Can anyone recommend shoes?

[Jacey15]

I was diagnosed with RF and anti CCCP positive RA in January which was a shock even though that's what I thought I'd got. As well as problems with my hands, I'm having problems with swollen painful toes and wondered if anyone could recommend suitable footwear?

[Angela123]

Hotter Shoes! They have some trendy styles if you look for them. They are not cheap, but look online. I get mine from a Hotter out of town Freeport shopping centre where they can be half price. They are very comfortable and soft. Angela

[kizzy12]

hi, Hotter shoes are great....cushioned soles and they do wide fittings....only shoes ive been able to wear comfotably...hope things calm down for you soon x

[farm123]

Another for Hotter although you may still have to try many different styles to find the most comfortable for you - keep an open mind as some do look better once they are on your feet. Farm

[nomoreheels]

Fly Flots, lovely squishy soles & most have Velcro fastenings to adjust the width according to how swollen your feet are.

I forgot, I now have a pair of Clarks Trainers, very easy to walk in with good support & a slight wedge, the bonus is I can take the insole out to make way for my orthotic but just now I can place the heel cup arch support ones on without needing to take the insole out. There's a rocker effect when walking, most odd to begin with but I've got used to it now!

[angel-delight]

Hi, I just advised in another reply that I was advised by my Pod EasyB shoes. They have been great and now looking for sandals. They have been the most comfy shoes and don't wear any of my other shoes. My pod still made orthodics as the innersole can be removed. They have a website so you can order online or find a local supplier. All the best, S

[angel-delight]

Hi, I use to wear Hotter shoes but they changed the last and became too shallow in the front, EasyB stretch styles are so soft and have various depths. Hotter are great depending how swollen your feet are. Hope this helps. S

[Jacey15]

Wow, thanks for the help everyone! I have discovered there is a hotter shop in my nearest town so will try them first

[abeliever]

I swear by FITFLOPS fitflop.co.uk/about-us/tech...

I used to wear Hotters until my shoe shop changed to Fitflops, they are amazingly comfy and have trendy styles. They are about £70 new and £40 in the sales. I buy in the sales, last time I got a pair reduced from £100 to £70, I live in them! They have a leopard skin effect. The wobbleboard technology really helped me walk on grass and sand and stones that before I could not bare to walk on.

[Hidden]

Hello

I get mine from the podiatrist, they give me several books showing designs, I choose and they install the aids like raised soles support for toes and anything else I need.

They resole the shoes when they need doing and all I have to do is buy laces and keep them polished. They renew the shoe as required and at that time I may get a different design.

Mine are comfortable although many on here may say otherwise. Different folks different strokes.

BOB

[Hobbits]

Mine are Nike!!!!

The only ones that don't hurt my feet.

Nike shox, they are full grain leather, and have a five point spring system embedded in the heel. With each heel strike, the five embedded springs absorb the shock of each heel strike.

I have had very painful plantar Fascitis and also RD has ravaged my feet. My job has me on my feet and standing a lot. Through trial and error I found what works for me.

I find they fit small, so me usual size 8, is a size 9 in any Nike product, but I think that's becase I have a wider width across the top and a narrow heel.

It's unconventual, not orthodics, but for some reason this shoe does it for me.

I get mine from the USA, I have a relative buy them, since they go there on business and can buy duty free. The States has nicer styles and colors not available in Canada, although you can buy Nike Shox here too.

Six months ago I bought two pair, they last me about a year and a half of almost daily wear, I put the other pair away till my currents are worn out. Athletic shoes are the only thing that don't hurt, and they cost 140. U.S. funds.

Orthodics in Canada can start near 500. For just the inserts.

[Azabat in reply to Hobbits]

I'll take a look at those, Hobbitses, thanks very much. I so need to protect my knees. I have a pair of Keen's that are just starting to wear out, but I feel like I'd like more support than they offered. I wonder if I could get a Canadian store to order in the other styles? hmmmmmm

[Hobbits in reply to Azabat]

The shoes made for the U.S. market are not allowed to be sold in Canada. the stores that sell them Footlocker will not ship certain styles to a Canadian store or private adress. You either need to buy them directly in the states. Or have a US address or Post office box. There are some you can get shipped, because some styles are made for both countries. It just happens that the style I like are only available in USA.

Foot locker and Nationsl Sports both sell them. eBay is an option but I would try it cause there are knock offs and not the real thing. Good luck, they are very comfy.

[Hidden]

I do buy Hotter as there is an outlet near me, but if you don't mind buying online, why not take a look here:

cosyfeet.com/

[jillab]

Hi Jacey15, I'm another Hotter fan, love there shoes and sandals, some are ideal if your feet swell as they can have the straps easily let out I have a funny big toe that sticks up more than my other toes, also got a tailors bunyan on right foot get no bother from it with Hotter shoes, they also come in different widths in most styles. I also like Fit Flops, but do be careful if you get any shoes rather than sandals from them as a lot of their styles come up rather narrow. Hotter have quite a few shops around the country and also have an online site, so you can look at styles before you buy.

[Jacey15]

Thanks, all this info/experience is so helpful. I'm wearing fitflops at the moment and they are great but I'm cold in this weather and my podiatrist told me off for wearing them as she says they won't be good for the other problems I have with my feet (not RA related). When I asked what she recommend she just said trainers but I would have to try loads before I found a pair that were comfortable!

Bob, your podiatry service seems much more clued up.

[nomoreheels in reply to Jacey15]

Been there done that but I had the extra problem that they hadn't to be flat so I tried all sorts, forget most of them but Nike Air were the best for a slight rise but so uncomfortable. Eventually I went to the Clarks shop & the first ones I tried were just right, half a size bigger than I would normally buy in a shoe but the insole is removable making it right to accommodate orthotics, l think I mentioned this before duh!

[RAinK]

I have Clark's trainers too. Just gone up half a size to accommodate insoles + swelling toes. But most comfortable shoes I've found so far.

[NeonkittyUK]

Clarks Unstructured trainers and Fly of London rubber wedged boots (2 and half inch wedge) work the best for me. Fly are quite wide shoes and boots but not made for foot problems .. just their style have these gorgeous, comfy rubber wedges and a lot of their styles have easy velcro/rip tape fastenings. They are the only things I can walk near normal in! Clarks have just got some lovely wedge-y type sandals with three adjustable velcro straps over toes, foot and heel so can adjust as and when bits of the feet swell/shrink, in their Unstructured range .. all we would need is some good weather to wear them! Hope your toes feel better soon.

[wiliby]

Hi, can I just add that around 6 of being diagnosed I got rid of all my pretty shoes thinking that was it only to have to go out and buy more once disease was under control! Maybe not the 6inch heels but still 😀

Most of the time I'll wear something supportive but if I'm out then I'll wear a heel.

I like fly shoes, asic trainers and found earth spirit shoes/sandals (removable soles) last year and love them!

[nomoreheels in reply to wiliby]

Thanks for mentioning Earth Spirit Wiliby, I don't think I've seen those before. I've been looking for some enclosed sandals for summer which have removable insoles, they've loads to choose from!

[wiliby in reply to nomoreheels]

amazon.co.uk/Ladies-Womens-...

These are the ones I got last year, loved them 😀 I did buy them in a shop first though, had a pair of allrounders which were similar but double the price!

[nomoreheels in reply to wiliby]

Yes, they're the type & how snazzy are they! The only thing that would concern me is if they're elevated enough at the heel but will continue looking for the make & see if any have a wedge, flats are out for me apparently, guess it's the state of my arches. Obviously I'll have to try them on first but they are the kind I'm after. Thanks Wiliby!

[wiliby in reply to nomoreheels]

Ah,in that case the allrounders have more elevation and similar style, have you tried them?

[nomoreheels in reply to wiliby]

No, I'll get googling, thanks, I'll be back!

[Chris21]

I've just discovered on line shoe Taylor otherwise cosy feet or hotter, but hotter can be very expensive and not much choice if you have very swollen feet.

[Hidden]

Sketchers GoWalk are my current favourites. They are brilliant for travel as light as feather pumps which make you feel like you are walking on air - memory foam insoles (removbable) and great for holidays, smart and simple. Fly boots are my other favourites as well as Fit Flop sandals.

[NeonkittyUK in reply to Hidden]

Just bouugt my hubby some GoWalk but not sure they have the right heel elevation for me but may send for some from NEXT and see!

[NeonkittyUK in reply to NeonkittyUK]

FLY of London rule!! I have 4 pairs now.

[Judetheobscure]

Ditto Sketchers GoWalk. The most comfortable I've ever found.

[nomoreheels]

I asked this question a few weeks ago following an informative appointment with my Podietrist & have since done some homework, forgot to mention it on my previous reply. I found the following links especially informative

nras.org.uk/i-have-problems...

nras.org.uk/our-articles-on... - (there are further interesting links toward the bottom of this page)

nras.org.uk/case-studies-pa... (the first on here is Ailsa's, NRAS's CE, personal story)

If you check the links to the left of these pages you'll find even helpful more info.

[Hidden]

I too recommend Shoe Taylor as they are cheaper than Hotter also I have had shoes/boots from the hospital.

[Niclyn]

I currently have 2 pairs of Skechers go walk, so comfortable it's like walking on air