Shoe-wear....dilemma

[Newtothis]

I recently bought a new pair of shoes; flat with lases; very practical... at first they we're a bit stiff; few blisters on the heels but they soon healed. However, when I wore them in the hot weather complete with trainer cotton socks (very fetching) they we're squeezing and bruised my toe (next to little toe); I then knocked my toe on the bottom of the swimming pool during my 1st swimming lesson. Toe nail is now a lovely red/purple and is obviously bruised.

My question is: what type of training shoes do you guys wear in the gym? I'm reluctant to wear the one's I have because they too are quite hard and don't want to bruise my toe anymore.

Amanda x

 

[Northerner]

I wear running shoes most of the time as they are very comfortable, designed not to rub or cause blistering and to support the foot during high-impact activities. They are also suitable for walking or other activities (except maybe hill climbing etc. where you may need more protection and support) 🙂

 

[HOBIE]

I wear trainers nearly all the time, decent make & quite light. I remember years ago my specialist doc said that was good for me. 🙂

 

[Newtothis]

Thanks guys,

I can never find a soft pair of trainers; they either rub and blister my heels or bruise my toes - I might have to invest in a decent pair.

When I had my feet checked I was advised not to wear flip-flops incase I stand on anything sharp; not to walk around the house with bare-feet, wear socks with shoes and buy good trainers - I hate "suffocating" my feet especially in this weather.... (this is my grumpy face).

Amanda x 🙂

 

[Northerner]

Thanks guys,

I can never find a soft pair of trainers; they either rub and blister my heels or bruise my toes - I might have to invest in a decent pair.

When I had my feet checked I was advised not to wear flip-flops incase I stand on anything sharp; not to walk around the house with bare-feet, wear socks with shoes and buy good trainers - I hate "suffocating" my feet especially in this weather.... (this is my grumpy face).

Amanda x 🙂

A good pair of trainers will cost about ?60-80. My tip is to go fr 'last year's model'. With running shoes they bring out a new-improved model every year, but in reality this is mostly marketing. My favourite pair ever was a pair of Nike Internationalists about 28 years ago - they lasted frever and were perfectly comfortable throughout many miles service, but they stopped making them because they were too popular and no-one was buying the other models!

You can usually pick up bargains of previous year's models for almost half the price - still just as good quality! In fact, in 2006 I spotted LYM of my favourite Asics shoes in a discount shop and bought three pairs - I've still got two of them, one pair unused, so I saved myself about ?200! 🙂

 

[Andrew]

Around the country there are several 'shopping villages' like STREET somerset, where there are a lot of discounted clothes and footware retailers -selling last years stock - over production - and discounted lines, find the closest one and spend a day there, in STREET wednesday and friday are the best days as stock tends to be delivered on tuesdays and thursdays

 

[Caroline]

One of my sporty friends (she does a lot of running) tells people to go to a good sports where shop. The staff are trained to help you get the right equipment for your needs, and it is not always the most expensive.

 

[Copepod]

A key point to remember when trying on shoes in a shop, is that feet swell through the day, so best to try in afternoon. If they're tight in the morning, they'll be really tight by afternoon.

Also worth knowing that New Balance produce width as well as length sizes.

 

[Northerner]

One of my sporty friends (she does a lot of running) tells people to go to a good sports where shop. The staff are trained to help you get the right equipment for your needs, and it is not always the most expensive.

I would echo that. Depending on what you are planning to do, a specialist shop is the best. Chains like JJB sports are fashion outlets and staff are less likely to have the appropriate knowledge.

 

[LittleGreyCat]

Another vote for a proper assesment at a professional running shop - they know enough to check your feet out and pick shoes to match your walking/running style. Over and under pronating make a lot of difference to the choice of shoe.

From your description your shoes just don't fit - you shouldn't have toe or heel problems from a well fitted pair of quality trainers.

I wear New Balance in 4E width because my feet are too broad for any other shoe that I have tried.

I also wear Birkenstock sandals which provide loads of support and comfort without strangling your feet. These are also good for wearing around the house. After you buy your first pair in a shop you can then buy repeat pairs on line 🙂

I will note also that I was initially terrrified by all the dire warnings about not going around the house barefoot and other such stuff.
I eventually worked out that this advice was for diabetics with healing problems and nerve damage and that if I still healed O.K. and could feel stuff under my feet when barefoot then I was probably O.K. to walk around barefoot now and then.
It is difficult with generic advice to know which bits are vital and which bits may not apply to your specific circumstance.

Anyway, a decent pair of shoes is always a good investment because you spend and awful lot of time on your feet.

Same applies to buying a bed.

Cheers

LGC