Hello there.. I have completely given up on high heels shoes.. can stand but just cannot walk, LOL!
Luckily my job has allowed me to wear gymshoes if need be but for the time being I just bought some nice black leather loafers from Target, I also bought those airpillos that you can cut to size and I feel fine.
I know sometimes I wanna look cute, but right now I just want to be comfortable!!!

Mich do you have a Nordstroms or Walking Store in your area? The best I mean BEST shoes are called "mephistoes". They make gyms, sandals and dress shoes. They are VERY pricey but worth every penny. When I first saw them I said no way will I spend that much on shoes, but I left the store with them on my feet. The gyms are particuarly great..and you can send them back to the maker in Europe to have them retooled for a fraction of the original cost. There sandals are as comfy as can be, the dress shoes not beautiful but comfy! Another brand to look for is Echoes ( also found at Nordstroms) and lastly Merrils ( Von Maur) which are only casual shoes sandals and mules. Clarks are your lower end ( still not cheap) shoes but of them all the mephistoes will be your best fit. Lets put it this way...when I first got them I could barely walk...well thank goodness that part is history! Let us know what you end up with. P.S. Each of these brands should have websites so you can find a store in your area if you see something that you think may work for you. Good luck sweetie!

Thanks ladies!

Bizemomm-I'm going to look online today for some of the brands you listed.

I think my heels was one of the hardest things to give up after the RA...I'm a shoe fiend! I have found on Shoebuy.com that they offer some great shoes - still pretty cute, that come in wide widths, and if you need them to, can use an orthotic in them. Check out these brands: Trotters, Clarks, and softspot - some are matronly, but I've found a few that are really cute, and by getting the wide width, comfortable when my feet are swollen. Good luck!

Oh my god my favorite subject SHOES!!!! I love shoes and have so many I have lost count. But I too have had to get rid of the heels. Now the ones that I have found and absolutely love,love, love are the Merrills as bizmom says. I have to pair now both have a 1 1/2 to 2 inch heel, very roomy toe box which I need and it has a thinck rubber sole so you feel very safe going down stairs, you're not going to slip. One is a slip on dress shoe and the other is a t-strap that you can even wear with a skirt. Also my fav or a casual or gym shoe is Privo. Love them wide toe box good sole. Both these brands are quite spendy but well worth it. I also have 2 clarks and love them too but doesnt have that nice rubber sole that I like so well. Fav web site is Zappos.com, free shipping both ways and it comes next day, no cost. Shoe.com has free shipping too, takes a few days longer to receive. Have fun shoe shopping, I know I did. Kris

Because our feet are more sensitive DO NOT order shoes online until you have tried them on in the store. I find even with the brands I like that each shoe fits differently. Like Kristan I look for a wide toe box that lets your aching toes spread!

It was really hard for me to give up my heels. i have had RA 20 plus yrs. But Ballet Flats are very much in style right now. At the end of summer i went to Payless and bought 5 different pr and i just ordered 2 more pairs from Avon, They can look very cute with just about everything--from jeans to dress's. They really look cute with the tights that are in style for fall and winter. i love them-- hope that this helps....t

My favorite, most comfortable shoe is Easy Spirit. They can be pricey, but I get mine at the outlet mall. They last forever, and such good "coosh" to them. They do have shoes with a very small heel, but i have had to give mine up also. Hope this helps

Hi I sure hope yu found some shoes. I was only thinking how severe are your feet? My friend can only wear slip-ons due to her RA, and I can only wear new balance mens 1223 stability shoes,
There are ugly as sin!

New Balance does make a black leather 929 that can work as well. Just don't quote me on the number. I know I could never, ever wear alley flat. Some people can...it's all about your foot condition.
I just hope that helped a bit. I've gone through hell with so many people not understanding.

cute flats with inserts!!

I gave up heels even before the RA came along after a fall that broke a bone in my foot.
The RA changed my footwear to 95% of the time of not having anything on my heel.
Which means in the winter: clogs and in the summer: slides and sandals.
I also go wider width with especially on the clogs and have even gone up a size in shoes to be more comfortable.

I am so glad I logged on tonight. I thougt I was the only one who had to give up heels. I don't know what you girls consider expensive but I have found SAS shoes to be great. When I first get a pair I don't even feel the need to take them off when I get home. They are leather slip ons but they do have some that are kinda cute. Are they. even in the same ballpark as the other ones? Let me know! A.

I have some dr. martins that are really comfy. they have enough room for my feet to swell and my toes to do a little stretching.

i almost always wear sandals, room for the swelling, the toes, and the nodules. luckily, my back doesn't bother me much, otherwise i'd probably need something with more support.

I've gone so many yrs without wearing a cute pair of shoes...*sigh*...
I wore high heels most of my adult life, even during my 1st pregnancy...silly me, I knew better by my 2nd. You know what really helped me...going to one of those "Good Feet" stores and getting the ortho's for my feet. Although I've only recently been diagnosed with RA I've had foot pain for about 8 yrs...another *sigh*... Maybe it was associated with RA, who knows? Try the "Good Feet" store :)

Hello there, It might be worth looking at the Foot Solutions web site (www.footsolutions.com). They have a store here in LA and also others around the country I think. I found them to be very helpful.