bramsole

I have been reading shoe topics all night long. I have worn all of the usual suspects, Birks, MBTs, Earth, Clarks, New Balance, etc...I am looking at Mephistos as now after reading reviews on the boards. I also have had orthotics made recently.

I injured my foot nearly 40 years ago, a nasty "foot and fan" horror, which I won't go into.

I have come to realize that everyone seems to have foot issues, but never says what type of problem or where it hurts. I'm hoping someone will give it up and tell where it is painful and what type of shoe helps with the pain.

I am so tired of buying and donating, I can wear my orthotics and my N.B. shoes for about 30 minutes. Then the tingling, burning and numb feeling sets in and I must get off of the drated appendage for awhile. After a rest, the foot is good to go for a while longer. Eventually, though the foot will not take another step.

Before my next trip in September I am considering going to a Podiatrist and check into injections for the arthritic beast..

I would love to hear from everyone, and hey, maybe there is a solution out there for us all.

Ackislander

As a 260 lb man whose family (even the thin ones) have arch problems, I wear nothing but Mephistos, which as you know offer lots of support but are a bit like wearing hiking boots: heavy. I find that changing the tightness of the lacing several times a day, then getting into sandals back at the hotel, helps.

My wife has a pair of Mephisto Mary Jane flats that provide her with hours of comfort.

bramsole

I probably should have said," Trouble with FEET, let me read your pain." This might have done better in the Lounge Forum, but this is the forum where all the shoe information was coming up.

That being said, Ackislander, thank you so much for the reply. With all the shoe threads I thought there must be a great many Fodorites with their dogs barking.

I haven't ever tried on the Mephistos brand, but plan on doing so next week at the store in Florida. Do you have foot problems specifically that this shoe addresses or is there just a wonderful over-all feeling of well-being when you wear these shoes? What type of sandal do you wear? I was just going to look on Zappos and see what type of Birkensocks they have in the soft bed sole. I have some worn out Arizonas that have been great.

What about your wife? The same questions apply please. The Mary Jane N..something Mephisto was the specific shoe that I was going to check out. I thought with all the shoe threads I would receive a lot of advice so I do appreciate your reply.

I also would like to hear from anybody that has had the "Rooster Juice" injections. Where does that name come from anyway? It was shot into my knee and and Podiatrists shoot something like it into feet. It sounds very painful.


We are going to Italy in September and I really need to be walking really well, so I can keep up with the DH.

Thanks once more. B.

kismetchimera

I have been wearing and buying SAS shoes for many many years.The leather is very very soft, good arch support ,which since my bout with PF a couples of years ago, is now a must..

I wear sandals or walking shoes when I travel or for my everyday wear.


When I had a painful PF, the podiatrists gave me Cortisone shots.They hurt like Hell, but works.

bramsole

kismetchimera, thank you so much for the timely reply. If you don't mind me asking, how many shots did you have? Must you repeat the shots ever so often or did the one do the trick?

The joy of having Zappos when I live in the country. It makes it so easy to look at shoes. For some reason I thought the SAS shoes would have a narrow toe box. I'll look them up when I get off the forum.. Thanks again, Sharon

Jean

It's all about the shoe's last and your feet.

Mephistos and Eccos don't work for me, but I've had great luck with Clark's and Rockport. I can wear Nikes but not New Balance. I need to put OTC orthotics in some shoes and Dr. Scholls gel heel pads in others.

You need to find which shoe best fits your foot. That may not be the expensive Mephistos or Eccos. I'd keep using Zappos and its wonderful return policy until you find a manufacturer's last that works for you.

FWIW, my mother has had PF, neuromas, heel spurs and now arthritis. The brands that work for me don't work for her. She recently had expensive custom orthotics made, and she thinks they make a big difference. She still has a day here or there when she just has to stay off her feet. But, she's also 87, and I figure we'll all have those days at that age.

adrienne

I could echo Kismetchimera's endorsement for SAS shoes. This brand was recommended by my local shoe store when I developed PF 9 days before my vacation several years ago. They're a lot less expensive than Mephistos. I also wear an orthotic for arch support. Fortunately my PF cleared up in about 3 months.

I recommend taking Celebrex for short term pain relief. It really helped me walk all day with only some aching at the end of the day but no pain.

glover

My high arches and high insteps are loving Naot's Kayla sandal and Ecco's "Yucatan." Bought a few weeks ago - feel like heaven. ...

cigalechanta

there is no one shoe for anyone. You must try them all.
Forget buying shoes in france if you , as a woman wear over size nine. I had an infected foot while in Paris and could not find anything in my size ended up wearing my slip on Chineese mesh shoes. I find through the years Mephistos, Born,fine, for more casual I'm addicted to the Bensimon cavas shoes, especially their limited editions I'd buy in the St Remy shop but in Paris they only had small sizes, Alas!

bramsole

Jean, thank you for the information. I haven't tried Rockports and will look them up at Zappos today. What a gift that is!

Adrienne, I haven't tried SAS. My mom wore them before she passed away, and I haven't a clue where she purchased them. Zappos doesn't carry them I don't believe. I don't exactly know what the initials PF stand for. I think you have to find a SAS store. I shall look online.

Glover, high arches aren't my problem, I which it was so simple. It seems that the problem is the foot and not the shoes, My left foot does fine, it is just the injured right foot.

Cigelechanta, Where did you fine Chinese mesh shoes? What are they exactly. I have never heard of Bensimon Canvas either or is it Cavas? Born are not soft enought on the footpad. Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

I think I shall have to find a podiatrist. I am still such a wimp when it comes to injections.

The Dr. gave me a lollipop for being so brave at 62 last week. The problem with the cortisone is it keeps me hyped up for several days. I haven't had a lot of sleep, it will wear off soon. The knee injections was amazinly painless!

Thanks again,B.

artsnletters

I bought Mephistos in size 41 or 42 (US women's 10.5) on Rue Cler in Paris three or four years ago, so it is possible if not easy to buy larger shoes.

I wear Mephisto Rush, which is an oxford. I pay extra for the higher-arch insoles. I have had bunion surgery and plantar fasciitis (PF), I pronate, plus I have terrible ankles. These are the only shoes I've found that I can walk in all day long and not get sore feet. It would be great to find something less expensive that would work, as these are $330, but I have learned from hard experience that it is best to spend what you need to to have happy feet while on vacation.

However, what shoe will work for you depends entirely on your feet. I have had others say that the Mephistos kill their arches, and I can wear the shoes they swear by for about 15 minutes before my feet start to hurt. I found my personal wonder shoes by visiting The Walk Shop in Berkeley CA, which carries a lot of high quality shoes, and explaining my problems to one of their knowledgeable sales people. Once you know what you want and in what size, you can usually find them on Zappos.

adrienne

PF = plantar fasciitis. Kismet referred to it as PF so I thought I could as well. I never remember how to spell it and was too lazy to look up the spelling - sorry!

tahl

As others have said, everyone's feet are different.

Mine: wide ball, high arch, narrow heel, delicate skin that tends to tear, not enough fleshy padding under ball.

I'm a fan of Munro American shoes, which are stocked at Nordstrom and at some places online (including Zappo's, I think, as well as Nordstrom's own site). Their shoes come in an extremely wide range of widths. Their walking shoes cost in the $150 range.

I typically remove the insoles and replace them with Superfeet insoles to accommodate my high arch. I know other people put custom orthotics in them. Munro identifies on their website the number of the last on which each style was made. If you find one style that works for you and your orthotics, there's a good chance you'll be able to find another style on the same last that works.

lilaki

i've got PF too...in my early 30's and fairly physically fit. major bummer. i've been wearing (expensive!) custom orthotics for years now ... and they are a MUST. absolutely no crappy (cheap) flip flops. i live/die with my birkenstocks but some people HATE them. i found a stylish sneaker made by papillio on zappos - has the birkenstock footbed -- so i wear that with my orthotics. i don't wear any open toed shoe that's not a birkenstock sandal. i wear birks at home as my indoor 'slipper'.

i bought mephistos last year in paris. they're okay - but nothing great. for me, i'd rather save the money and buy something else (i.e. two pairs of birks). i bought birks in the marais at the birkenstock shop and they were a lifesaver to plod around the apartment after were done tramping around the city.

i haven't been able to find a stylish YET super comfy walking shoe ... i was hoping the mephistos would be it, but they're not. i wish i could find a stylish pair of birkenstock SHOES. new balance running shoes are always good...but not the new/trendy 'sneaker' ones.

bramsole - consider working with a massage therapist (a very skilled one) who can work on your lower legs and feet. it's amazing what they can loosen up and re-shape. i saw my therapist last night and while the session was ridiculously painful (PF sufferers can imagine!), my feet feel amazing today. i'm booked for two more sessions before my trip to barcelona/paris - just to work on my lower legs and feet. it's a 'grit your teeth and get through it' type of session ... but well worth it.

quokka

If you come to Germany try Waldläufer - I have no idea if they are available abroad.

Therese

Well, I'm sitting here with one of my feet in a cast, about four weeks post-op from bunion surgery (bunion and tailor's bunion). I've used arch supports since I was 19, and have never, ever found a shoe that did not require that I add them. Expensive "comfort" shoe like Mephisto actually worse than most conventional shoes.

Preferred arch support at the moment (for my not-yet-surgerized foot) is Walk Fit, widely available and not expensive.

kismetchimera

Therese I had operations to both of my Bunions..

I remember that even in the winter, luckily here the winters are mild, I had to wear sandals, because the bunion was so tender and could not wear normal close in shoes.

I was going to AMS in April and knew that I could not wear sandals.

Luckily before leaving I discovered the SAS shoes..

Could not believe that I was actually wearing something else other than sandals

.The leather was so soft and did not feel any pains on my Bunion..

Unfortunately the sandals are not very stylish, but at least my feet are comfortable.

Therese

You've had bunion surgery and still couldn't wear non-sandal shoes, kismetchimera?. Or was that before surgery?

SAS shoes haven't worked for me. Agony. My mom likes them, though.

swisshiker

SAS is San Antonio Shoes.
http://www.sasshoes.com/index.php

For trips in cooler weather, I always take my Merrell black slip-ons. Very comfy, good support, thick soles. Perfect!

However, summer trips are a different story. I need sandals.

And we all know it is a good idea to break in new shoes before any trip.

However, one particular year I was very frustrated with finding that perfect sandal, one that gave good support with a thick sole. Plus I like a sandal that has a back strap.

I had been looking for what seemed like months, and it was now down to the last few days before departure. A friend recommended I go to SAS.

I was so pleased with their selection, even had wide widths! When I came home with the shoes, my DH just shook his head, muttering something about "we're leaving day after tomorrow and you bought new shoes?"

Well, let me tell you that I did indeed take the SAS sandals, and have worn them for three summer overseas trips now. Love them! Have never had a problem with rubbing straps or soreness. I even wear them here at home when I take my daily walks. So comfortable!

Fodorite018

I love my Munro's, Naot's, Keens, and Teva's. We just got back from Paris and on this trip I took 3 pairs. Some Elle maryjanes (comfy but too hot on this trip), Teva Ventura's (wore every day actually), and Naot Ashley's (wore a few times).

I agree that you need to find what works for you.