Vent over plantar fasciitis and the cost of shoes.

Parent Cafe
1

For about 3 years, I’ve suffered bouts of plantar fasciitis. I’d say twice a year it flares up, and I’m just getting over the latest one. I know it’s my own fault wearing my cute flat sandals all summer. It’s easier in the winter as I put arch supports in the sides of all my pumps.

Well, I have to have some sandals I can walk in as we are going on vacation in a few weeks. I’ve gone to the company store and found some basics, but OMG…look at this. It goes nice with my shorts, plus I need white for some dresses. It just ticks me off.

https://www.thewalkingcompany.com/abeo-b.i.o.-haven-neutral-white/47739

I’ve bought two more dressier sandals for about 100. All these have is terrific arch support, but do they have to zing us? It’s not like these are the cutest shoes ever. Here’s another boring pair I just bought, but they haven’t come in yet.

https://www.thewalkingcompany.com/abeo-loretta-neutral-champagne/47651

All these shoes typically run between $100 to $140. It’s nuts. Ok, rant over.

2

My sore foot friend wears only Mephisto sandals. Those aren’t a bargain either. Her foot doc told her NEVER to wear sandals again…$150 sandals was the compromise.

3

Buy these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0033PSSJO

They work for sandals. There are the ones that stick to the foot, I like those, too.

4

I don’t think those prices are particularly high. I don’t think degree of “cuteness” has anything to do with construction and quality. Those thongs have a lot going on in their construction.

How much do you expect to pay for shoes?

5

I don’t think the prices are high, either.

I have plantar fasciitis and I really try to stay away from any flat - but I bought the cutest pair of sandles last winter when I was in Florida and I wore them a lot this summer. My feet and calves paid the price big time the last few weeks. I’ve started using my pro stretch again twice a day and The Stick, plus wearing my sneaks with my orthotics a lot more.

My podiatrist told me never to wear flats again, too.

6

First time experiencing the joy of Plantar Fasciitis (not sure which is more annoying, the pain in my foot or my inability to actually say the damn name correctly…) Just bought some special socks, inserts and a stick to roll my foot on, but am wondering about the pro stretch. @emilybee - do you recommend it?

7

@myjanda, I do 1000%!

I used it first at PT and bought one to use at home. It gives the best stretch. Not expensive either.

https://www.amazon.com/Medi-Dyne-ProStretch-Unilateral-Stretching-System/dp/B000GAAXGK

8

FWIW, my sib, who had PF, now swears by doing a stretch in bed every morning in which she “writes” the alphabet with each foot in the air.

9

Thanks for that link! I think $100 for a pair of thongs is ludicrous. I think the reason it must be so high is the demand for ortho shoes vs. regular.

10

I did that (wrote the alphabet with my foot) a few years ago as part of PT when I sprained my ankle badly a few years ago, and it really made a difference. Just a short time ago I had shin splints and the folks on the Diet Exercise Wellness board suggested I do that, so I did and it helped. I’m getting to the point where even though I don’t have foot/ankle problems, I should do this proactively to forestall issues.

11

I’ve never had these but I’ve heard people like FitFlops - these are pretty reasonable:
http://www.6pm.com/fitflop-women-sandals~1#!/fitflop-women-sandals/CK_XARC51wE6ApcTUgKYFcABAeICBRgBAgoH.zso

12

Explore using KT Pro Tape. Not sexy stuff, but it really helps.

13

One word: Birkenstock. Change your mindset and wear them when you can. They are the best curatives for plantar fasciitis. Other brands that are good for this condition are Vionic and Aetrex.

PS I have absolutely flat feet and all the attendant problems. I need excellent arch support in my shoes. Other brands I have good luck with are Munro American (not great arch support, but steel shanks) and Sofft (cork soles and decent support in their sandals).

14

Re: KT tape. There is a better quality kinesio tape called RockTape, and it is not so boring. I have it in Stars and Stripes. :slight_smile: I see it is now offered in Skulls and Biohazard. I have to get that one!!! :smiley:

Many folks swear by them, but Birks do nothing for me. Very uncomfortable. And they cost $100!

15

This is how I feel about the bras I buy. I"m not a department store size so I have to buy bras from independent lingeris shops. American brands do not make my size, so I have to purchase the more expensive European brands. I generally spend about $70 to $90 per bra. They last (with hand washing and line drying) about 2 years and then the elastic is done so I need to replace them.

I spend more on bras (which no one sees) than on my clothing (which everyone sees)! But I gotta keep the girls looking and feeling their best. :slight_smile:

16

I swear by these sandals: http://www.zappos.com/finn-comfort-gomera-82562-black-leather?zlfid=191&ref=pd_detail_1_sims_p_ab

They are very expensive, and not the cutest, but I got five summers of near daily wear out of my last pair, so the price per wear is actually low. They are made in Germany.

17

I splurged on a pair of Vionic sports shoes but find them so uncomfortable I will probably try to give them away. They were very pricey! I’ve never worn them outdoors but have hung onto them too long hoping my feet would come to love them. :frowning:

18

These are a little less money: $59

http://www.hammacher.com/Product/76997?cm_cat=ProductSEM&cm_pla=AdWordsPLA&source=PRODSEM&gclid=CKzDjcailM8CFUw9gQodo1UAyg

19

Rule #1 of shoe shopping: if a shoe does not feel right when you try it on, it will not be comfortable in the long run. :slight_smile:

20

Give a try to skechers® Reggae-Rasta. (and only the raggae rasta as the toe loops on other are not a comfy) The price is good and they are perfectly comfortable from the second you put them on. I get a couple new pairs every summer. I can walk and stand for hours in these.

Naot sandals are my # 1 choice, but pricey.