RE: Markell Shoes question

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

If your straps break, contact Markell and they'll send you a replacement

pair. I personally haven't found a lot of movement of holes in these

shoes, so basically we end up using the same hole the whole time, if you're

seeing or feeling like the strap is weak there just be careful and expect

it might break. I don't think there's much you can do to prevent it if

that extra hole has weakened it. Normally they're pretty strong, these

straps. Maybe you should just ask for an extra set of straps now so you

won't have to wait when and if they do break. Email info@... about

this (if that's wrong, just go to the Markell website and their contact

email is at the bottom of the page).

I'm not sure exactly why the tongue is an issue, some think there's too

much padding, some think there's too little (I'm in the latter category

sometimes). Some babies have gotten sores where the strap goes over the

top of the foot, some just have red marks (like my daughter) and some have

no problems at all. I remember the old style shoes had a thick plastizode

lining the brace shop put in, and there were no problems with that at all

(although lots of problems with the heel - my fault I'm afraid). Just

watch the tops of his feet for actual sores. Darbi has been in these new

style shoes since last June and has had red marks on the tops of her feet

ever since. They don't seem to bother her and they don't turn into

sores... but people are now starting to notice (her ped always remarks

about this) and I've been keeping the strap looser and tightening the laces

tighter hoping to make them less red. Seems to work, but they still

haven't gone away entirely.

Oh, when I was thinking about replacing the straps (for an entirely

different reason - I was hoping the new ones would be long enough to

actually grasp when putting them on, but alas they were the same too short

straps we already had) I found out that Shriners can sew them on. So if

you're being seen at a Shriners, call them before you go to a shoe repair

shop.

Kori & Darbi

3/03 - DBB 12hr/day

Size 4 Markells Already, What A Big Foot Girl!

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

If your straps break, contact Markell and they'll send you a replacement

pair. I personally haven't found a lot of movement of holes in these

shoes, so basically we end up using the same hole the whole time, if you're

seeing or feeling like the strap is weak there just be careful and expect

it might break. I don't think there's much you can do to prevent it if

that extra hole has weakened it. Normally they're pretty strong, these

straps. Maybe you should just ask for an extra set of straps now so you

won't have to wait when and if they do break. Email info@... about

this (if that's wrong, just go to the Markell website and their contact

email is at the bottom of the page).

I'm not sure exactly why the tongue is an issue, some think there's too

much padding, some think there's too little (I'm in the latter category

sometimes). Some babies have gotten sores where the strap goes over the

top of the foot, some just have red marks (like my daughter) and some have

no problems at all. I remember the old style shoes had a thick plastizode

lining the brace shop put in, and there were no problems with that at all

(although lots of problems with the heel - my fault I'm afraid). Just

watch the tops of his feet for actual sores. Darbi has been in these new

style shoes since last June and has had red marks on the tops of her feet

ever since. They don't seem to bother her and they don't turn into

sores... but people are now starting to notice (her ped always remarks

about this) and I've been keeping the strap looser and tightening the laces

tighter hoping to make them less red. Seems to work, but they still

haven't gone away entirely.

Oh, when I was thinking about replacing the straps (for an entirely

different reason - I was hoping the new ones would be long enough to

actually grasp when putting them on, but alas they were the same too short

straps we already had) I found out that Shriners can sew them on. So if

you're being seen at a Shriners, call them before you go to a shoe repair

shop.

Kori & Darbi

3/03 - DBB 12hr/day

Size 4 Markells Already, What A Big Foot Girl!

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

We've found that the straps are pretty weak anyway, ours have snapped on

three shoes now and we haven't cut any extra holes in them. One broke

clean through, with the others the holes kind of joined up to make one

huge long hole, which meant we couldn't tie the strap tight enough to

hold the foot in. Luckily the local shoe supplier replaced them

straight away. It seems like the straps stretch, but something inside

them can't keep up with the stretch. 's first pair were the 'old'

style Markell shoes. They were great, we used them for nearly a year

and the straps were still going strong. I have heard that Markell have

improved them, but haven't seen any yet, our last pair was about two

months ago and still those awful straps! got his last shoes pretty

big too, about 1.5 sizes too big. Already as the straps have stretched

we've gone one hole up. They're looking much more worn than the rest of

the shoe, so I'm holding thumbs that they can still last a while. As

far as the padded tongues go, I think that some parents were having

problems with bruising on top of the foot. We haven't experienced this

and we use the tongues, maybe it depends on the child. Other than the

straps, the shoes are pretty good and last well.

and

24 Jan 2003

www.clubfoot.co.za

Markell Shoes question

My son just got his new, larger size pair of Markell shoes 2 weeks ago.

They're a bit larger than he needs, but he seems to be okay with them as

he

isn't getting any sores or anything like that. Only problem is trying

to

get them tight enough to keep his heels down and not break the strap

since

they are a bit bigger than he needs. I'm assuming that will stop pretty

soon as his foot grows a bit more. I'm just hoping that the straps will

hold up until he needs a new pair again, which I'm assuming will be in

December or January. We'll get them beforehand if we need to, but I'd

rather they hold up. I added a hole half way between two holes on both

straps, and that might have not been such a good idea. The straps could

very well end up breaking at those spots now. Anyone have any ideas on

how

to prevent/fix that particular problem? I also remember hearing someone

say

that the padded tongues have also caused trouble. What, specifically,

were

the problems they were causing? I'd like to know if I should be

watching

for anything in particular with him.

Thanks!

and

BCF 03/25/2004

[Guest guest]

Wow ,

I find it interesting that your experience with the strap is really quite

different than ours. I don't think they stretch very much and hold up very

well. BUT... Darbi also has fast growing feet (big too!) and maybe we're

just not using them long enough to wear them out.

I will agree that I hate these new straps too. They're just awful - TOO

SHORT!! I know Jay Markell is sick of hearing that from me but it really

irritates me that if I don't punch a hole in the tip of the strap to buckle

them in as loose as possible when I put her feet in that they just slip

right out and I have to take the shoe off and re-thread it back through the

hole. This is soooo frustrating to me! I loved the old straps that were

half a mile long lol!

I just got Darbi's new pair of 4's last week. Ordered from Markell in mid

Sept. Same straps. Had to punch a hole in the tip. So apparently nothing

has changed yet. ugh!

Kori & Darbi

3/03 - DBB 12hr/day

Size 4 Markells Already, What A Big Foot Girl!

[Guest guest]

Wow ,

I find it interesting that your experience with the strap is really quite

different than ours. I don't think they stretch very much and hold up very

well. BUT... Darbi also has fast growing feet (big too!) and maybe we're

just not using them long enough to wear them out.

I will agree that I hate these new straps too. They're just awful - TOO

SHORT!! I know Jay Markell is sick of hearing that from me but it really

irritates me that if I don't punch a hole in the tip of the strap to buckle

them in as loose as possible when I put her feet in that they just slip

right out and I have to take the shoe off and re-thread it back through the

hole. This is soooo frustrating to me! I loved the old straps that were

half a mile long lol!

I just got Darbi's new pair of 4's last week. Ordered from Markell in mid

Sept. Same straps. Had to punch a hole in the tip. So apparently nothing

has changed yet. ugh!

Kori & Darbi

3/03 - DBB 12hr/day

Size 4 Markells Already, What A Big Foot Girl!

[Guest guest]

Hi Kori,

I agree with you on the length of the straps compared with the old type,

they are so difficult to keep in the shoe while you're putting it on.

Good idea to punch a hole in the tip, although at the moment, I'm just

managing, when 's feet get bigger, I'll be trying that.

I can only compare the 'new' straps with the 'old' straps and for me

there's no comparison. 's feet do grow pretty fast, but when Dr

Ponseti fitted him with shoes, he said they must be at least 1.5 sizes

bigger, and then only replaced when his toes were curling over the

edges, which is why they lasted us from May last year till Feb this

year, by which time only one of the straps was almost worn through - but

that's a lot of wear time, so I'm not surprised.

But his new shoes were a size 4 and lasted only three months before both

straps were useless. The orthotist here told me that the bigger shoes

are made of two different types of material and one stretches better

than the other - which eventually tears trying to 'keep up' with the

stretchy one. He said that the very tiny ones have straps made out of

different material (on the new style shoe) and this doesn't happen.

Sorry if this sounds vague, I'm relying on memory from over 3 months ago

and I'm no shoe expert!

Both straps broke at the same time, and I thought that he would just fit

new straps. Instead he gave us new shoes, probably because we're so far

away in South Africa. They're size 4.5, because 's feet had grown a

bit. Anyway, we'll see how long this new pair lasts.

Apart from the straps, we have had absolutely no problems with the shoes

and we are grateful for that.

and

24 Jan 2003, bilateral cf

www.clubfoot.co.za

RE: Markell Shoes question

Wow ,

I find it interesting that your experience with the strap is really

quite

different than ours. I don't think they stretch very much and hold up

very

well. BUT... Darbi also has fast growing feet (big too!) and maybe

we're

just not using them long enough to wear them out.

I will agree that I hate these new straps too. They're just awful - TOO

SHORT!! I know Jay Markell is sick of hearing that from me but it

really

irritates me that if I don't punch a hole in the tip of the strap to

buckle

them in as loose as possible when I put her feet in that they just slip

right out and I have to take the shoe off and re-thread it back through

the

hole. This is soooo frustrating to me! I loved the old straps that

were

half a mile long lol!

I just got Darbi's new pair of 4's last week. Ordered from Markell in

mid

Sept. Same straps. Had to punch a hole in the tip. So apparently

nothing

has changed yet. ugh!

Kori & Darbi

3/03 - DBB 12hr/day

Size 4 Markells Already, What A Big Foot Girl!

[Guest guest]

Hi Kori,

I agree with you on the length of the straps compared with the old type,

they are so difficult to keep in the shoe while you're putting it on.

Good idea to punch a hole in the tip, although at the moment, I'm just

managing, when 's feet get bigger, I'll be trying that.

I can only compare the 'new' straps with the 'old' straps and for me

there's no comparison. 's feet do grow pretty fast, but when Dr

Ponseti fitted him with shoes, he said they must be at least 1.5 sizes

bigger, and then only replaced when his toes were curling over the

edges, which is why they lasted us from May last year till Feb this

year, by which time only one of the straps was almost worn through - but

that's a lot of wear time, so I'm not surprised.

But his new shoes were a size 4 and lasted only three months before both

straps were useless. The orthotist here told me that the bigger shoes

are made of two different types of material and one stretches better

than the other - which eventually tears trying to 'keep up' with the

stretchy one. He said that the very tiny ones have straps made out of

different material (on the new style shoe) and this doesn't happen.

Sorry if this sounds vague, I'm relying on memory from over 3 months ago

and I'm no shoe expert!

Both straps broke at the same time, and I thought that he would just fit

new straps. Instead he gave us new shoes, probably because we're so far

away in South Africa. They're size 4.5, because 's feet had grown a

bit. Anyway, we'll see how long this new pair lasts.

Apart from the straps, we have had absolutely no problems with the shoes

and we are grateful for that.

and

24 Jan 2003, bilateral cf

www.clubfoot.co.za

RE: Markell Shoes question

Wow ,

I find it interesting that your experience with the strap is really

quite

different than ours. I don't think they stretch very much and hold up

very

well. BUT... Darbi also has fast growing feet (big too!) and maybe

we're

just not using them long enough to wear them out.

I will agree that I hate these new straps too. They're just awful - TOO

SHORT!! I know Jay Markell is sick of hearing that from me but it

really

irritates me that if I don't punch a hole in the tip of the strap to

buckle

them in as loose as possible when I put her feet in that they just slip

right out and I have to take the shoe off and re-thread it back through

the

hole. This is soooo frustrating to me! I loved the old straps that

were

half a mile long lol!

I just got Darbi's new pair of 4's last week. Ordered from Markell in

mid

Sept. Same straps. Had to punch a hole in the tip. So apparently

nothing

has changed yet. ugh!

Kori & Darbi

3/03 - DBB 12hr/day

Size 4 Markells Already, What A Big Foot Girl!

[Guest guest]

Thanks . At least I know now that they are weaker. I had to add holes

to his other shoes too, which weren't the new style, and didn't have any

problems with the straps at all. They held up very nicely. These straps

really do seem weaker. I think two holes did merge on his. I think

could have gone into a size 1, but she thought that a size 1.5

was okay because his feet didn't seem to be moving all over the place, so

that's what we have now. We don't go back to the doctor's again until

mid-December, but I suppose if we needed a new prescription for another

pair, the doc would be able to fax one over. Of course, I would think that

we could get them replaced by the orthotic place without a script if the

strap(s) break. He does get some redness on top of his feet, but he was

getting that before we got the larger shoes. There are some small marks

that don't seem to want to go away, but they're not getting any worse. I

think they might actually be started to fade now. I just don't strap his

feet in there as tight anymore. He's not getting blister-like marks on his

heels or anywhere else. He has his tootsie-free time while he's awake, so

they're mostly on when he's asleep at night or napping in the afternoon. He

has them on for a few hours while awake, but most of his active time,

they're off, which seems to be helping too.

and

BCF 03/25/2004

Markell Shoes question

>

>

> My son just got his new, larger size pair of Markell shoes 2 weeks ago.

> They're a bit larger than he needs, but he seems to be okay with them as

> he

> isn't getting any sores or anything like that. Only problem is trying

> to

> get them tight enough to keep his heels down and not break the strap

> since

> they are a bit bigger than he needs. I'm assuming that will stop pretty

> soon as his foot grows a bit more. I'm just hoping that the straps will

> hold up until he needs a new pair again, which I'm assuming will be in

> December or January. We'll get them beforehand if we need to, but I'd

> rather they hold up. I added a hole half way between two holes on both

> straps, and that might have not been such a good idea. The straps could

> very well end up breaking at those spots now. Anyone have any ideas on

> how

> to prevent/fix that particular problem? I also remember hearing someone

> say

> that the padded tongues have also caused trouble. What, specifically,

> were

> the problems they were causing? I'd like to know if I should be

> watching

> for anything in particular with him.

>

> Thanks!

>

> and

> BCF 03/25/2004

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks . At least I know now that they are weaker. I had to add holes

to his other shoes too, which weren't the new style, and didn't have any

problems with the straps at all. They held up very nicely. These straps

really do seem weaker. I think two holes did merge on his. I think

could have gone into a size 1, but she thought that a size 1.5

was okay because his feet didn't seem to be moving all over the place, so

that's what we have now. We don't go back to the doctor's again until

mid-December, but I suppose if we needed a new prescription for another

pair, the doc would be able to fax one over. Of course, I would think that

we could get them replaced by the orthotic place without a script if the

strap(s) break. He does get some redness on top of his feet, but he was

getting that before we got the larger shoes. There are some small marks

that don't seem to want to go away, but they're not getting any worse. I

think they might actually be started to fade now. I just don't strap his

feet in there as tight anymore. He's not getting blister-like marks on his

heels or anywhere else. He has his tootsie-free time while he's awake, so

they're mostly on when he's asleep at night or napping in the afternoon. He

has them on for a few hours while awake, but most of his active time,

they're off, which seems to be helping too.

and

BCF 03/25/2004

Markell Shoes question

>

>

> My son just got his new, larger size pair of Markell shoes 2 weeks ago.

> They're a bit larger than he needs, but he seems to be okay with them as

> he

> isn't getting any sores or anything like that. Only problem is trying

> to

> get them tight enough to keep his heels down and not break the strap

> since

> they are a bit bigger than he needs. I'm assuming that will stop pretty

> soon as his foot grows a bit more. I'm just hoping that the straps will

> hold up until he needs a new pair again, which I'm assuming will be in

> December or January. We'll get them beforehand if we need to, but I'd

> rather they hold up. I added a hole half way between two holes on both

> straps, and that might have not been such a good idea. The straps could

> very well end up breaking at those spots now. Anyone have any ideas on

> how

> to prevent/fix that particular problem? I also remember hearing someone

> say

> that the padded tongues have also caused trouble. What, specifically,

> were

> the problems they were causing? I'd like to know if I should be

> watching

> for anything in particular with him.

>

> Thanks!

>

> and

> BCF 03/25/2004

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I'll give that a try. I was wondering what I was going to do with the new

straps since they're sewn onto the shoe, but I noticed that you mentioned a

shoe repair place or Shriners. We're not seen at a Shriners and I don't

know if and where there is one around here. But, since we're not being seen

there, I would expect them to not sew them on. I just wonder how much a

shoe repair place would charge to sew new straps on. Funny thing is, I did

notice that it isn't stretched out and looking like it's going to break at

the spot where I added the hole. It's actually doing this below that spot,

at a preexisting hole! I'll contact Markell and see about getting new

straps before these ones actually break. I just hope that a shoe repair

place can get them fixed quickly and not try and make us wait for a couple

of days.

Thanks for the info!

and

BCF 03/25/2004

DB

Re: Markell Shoes question

>

> Hi ,

>

> If your straps break, contact Markell and they'll send you a replacement

> pair. I personally haven't found a lot of movement of holes in these

> shoes, so basically we end up using the same hole the whole time, if

you're

> seeing or feeling like the strap is weak there just be careful and expect

> it might break. I don't think there's much you can do to prevent it if

> that extra hole has weakened it. Normally they're pretty strong, these

> straps. Maybe you should just ask for an extra set of straps now so you

> won't have to wait when and if they do break. Email info@...

about

> this (if that's wrong, just go to the Markell website and their contact

> email is at the bottom of the page).

>

> I'm not sure exactly why the tongue is an issue, some think there's too

> much padding, some think there's too little (I'm in the latter category

> sometimes). Some babies have gotten sores where the strap goes over the

> top of the foot, some just have red marks (like my daughter) and some have

> no problems at all. I remember the old style shoes had a thick plastizode

> lining the brace shop put in, and there were no problems with that at all

> (although lots of problems with the heel - my fault I'm afraid). Just

> watch the tops of his feet for actual sores. Darbi has been in these new

> style shoes since last June and has had red marks on the tops of her feet

> ever since. They don't seem to bother her and they don't turn into

> sores... but people are now starting to notice (her ped always remarks

> about this) and I've been keeping the strap looser and tightening the

laces

> tighter hoping to make them less red. Seems to work, but they still

> haven't gone away entirely.

>

> Oh, when I was thinking about replacing the straps (for an entirely

> different reason - I was hoping the new ones would be long enough to

> actually grasp when putting them on, but alas they were the same too short

> straps we already had) I found out that Shriners can sew them on. So if

> you're being seen at a Shriners, call them before you go to a shoe repair

> shop.

>

>

>

>

> Kori & Darbi

> 3/03 - DBB 12hr/day

> Size 4 Markells Already, What A Big Foot Girl!

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I'll give that a try. I was wondering what I was going to do with the new

straps since they're sewn onto the shoe, but I noticed that you mentioned a

shoe repair place or Shriners. We're not seen at a Shriners and I don't

know if and where there is one around here. But, since we're not being seen

there, I would expect them to not sew them on. I just wonder how much a

shoe repair place would charge to sew new straps on. Funny thing is, I did

notice that it isn't stretched out and looking like it's going to break at

the spot where I added the hole. It's actually doing this below that spot,

at a preexisting hole! I'll contact Markell and see about getting new

straps before these ones actually break. I just hope that a shoe repair

place can get them fixed quickly and not try and make us wait for a couple

of days.

Thanks for the info!

and

BCF 03/25/2004

DB

Re: Markell Shoes question

>

> Hi ,

>

> If your straps break, contact Markell and they'll send you a replacement

> pair. I personally haven't found a lot of movement of holes in these

> shoes, so basically we end up using the same hole the whole time, if

you're

> seeing or feeling like the strap is weak there just be careful and expect

> it might break. I don't think there's much you can do to prevent it if

> that extra hole has weakened it. Normally they're pretty strong, these

> straps. Maybe you should just ask for an extra set of straps now so you

> won't have to wait when and if they do break. Email info@...

about

> this (if that's wrong, just go to the Markell website and their contact

> email is at the bottom of the page).

>

> I'm not sure exactly why the tongue is an issue, some think there's too

> much padding, some think there's too little (I'm in the latter category

> sometimes). Some babies have gotten sores where the strap goes over the

> top of the foot, some just have red marks (like my daughter) and some have

> no problems at all. I remember the old style shoes had a thick plastizode

> lining the brace shop put in, and there were no problems with that at all

> (although lots of problems with the heel - my fault I'm afraid). Just

> watch the tops of his feet for actual sores. Darbi has been in these new

> style shoes since last June and has had red marks on the tops of her feet

> ever since. They don't seem to bother her and they don't turn into

> sores... but people are now starting to notice (her ped always remarks

> about this) and I've been keeping the strap looser and tightening the

laces

> tighter hoping to make them less red. Seems to work, but they still

> haven't gone away entirely.

>

> Oh, when I was thinking about replacing the straps (for an entirely

> different reason - I was hoping the new ones would be long enough to

> actually grasp when putting them on, but alas they were the same too short

> straps we already had) I found out that Shriners can sew them on. So if

> you're being seen at a Shriners, call them before you go to a shoe repair

> shop.

>

>

>

>

> Kori & Darbi

> 3/03 - DBB 12hr/day

> Size 4 Markells Already, What A Big Foot Girl!

>

>

>

>

>