Re: OT: Birkenstock improvement

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/21/03 4:38:18 PM, kglg@... writes:

<< For those who wear Birkenstock sandals but find them a little hard...at the

foot clinic where I get my insoles made, they will lift up the insole of the

Birkenstocks, line them with a thin but cushiony insert and glue back the

original insole. This make them so much more comfortable and you would

never know from appearance that anything is different. It's great if you

feel that you are often " walking on bones " . >>

For women, what is the best brand of shoes (as opposed to sandals) to buy

if one must walk, and your soles hurt?

Again,

I appreciate your help!

Pris

[Guest guest]

> For those who wear Birkenstock sandals but find them a little

hard...at the

> foot clinic where I get my insoles made, they will lift up the

insole of the

> Birkenstocks, line them with a thin but cushiony insert and glue

back the

> original insole. This make them so much more comfortable and you would

> never know from appearance that anything is different. It's great

if you

> feel that you are often " walking on bones " .

>

>

> (RA 25+ years, AP since Nov. 97)

Don't you find that perhaps they are just hard initially? Once

they're broken in well, I find them by far the most comfortable shoe

possible to wear. My wife and I have been wearing them for years.

But if your feet have a lot of synovitis going on, perhaps the above

would indeed help.

Mark

[Guest guest]

Hi Pris,

For basic walking, it's best if you throw vanity out the window and wear a

properly fitted athletic shoe. I find New Balance to be the best designed

of all the althletic shoes in terms of meeting the needs of arthritis

sufferers. They have makes that provide better ankle stability, proper

cushioning, etc. They also have easily removable insoles in order to

accommodate custom orthotics. The company also insists that sellers

properly train their sales staff so that customers are provided with the

shoe type and fit best suited to their needs. They tend to be a bit

expensive but are worth it in my book.

For those times when you just can't get away with wearing a runner, there

are a number of companies who make simple, basic, low heeled pumps that

provide sufficient comfort and support to get through an evening out,

particularly if you don't need to walk too much. I have a couple of pairs of

Deer Stags pumps as well as a pair of their winter boots and they all are

quite comfortable. Here's a link to their website to find out where they

are sold near you (in Canada, I found them at The Shoe Company):

http://www.deerstags.com/home.html

Last summer, I also found a couple of pairs of very comfortable sandals,

which thrilled me because it's been forever since I was able to wear a

sandal. One pair was made by Sketchers and had a very unique, cushion type

of insole that almost resembled the inside of a box spring mattress. The

individual cushions basically molded to the shape of the bottom of my foot,

making it quite comfortable. I find the key is to really take your time

when choosing shoes, select ones with very little heel and plenty of

cushioning and walk around the store with them on for at least 15 minutes to

see if they really feel good. Also let the clerks know you have bad feet and

see what they might recommend. I know how frustrating this can be,

particularly since my former passion was nice shoes. I still have a

gorgeous pair of silver jewelled Italian stillettos in my closet that I

can't bear to part with but can't stand on my feet for even 5 seconds now.

It kills me to not be able to wear them but trying to would kill me, too.

:}

Hugs

a

Re: rheumatic OT: Birkenstock improvement

>> For women, what is the best brand of shoes (as opposed to sandals) to

buy

> if one must walk, and your soles hurt?

> Again,

> I appreciate your help!

> Pris

[Guest guest]

I found a brand called 's and I won't wear anything else. I

think they're made in the UK, but are available in the US. They cost

around $69 which is a lot for a pair of shoes...but the comfort is

amazing! No break-in period. Since I usually wear the same

pair...for a long time...I save $ that way. :-) The clerk at the

department store where I bought them said that lots of people with

arthritis feet, or who are on their feet all day really like these

shoes!

Connie

>

> For women, what is the best brand of shoes (as opposed to

sandals) to buy

> if one must walk, and your soles hurt?

> Again,

> I appreciate your help!

> Pris

[Guest guest]

> I found a brand called 's and I won't wear anything else. I

> think they're made in the UK, but are available in the US. They cost

> around $69 which is a lot for a pair of shoes...

I bet a's thinking - heck, that's cheap compared to " I still have a

gorgeous pair of silver jewelled Italian stillettos in my closet " .

LOL,

Mark

Just having a bit of fun on a chllly Wed morning!

[Guest guest]

That is well worth noting then. I know sometimes the RA will hit my feet

with a vengeance and those would be undoubtedly helpful at that time.

Thanks for the tip !

Mark

rheumatic Re: OT: Birkenstock improvement

>

>

> >

> > > For those who wear Birkenstock sandals but find them a little

> > hard...at the

> > > foot clinic where I get my insoles made, they will lift up the

> > insole of the

> > > Birkenstocks, line them with a thin but cushiony insert and glue

> > back the

> > > original insole. This make them so much more comfortable and you

would

> > > never know from appearance that anything is different. It's great

> > if you

> > > feel that you are often " walking on bones " .

> > >

> > >

> > > (RA 25+ years, AP since Nov. 97)

> >

> >

> > Don't you find that perhaps they are just hard initially? Once

> > they're broken in well, I find them by far the most comfortable shoe

> > possible to wear. My wife and I have been wearing them for years.

> > But if your feet have a lot of synovitis going on, perhaps the above

> > would indeed help.

> >

> > Mark

> >

> >

> > To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

The solution for my feet has been extra depth shoes for the most part, ones

which will take a custom made soft insole made from a thin but dense

material that is heated, molded to my foot and supported in the arch areas

underneath with cork. I find SAS often has shoes that fit my foot as well

as some running shoes, and walking shoes.

(RA 25+ years, AP since Nov. 97)

Re: rheumatic OT: Birkenstock improvement

>

> In a message dated 1/21/03 4:38:18 PM, kglg@... writes:

>

> << For those who wear Birkenstock sandals but find them a little hard...at

the

> foot clinic where I get my insoles made, they will lift up the insole of

the

> Birkenstocks, line them with a thin but cushiony insert and glue back the

> original insole. This make them so much more comfortable and you would

> never know from appearance that anything is different. It's great if you

> feel that you are often " walking on bones " . >>

>

> For women, what is the best brand of shoes (as opposed to sandals) to

buy

> if one must walk, and your soles hurt?

> Again,

> I appreciate your help!

> Pris

>

>

[Guest guest]

Birkenstocks do mold to your feet as you break them in and are comfortable.

In fact, after my ankle surgery, they were recommended by my surgeon.

However, I now have a lot of changes in my feet and have lost most of the

" padding " . I do best with that extra little bit of cushioning. This new

technique is not at all visible, but makes a world of difference to my feet.

(RA 25+ years, AP since Nov. 97)

rheumatic Re: OT: Birkenstock improvement

>

> > For those who wear Birkenstock sandals but find them a little

> hard...at the

> > foot clinic where I get my insoles made, they will lift up the

> insole of the

> > Birkenstocks, line them with a thin but cushiony insert and glue

> back the

> > original insole. This make them so much more comfortable and you would

> > never know from appearance that anything is different. It's great

> if you

> > feel that you are often " walking on bones " .

> >

> >

> > (RA 25+ years, AP since Nov. 97)

>

>

> Don't you find that perhaps they are just hard initially? Once

> they're broken in well, I find them by far the most comfortable shoe

> possible to wear. My wife and I have been wearing them for years.

> But if your feet have a lot of synovitis going on, perhaps the above

> would indeed help.

>

> Mark

>

>

> To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Pris! Geoff here.

You wrote:

> For women, what is the best brand of shoes (as opposed to sandals) to

buy

> if one must walk, and your soles hurt?

I'm not a woman, and I don't play one on TV. (VBG)

However, I did find that after the RA set in with a fervor and my feet

became so incredibly painful I had to set about finding new shoe brands. It

has been quite a search because every maker uses a different " last. " The

" last " is the foot shape the maker uses to form their shoes.

Short of finding a cobbler to custom-make your shoes, which is a very good

solution if you can afford it and if you can find a cobbler, you will have

to set out on a journey to find what brand, and what model shoe, feels best

for you personally. I am still good with my dress and business shoes, but

have had to go through numerous brands and models of sneakers.

I ventured through Adidas, New Balance and others until I finally found Kay

Swiss. The Kay Swiss have been hard for me to get. They started as a

Pro-womens' Tennis shoe, then branched into men's shoes and now make a broad

variety of models. My local stores only carry half sizes (US) up to 11,

have lost the idea of various widths, and elect to offer only limited

styles. However, after searching I have had found some stores with

half-sizes, D and E widths and various styles. When I find a style I like

that fits, I buy two pair and regardless of price. I intend to wear them a

long time, it is very hard for me to find them and I do not want to go off

searching again after finishing off one pair. Buying a second pair gives me

a hedge. A few years ago when I started this I found a store carrying the

shoe I wanted in Las Vegas, more than 600 miles from me. A few weeks ago, I

found a Foot Locker store that had them only 45 miles away. It changes all

time.

HTH

Geoff

soli Deo gloria

www.HealingYou.org - Your nonprofit source for remedies and aids in fighting

these diseases, information on weaning from drugs, and nutritional kits for

repairing adrenal damage; 100% volunteer staffed.

[Guest guest]

Those of you looking for comfortable sandals can find a style at

pipersandals.com. The guy handmakes them and they are very comfortable. I have

one other pair of shoes and these (I go barefoot most of the time, as you could

probably guess ). Just wanted to let folks know.

> > > > For those who wear Birkenstock sandals but find them a little

> > > hard...at the

> > > > foot clinic where I get my insoles made, they will lift up the

> > > insole of the

> > > > Birkenstocks, line them with a thin but cushiony insert and glue

> > > back the

> > > > original insole. This make them so much more comfortable and you

> would

> > > > never know from appearance that anything is different. It's great

> > > if you

> > > > feel that you are often " walking on bones " .

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > (RA 25+ years, AP since Nov. 97)

> > >

> > >

> > > Don't you find that perhaps they are just hard initially? Once

> > > they're broken in well, I find them by far the most comfortable shoe

> > > possible to wear. My wife and I have been wearing them for years.

> > > But if your feet have a lot of synovitis going on, perhaps the above

> > > would indeed help.

> > >

> > > Mark

> > >

> > >

> > > To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

I also have found SAS shoes very good , they are made in Texas. My mother in law

buys them from the SAS shop in Eugene Oregon and brings them for me when she

comes to New Zealand. I get a triple W fitting and they take my custom in sole

easily. For summer [ which it is in NZ at present ] I am wearing Ecco walking

sandals which have adjustable velcro straps , great for when your feet swell.

They are very very comfortable. I dont need an insole with them as the footbed

is soft and molded ,similar to Birkenstock but softer. An orthotic could be

fitted if necessary.Its great to have comfortable shoes for hot weather.

Barbara

Ken and wrote:

> The solution for my feet has been extra depth shoes for the most part, ones

> which will take a custom made soft insole made from a thin but dense

> material that is heated, molded to my foot and supported in the arch areas

> underneath with cork. I find SAS often has shoes that fit my foot as well

> as some running shoes, and walking shoes.

>

>

> (RA 25+ years, AP since Nov. 97)

>

> Re: rheumatic OT: Birkenstock improvement

>

> >

> > In a message dated 1/21/03 4:38:18 PM, kglg@... writes:

> >

> > << For those who wear Birkenstock sandals but find them a little hard...at

> the

> > foot clinic where I get my insoles made, they will lift up the insole of

> the

> > Birkenstocks, line them with a thin but cushiony insert and glue back the

> > original insole. This make them so much more comfortable and you would

> > never know from appearance that anything is different. It's great if you

> > feel that you are often " walking on bones " . >>

> >

> > For women, what is the best brand of shoes (as opposed to sandals) to

> buy

> > if one must walk, and your soles hurt?

> > Again,

> > I appreciate your help!

> > Pris

> >

> >

>

> To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups

>

>

>