Has anyone experience of wearing/buying Vivobarefoot shoes. They are pricey, but if it meant I could walk more comfortably in something resembling a real shoe I would happily pay for them.
According to website they are supposed to be very good for your feet. I wonder does that include seriously damaged feet!
Can you walk barefoot? I can't for more than a few minutes without pain, so I don't think these shoes would be for me. I like the idea, and they look nice but their own website says....
"If you are in severe foot pain and/or have a diabetic foot and have been to see the doctor about it, then we recommend you seek further advice before you go any further on your barefoot journey!"
Hi, my RA is very active in my feet, I'm a Prison Officer and walk at least 11 miles a day. I do this with full leather boots, custom made orthotics and when I need it pain killers. I get home and I can't walk bare foot at all without slider's, so the thought of wearing these is a bit of a no no for me. Good luck with your search for comfy shoes, it took me ages, lol.
Thank you woodstar1 and helixhelix for replying. These are probably not for severely damaged RA feet. I'm getting desperate as there has been such a change in my feet over the past year and was told this week that waiting list for orthotics appointment could be 18 months. 😩
I do feel it's short sighted of NHS as walking 'badly' will surely cause further damage perhaps to knees and hips so then we are talking surgery - a decent fitting pair of shoes doesn't seem too much to ask.
Definitely, I have had my orthotics for over a year, they are ace but I'm only allowed 1 pair per year due to austerity!!! To think, our PM is our patron and she and her government thinks this is a great idea!!!
Hopefully you will get sorted soon, fingers crossed!!
One pair a year - luxury! When I had my custom cast orthotics in UK I was told they would have to last me for life! However I've since moved to France where you can get a pair a year but you have to contribute about £50. Still worth it tho'.
I think part of the problem is that diabetic feet take priority as they can have such serious consequences. And with fewer and fewer podiatrists, and more and more diabetic patients we get pushed down the waiting list.
that's a heck of a wait! what wd private consultation cost? I know orthotics from the mould taken of your feet cost abt £120. I have some now and dodgy RA feet / ankles and rely on pavers / hotter ankle boots with velcro straps as hands / wrists are not good. wish you luck x
Hi. I have found that a pair of silicon toe support/separators (Amazon or e bay) work wonderfully for me. If anyone is interested in which ones I’ll try and add a link. My consultant approves and even after a year of use I am still amazed at the pain relief I get, night and day, even though i have to buy wide fit shoes. The e bay ones even come in pink which I think rocks!
Wishing you all a pain free Sunday.....
Personally I haven't tried any orthotics. (Yet) but I have been looking at Vionic shoes ...they are sold on the QVC shopping channel, & you can get them & try them for 30 days & if they are no good for you, you can return them within 30 days & get a full refund (less the P&P).
I know they do honour this promise as I bought a steam cleaner with a detachable hand steamer...but it was so heavy I couldn't lift it...I phoned to explain & return it & they even collected it for free.
I haven't investigated further but I might give the Vionics a try as my feet are getting very uncomfortable.
I bought some vionics from QVC and they are superbly comfortable. Still going strong after 18 months. Expensive but so pleased. Hope this helps. X
I bought Vionics trainers from QVC and they are superb. Also bought some toe post sandals from QVC and lived in them all summer last year. They say it might take a few days to get used to them but I had no problems and wore them all day the day they arrived. Hope this helps.
Thank you for your reply. I've not heard of Vionics so will look into them.
Hi Allije,
I’ve just been through the process of Podiatrist, orthotics and “Please send me in the direction of a shoe I can wear” 
Ok, so, I’m not a fancy kind of person, I generally can get away with wearing Crocs - in fact my Rheumy recommended Crocs or Birkenstock shoes. I’m also a golfer, so the Podiatrist has made some custom moulded soft orthotics to help in that department.
His recommendations for walking/sneaker type shoes are Brook - Dyad and Ghost (cushioned) and Nike Pegasus (Wide) - these are all “neutral” shoes, as I don’t have an over pronation problem. However, my shoe size is EU 41.5 (UK 8) in womens, and these weren’t wide enough for me. I ended up with a pair of New Balance 1080s Width D (Large) - they are fantastic, cushioned well and very comfortable - no orthotics required. The beauty of something from a large company is that once you know your size, last shape and model, you can buy them cheaper on-line - especially if they’re running out last season’s models.
Another good brand are Ecco shoes - they make quite a large range of styles, but are not cheap. Once again, once you work out your size, you can buy them a lot cheaper on-line.
He forbade heels etc., which doesn’t bother me - my feet and mobility are more important than “looking good”.
And I’ll add my dismay to the lack of attention paid to feet in the DAS Score - doesn’t make sense, hope this helps, cheers Deb
oh i have found a foot mate! Bless will check these out. I'm very flat footed , wobbly ankles and ... toes that seem to turn up?? Dunno how... So always plain leather toed but abt 2" inch heel , i was told.
Thanks YanniBaci a couple of makes in there that I'll look into. I have had Echos in the past and used to be excellent. Real problem is I no longer have a 'pair' of feet - my feet are very different sizes - so I think I need to get some made or me.
Not tried them but In the house I wear mamouth crocs as they have a corduroy lining and protect them and keep feet warm. I hate crocs but was introduced to them and now love their warmth
For anyone who has damaged feet and needs extra width and depth across the toe joints have a look at widerfitshoes.co.uk and opt for their wider fittings such as 4E/6E or 8E. Their shoes have been a lifesaver for me in the summer when my clumpy hospital shoes are completely wrong with shorts. They are not ultra modern but still look ok and importantly don't cause rubbing and damage to delicate skin.
Hi Allije
Yes I have bought a pair of vivobarefoot trekking shoes which do fit customised insoles and when my feet are not too bad they feel very good to wear- a lot of room around toes. i think they are great but it depends how painful your feet are.( a lot of the time mine are and I have resort to Crocs). I discovered that if you go for men's and go a size down from your usual ( i.e. if you're a 7 you need 6..) they are made a bit wider than women's.
Poor feet
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Feet and RA
