Hello all,
My rheumy nurse has referred me to orthotics for my poor aching feet 😕 but said there is a bit of a wait for appointments.
Can anyone recommend me some boots suitable for wet & muddy walking? (dog walking, not ten mile hikes!) to keep my feet dry, easy to get on and off and comfortable.
Not a great deal of choice locally and I've looked at so many online!
My Podiatrist wanted me in walking boots so after finding nothing locally I bit the bullet & bought some Timberlands online. Not so easy to slip on & off but that's the point really for me, I have to support my ankles so need an all round fit. They do some which look the same with laces but also a zip on the inner of the boot, I have some high top trainers like this & they are easy to get in & out of.
I'm able to put my orthotic inside as the inner sole is removable. If I wished to I could leave it in & just place mine on top but that would depend on which socks I want on. I went up a half size & they're a perfect fit but still have room for thicker socks for when the cold weather comes, & they are waterproof too. These are what I got ebay.co.uk/itm/Womens-Timbe... I have had to buy longer laces to accommodate my fat ankles though.
They look quite attractive! Thank you.
BOOTS SHOES!!!!! I have spent a fortune and some days have to change footwear 2/3times a day. Is so individual..... I have fought to see an orthotics specialist been waiting to for an appointment since April now have an appointment in 2 weeks. GP told me to go private but orthotics are expensive and I suspect my feet will keep on changing . NHS CUT BACKS.....🙄🥺 sorry I’m not much help
Agree with you there J1707, it’s very individual, what suits you probably won’t suit me. It depends on what is wrong with your feet. I
How long did they say the waiting time was ? I would advise not spending a fortune on boots as when you get orthotics you might not be able to wear them and will be off on your search again. This happened to me, I couldn’t get my foot in with the orthotics. I hate having to get new boots, my feet are thin but one is very wide due to fractures and a bunion, then factor in the claw toe and dislocated toes it’s a nightmare. What fits one foot falls off the other. I hope you find a good interim pair. Orthotics may make you a pair of boots, they offered them to me but I declined and found my own as they were like something my Nan wears. I know, I’m vain 😁
Hi,
I recently got shoes from the Clarke’s new ‘unstructured’ range. They are the best I’ve had in a long time as they come in an extra wide fitting (E). They do boots in the range also so might be worth a look.
Ali
These Kuru Quest walking boots are super cushiony and roomy, like walking on pillows: kurufootwear.com/womens-que.... I bought them for comfort, not appearance, but I receive compliments every time I wear them.
I'm a bigfoot in disguise, but getting the first orthotics after imprint taken took, from memory abt 3 months. That was abt 3 yrs ago and they review annually but no modifications needed so far. The best moderately priced supportive ankle boots I have found, for wide feet or xtra ee /eee and with velcro strap as laces a bit diff 4me... Pavers online catalogue. Velcro strips need replaced every 12-18 months. Not sure if they'd be any good on rough terrain tho'.unless inside old style galoshes :). Ecco were also recommended by podiatrist.
Good hunting!
That’s a big problem for many! I cannot wear orthotics inside my boots (even though I tried removing the footbed). So I have stuck to a good, sturdy, well padded and reliable brand that suits my feet. A half size bigger means I can further pad my feet with an insole (biomechanics podiatrist made me several from various materials and of different thicknesses too) and with thickly cushioned socks.
The boots that suit me best are hiking boots by Merrell. But we are all different. Best of luck with orthotic insole etc!
I used to wear hiking boots and orthotic insoles but my feet slowly deformed over the years until the boots became too uncomfortable to wear. I ditched both hiking boots and orthotics when I bought a pair of very comfortable Skechers chukka boots with memory foam inners and supple leather uppers. The last time I saw the NHS podiatrist she suggested I go back to using orthotic insoles saying that the Skechers may be comfortable, but they are not supporting my feet properly . She traced an outline of my feet on a piece of paper and marked the 'hot spots'. They should be ready at my next appointment.
I've got a feeling that the Skechers will be too tight a fit with the orthotics fitted. 
I love my Sketchers too! unfortunately they're not waterproof ☹️
I've also been told Sketchers aren't supportive enough, he railed off other makes too, Fitflop boots being one.
I guessed they weren't before she said. Hiking boots were fine for many years until my feet became so deformed that the relatively stiff uppers put too much pressure on my toe joints, especially the bunions. 
The leather uppers on my Skechers are nice and supple so no such issues. 
I'm not sure my feet will get much worse as according to a podiatrist the big toe joints have probably self-fused ...they don't seem to be getting worse anyway. The podiatrist seemed more concerned about the troublesome nodules and calluses on the soles of my feet. Hopefully the new orthotic insoles will be a match made in heaven with both my feet and the Skechers and make walking at least a little easier.
If you ask your Remotologist nurse to get you an appointment with the Podiatry dept. I was referred by my GP, and am still waiting for another referral. I had some insoles for my shoes, have worn out now, got appt with Rhumotogist this month. I will ask him to refer me to the Pediatory person.
For daily wear Rieker ankle boots are very comfortable and supportive I have 5 pairs xx😊😊
Hi
When I first started with RA , my feet where relatively ok but gradually started becoming painful and now starting with nodules on fingers and toes. I used to walk a lot in the past and still have heavy walking boots, which are ok for short term use, but not for every day long term use.
So I decided last year to buy some 'comfortable' walking shoes. The ones I chose were mountain warehouse extreme, they have moulded padded insoles , the soles are vibram ( so very stiff) and the uppers are flexible suede I found that I couldn't do the laces up ( when my RA was bad ) so I bought some elastic laces and replaced the originals. Very easy to do up and stay tight ( but not too tight ). I have now worn these for for over a year, the elastic laces will need replacing now!
Chris_0
Never heard of elastic laces... but going to get some... thanks for the tip
Reiker and clarks are my go to boots places! I too have toe supports and orthotics and I buy wide fit to get them all in there! lol ((hugs)) M x
Hotter
I find approach shoes (light hiking walking shoes) best they are usually gore tex or similar so waterproof and work well with elastic laces and shoe horn helper
Also got some cushioned wellies, noble I think is the make (muck boots are similar) they don’t fit orthotics though so only for short walk or better days
Warm, comfy, winter boots?
Extra Wide Walking Boots?
Bony lumps on my feet
arthatitis in the feet 
My feet hurt!
