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JennGM
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| Posted: July 18 2011 at 4:53pm | IP Logged
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Oh, let's have a little chit-chat about feet and shoes. I have very, very flat feet -- severe pronation. My bones have dropped in my arch area, and I need to make sure they don't go any further.
Flat feet friendly shoes aren't going to cut it anymore, so I need something that will support my feet, but also allow orthotics.
I am not a sneaker wearing person usually, nor lace-up shoes. I prefer something like a Mary Jane style.
I finally went to the foot doctor and he said I definitely need custom orthotics -- so I'm waiting for those to come in. And I'll be asking guidance for brand names and types of shoes. I'll be arming myself with pictures and brands so I can get a clear vision of what would work.
But I know other ladies have this problem. Do I have to wear sneakers and orthopedic oxfords the rest of my life? Anything nice and classic looking that you can personally recommend for this kind of need?
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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JennGM
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| Posted: July 18 2011 at 4:54pm | IP Logged
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Also wanted to add that I prefer to be barefoot; I like my feet to breathe -- can't stand to wear socks and such. So with that in mind....
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Family in Feast and Feria
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juliana147
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| Posted: July 18 2011 at 5:57pm | IP Logged
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No advice, Jennifer, just empathy! I know I am overdue for a foot doctor visit. I love warm weather because I can walk around without shoes...
Watching to see what others say.
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guitarnan
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| Posted: July 18 2011 at 6:36pm | IP Logged
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Empathy from me, too...
I wear a lot of Naot shoes. Some come with removable footbeds so you can insert your own orthotics. Naot uses a couple of different lasts to make shoes, and I've found that some styles just don't fit my feet. The ones that work, though, work very well.
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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KackyK
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| Posted: July 18 2011 at 8:28pm | IP Logged
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I'm hoping for some ideas too. My dd age 16 has a tendinitis because of all the same Issues it sounds like you have Jenn. Right now she is wearing over the counter orthotics with Skecher Shape Ups. But that is a lace up shoe. She loves sandals.
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Spawnsmom
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| Posted: July 18 2011 at 8:44pm | IP Logged
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Athletic shoes work best. My son has a pair for work shoes in addition to this athletic shoes, and they never quite fit dress shoes. I wear them too and I haven't found them too comfy in anything other than sneakers - and good walking ones, not keds or anything like that. It seems like shoes that lace up give the best fit. Good luck.
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Grace&Chaos
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| Posted: July 18 2011 at 9:02pm | IP Logged
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Jenn, did you check out the Earth shoes. I really like them. My issues with feet are pretty much arch problems. I say that for going to church these are my favorite. I own a pair of keen mary jane and I've tried Ecco, but I've owned my Earth (and wear consistantly) for over a year now. Since, I saw your post I've been thinking about getting a new pair  .
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Grace&Chaos
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| Posted: July 18 2011 at 9:09pm | IP Logged
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I should say that I am bad...I got orthotic inserts years ago and just couldn't find a shoe to put them in that I liked (I was in my early 30's  ). The New Balance is the closest I got.
I'm sure I'm not doing justice to my feet and will someday be told they are a must, but for now I've just found really good support shoes to wear.
BTW, another brand I was enjoying before the Earth were Crocs. Not the dainty cute ones, but they do have some wider more supportive mary janes too. My summer and around the house flip flops are Crocs.
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Jenny
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JennGM
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| Posted: July 18 2011 at 9:38pm | IP Logged
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Spawnsmom wrote:
| Athletic shoes work best. My son has a pair for work shoes in addition to this athletic shoes, and they never quite fit dress shoes. I wear them too and I haven't found them too comfy in anything other than sneakers - and good walking ones, not keds or anything like that. It seems like shoes that lace up give the best fit. Good luck. |
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Yuck.  I was afraid someone would say that. I feel so ugly with athletic shoes. Let's just say I've NEVER been the sporty type. The problem with both of these types of shoes is they look awful with shorts, cropped pants, and especially skirts. I admit -- I'm no teenybopper that I can get away with that look.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Family in Feast and Feria
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JennGM
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Grace&Chaos wrote:
| Jenn, did you check out the Earth shoes. I really like them. My issues with feet are pretty much arch problems. I say that for going to church these are my favorite. I own a pair of keen mary jane and I've tried Ecco, but I've owned my Earth (and wear consistantly) for over a year now. Since, I saw your post I've been thinking about getting a new pair . |
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I did look those over. This page gave me pause.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Family in Feast and Feria
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guitarnan
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| Posted: July 19 2011 at 7:16am | IP Logged
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Jenn, my podiatrist told me that the advantage of athletic shoes is their rigid soles. I am supposed to wear shoes that aren't "bendy" and have good foot support. The Naot shoes I bought for this summer have closed toes and are slingbacks (I've discovered that backless sandals really, really hurt my feet). I can't put my orthotics into them, but they do have very supportive footbeds. I wear them with everything except formalwear. Maybe you could find something like that for summer? I also noticed that Naot makes several Mary Jane styles.
I know Naot shoes are very, very expensive...but I only buy one pair per year or so...and podiatrist appointments and custom orthotics are expensive, too - why go through all of that and not wear the proper shoes?
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Mimip
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Jenn,
I so feel for you since I live my life with sandals on because I HATE SOCKS!! Thank God for living in South Florida!!! No help but I thought I would give you a good laugh: when I quickly read the thread name I thought it said, ORTHODOX Friendly shoes 
Praying you find a good solution 
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Mimi
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JennGM
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| Posted: July 19 2011 at 12:05pm | IP Logged
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Mimip wrote:
Jenn,
I so feel for you since I live my life with sandals on because I HATE SOCKS!! Thank God for living in South Florida!!! No help but I thought I would give you a good laugh: when I quickly read the thread name I thought it said, ORTHODOX Friendly shoes
Praying you find a good solution |
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Oh my!!!! I think the traditional orthopedic oxford might be considered Orthodox friendly. Thanks for the chuckle!
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Grace&Chaos
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| Posted: July 19 2011 at 1:15pm | IP Logged
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JennGM wrote:
Grace&Chaos wrote:
| Jenn, did you check out the Earth shoes. I really like them. My issues with feet are pretty much arch problems. I say that for going to church these are my favorite. I own a pair of keen mary jane and I've tried Ecco, but I've owned my Earth (and wear consistantly) for over a year now. Since, I saw your post I've been thinking about getting a new pair . |
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I did look those over. This page gave me pause. |
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(sigh) I know, like I said, I'm not the best at following orders. I'm wondering though...Maybe you can get yourself a nice pair of supportive, comfortable mary janes just for church or a special occasion and make sure you wear your orthotics routinely the rest of the time 
BTW I was never a New Balance kind of shoe wearer either, but since I have to wear better shoes: they've grown on me. All week I wear tennis shoes (they used to be the NB but just this last year I bought a pair of the Asics Gel and they feel just as comfortable and supportive.
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Jenny
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JennGM
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 That's what I have now, Asics. I've been wearing them for years, from my husband's suggestion. Glad to know that maybe I won't need something new in that area, and I can put the big money into something else.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Pilgrim
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| Posted: July 19 2011 at 1:53pm | IP Logged
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Jenn, I can totally feel your pain! I have resigned myself to athletic shoes when I wear my orthotic. I was born with a severe club foot, and have always had difficulty finding shoes that fit my brace when young, and now my orthotic insert. I have found Skechers brand to be the best, so far for fit of orthotic and support. I have had terrible trouble lately finding a shoe that would fit. I am very frugal/cheap, and hate spending money on anything new at the store, so it has been hard to pay out full price for new shoes! 
Skechers also has a pretty good range of looks to their shoes, so it's possible to find one that looks more like yourself. Their Premium and Sport ones are very supportive and comfortable, I had a pair that I wore out, and am now having to find a new pair, I have been looking at all local stores, and the shoes are so ugly, gaudy, or kiddish looking!  I am now resorting to buying my shoes online from places with a "free return shipping" policy, which I have found a number of them, BTW.
Oh, and another idea is to go to an old-fashioned shoe store if you can find one, they can order shoes special for you. My Mom used to have to take me there when I was a kid. She used to be able to get me cute Mary Janes that would fit my brace, and the guy there was really helpful and had a lot of knowledge about feet and shoe fitting. HTH! Now I'm too cheap to try and get classy looking shoes, AND I find they are not nearly as comfortable with orthotics as athletic shoes.
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JennGM
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| Posted: July 19 2011 at 4:59pm | IP Logged
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I tell you, I've spent too much time frittering away looking at websites of possible shoes. I appreciate all the comments! Keep them coming!
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Kath
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| Posted: July 20 2011 at 1:41pm | IP Logged
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Jenn, I'm in the exact same boat. Over the past couple years my arches have been collapsing and I'm to the point where I just can't wear shoes for any length of time if they don't have enough arch support. And of course, most shoes don't, so I got a pair of custom orthotics and they have helped tremendously. Unfortunately, they do seem to work best in sneakers, which I HATE wearing all the time. I long for a pair of cute shoes that I can wear all day! My sil (Kristina, you know her) uses her orthotics successfully in Merrell shoes. I don't know what length your orthotics will be (mine are 3/4 length). I did get a recommendation to place a thin liner like Odor Eaters in the shoe with the orthotic on top of them, if it bothers you having nothing besides the actual shoe under your toes.
Have you seen the Walking Company's ad for Abeo shoes? You go in and have your foot scanned, and they'll tell you which kind you need. They are pricey and I don't know how good they are, supposedly orthotic quality but who knows.
Finally, I think you can search Zappos with the phrase "removable sole" or "orthotic" and you might find some possibilities.
Good luck! Not being able to wear normal shoes is so frustrating, and for me it affects my entire wardrobe and how I feel about getting dressed in the morning, especially during the sandal months.
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Topic: Orthotic Friendly Shoes
