If the shoe fits, wear it!

Hi @cooperlh15, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm with you on Sketchers. They are comfy and the price is right. I like the slip-on style myself and have for quite a few years as I have gotten older and am not real flexible for tying shoelaces. Do you have a favorite style?

I have fallen 4 times in the last year. It’s always because of my sciatica and a very slight drag in that foot, and I feel that non skid shoe soles contribute to the problem. I can tell where I am stumbling from and it’s always the mid to front bottom of the shoe on that affected foot that sticks to the floor or pavement and pitches me forward. The only time I walk with no fear of falling is bare foot, but winter doesn’t allow that. I’m trying to remember to purposefully lift that foot higher and place it down heel first. But it’s easy to forget. Are there any sports shoes that don’t have rubber type soles?

Great question & replies. I rarely wore “heels” & my first pair of “ dress up” shoes was a size 5 narrow with a stacked heel,of about 1,5”. Now at age 76 I am wearing mostly 7,5 or 8 wides ! I do as much walking as possible on country roads or wooded trails so I wear a lot of hiking shoes or boots. I have severe osteoarthritis in my feet ( and spine), bunions and bent toes, and an artificial titanium joint in one big tie. My feet hurt no matter what I wear on my feet. My best are Merrell, Columbia and Naot. ( the Naot do not come in wide but they fit depending on styles). I do have some Bzees and a pair I’d Sketcher slipon ( with a special heel area so you can slip them on without the back folding in ). Not my favorite, not enough support. I have Ariat roper style boots, Ariat is the only cowboy style I’ve found in wides. I tried men’s shoes but it’s very difficult to find them in my size ( men’s 6 and I’m never sure if I should try them in wide width). I find all my shoes online because the nearest good shoe stores are too far to drive to. I had some SAS shoes too ( not cheap but made in USA) but except for two pairs of clunkers I found the soles too slippery so I donated them all. It’s more or less a trial and error process for me as far as brand, style and fit. And if I find a pair which are going, I order a second pair asap because I find the manufacturers change them.

My shoe problems stopped when I found SAS. I need a high toe box and that's what they have. Now every shoe and sandal I own is from SAS. It's a good thing I bought them when I did because I can no longer afford them. These shoes are made in the U.S. and while I was paying more I didn't mind because I knew I was creating a job for an American worker.

I’m 65 & have had bad feet my entire life. Hyper mobility causes my arches and ankles to ‘fall’. I had to wear saddle shoes when the other kids were wearing cute Mary Janes! 😂
Now I have neuropathy, severe bunions, and claw toes on one foot from lack of feeling.
I mainly walk in nature and on roads with my dog, so I wear substantial footwear.
At the moment Keen’s low hiking shoes are my favorite. They cradle my foot and I could walk miles in them. In the summer I’ve been wearing Asics gel running shoes. These also have excellent support., although I wasn’t happy about how they wore out. See pic. Sorry about the dirt! 😂
I wear size 11. All my shoes are bought online and when they are deeply reduced in price. Good shoes are pricey!

@bunnybear, I want to share some suggestions about shoes that might be helpful. These are from someone who is currently in physical therapy.
- Some running shoes have a curved-up toe which might compensate for some of the foot drag.
- Some shoes with a firmer bottom will hold a foot support insert.
- Talk to doctor about a foot/leg brace if foot drag is problem.

A running/walking shoe store is going to be the best place to try on and get fitted for good walking/running shoes.

@rosemarya Food for thought. I have not discussed the foot drag with doctor. I am in PT for posture issues and can’t believe I have not talked to her about foot drag specifically. I will do that! As to the shoes with the upward curve to the sole…I fell in those (Sketchers) and had my orthotics in to boot.

I love Drew sneakers. I wear size 9 1/2, 5x wide they cost about $170 . They have a wide toe box and are very deep so I can slip in my $40 Amazon inserts which are made of plastic & foam and never seem to get flattened. I order them on line but have found that some stores do carry them but I prefer on line for me is just easier and I get a bigger selection...good luck !

I can only wear Crocs. Everything else hurts my feet too much. I have permanent swelling on the tops of my feet and other shoes are too tight.

I had many SAS shoes which I thought were great ( if you figured out what size to buy); I now only have two pairs of very clunky looking oxfords. I donated all the rest, because I found the soles were extremely slippery. The two I kept are “ non-slip” soles. For such expensive shoes I couldn’t afford to go flying across the sidewalk or pavement. I can’t afford them now either as I am retired, but the two pairs should last the rest of my lifetime, they are very well made.