Shoes wider ?

[RootsToots]

Like my hands, my toes are now badly deformed and I'm struggling to get even wide shoes on. Can anyone advise where to get nice looking shoes for arthritis feet ? I really don't want surgery if I can avoid it.

[OSTEOARTHRITISRA]

Hi there are lots of shops online Ones I have tryed in shops are

Pavers, there's

Hotters

If soft shoes required as well as hard

Sketchers really popular the now they do wide and extra wide they have arch fit as well now for support

I'd imagine you may be even Need

Extra wide

There's

wide

As well

Wide does me

But you can get

Extra wide

If buy or see something online

Maybe order

The

Wide ,and Extra wide

And if like them

Send one back

[KittyJ]

if you look online there’s lots of shops that do varying widths of shoes. I always have to order online as shoes in physical shops are not wide enough, even their wide fit shoes. I do find some Skechers are wide enough though and if you take the insole out you can put your orthotics in them too.

If you put that into the search box and filter for NRAS then past posts about it will come up, it’s quite a common problem. Good luck.

[Nanainthegarden]

There are, as others have said, online shops that do very wide fitting shoes. My favourite at the moment is Cosyfeet. Their shoes have Velcro fastenings so that the shoes can be adjusted to fit across the widest and narrowest part of your feet. I hope you find some you like!

[medway-lady]

I’ve had the foot surgery and best thing I’ve had done with RA. If you live in Kent the Golden Boot in Maidstone is excellent for properly fitted shoes. Worth a visit and I’d suggest going to a really good shoe shop is vital. Sometimes soft shoes like Sketchers can be more comfortable but in reality because of poor support don’t do your feet any good in the long term and might exacerbate other issues. The Golden Boot has an online presence and it might be an idea to look up as they have a huge amount of different makes. I d suggest Dr Martyn’s and Gabor.

[Gjbrose]

yes it’s really important to get the right fit, personally I have to go and try all shoes on in the shop, pavers near me is very good 😊

[whitedog]

I've been looking online recently. There's Cosyfeet as has been mentioned. They have quite a variety - some more old fashioned, also some more modern lace up ankle boots. And you can find their shoes in some mobility stores.

There's another called Wider Fit Shoes. And if you're ooop north, like me, there's a specialist 'appointment only' retailer called Fitright footwear with shops in Harrogate and Clitheroe. I imagine they'd be a bit pricey though.

[Neonkittie17]

Both myself and others did quite an extensive reply recently re this and there are many other posts with recommendations re footwear if you do a search. You will find lots of useful comments. 🩷

Two pairs of footwear I couldn’t be without are fabric Skechers Elite Workwear wedge type sole trainers (they’re very light and comfy) which have removable inner soles which are washable, and Fitflop’s Lulu sandals which have their classic medium wedge type rubbery sole. They have sling backs with a little elastic piece at one side on the back strap, and two wide soft leather (Velcro fastening) bars/bands across the top of the foot. Excellent quality leather that cleans easily with a leather cream and cloth. Both of these are wide fit and supportive, comfortable footwear. Look for Relaxed fit if you buy Skechers as this is equivalent to an E-EE width fit. Fitflop are mostly a size E width.

[Ummlulu]

Hi,

I too have misshapen feet through RA damage to joints.

My podiatrist recommended DB Wider Fit Shoes, and I have ordered a few from there. Boots, sandals, shoes and slippers.

It’s an online company but some local independent shoe stores also sell some of their lines.

You can check the website widerfitshoes.co.uk

Good luck

[BoneyC]

For the last 7 years I have worn only wide fit Hotter Leanne shoes. Foot surgeon refused ankle replacement surgery as, in his opinion, I was too young (mid 50's) despite every joint being affected by RA and it would upset all my other joints and likely only last about 10 years. Revisions are not as good and would end up a fusion.

I have about a dozen pairs of Leannes, a pair for indoors only, gardening only, a stock of unworn in case they go out of stock etc. I don't know what I would do without them.

[Wigelia in reply to BoneyC]

I have these too and they are now available in extra wide EEE fit. Insoles are removable so ideal with orthotics or if problem is only in one foot.

[Otto11]

Hi a friend of mine swears by Vionics which are mostly wide fit. Maybe you could ask podiatrist for suggestions.

[cyberbarn]

Shoes are very personal. I have always worn boots to support my ankles, and I had many years of wearing Clarks boys size five walking boots. Boys size five being wider than women's size five. Then the government thought women were abusing this to get vat free shoes (I didn't even know that the boots were vat free, I bought them because they fit and gave ankle support) and boys size five was removed from most stores. This was a huge problem when my son grew to take a size five. He had to wear boots that were too small until he reached size 6.

Then for a few years I ended up wearing Magnum police boots. Yes, they make the in size five for female police officers!

But as I aged and my feet needed surgery I wanted something softer. Someone suggested Josef Seibel (the European comfort shoe) and I haven't looked back. They aren't cheap but they are stylish and very comfortable and take my insoles. My only quibble is that they change their styles frequently so if you find a style you like, buy several pairs if you can.

[stedhaM]

CosyFeet not cheap but very comfortable!

[Vixen2]

Hey RootsToots. I know how you feel. All my toes are deformed. But I had to have my two big toes fused about 25 yrs ago. (I was in my 20’s). I was in agony, walking. After the op, i had to wear those horrible built up shoes for about 2/3 months. I hated having to wear them. But i always got a seat on public transport! One day, a couple were staring at me when i was going up an escalator. I thought they were being rude. Then when i got to the top. They yanked me over the edge. They were very sweet. People can be nice when you look vulnerable.

The best shoes i’ve ever had in my life are Skechers. (I’m a woman). So i would like to wear heels. But i can’t. I bought a pair of Skechers 5 yrs ago. They’re still great. So comfortable & light. Also. With some of them. You can bung them in the washing machine. Fantastic! Good luck. X

[Angjoplin]

I swear by Fitville. Their running trainers have great support and they are available wide and extra wide. I've got their sandals too.

[Jackie1947]

Hotters for me.

[OSTEOARTHRITISRA]

Wot a nice post and commnets RootsToots And valuable information for members

Sketchers 5

Pavers 2

Hotters 3

Cosy feet 3

Clarks 1

Fitville 1

Joseph sieble 1

The golden boot 1

Vionic shoes 1

leannes shoes 2

DB shoes 1

Wonder fit shoes 1

Fit right footwear shoes 1

Wider fit shoes , 1

Boots 1

[RootsToots]

Thanks everyone, I got a new pair of wide sketchers that can apparently be stepped into. For me with some "bandos" to pull my toes in line and a shoehorn I'm not in as much pain. Bandos are for women to wear with sandals to prevent rubbing on their upper foot. For me they are great to stop my toes bending back when putting on shoes !