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@contentandwell

@fiesty76 I went to a Walking Company store and looked at a number of different sneakers, and they had me walk over a mat that is supposed to tell them if I need an orthotic other than neutral. They found that I did, at two different stores. The sneakers that I liked were expensive (@$170) so I went home to think about it and looked at their online website. They had a style that was discontinued for significantly less money, I think it was around $105, so I ordered them with the recommended orthotic.

The orthotic really made my foot hurt, I thought I might have plantar fasciitis. By the time I called them about it, it was just beyond a month so they didn't want to replace the orthotic even though they were what had been recommended in two different of their stores and they were causing me significant foot pain. They then agreed to a discount on my purchasing them. I am not usually that "feisty" but I said I didn't want their 30% discount, I wanted a 100% discount since it was their sales associates who convinced me to purchase these. They finally agreed to that and sent out the neutral orthotics and I have been very happy with the shoes since then. If I recall, the orthotic insole is about $70, so it's not like a $15 insole.

So, get measured and walk over their sensitive pad, but if you do not feel you need an orthotic then go neutral.
JK

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Replies to "@fiesty76 I went to a Walking Company store and looked at a number of different sneakers,..."

@contentandwell.. I have been having trouble finding shoes too. My daughter gave me a very generous gift certificate to Zappos, the online shoes store. The deliver free and return is free too. The have tons of shoes, but if you know what brand you like and the style, it's a good way to shop. On some models, not all, you can even use it for 30 days and if you are not happy, send them back (free shipping back) and you'll get a refund. I had a pair that I wore over 30 days and only just found out that my shoes fall into that category but they still take it back. Their customer service is wonderful. They sell also dress shoes, insoles etc. And they have wide and extra wide width, which are hard to find in stores.

@contentandwell I was measured for my orthotics and my podiatrist fitted me. I have never had any trouble with them except they are wearing out and I need to see the podiatrist again. I had some orthotics once before from a company that did this for a living and they measured me and looked at my gait etc and I picked up the orthotics a week later. However I had nothing but trouble with them. I had 2 toes that went numb and it took a couple of years for them to come back to life. The orthotics were too rigid amongst other things. Tthey do tell you to gradually wear new orthotics for a longer amount of time so you get used to them slowly. If you wear new orthotics for too long right away you can have problems just from doing that.