Shoes

[wurm]

After some of the comments and suggestions in this thread, I broke down and decided to buy some quality shoes. Well, at least they're not the $30 shoes I usually get. I bought some Clarks ($129 for $72 after coupon code). They just came today and the good news is that I like the style fine. I'm just not quite sure about the fit. If I measure my feet, I'm probably a 11.5 Med. But always have to buy size 12 and 13 with cheaper shoes, so I ordered a 12. And because of the issues I was having as mentioned in the aforementioned thread, I decided to go for a Wide width. Well, these new shoes are comfortable, for sure, but I guess I'm concerned that after a few months of wearing, I may be slipping out of them. I have probably 3/4" room at the big toe on my right foot and 1/2" on the left foot.

That's one of the disadvantages of buying online. Yes. shoebuy.com offers free return shipping, but if I'm going to take advantage of that, I'm wondering if I should stick with the wider width and get an 11.5 or stick with the size 12 and go for Medium width. I know it seems silly to have to even ask, but I've never put a whole lot of thought into buying shoes. Now I'm suffering the consequences.

As an aside, since I've started using those $10 Dr. School's arch supports, I haven't experienced the foot/toe pain that I'd been dealing with. I'm finding it hard to believe they could have made that much of a difference, but I'm not complaining.

[rgG]

Not sure what to tell you about the shoes, but so glad the arch supports are helping. Arch support is so important when dealing with these foot issues.

[Racer X]

width-wise, is your foot comfortable? If so, an 11.5 EE is probably a good size. Regular wide is usually EE, really wide is EEEE.

[davemchine]

I have had severe Plantar Fasciitis in the past and I battled it by purchasing ever increasingly expensive shoes. None of them ever helped. Buying shoe inserts and putting them into whatever shoe is attractive and accommodating for the insert is the way to go.

[wurm]

Racer X wrote:
width-wise, is your foot comfortable? If so, an 11.5 EE is probably a good size. Regular wide is usually EE, really wide is EEEE.

That's a good point. Until this pair I've never bought anything other than D width. The more I think about it, I think I'm going to stick with these. In the past I've usually talked myself into thinking that my shoes will "stretch" over time. Hell, that might be the root of my recent problems. It might be nice to have something comfortable from the get-go.

[Yoyodyne ArtWorks]

I would be more concerned about excessive space between your heel and the back of the shoe than excessive length at the toes. If the heel feels loose, maybe try the 11 1/2 wide?

[Ombligo]

Maybe go to a shoe store and measure your foot, then get the right size?

[testcase]

wurm, is there an old fashioned shoe store within 50 miles of you? You need to find such a store and have your feet properly measured. Once you've done that and confirmed that shoes of that size are comfortable, then you can think about buying online. Some brands will not be comfortable regardless of size. A shoe professional will know what "last" a particular shoe is built on. When you find a last that make your feet happy, stick with it. Most footware sellers are clueless. They just want to make a sale, any sale. It's your tough luck (and sore feet) if what they sell you isn't what your feet really need. Quality shoes will not only be more comfortable, they also last longer (with simple care). In the long run, you'll get better value for your money and, your feet will feel better.

Invest a little time and money; do the research and, find what shoes are best for your feet.

[DP]

If the Dr. Scholl's supports work so well, you can go back to the $30 shoes, no?

[wurm]

Ombligo and testcase, that's exactly what I did today. There's a New Balance store across the street from my work, so I went there at lunchtime. While I couldn't find a worker to help, I did find a Braddock device lying around. Looks like my left foot is a 12 and a little narrower than normal and my right foot is an 11.5, but a little wider than normal. Based on that info and what I'm reading about the Braddock and sizes, it looks like I'd be wise to just keep the 12 Wide that I have.