Footwear

[Flora]

Evans also do some nice shoes and boots. They do a wide fit and also an extra wide. I find it so hard to find shoes to fit, cos I have wide feet anyway, so with a brace as well it needs to be an extra wide. I have a lovely pair of black boots for work, that fit my braces inside easily.

[trekster]

I have to wear trainers but keep forgetting to replace the insoles. How long would you wear the same shoes and insoles before changing them?
Or would an increase in lower body pain prompt you to look at your footwear? ive got the added annoyance of fallen arches as well.

[Blaadyblah]

I generally wear stout boots and replace them annually. I wear Converse in the summer, my winter driving/patio boots I've had 13 years - they're like gloves. My DM boots lasted longest. I don't tend to wear trainers any more as they don't have adequate support (or fit my orthotics) but when I did I'd expect a mid range pair to last me no more than six months. Inspect the wear on trainers, that'll tell you a lot about your gait and how well they're holding up. Some last longer than others after all and a lot depends on whether you live in them, or only wear them outside once a week. I'd always want more than one option, my feet need a break from one pair for a few days here and there.

Insoles all depends on the make and materials - refer to the manufacturer's literature. I know insoles can go very fast in trainers, I do remember that. Spawn's have needed replacing every term or so when she's had them in her school shoes.

[Spireite]

Trekster, I have to wear trainers too, but very good quality motion control trainers which support my lax feet. Mine last about a year, but I do keep an eye on them, the soles and also the insides and if anything else starts to 'go'.

As a runner they say change your running shoes about every 300-500 miles.

I see my podiatrist/orthotist once a year and have my insoles checked/tweaked/refreshed.

Any change in aches and pains up the kinetic chain would also lead me to suspect my insoles needed changing.

[Jess]

I have recently changed to wearing Kicker Hi Boots. They had a sale online just after xmas so bought a second pair. they are brilliant, have a little arch that doesn't upset my feet. As anything with an arch really upset my feet.
Though I do wear New Balance Trainers on my guide nights as they are better for when I'm bouncing around with the guides and dont fight with my ankles when sit on the floor.

[Superstottie]

I have just invested in some walking boots as hubby has been on at me for some time to get some to help support my ankles. They are really good as my ankles are held nicely in place and I can easily fit my orthotics into them, and they are good in this slippery icy weather too. Have also bought some for my very bandy son to while we wait for his appointment with Rheumy etc.

[sheppeyescapee]

I need to find some shoes that are going to be wide enough for my Orthotics. I guess once I get them I can then go to the shoe shop and try some shoes on with them in it. I'm not allowed to do too much walking until I get my orthotics and shoes sorted.

[Fluffym]

I have DR Marten shoes (lace up style). They are really comfortable and have lasted 2 years so far.

Anyone got any hints and tips what to wear in summer (i've noted Converse) - anything else please??

Fluffym

[Rosie]

Hi all

sheppey - if you have problems getting suitable shoes to take your oethotics, try asking whoever supplied them if they can supply you with shoes too. I have shoes from NHS, basicallt I got to chose the colour and style and although they are definitely not fashioanble they are very comfortable, easy to put on and off Isinglr vecro strap) and are lightweight but very supportive. The make I have are the only ones I have come across that are not only wider than usual, but are also deeper, exactly what I need for my braces.

Rosie

[lollipop]

My inner soles from the hospital fit lovely in kicker hi boots. I been in them since I came out of pedrio boots at 11years old. Now I have about 10 pairs in different colours.

As for the summer, I struggle. I tend to buy a pair of clarks sandals from the kids range as i have little feet.

[BendyBoff]

I think I've sung the praises of Birkenstocks for the summer on here before but here I go again!

I have about 6 pairs now and live in them in the summer (when the weather is nice enough). I find the arch support is just right, however I don't have to have my insoles made specially for me, I just have standard ones in my foot size. I also don't wear splints. The only problem I do have with Birkenstocks is the fact that one of my legs is slightly longer than the other and obviously I can't add a raise to them but other than that they are great. They are expensive but you can get them on QVC or the Birkenstock website for a good price. On the Birkemstock website they usually sell last years patterns off cheaper but the styles of shoe tend to stay the same so it really doesn't matter.

I have also found Hush Puppies shoes are good to fit my insoles in and have two pairs of pump style shoes, with straps across the foot. Again these are expensive but they last and you can get some bargains in the sales! I got mine in Schuh when I was a student so got discount! d**n the end of my course!

xxx

[trekster]

If anyone knows of some decent footwear that can be worn with insoles and reduces the risk of twisting my ankles
that would be great, thanks.

[Superstottie]

As I posted above - walking boots are great as they come up nice and high above the ankle and can be laced to support the ankle. Mine have a sort of stop eyelet where the lacing goes from the foot to the leg, so you can make the bottom looser and the top tighter for support. This means that when my feet swell, I can make it looser at the foot but still have the support on the ankle. They are also nice and roomy for my insoles. They also have good solid soles and good grip! Not sure what I will do in the summer though, but living where I do it usually means the rain just gets a bit warmer so will probably still live in these! I suppose that the Dr Martins boots could work the same way, or any other high boot with laces, as then you can tighten the lacing to give support to the ankle. There are also just some laced ankle supports you can buy, so get a custom fit, even when your ankles swell like mine do!

[trekster]

Cheers about the laced ankles supports, i've tried boots but even the thick leather ones i still sublux my ankles.

[trekster]

How do i get an assessment for those paedro boots?