Medical Type People Just Want Some Advice..

[gealach]

I am bad about buying cheap shoes (I'm poor what do you want) and I'm destroying my feet with all the wa...

Strictly from a medical point of view (not financial), if the cheap shoes are causing toe/foot/knee/back problems, then don't buy the cheap shoes. Go for the shoes that are going to allow you the level of activity you want, while avoiding injury.

I have foot problems, and have learned the hard way (2 torn mcl's, ouch) not to ignore the needs of my feet. My mom has terrible feet, and shoes are torture for her. She ignored it until she can now barely walk, and surgery is the only option. I wouldn't wish that pain & disability on anyone. Be good to your feet, they are literally your foundation. Get the better shoes :)

For brands, I love Earth Shoes :inlove: most comfortable I've ever warn. Dr. Scholl's are good too, and when my feet have had it I turn to moccasins.

 

[Gs172003]

Strictly from a medical point of view (not financial), if the cheap shoes are causing toe/foot/knee/b...

Thanks

 

[nursenurse]

Merrells are great shoes, for me anyways, they are comfortable right out of the box. If they made them with heels, they would be my dress shoe as well. You can frequently find last year's models (or older) at outlets here in Canada, and I am sure the same is true in the USA.

I echo the same sentiment as everyone else regardless of the shoe you buy, it is better to spend a little extra for something that is comfortable and will last a while longer. I walked/hiked the Camino de Santiago (900km) in a pair of hikers I got at a great discount because the style was a couple of years old. They were under $100 CAD, which means they would be cheaper for you. And my feet survived :)

It just takes some digging, whatever brand you may chose. Go to a proper outdoor store that has multiple brands of hikers and runners, try on a bunch of different brands and styles, make note of what suits you, and then hit shoe outlets and sales.

 

[Neverthesame]

to spend a little extra for something that is comfortable and will last a while

You just reminded me of something, thank you.

Depending on the boot/shoe, when the soles are worn out, you may be able to take them to a cobbler, who can put new soles on them for far less money than buying a new pair.

 

[nursenurse]

Good point, @Neverthesame, but typically it is the more expensive shoes that can have this done. Have never attempted this with a hiker, though, I think by the time the soles are toast, the rest of the boot is toast, plus it is the rubber/whatever compound the soles are made of that will determine if they can be repaired. Dress boots, some Fluevogs, and I believe Blundstones can be repaired. I have both, have never had to test the theory. I actually live in Croc flops a lot of the time when I don't require a full shoe, got caught in the snowstorm with them yesterday too.

 

[Friday]

I've gotten my Danners & Bates resoled / reworked many times. @roughly $100-$200 far far far cheaper to do that than buy new boots. (Which -the ones I buy- are roughly $300-$400 new. Not that I ever pay that much if I can help it. Here in the land of interwebz & blackfridays Ive rarely spent more than half normal retail. But once upon a time, when I needed new boots? Just had to suck it up and buy them, right then.) Danner - Boot Recrafting

Very very strongly recommend either of those brands, (Danners or Bates) by the by. They'll easily log 20+ miles a day, every day, in all weather, for years. Before needing to be reworked, in normal-ish conditions. (Normal-ish Meaning there are times I've destroyed new boots in a month. But those were some pretty harsh conditions -and just plain ole bad luck- even for me. Soaking, freezing, set on fire, crushed. <waves hand around> they can usually survive just fine. Less so when that was Wednesday. And Thursday things got really busy.).

& I hear ya @Zoogal. Been poor for ages. Like selling your blood for your kids lunch money poor. Shoes ARE where I will put $20 a month in a jar for a year to save for a decent pair. Whether it's an Aesics running shoe (I used to have Adidas shaped feet, but after my son was born, they're now Aesics shaped :p) or a pair of Danners for work & life at large. LOL. Although the vast majority of the time you'll find me barefoot or in flip flops, if I'm tying shoes on? It's to protect my feet (and ankles, knees, hips, back). In which case, if they're not good shoes? Might as well not bother & just stick my feet in oven mits. Without these teeny tiny little bony flappy things at the end of our legs? So, so crippled. Shudder. I hate being crippled.

 

[Gs172003]

I've gotten my Danners & Bates resoled / reworked many times. @roughly $100-$200 far far far cheaper to...

Thanks! The LAST thing I want is to be crippled lol

 

[Gs172003]

Merrells are great shoes, for me anyways, they are comfortable right out of the box. If they made th...

Thank you

 

[Neverthesame]

but typically it is the more expensive shoes that can have this done.

True. The thought I had was buying more expensive and reparable footwear, which would be more comfortable, then extending the lifespan by repairing them, thus making the expense worthwhile.
(I probably should have mentioned that in the first place. Lol) :confused:

I'm having one of my scatterbrained days it would seem.

 

[Stickler]

I get oversize cheap running shoes and stuff them with padding. If I can find New Balance on clearance, that's great.
It takes me a while to destroy New Balances.

 

[DharmaGirl]

Keens are best for me, and I can find them online at great prices. Brooks are great too. I spent $109 USD on a pair 10 years ago, and they are still going strong. Not the prettiest pair, but great for walking.

 

[aut555]

Love Merrells, love Skechers but these are different then Merrells. Sometimes you can walk into men's area and get shoes there for cheaper then woman's. Just try on till you find your size. Outlets are great for deals. I have found quality leather shoes on eBay.