Good footwear

[Mackman]

I've been cursed my entire life with poor feet. My feet are flat, and I've always worn arch supports. I've worn Red Wing work shoes since high school, they utilized a steel shank and were the most supportive work shoe I could find. But now, 50 years later, they've gotten away from the steel shank, and don't seem to help me much. I have heard the same lament from others with bad feet. Anyone know of a good footwear brand out there? I would expect there are other current and former construction workers in the same boat.

 

[khryslerkid]

Some good suggestions on here.
Don't buy Skechers Arch Fit - Paradyme $95.00 shoes...

I'm going shoe shopping today. I looked up shoe brands made in the USA and found a couple that might be in my area. Midwest Boots, Saucony and New Balance.

 

[Hey-O]

Ariat Heritage Roper boot. No break in required and feels like a shoe. The insoles are crazy comfortable.

 

[440 4 speed]

You didn’t say if your arch supports /foot orthotics were over the counter or custom made.
I would suggest trying to find a competent cobbler, shoemaker that can actually make them for you. I believe most Pedorthists take a cast/impression or scan of your feet.
Good foot orthotics in most footwear would suffice. I made a lot of orthotics through my career and quite often recommended Red Wing.
Arch supports usually only need to come to the met heads/ball of the foot.

 

[ckessel]

Many years ago, around 98, the Matco dealer who came by the dealership I worked at talked me into trying out some boots he was working as a distributor for. Redback Boots. redbackboots.com. I was hesitant to try them as they were around $100 at the time and I was used to buying boots from Big5 and getting the twofer deals. The Big5 boots were uncomfortable to be in as I was on my feet standing on concrete most of the day. I kept buying new ones because they would bother my feet when they weren't even 6mo old. I finally tried out the Redbacks when he said I could try them for a week to see how they felt. OMG! Those things were the bomb. I've bought a new pair yearly since 98. The sole has traction on concrete with fluids, oil/coolant/water, can be had with steel toes, have a shank if I remember correctly and are a snug slip on.
He ended up getting the corporate types at Matco to sell them and they have their own version of it now. The importer was near where I used to live so I bought the original version directly and saved some dough leaving the tool truck out of the equation. Later on I found they could be had for less still on Amazon. I have arch supports, custom made ones, in them that get swapped when its new boot time. Also be mindful of what socks you wear. Straight cotton sucks. No cushion and they are like wrapping your foot with a wet towel all day. They don't wick the moisture away. I've used Thorlo hiking/trekking socks since the early 90's. Way better cushion and wicking. Not cheap but helps the feet.

 

[ESOXER]

I wear Justin boots, my dad likes Thorogood, he goes to Merril and gets them right from the factory. Weinbrenner Shoe Company

 

[SteveSS]

A good pair of cowboy boots last damn near forever.

 

[Billccm]

Ecco shoes are the best made in workmanship, materials, and foot support. I can get about 10 years out of a pair of Ecco with maybe 1 repair in between.

 

[440 4 speed]

A good pair of cowboy boots last damn near forever.

If you wear the traditional roper pointy toed boots without changing to low heeled shoes, hiking boots or joggers. You will invariably get shoe shaped toes and shortened calf muscles.

 

[Snook]

I just got a pair of Propet's Stability Walkers in 14 5E width and i have to say, these are the best that I've ever got. I'll be buying another pair shortly as a backup. Great shoes.

Chuck (snook)

 

[Scott Engelhardt]

I hate shoes. When I would find I good pair I would buy 2 pair. Nowadays it’s hard to find two pair that fit the same

 

[SteveSS]

If you wear the traditional roper pointy toed boots without changing to low heeled shoes, hiking boots or joggers. You will invariably get shoe shaped toes and shortened calf muscles.

"Ropers" by definition have a flat heel and round toe.

 

[Paul_B]

Ecco shoes are the best made in workmanship, materials, and foot support. I can get about 10 years out of a pair of Ecco with maybe 1 repair in between.

Ecco hybrid dress shoes are the most comfortable business/office type shoes I’ve found.

For athletic shoes, Hoka are the best I’ve found.

 

[1967coronet]

I hate shoes. When I would find I good pair I would buy 2 pair. Nowadays it’s hard to find two pair that fit the same

Scott google ortho feet, They are only online. I have been buying their shoes and boots for years now. I'm on concrete all day.
They are broke in out of the box, plus if your unhappy you have 30 days to send the back.

 

[440 4 speed]

"Ropers" by definition have a flat heel and round toe.

THANK YOU for the explanation. Obviously I was not a rancher. Because of foot problems I was never able to wear cowboy boots. The neighbours that had cattle all wore the higher heel and pointy toed boots.
The female teachers that started working in the 1930’s usually wore shoes with about a 11/2 inch heel. When they retired, some had a difficult time walking barefoot.

 

[Scott Engelhardt]

Scott google ortho feet, They are only online. I have been buying their shoes and boots for years now. I'm on concrete all day.
They are broke in out of the box, plus if your unhappy you have 30 days to send the back.

Just ordered a pair. Looking forward to trying them out.

 

[Scott Engelhardt]

I just got my boots from Orthofeet I have been wearing them for a little over an hour now. I think I am going to put in the 1/8 spacer. They fit very well, but they will be put to the test Monday at work.

 

[Scott Engelhardt]

I saw a commercial for Olukai slippers. I needed new slippers anyway, so I ordered me and the wife a pair. Hers were a Christmas present. I ordered the wrong size and thought this will be a **** show trying to exchange them. I called Thursday, it took less then 5 minutes and I had a return sticker. The wife dropped them off at a Fed Ex yesterday, today I got a notice that the new ones shipped today. What a pleasant experience. I love these slippers

 

[James Hogan]

Custom made orthotics made from plaster casts by my foot doctor were life changing. I could tell from the moment I put them on in his office. I was an electrician for 34 years who only wore Redwings. The pain in my lower back and my legs left and never came back. Good luck!

 

[440 4 speed]

Custom made orthotics made from plaster casts by my foot doctor were life changing. I could tell from the moment I put them on in his office. I was an electrician for 34 years who only wore Redwings. The pain in my lower back and my legs left and never came back. Good luck!

Glad you had success. Most likely he sent your casts off to a lab and they made them.