Hi l have had to wear trainers for years and flip flops in the shower at home. Only once or twice have any body said any thing. So good luck, you have my sympathy. Dj

[Ladywonder in reply to Djbomer]

You can wear flipflops I cant keep them on my feet

[bsbowman]

I love deep water walking and exercise classes fir my CMT. At first I felt funny wearing my water shoes (look like running shoes) into the water but I quickly adjusted to them. Mine tie just like walking shoes but are mesh-like with very light weight soles. I like the fact that I can walk into the shower with them on, walk out if the dressing room, get into the pool and get back out on the ladder with a sure grip. They do not encumber me at all while doing my exercises. Check out H2O swimwear for some good products.

[Citylife1 in reply to bsbowman]

Thanks will try this site, those ladder steps are a nightmare

[kyia_boots]

Hiya. I have CMT and find swimming really helps manage my weight which inevitably helps manage my CMT. I have to be careful not to overdo the swimming because I'm still a really fast swimmer but as I don't go often I am not that fit. Last time I went swimming I totally overdid it and wiped myself out for a week. As for shoes I'd say any pair that is easiest to get on and off such as walking sandals or even crocs.

[handmaid]

I have a few pairs of water shoes, easy on/off velcro. I get them from Landsend may be worth a look.