1. < Neuropathy
Mentor

If the shoe fits...right?

Posted by John, Volunteer Mentor @johnbishop, Oct 21, 2017

If you have neuropathy it can be a struggle finding shoes that "feel" good on your feet or at least do not make them feel worse. I have small fiber peripheral neuropathy in both feet but I only have numbness so pain has never been a problem for me like it is for so many other members with PN. I'm hoping other members in the Neuropathy group can offer up some suggestions for shoes to wear (or avoid!).

I have pretty much given up on lace-up and go with slip-on shoes mainly I'm an old guy and they are easier for me. Besides that my wife hates lacing up my shoes! ♀ ☺ I have found that the relaxed fit Skechers with leather uppers not canvas work well for me. The canvas ones do not give me side support and doesn't help with my occasional stumbling or tripping and trying to regain my balance. So what works for you??

John

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Oct 21, 2017

One of my problems is that I collect. I have more than 50 pair of shoes, and that count was a long time ago. Because of burning pain, mainly in the toes and balls of my feet, I have to wear shoes that are large enough to accommodate cushioning insoles. Most insoles have thickness in the heels, but almost none from the arch forward. I'm in the process of finding ones that do what I need. The best ones I've found are by airplus, labeled for work. Walmart carries them, and you can find them online.

I can't wear shoes without socks, even walking from one room to another. I find that Dansko shoes can be good. For very much walking, I have to wear athletic shoes, like Nike. Reeboks have always been comfortable.

If I'm not going to walk much, most good leather shoes work, though I've always been picky because I needed arch support long before pn started. I have to use insoles. The other day, I was surprised to find that my Justin cowboy boots were comfortable - insoles go without saying.

This summer, because I have to wear socks, I found that my sandals that look more like shoes worked for me. My wife doesn't like to be seen with me in my Birkenstocks with socks, though they are probably my most comfortable sandals.

I never buy shoes with man made material uppers. They don't breathe, and don't flex, and don't last long, which is probably a good thing.

Since the pn pain began, I've been trying to be aware of how each pair of shoes feels, and getting rid of the ones I can't wear. (Think Goodwill, etc.)

I found some gel pads for the balls of my feet, but the ones I got weren't nearly thick enough to help. I'm still looking. I do as much of my shopping online as I can, because I can do it from the comfort of my recliner.

Has anyone ever found insoles such as I describe? How about foot ball cushions?

Jim

REPLY
2 replies
Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Oct 21, 2017

I thank God for cruise control!

REPLY
Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Oct 21, 2017
In reply to @jimhd "One of my problems is that I collect. I have more than 50 pair of shoes,..." + (show)
@jimhd

One of my problems is that I collect. I have more than 50 pair of shoes, and that count was a long time ago. Because of burning pain, mainly in the toes and balls of my feet, I have to wear shoes that are large enough to accommodate cushioning insoles. Most insoles have thickness in the heels, but almost none from the arch forward. I'm in the process of finding ones that do what I need. The best ones I've found are by airplus, labeled for work. Walmart carries them, and you can find them online.

I can't wear shoes without socks, even walking from one room to another. I find that Dansko shoes can be good. For very much walking, I have to wear athletic shoes, like Nike. Reeboks have always been comfortable.

If I'm not going to walk much, most good leather shoes work, though I've always been picky because I needed arch support long before pn started. I have to use insoles. The other day, I was surprised to find that my Justin cowboy boots were comfortable - insoles go without saying.

This summer, because I have to wear socks, I found that my sandals that look more like shoes worked for me. My wife doesn't like to be seen with me in my Birkenstocks with socks, though they are probably my most comfortable sandals.

I never buy shoes with man made material uppers. They don't breathe, and don't flex, and don't last long, which is probably a good thing.

Since the pn pain began, I've been trying to be aware of how each pair of shoes feels, and getting rid of the ones I can't wear. (Think Goodwill, etc.)

I found some gel pads for the balls of my feet, but the ones I got weren't nearly thick enough to help. I'm still looking. I do as much of my shopping online as I can, because I can do it from the comfort of my recliner.

Has anyone ever found insoles such as I describe? How about foot ball cushions?

Jim

Jump to this post

I have to add one thing. As soon as I step inside the door, my shoes come off and I put on a pair of slippers that are perfect. I dread the day when they wear out!

Jim

REPLY
1 reply
steeldove | @steeldove | Oct 22, 2017
In reply to @jimhd "One of my problems is that I collect. I have more than 50 pair of shoes,..." + (show)
@jimhd

One of my problems is that I collect. I have more than 50 pair of shoes, and that count was a long time ago. Because of burning pain, mainly in the toes and balls of my feet, I have to wear shoes that are large enough to accommodate cushioning insoles. Most insoles have thickness in the heels, but almost none from the arch forward. I'm in the process of finding ones that do what I need. The best ones I've found are by airplus, labeled for work. Walmart carries them, and you can find them online.

I can't wear shoes without socks, even walking from one room to another. I find that Dansko shoes can be good. For very much walking, I have to wear athletic shoes, like Nike. Reeboks have always been comfortable.

If I'm not going to walk much, most good leather shoes work, though I've always been picky because I needed arch support long before pn started. I have to use insoles. The other day, I was surprised to find that my Justin cowboy boots were comfortable - insoles go without saying.

This summer, because I have to wear socks, I found that my sandals that look more like shoes worked for me. My wife doesn't like to be seen with me in my Birkenstocks with socks, though they are probably my most comfortable sandals.

I never buy shoes with man made material uppers. They don't breathe, and don't flex, and don't last long, which is probably a good thing.

Since the pn pain began, I've been trying to be aware of how each pair of shoes feels, and getting rid of the ones I can't wear. (Think Goodwill, etc.)

I found some gel pads for the balls of my feet, but the ones I got weren't nearly thick enough to help. I'm still looking. I do as much of my shopping online as I can, because I can do it from the comfort of my recliner.

Has anyone ever found insoles such as I describe? How about foot ball cushions?

Jim

Jump to this post

@jimhd Reading your post, I realize that I seem most comfortable and secure when wearing Danskos, Birkenstocks, or a very old pair of slippers from Unr8ed, all of which have thick, firm, hard soles, but when driving I change to a pair of driving shoes I got from L.L. Bean. And, yes, thank God for cruise control! With small fiber polyneuropathy in my feet, legs, groin,arms and hands, driving is scary, and I need to explore the possibility of having hand controls installed on my car.

REPLY
abida | @abida | Oct 22, 2017

You can try brands like fitflop or dr scholl both brands make shoes which are quite comfortable and can be used by people with foot problems

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Lisa | @techi | Oct 23, 2017

John l also have neuropathy in my left foot after my foot surgery for drop foot. I also was looking for support shoes. I use to love Waring my sandals for summer and heels for church. So now l am always wearing sneakers. I was told by my orthopedic surgeon that new balance were the best. So l go to the new balance store and l tell them l have flat feet and about the support l need so l also won't trip and fall. So they tell me which shoes that they suggest and it's been working. Now they are expensive so l only get one pay a year. I have spent up to 130.00 for a pair of sneakers and l was only use to paying the most 50.00 so that's a big difference but you must go to the store not order online. And l also have to get a size bigger. I still have pain and numbness at night so l have to put on my support socks so l hope this helped. You are such an inspiration to me. I hope you have a great day

REPLY
11 replies
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Oct 23, 2017
In reply to @techi "John l also have neuropathy in my left foot after my foot surgery for drop foot...." + (show)
@techi

John l also have neuropathy in my left foot after my foot surgery for drop foot. I also was looking for support shoes. I use to love Waring my sandals for summer and heels for church. So now l am always wearing sneakers. I was told by my orthopedic surgeon that new balance were the best. So l go to the new balance store and l tell them l have flat feet and about the support l need so l also won't trip and fall. So they tell me which shoes that they suggest and it's been working. Now they are expensive so l only get one pay a year. I have spent up to 130.00 for a pair of sneakers and l was only use to paying the most 50.00 so that's a big difference but you must go to the store not order online. And l also have to get a size bigger. I still have pain and numbness at night so l have to put on my support socks so l hope this helped. You are such an inspiration to me. I hope you have a great day

Jump to this post

Hi Lisa (@techi), Thank you for the kind words! I'll have to see if New Balance has a slip-on shoe. I have bought New Balance tennis shoes before and still have a pair that I like but they are lace up and it's a struggle for me unless I will be gone all day and don't have to take them off. The Skechers are comfortable but seem to wear out in 3 or 4 months where they just don't feel good after that amount of time...at least for me. I have some standard leather 5 inch boots with double side zippers that I wear in the winter. They are lined with felt and do a fair job at keeping the feet warm. I also buy felt insoles and use them during the winter.

The sun was out earlier but it's grey outside again now and in the 50s. But I'm thankful even for these kinds of days. They make me appreciate the really nice days. Hope you have a great day also!!

John

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Oct 23, 2017

Did you ever have one of those days?? I had one yesterday when I thought I was posting here. So here is the post...

Hi Jim (@jimhd) – I bought a bunch of low ankle type socks that are as large as I could find and I wear them when I go to bed. My feet always seem to be cold. I sometimes use magnesium lotion on the feet just as a moisturizer. I probably should do it on a regular basis because it helps to keep the skin hydrated and a lot of those little tiny nerves/sensors are directly under the skin ☺ Mostly I wear the socks to prevent accidentally wounding myself with my toenails when I haven’t trimmed them for awhile. I have a habit of rubbing my feet together at night without even knowing that I do it. I hate tight fitting socks. In the winter time if it’s really cold I would double up on socks – short pair topped with a calf high loose fitting sock.

John

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Oct 23, 2017
In reply to @techi "John l also have neuropathy in my left foot after my foot surgery for drop foot...." + (show)
@techi

John l also have neuropathy in my left foot after my foot surgery for drop foot. I also was looking for support shoes. I use to love Waring my sandals for summer and heels for church. So now l am always wearing sneakers. I was told by my orthopedic surgeon that new balance were the best. So l go to the new balance store and l tell them l have flat feet and about the support l need so l also won't trip and fall. So they tell me which shoes that they suggest and it's been working. Now they are expensive so l only get one pay a year. I have spent up to 130.00 for a pair of sneakers and l was only use to paying the most 50.00 so that's a big difference but you must go to the store not order online. And l also have to get a size bigger. I still have pain and numbness at night so l have to put on my support socks so l hope this helped. You are such an inspiration to me. I hope you have a great day

Jump to this post

Hi Lisa @techi and John @johnbishop. New Balance are the best. I got my first pair in 25 years ago when I was hiking in the Alps and places like the Grand Canyon. Never got hiker's toe to any blisters. They also make slipons with a zipper and with stretchy laces. I now have 3 pair, in all my hang outs like my grandchildren and at the river house. They are the only shoe I can wear all day long. They come in widths which is great and they fit a high arch to provide the support necessary to avoid pain . If you can...go to a New Balance retailer to give them a try. You will be glad you did.

REPLY
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Oct 23, 2017
In reply to @techi "John l also have neuropathy in my left foot after my foot surgery for drop foot...." + (show)
@techi

John l also have neuropathy in my left foot after my foot surgery for drop foot. I also was looking for support shoes. I use to love Waring my sandals for summer and heels for church. So now l am always wearing sneakers. I was told by my orthopedic surgeon that new balance were the best. So l go to the new balance store and l tell them l have flat feet and about the support l need so l also won't trip and fall. So they tell me which shoes that they suggest and it's been working. Now they are expensive so l only get one pay a year. I have spent up to 130.00 for a pair of sneakers and l was only use to paying the most 50.00 so that's a big difference but you must go to the store not order online. And l also have to get a size bigger. I still have pain and numbness at night so l have to put on my support socks so l hope this helped. You are such an inspiration to me. I hope you have a great day

Jump to this post

Thanks Chris! Really appreciate your thoughts. I have not seen the slip-on’s so will see if I can find a pair....John

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