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Options besides sneakers for walking or light jogging?


matrips
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I returned another pair of good supportive running shoes today.  These gave me a bunion type thing on the outside of one foot.  So, instead of sneakers or confined shoes, what else can I wear for walking and maybe some easy running.  Walking is maybe 3-4 miles a day, on pavement/streets. I have sandals that I could wear casually walking for a day shopping or touring or such, but don’t think they’d work for a fast paced walk with some running.

so options?  I live in Florida so spend a good amount of time barefoot or in crocs or such.  maybe my feet don’t take to confined spaces as much anymore.

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Have you tried the brand Altra for running shoes?  They have a super wide natural toe box.  

I could walk all day in Keen sandals.  

 

If you want some more extreme options, you can look into Skinners or Xero sandals.  Both are essentially a minimal protection in order to go bare footed.  I've run in both, but you need to start very gradually or you'll end up injured.  

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I used to walk quite a bit in sport sandals. I didn't run, though. And I don't think I could do that much walking in them now, since I am much more prone to tripping and falling these days. 

For a couple of years, though, they were my go-to walking shoes unless the weather was cold enough to justify sock and sneakers.

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27 minutes ago, Monica_in_Switzerland said:

 

Have you tried the brand Altra for running shoes?  They have a super wide natural toe box.  

I could walk all day in Keen sandals.  

 

 

 

No, I haven’t tried Altra- I’ll look into them.

I do have keens ( a pair that my son outgrew before wearing them), but the footbed doesn’t seem to fit my foot well.

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I have switched to more minimalist trail shoes- Merrell. It’s funny because I used to be all about supportive shoes but going the other way has been better for my spine and my feet. I did have to get used to them though because muscles I didn’t know that I had, had to start taking over to provide natural support. It took me over a month but now I won’t go back to other kinds of shoes. 

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I use Altras and I adore them but they have a zero drop which can take a bit of getting used to.

For around town and for running on packed dirt I usually wear Torins, which are cushy, zero drop, and have a very wide toe box with a narrowish heel.  For rougher terrain I wear Superior 4’s with the rock plate, mostly.  

I started to get a bunion type thing from wearing arch support all the time, so when my PF healed up to the point where the arch support was no longer as necessary I switched to all over Cush instead, and it has worked out beautifully.

For sport sandals with just a little arch support, I like Tevas, the wide strapped original style.  They are very adjustable, too, which means that I can customize the fit.

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1 hour ago, Jean in Newcastle said:

I have switched to more minimalist trail shoes- Merrell. It’s funny because I used to be all about supportive shoes but going the other way has been better for my spine and my feet. I did have to get used to them though because muscles I didn’t know that I had, had to start taking over to provide natural support. It took me over a month but now I won’t go back to other kinds of shoes. 

Going "barefoot" and working out muscle knots made all the difference regarding pain in my feet and legs.

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Do you have a local shoe store that specializes in more ortho brands?  We have one here that allows you to make a 15 or so minute appointment with a specialist for a consult and will recommend particular brands for your feet.  They also might recommend inserts for your foot type. I highly recommend finding something like that if it is available to you. 

My favorite brand is Alegria right now.  Though I walk up to a couple hours at a time  in adidas wide sizing with happy feet inserts.  And those work FANTASTIC for me.  I have also had PF but haven't had problems at all the last few years.  I do find wearing some decent slippers or slides during the day when I'm on my feet at home makes a difference in how my feet feel when I go walking too.  

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2 hours ago, Jean in Newcastle said:

I have switched to more minimalist trail shoes- Merrell. It’s funny because I used to be all about supportive shoes but going the other way has been better for my spine and my feet. I did have to get used to them though because muscles I didn’t know that I had, had to start taking over to provide natural support. It took me over a month but now I won’t go back to other kinds of shoes. 

I have a pair of Merrel Trail Gloves that I wear for more hiking-ish walking. I do love them. I don't normally wear them just for regular daily walking on pavement (mostly because they are expensive enough that I want to "save" them for trails.)

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I have not been able to find any hiking or trail running shoes that fit with my bunions. They just don't make the toe box wide enough in women's shoes. Then I tried on my husband's Brooks Cascadia 15 pair, and though way too big, I knew I had hit the jackpot. I just ordered a men's 7 wide - his are a 9.5 wide - hope I can make them work on my women's 8 extra wide foot. I will try to remember to post back after they come and I have had a chance to take a trail walk.

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I can only wear wide toe box shoes for running AND I need a slip in orthotic to do so. Nothing immediately off the shelf works, but with those, I totally have functional shoes.

I recommend visiting an orthotic brand shoe store and mentioning your specific issues and where things have gone wrong in the past.

I will also caveat that if you are over 50 and you have a significant hallux valgus (which can look like a bunnion) or other toe structure deviation you may need to see a podiatrist. 

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I have ongoing issues with plantar fasciitis. The Hoka One One sandals are my everyday walking shoe. I wear them for miles on fairly rugged trails frequently. I would not run in them though. I used to wear Keens and Tevas, but no more. I also use the Hoka One One trail shoe, and that would be a decent running option.

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On 5/10/2021 at 11:15 AM, Jean in Newcastle said:

I have switched to more minimalist trail shoes- Merrell. It’s funny because I used to be all about supportive shoes but going the other way has been better for my spine and my feet. I did have to get used to them though because muscles I didn’t know that I had, had to start taking over to provide natural support. It took me over a month but now I won’t go back to other kinds of shoes. 

What muscles did you find bothered you when you switched from supportive to less supportive shoes?  
I just started walking in my keens which are fine for my feet, but my it band in my left leg is acting up, plus some other aches/pains.

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On 5/10/2021 at 12:17 PM, happi duck said:

Going "barefoot" and working out muscle knots made all the difference regarding pain in my feet and legs.

What muscle knots did you have to work out?  Just started walking in my keens and now having it band issues

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On 5/10/2021 at 7:35 AM, matrips said:

These gave me a bunion type thing on the outside of one foot.

Not exactly what you're looking for, but I found that I would get that sort of thing when I wore women's running shoes but not with men's, presumably because they are wider.

Edited by EKS
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1 hour ago, matrips said:

What muscles did you find bothered you when you switched from supportive to less supportive shoes?  
I just started walking in my keens which are fine for my feet, but my it band in my left leg is acting up, plus some other aches/pains.

I have a lot of muscle problems.  But specifically I was having a lot of plantar fasciitis which resolved after switching shoes.  I also have problems with knees, hips etc.  Improving my alignment has helped with that as well.  (What it hasn't cured is my fibromyalgia which of course gives me a lot of aches and pains as well as muscle cramping.)  

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On 5/10/2021 at 2:53 PM, Faith-manor said:

I have not been able to find any hiking or trail running shoes that fit with my bunions. They just don't make the toe box wide enough in women's shoes. Then I tried on my husband's Brooks Cascadia 15 pair, and though way too big, I knew I had hit the jackpot. I just ordered a men's 7 wide - his are a 9.5 wide - hope I can make them work on my women's 8 extra wide foot. I will try to remember to post back after they come and I have had a chance to take a trail walk.

I have the men's Brooks Cascades and LOVE them   I can easy hike 7+ miles with them....even carrying a pack.

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