I've heard some good shoes mentioned before on this board. I think Keen is one spoken of highly, but I should let others speak sepcifically.

Crocs and Birkenstocks have been great for me, especially when I couldn't wear anything that enclosed my foot.

My "go to" shoe right now is a pair of Nike running shoes. Good cushioning, arch support and they're black, so I can wear them with my tux.

I like that about the tux, Doug!

I already loved Crocs before I had RA. I worked while on my feet all day and they were exceedingly comfy then. Now they are not the best thing ever, but I do wear them occasionally. Especially at the times when I would have just gone barefoot around the house or outdoors. I just cannot go barefoot right now.

I fell in love with Dansko clogs this winter. Most of the time, I am in a pair of Nikes, though for allover support and comfort while I am being a busy mom.

I forgot to mention my Teva sandals. Very comfy for flip-flop style shoe.

How do I love thee crocs, let me count the way... I love my crocs!!! When my feet swell those are the only shoes I can wear, so I bought a dressy pair of crock flats in black, blue crock clogs for anytime and a pair of brown clog crocks for playing with my kids. They're so comfy, I even bought a fur lined pair for the winter... I'm rather fanatical about them, and I am pretty sure I am the only adult in all of Dublin who still wears them in public. I assume so because I used to be able to get them at Arnotts, and now I usually have to order them online from the UK. Ok, enough rambling about my crocs.

I had a pair of custom orthotics made that I can slip into any wide running shoes after removing it's pre made insole, which is usually pretty comfy. My favorite pair of runners is actually a pair I bought at ASDA (british name for wal-mart) while visiting my sister. They're darling, comfortable and surprisingly well priced. Of course, the orthotics that make them comfortable were around 350 with the assessment, fitting, and the orthotic itself, but well worth every bit of it.

Hope you manage to find something you like

Aoife

For me yellow box flip flops with a 11/2 inch cushion are perfect...wish I could wear them to work : ( ~b

Hi there nature girl!

I have had some good finds with footwear. My hubby used to say, after buying new shoes: I will wear these an hour or two a day for a few days to break these in. I am so adamant, that you should not have to break shoes in. I truly believe if it does not feel right, it absolutely does not fit, and the journey for the right new shoe is not over. Crocs do not feel right on my foot, so I will not recommend them. I know they are very popular for a reason, but my foot says no to Crocs. I do find Nike fits my foot well if I want an athletic shoe.

Last summer, I found J-41s and it was the most comfortable and cute shoe I have worn for quite awhile. They are made by Jeep/Chrysler! When I tried the shoe on, it was like the foot bed melted to welcome my foot. Amazing! And I had lots of compliments also. My shoebox says that style is Aquarius but looks exactly like what is on the website called Gemini. New year/ new name? Here is the link:

http://www.j-41.com/footwear_designs.html

A shoe I just purchased last week is made by Merrell. It is a perfect fit, and a slider, so I am wearing it almost in place of a slipper in the house. It has a great foot bed too. This is the link:

http://www.merrell.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/W-F-F/20070W/42314/Women/Footwear/Filters/Womens/Heather/Bungee/J36652

While I was looking for this links for you, I ran across this website:

http://www.barkingdogshoes.com/ it looks like it has some incredible shoe options also. It links some chronic pain blog links, which I will look at later, they look like they may be some good reading.

I will not buy online unless I am replacing a shoe that is perfect because I can wear shoes that range from a 9 to an 11. Is that not crazy? If I put on an athletic shoe, it is an 11. But the others need to be smaller. (Wondering if anyone else has that?)

Sorry this is so long, but hope it will help you find something that will be perfect for you. Not sure whether putting off a surgery is something you want to do, or if waiting as long as possible is better. That is between you and your doctors.

Bless you, girl!
daizy8

Fabulous everyone, thanks. looks like I am going to have to spend a few bucks, hopefully it will be worth it.

I looked at some of the shoes on line, there are some great styles and they look so comfy. No need to look like a fogie with velcro fasten shoes. Lol

Buddhacat2, I searched the Keen. Very cool designs and have good reviews.

The barking dog shoe. How cute!

I am going to check out stores in my area and see if I can find some of these shoes you all have mentioned and I'll do some testing out before buying. I would buy on line but want to try some out first.

I think perhaps getting some custom made orthotics will be also something to consider in the future.

You guys are all great. Thanks again.

Naturegirl, When I was first diagnosed with RA I could barely walk. The rhuemie suggested I try "The Walking Store" and try on mephistoes. I went with my hubbie and took one look at the price tag, in excess of $200 and said "no way!" Long story short my hubbie made me try them on. I was wearing a skirt ant tights at the time so borrowed a pair of white socks from the clerk. I NEVER took them off my feet and left the store in them. They have always been my go to shoes. They also make sandals and dress shoes. I also find merrell sandals and clogs! I have problems with both the bottoms and the top of my feet. Because all of our feet are shaped differently with different arches and insteps, you need to get to a good shoe store that can properly fit your foot, preferably with a wide toe box. Good luck! I may skimp some places, but when it comes to my feet no money is spared.

I wear Ecco shoes (Danish brand) that are very soft & have a removable inner for orthotics. I saw an Occupational Therapist who made orthotics for me. The orthotics are very soft built of thin layers of some type of material that are moulded to my foot. My feet say 'aaahhh, that feels good' when I wear them. She shapes the orthotic into a position that apparently puts my foot into a neutral position & reduces inflammation.

I have 2 pairs of Birkenstocks - a clog & sandal, but I find the surface too hard & can only wear them for a short amount of time before the bones in my feet are sore. I wore them all day Friday & the bones in my feet are still very sore today.

Hope u find the right shoe for you.

Cheers, Anna

My favorite topic - shoes! I actually just bought a pair of the sketchers shape ups- the ones that kind of rock your foot. http://www.skechers.com/

I've only worn them one day, but the cushioning is amazing and I do feel like they help my posture.

Crocs are great for wearing around the house - like walking on clouds. My doc warned that the footbed is a bit wide though and can let your foot spread out too much (?)

Daizy - I'm loving those shoes Jeep makes - I have to check those out!

I have found the yes, the shoes that work best cost a bit more, but boy do they make a difference for my foot! A good web site for shoes is also www.footsmart.com They specialize in shoes for people with "problem" feet.

Good luck to you, Lisa

After 30 years in jump boots, flight deck boots, combat boots, and just about every other kind of boot you can think of I now wear either Skechers slip on style or a slip on style by DrScholl's that I get through Haband for about $35. I went through a long period last year when I couldn't wear a shoe on my left foot (too swollen). Now I can't stand anything tight or too stiff because of the tender joints and stiffness. When we were in Branson I went to the Croc's store and tried everything they had but couldn't find anything that felt good, but that is just me. The Skechers rocker style don't work for me because of my ankles, love the comfort provided but the tippy feeling scared me. Have enough problems staying off my butt without a pair of shoes throwing me. There is a shoe you might look at, called Z-coil. They are pricey buy seem to be very stable and I have talked to some folks around here that like them. For me I am having a hard time justifying the $200 tag. I just don't wear shoes for long distances anymore because of my feet so I'm not sure that I could get my $$ worth. Like you my feet are in bad shape and the MRI's showed the damage. Take care, Chuck

Birkenstock makes a soft bed sandal, which is all I can wear, because my feet are extremely wide and different sizes. The old pairs I had before my surgery don't fit, because my foot shaped them. Which goes to show that I guess they do conform to your foot. It is really hard to get them now, because the orthopedic store in town closed down. Before my surgery, I had handmade orthopedic shoes which cost $2300. Fortunately, I only had to copay $500. That was all I could wear, except for Walmart men's work boots. That is my winter shoe choice. LOL

Hi - interesting topic. I dont think we have all the options of your responders down here but have written them down in hope as this is an issue for me. When in foot flare I can only wear a pair of Eject fashion boots (flat, well soled, broad and lace adjustable) which I bought well before diagnosis..Have tried to get another pair but cant. As these are a light colour they dont look too bad with skirt in summer months and they have been on the feet in hot Morocoo and snowy Iceland! So now constantly searching stores for something which wide enough, soft enough and supporting enough without hard rubbing round ankle and just above....Also have foot supports which fit inside these but nothing else I own... Someone mentioned this issue once before and I wrote down the men's option she wore but cant get them here. We are just too small a market.but I didnt have much joy last year searching the British stores. But will persevere. Really agree with daizy that you shouldnt have to "break in" shoes. As for crocs tried a number of different kinds last year in UK but not at all comfortable on my feet. Good luck with your searching!

I have "new Balance" tennis shoes..and Keen..the keen can be high priced but when I tried them on i never took them off..left the store with them on my feet and finished my shopping.




Kim

I also have most RA problems in my feet. Finding comfortable shoes has been quite a challenge and rather expensive. But, I agree that the cost is of no consequence if I can walk.

My favorite shoes are Danksos, followed by my Earth sandels, and my Asic tennis shoes. I haven't had much luck with Merrel shoes. I also agree that the shoe needs to fit and feel good from the minute you try it on!

Good luck and my advice is to start with Danksos.

I have worn crocs for years and they are soft and comfy, but they don't supply much support. Don't bother with the knock offs either.
This past fall I got a pair of sketchers shape ups and WOW do they feel good on my feet and knees! They feel a little funny at first, but they have so much cushion and they really decrease my foot and knee pain.
Good luck