Shoes - SPD UPDATE

[mymommy1]

Update Post #26~

 

I know this is a weird topic for a homeschool forum, but someone on here has had to have had this problem.  My DS 11 is wearing shoes that are literally 1/2 in to short.  How do I know? He is wearing the horrible clogs his grandmother bought him possibly 1.5-2 yrs ago, and his heel sticks over.  We have tried 3 times in the last 6 months to go shoe shopping and have come home empty handed or with shoes he wouldn't wear.  He has ADHD with SPD issues with clothes, shoes, food, etc.

 

Problem now is his heel is hurting from being over the shoe.  Tennis shoes won't let his toes move.  New clogs have bumpy things in the bottom.  I don't think they are good for his feet anyway as many times he says his knees hurt.  What can I get that he can run and play in, slip on, and move his toes in? 

 

Just thought I'd seek advice before I head to the more expensive shoe stores this weekend.  PLEASE HELP ME!

Edited August 6, 2016 by mymommy1

[mellifera33]

My sensory kids like boots. Rubber rain boots. They like them a size or two big. But they're younger--I don't know if an 11 y/o could get away with that look. Have you tried a croc-type shoe? Yes, they're ugly, and yes, they have no support, but...if you need shoes for entry to places, they'll work. 

[Ravin]

I am currently wearing Lems. They are a zero-drop shoe designed to feel more like barefoot, so the front is designed to be roomy enough to let toes wiggle.

 

They are a little pricey, but for a kid who once you find them is going to stick with one pair of shoes, not unreasonable, and they have a good return policy.

[Arcadia]

DS11 wore any moccasins that were a size bigger and no socks. That way he has space to wiggle his toes. He was only willing to wear socks a few months ago. DS10 wears running shoes that have a 1cm gap in front with socks, probably 1.5 size bigger. He wears wide size because the normal size one for most brands has a narrower toe bed.

[Bree]

Mine loves the winter clogs they have that are lined on the inside because of the bumps. For us we try on so many shoes till she finds some that don't hurt. Usually they are too big too. Sandals are our go to and she has no problem keeping them on. Also, have you tried used shoes? Sometimes once they are broken in mine likes them better, also cheaper ;)

[PeterPan]

I wore shoes for years that were the wrong size because I couldn't tell how they were supposed to feel.  The person would ask and I'm like I DON'T KNOW.  Now I get myself fitted at a running store that does custom fitting.  Like they spend 20 minutes and watch you walk barefoot, walk on a treadmill, blah blah.  They switched me 1 1/2 sizes, I kid you not!  

 

So maybe with some sort of the "listen to the expert" thoughts he could go along with that?  For me, they actually feel really good!  I just thought shoes were supposed to hurt, so I went barefoot a lot.  And yes, now my little toes have room to move!  :)

 

Adding: The store I use is Fleet Feet.  You can google them to see if they have a location and what they do.  I'm guessing other stores do this too.  Not something at the mall, but a small store that really gives service.  I took my dad, who is EXCEPTIONALLY hard to fit, to a small, mom & pop, kinda store, and they did wonders with him.  It takes someone who has been doing shoes a lot and is really trained, not the 18 yo at the mall.  

[PeterPan]

The knees hurting is because of the inadequate arch support.  His feet are pronating and turning in, twisting the knee.  Poor thing!  He definitely needs new shoes!  What you could do for right now is get him something loose, like water shoes, open toed sandals, or rain boots, and put in an arch support insert.  Then go to the big city, like your state capital if necessary.

 

I hope you find some new shoes soon!  :)

[lailasmum]

Maybe Skechers? They're pretty wide in the toe generally, especially the go walks, and very soft inside.

[J-rap]

My dh has found New Balance tennis shoes to work.  They are naturally wide, very stable, and give his toes room.

[Dmmetler]

DD likes Teva sandals, and will wear them even when it's freezing.

[Kanin]

My husband just got these Olukai shoes from REI and he LOVES THEM. Luckily they have a kid version!

 

Sturdy mesh, slip on, you can definitely run in them, and roomy.

 

AND (yay), they have a special feature where you can push down on the heel flap, and wear them as slip-on clogs! Your son might love that. Then, when he wants to run, he just adjusts the flap and he's off.

 

Plus they're cool looking :)  https://www.olukai.com/nohea-mesh-boys.html?color=grey-scuba

[Tiramisu]

When we were dealing with the shoe issue it was liked being skinned alive. I have to kids with that problem. Not fun. We never really found a good solution. Some boots would work and then they'd continue to wear them as the weather got warmer and they got increasingly stinky. Then I'd find a pair of sandals that worked and they would wear them through the winter. I'd take one to church barefoot because it's the only way I could go.

 

One of my sad mommy memories is from the pre-homeschool days--DD being dragged backwards into her first grade classroom by her teacher and guidance counselor on the first day of school with shoes resting on her toes. I had been so desperate that I brought a large black trash bag with every shoe in the house that might fit to school that morning but she would not put one pair on. :(

 

Now she wears military dress shoes and combat boots, and fashionable shoes, too. The one benefit of puberty. :)

[mymommy1]

Thank you so, so much! I have so many ideas to follow up on and hope that we will have new shoes soon. I'll post with an update soon.

[Ravin]

The knees hurting is because of the inadequate arch support.  His feet are pronating and turning in, twisting the knee.  Poor thing!  He definitely needs new shoes!  What you could do for right now is get him something loose, like water shoes, open toed sandals, or rain boots, and put in an arch support insert.  Then go to the big city, like your state capital if necessary.

 

I hope you find some new shoes soon!   :)

 

He's unlikely to need arch supports if he wears a zero-drop shoe that gives the foot natural freedom of movement.

 

Arch supports + loose will lead to poor fit for the arch supports.

[PeterPan]

My friend was trying to sell me on the mo drop thing because she converted. Then she noticed I only wear shoes in town, like 2-3 hours a day, lol. But she definitely liked it! :)

[mymommy1]

He's unlikely to need arch supports if he wears a zero-drop shoe that gives the foot natural freedom of movement.

 

Arch supports + loose will lead to poor fit for the arch supports.

 

I was just looking at those and wondering that.  He will need supports because he and I both have high-arches and wide feet.

[TheReader]

My DS with sensory issues wears Vans style slip ons, and keeps them on as little as possible. He keeps them on when he has to, but takes them off every chance he can.

 

For shoe shopping, I do usually buy them with "room to grow" and we plan a very.long.time. At the shoe store. I have him pick shoes to try, we try about a 2 size span in each one, and once we pick one (he picks one), we walk around the store for a while with him in the shoes to make sure nothing rubs, and only once we have done that (seriously, 20 mins at least) do we actually purchase. I also learned never ever ever take more than one kid shoe shopping at a time, because it is too insane that way.

[mymommy1]

Shoe shopping with 3 like I've tried is so nerve racking. I 'll try the side span as well.

 

Has anyone bought online?

[PeterPan]

Oh dear, you're right taking the 7 and 4 with you would be rough!  This is something that takes time and calm.  Is there no one you can leave them with or respite care or a soul from church who would have pity?  

 

You could sign them up for a week of camp at the Y.  Just throw them in and take the whole week to figure out your ds.  It would cost money, but it could work, lol.

[GailV]

He's unlikely to need arch supports if he wears a zero-drop shoe that gives the foot natural freedom of movement.

 

Arch supports + loose will lead to poor fit for the arch supports.

 

Also, arch supports function a bit like putting your arm in a cast -- over time the muscles weaken and wither away.  Better to build up the muscles so they can do what they're supposed to do without artificial supports.

[Ravin]

I was just looking at those and wondering that. He will need supports because he and I both have high-arches and wide feet.

If your feet are free to flex and move like barefoot, you don't need arch supports, unless your foot has been damages by shoes over time (ex: plantar fasciitis).

[Ravin]

Shoe shopping with 3 like I've tried is so nerve racking. I 'll try the side span as well.

 

Has anyone bought online?

I bought my Lems online. I followed their foot measuring instructions and got the right size on the first try.

[mymommy1]

Rabin, I miss read your post yesterday to say he needed support. I realized that last night.

 

Ohelizabeth, my husband will keep them;I just haven't made it a priority yet. With the added ideas, I can make a plan and go.

[Ottakee]

How about Keen sandals? They have a big roomy toe box and good support.

 

I work with a lot of kids on the spectrum and crocs and keens seem to be the favorites.

[monstermama]

DS has one pair of Crocs and one pair of New Balances, which works because they're the only shoes he'll wear.  

 

Zappos has free returns, so that's one place to try if you can find a shoe on there you think he'd like.  DH, when he was trying to find a good pair of boots, would order 2 sizes of 3-4 shoes at a time and then return them when they didn't fit... made for an interesting credit card bill that month!

[mymommy1]

My husband just got these Olukai shoes from REI and he LOVES THEM. Luckily they have a kid version!

 

Sturdy mesh, slip on, you can definitely run in them, and roomy.

 

AND (yay), they have a special feature where you can push down on the heel flap, and wear them as slip-on clogs! Your son might love that. Then, when he wants to run, he just adjusts the flap and he's off.

 

Plus they're cool looking :)  https://www.olukai.com/nohea-mesh-boys.html?color=grey-scuba

 

Update: I ordered the shoe mentioned above, a Keen tennis shoe, and a zero-drop my MIL thought were perfect.  The Olukai won; he loves them.  They are VERY wide.  I can see that the fit is very much like a croc, but there is more support and they are cute enough to suit me. 

 

I will keep trying the zero-drop.  The pair I got didn't lace or give at the top, so neither of us could get our tall-arch feet in them.  They are heavier and narrower than the Olukai, as well.

Loved the Keen tennis shoes. Very cute, but almost a full size smaller than other tennis shoes we have.  (size 6 was about a 5.) My 8 year old snagged those to grow into.  He loves them.  Not wide, but nice shoes. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00L89SC1Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Just wanted to give a review and thanks again.  I'm not ruling out winter style crocs for around the house, but I'm happy to have something a bit better to run in and loads better to look at, and he is happy!

[Ivey]

We struggled with getting shoes on Ds11 until about two years ago, when we found our best solution so far. He wears Nike Free 5.0 running sneakers, about a size too big, without socks. He leaves them tied loosely, just pulls them on and kicks them off. I put them in the washer and lay them outside in the sun to dry whenever they start to stink. They're the most comfortable running sneakers I've ever tried, and everyone in our family now has at least one pair. 

[Kanin]

Yayyyyyyy!!!!  So glad it worked out!! :)