Tell me about your favorite shoes

[Henrietta23]

As someone with flat feet and frequent foot pain I'm curious what you find comfortable. This stems from a conversation wtih my naturopath yesterday. She is an athlete and apparently in certain circles the trend is toward less support rather than more. She was showing me on her computer Vibram Five Finger Shoes. Totally weird. Aside from the price, I can't imagine wearing them without all sorts of comments and questions! I may save up for a pair of Nike Frees. I frequently wear Crocs when my feet are hurting. They are the most comfortable things to slip on around the house. For school this year I bought myself two pairs of Danskos. Those, even though they're heavy, keep my feet feeling pretty good at the end of the day.
I hate my sneaker and hiking shoes. I'm looking for something for the summer. I don't think five fingered shoes are it though...

 

[freemotion]

Dansko all the way! I have sandals, too, as well as clogs. You might also like Ariats....I love them, and they have a sleeker look (slightly) than the chunkier Danskos. Both are common in the equestrian community. Love them both.

 

[justusnak]

I too am as flat footed as a duck....and I wear canvas tennis shoes. You know, the little cheap ones...at Wal mart. I find them very comfortable...easy to rinse after being in the garden...and you can wear them with or without socks. I might go through 3 or 4 pair a year....but, they are cheap, and I find them very comfortable..for a duck footed person.

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

any boots/low-sneaker-like workboots from Merrill.

you can do to almost any HIGH END (or they will say "technical") running shoe place and find a knowledgeable sales person to help you. they arent the run of the mill "what size and i'll get it" salesperson.. but they would watch you walk, evaluate the pressure points, and after you try on oh.. 47 pairs of shoes they will help.

foot pain sucks. my feet are all ruined from years of being a 'fancy high heeled' girl and all those worthless aerobics classes. i'm now strictly a sensible shoe girl and can only wear a couple of different brands
:-(

and my barn boots of course

 

[curly_kate]

I just bought my first pair of Tevas, and I've been happy with them so far. A dog chewed up my cheapie crocs that I was using for gardening, so I sprung for some of the classic Teva sandals. I've been very happy with them so far, and I have a funny "Teva tan" on my feet now. I have very skinny feet w/high arches, so they might not be what you're looking for.

 

[Rebecka]

I am right there with justusnak. Being forced to wear shoes at all is horrible enough, but to have to actually wear something with " support" is akin to an underwire in bras.. just cruel. 3 or 4 pairs of the cheap canvas ones in assorted colors for spring , summer and autumn. I do however keep a pair of Nurse Mates for winter. I discovered them back in the good ol days of waiting tables. I could work a double shift with no foot pain, but in all fairness, I was Much younger in those days as well.

 

[Henrietta23]

I too am as flat footed as a duck....and I wear canvas tennis shoes. You know, the little cheap ones...at Wal mart. I find them very comfortable...easy to rinse after being in the garden...and you can wear them with or without socks. I might go through 3 or 4 pair a year....but, they are cheap, and I find them very comfortable..for a duck footed person.

Now, those I can not wear. Or at least I couldn't last time I tried. I wonder if it has less to do with support than shock absorbtion? Not sure. Merrills rub my inner "arch" weird but I may not have found the right ones yet. Berkinstocks are torture.

 

[Javamama]

I got a pair of FitFlops for the house, to cushion my feet when I'm doing housework. I wear crocks to do outside chores. I use Skechers Energy for workouts and walking when it's not hot. I am currently looking for a good walking sandal for the summer. I usually have good luck with Naturalizers sandals, but I'm having fit problems this year :/ I really haven't had the energy to shop around.
I have fit problems with alot of shoes - if it fits in the heel, then the arch feels off and vice versa.
I have a high arch and can't wear those cute, cheap Payless variety shoes

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

Merrills rub my inner "arch" weird but I may not have found the right ones yet. Berkinstocks are torture.

just keep trying different brands. if you have an REI nearby you will get great products and excellent service. we dont have one around here but i did get lucky at Gander Mountain - which is a hunting/outdoor sports store. i would have never gone in there and was wow'd by the selection of footware. i was in heaven....

 

[Tallman]

http://www.footsolutions.com/chung_shi_shoes.htm