Oh, My Aching Feet! I Need Some Good Shoes...

[SteeleJoe]

At least partly because of the line of work I did as a youth (very macho tough guy stuff - just thought I'd mention that in because of the wimpy topic - but it's true!) I have chronic issues with my tootsies. These days I rarely have to wear proper dress shoes (only a couple times a month when I wear a suit) and can easily get away with wearing something very casual 95% of the time as long as they're black and low key closed toe footwear.

So what I want is a pair of decent cross-training or walking shoes that will offer me good support. Easy to find you say? Well, I want them in all black and as plain as possible. Preferably, given how often I have to remove my shoes every day, with velcro fasteners. Reebok, Nike, Brooks all make stuff that would work but where to find them? (I could order online but I'm worried about fit).

So, I was inspired by the guy asking about sunglasses and the fact that I asked an obscure parking question not long ago and was once again impressed by the wealth of knowledge available here and how generous people can be in dispensing it, and decided to ask:

Any recommendations on the precise brand and model that would suit me?

And (more importantly) where can I find a store likely to have such a thing?

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[inapeartree]

I've seen Clarks, Rockport and Hush Puppies in the Robinson stores in both Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai recently, pretty sure one of them would have a model suitable as all very comfortable and good quality.

[NeverSure]

All of our feet are different, but I have the same problems. I will spend more money on shoes than anything else in clothing, but in this case I don't have to. I have to have very good support and the minute that support is gone, out go the shoes.

I need good arch support if nothing else, but the rest of the shoes must also offer good support. I have settled on this one. No idea where you can get it in LOS but you could order it.

Click on the black pair.

New Balance MX608v3

PS I have found that I consistently need 1 size bigger than I used to. I don't know if it's age or stingy manufacturers. I hope you can at least find similar same brand shoes to try on in LOS first. I always wear the same size in this brand, just a size bigger than I used to think.

Edited January 9, 2013 by NeverSure

[uptheos]

All of our feet are different, but I have the same problems. I will spend more money on shoes than anything else in clothing, but in this case I don't have to. I have to have very good support and the minute that support is gone, out go the shoes.

I need good arch support if nothing else, but the rest of the shoes must also offer good support. I have settled on this one. No idea where you can get it in LOS but you could order it.

Click on the black pair.

New Balance MX608v3

PS I have found that I consistently need 1 size bigger than I used to. I don't know if it's age or stingy manufacturers. I hope you can at least find similar same brand shoes to try on in LOS first. I always wear the same size in this brand, just a size bigger than I used to think.

New Balance are great and if you have wide feet you can get width fitting up to 4E and they even do 6E on a few. but the price jumps about 40%

[Hssl]

Skechers - central world BKK

[SteeleJoe]

Yeah, those New Balance look excellent (even though they have laces) - but I worry, perhaps unreasonably, about getting the right fit if I can't try them on before purchase.

Thanks for the suggestions folks...welcome any more.

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[NeverSure]

I also do well with Sketchers. I haven't seen a pair I like in all black, but maybe it's out there.

I'm wearing this pair right now in the charcoal color.

[NeverSure]

Yeah, those New Balance look excellent (even though they have laces) - but I worry, perhaps unreasonably, about getting the right fit if I can't try them on before purchase.

Thanks for the suggestions folks...welcome any more.

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I wear always the same size in New Balance and Sketchers in all styles. Now that I know my size from department stores, I can order online. The first pair I bought was one size small but after I learned that, no further problem.

Velcro is for old men and that doesn't include me hahaha.

Edited January 9, 2013 by NeverSure

[SteeleJoe]

Yeah, those New Balance look excellent (even though they have laces) - but I worry, perhaps unreasonably, about getting the right fit if I can't try them on before purchase.

Thanks for the suggestions folks...welcome any more.

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I wear always the same size in New Balance and Sketchers in all styles. Now that I know my size from department stores, I can order online. The first pair I bought was one size small but after I learned that, no further problem.

Velcro is for old men and that doesn't include me hahaha.

Good to know about sizes and to hear good reports about Sketchers (but I want Black).

I'm only 50 and certainly fit enough to tie my shoes - but I have to take them off and put them on over and over again throughout the day - I get bored with tying and untying (but it's not a deal breaker, in fact I was initially looking for something with laces because I think they look slightly nicer).

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[NaMah]

I've been a runner and cyclist most of my adult life with no feet problems but suddenly developed foot pain a few years back. It was so intense it is hard to describe.

Somebody told me to try SuperFeet inserts which is a sort of generic orthodic insert for your shoes. I have been amazed by the result which is zero foot pain. They are a bit expensive (almost as much as a pair of shoes) but they are very durable and mine have outlasted many pairs of shoes. When I buy a new pair of shoes I remove the factory insert and move my Superfeet inserts from my old shoes to my new ones.

http://www.superfeet.com/

Good luck.

[SteeleJoe]

I've been a runner and cyclist most of my adult life with no feet problems but suddenly developed foot pain a few years back. It was so intense it is hard to describe.

Somebody told me to try SuperFeet inserts which is a sort of generic orthodic insert for your shoes. I have been amazed by the result which is zero foot pain. They are a bit expensive (almost as much as a pair of shoes) but they are very durable and mine have outlasted many pairs of shoes. When I buy a new pair of shoes I remove the factory insert and move my Superfeet inserts from my old shoes to my new ones.

http://www.superfeet.com/

Good luck.

Most interesting! I shall have to do some research. Thank you.

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[eeeya]

Suede or leather Driving mocassins...

I've never looked back

[draggons]

I've been a runner and cyclist most of my adult life with no feet problems but suddenly developed foot pain a few years back. It was so intense it is hard to describe.

Somebody told me to try SuperFeet inserts which is a sort of generic orthodic insert for your shoes. I have been amazed by the result which is zero foot pain. They are a bit expensive (almost as much as a pair of shoes) but they are very durable and mine have outlasted many pairs of shoes. When I buy a new pair of shoes I remove the factory insert and move my Superfeet inserts from my old shoes to my new ones.

http://www.superfeet.com/

Good luck.

Used "Superfeet" for years in trainers, mountaineering & skiing boots and work boots. Godsend for your feet.

[SteeleJoe]

Suede or leather Driving mocassins...

I've never looked back

Uhmmm...well, thanks. Any chance of being more specific? I can just imagine how it will go if I walk into the shoe department at Central and ask for "suede or leather driving mocassins"...

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[SteeleJoe]

Nahmah (great name by the way) and Draggons have me very interested but I wonder - would I still want some good shoes AND Superfeet? Would I remove some of the good shoes' interior to replace it with Superfeet or would that defeat the purpose of buying good shoes in the first place?

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[seedy]

Don't want to tie laces ? Try Lock Laces.

Website sells for 200 Baht - bought mine at a street marker for 120.

Set and forget.

[SteeleJoe]

Don't want to tie laces ? Try Lock Laces.

Website sells for 200 Baht - bought mine at a street marker for 120.

Set and forget.

Cool - just checked them out. Which market?

I can see my New Balance shoes might wind up being all tricked out with my Superfeet inserts and my Lock Laces...maybe I need to find some special socks too.

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[jocko]

You where right about the good info from forum members i know a lot more about feet than i did yesterday.

Well done to all.

[Jessi]

I felt a bit stupid starting the topic about the Sun Glasses but I got some really great advice. I have also learnt from this topic.

All of the village idiots must be asleep.

[seedy]

Cool - just checked them out. Which market?

There is a Sat and Sun market on Kaewnawaratt Rd on the north side of the street about 300 meters from the McCormick hospital. Grey and White church on N side of road, Buds of San Francisco ice cream shop south side.

Young Thai girl had a table set up - many colors.

[BookMan]

All of our feet are different, but I have the same problems. I will spend more money on shoes than anything else in clothing, but in this case I don't have to. I have to have very good support and the minute that support is gone, out go the shoes.

I need good arch support if nothing else, but the rest of the shoes must also offer good support. I have settled on this one. No idea where you can get it in LOS but you could order it.

Click on the black pair.

New Balance MX608v3

PS I have found that I consistently need 1 size bigger than I used to. I don't know if it's age or stingy manufacturers. I hope you can at least find similar same brand shoes to try on in LOS first. I always wear the same size in this brand, just a size bigger than I used to think.

New Balance are great and if you have wide feet you can get width fitting up to 4E and they even do 6E on a few. but the price jumps about 40%

I presume 4E and 6E are width? I didn't even know shoes came like that.

I have a wide-ish area before the toes and it is difficult sometimes to find a show tat is comfortable and looks okay.

No one likes a clown show

[kennedy]

I would go to a podiatrist and ask.

[geriatrickid]

Look for a Geox shoe retailer. Italian manufacturer of the shoe that breathes. In Thailand they are distributed by AA.

http://aafootwear.com Look under shop & store drop down menu for locations. The types of shoes are also shown including sizes and styles.

I am most pleased with the first pair of shoes available in ThailandI found that actually fits correctly and is built to decent quality standards. I owe the discovery to one of my work colleagues who bought them for her husband.

What I like about the shoe is that it really does breath so that your foot does not get wet and smelly.

I'd have said look for a pair of proper black oxfords, but alas the days of qualty English footwear and cobblers have long gone...... packed up and moved to China or Indonesia.

It is worth checking out. Put aside the assumptions that Italians only make fashionable , but somewhat uncomfortable footwear. This is one company with an emphasis on comfort & quality.

In respect to the New Balance and Skechers footwear, they are fine for people with normal feet. However, for those with some issues, keep in mind that skechers are not created with human physiology in mind. They are per season disposable fashion creations. If you want a good NB model that won't cause pain after some time, you have to purchase one of the higher end models. New Balance isn't the manufacturer it once was. Not saying either shoes are "bad", just that they may not be appropriate for those with some pre-existinng injuries.

Edited January 9, 2013 by geriatrickid

[SteeleJoe]

GK - Wow, thank you.

The breathing and not smelly part sounds great but my first priority is comfort. Do you still recommend GEOX?

Interesting comment about New Balance. I'd rather not spend for the very top of the range if I don't have to but...

[HardenedSoul]

Try Footcontrol in Bangkok.

Custom made inserts.

Edited January 9, 2013 by HardenedSoul

[geriatrickid]

GK - Wow, thank you.

The breathing and not smelly part sounds great but my first priority is comfort. Do you still recommend GEOX?

Interesting comment about New Balance. I'd rather not spend for the very top of the range if I don't have to but...

Well I do have a pair. I suggest you visit one of the stores and try on a pair. Be warned though, they lace up the shoes in the most obnoxious uncomfortable manner. You may have to pull the laces out and put them in again. I also have a pair of New Balance and they are ok. Most people do not understand that the soft shoes wear out faster than the hard leather showes. The shoes might look fine, but the support and sole structure breaks down so the support goes after 1-2 years of heavy use.

[thaipod]

Footcontrol custom made orthotics is worth checking out.

[SteeleJoe]

Thanks to both of you -- I will check out Footcontrol (though it suspect it may be pricey, maybe that's the way to go).

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[snowgard]

If someone have Heel pain and calcaneal spurs, it give a much much more easier way to solve it. Unbelievable!!!

Before I come in 2008 to Thailand I had this problem in Germany. I gone to some bone docs in germany and nothing changed. Than in 2008 I come to Thailand and read a lot in internet and found a website from a swiss guy who had this problem and fixed it.

The pains comes from calf cramps/muscle cramps and goes down to the feets. For fix it you just go to a step, stay only with the front of your feets on the step and whip up and down for 2-3 minutes around 5-8 times a day. After 3 days the pains gone and never come back.

Edited January 11, 2013 by snowgard

[ricklev]

Ecco Pacer. Available here at Ecco stores. I think. I just bought a pair with laces. Edited January 12, 2013 by ricklev