SHOES (recommendations when worn without bracing)
Shoes with support: The following is recommended when the heel rolls in or out too much (look at heels in standing from behind – the heelcord should rise straight up the back of the leg)
- solid heel counters (the back of the shoe should be hard to hold the heel in place)
- wide flat soles (not narrow ones that round up from the side of the bottom and easily rock side to side)
- perfect fit (too long can cause tripping, small shoes can cause pain)
- If you must wear sandals look at Birkenstock or Chacos or similar sandals with good heel straps (not the open back) and a built in arch support (recently, Birkenstock website did not have back straps on kids shoes)
-clog type shoes not recommended
- Schuler Shoes has the best selection and typically very experienced/trained fitters; carru a straight last motion control New Balance (1123) that works particularly well for pronated (flat) feet
- Nordstroms will fit 2 different sized feet.
- Michael’s Boot and Shoe Repair in Osseo, Mn will make adaptations (zippers for boots, etc.)
Shoes without Support, or Minimal Shoes (often called barefoot shoe) can be tried when the heel does not roll in or out too much (look at heels from behind in standing – the heelcord should rise straight up the back of the leg). Benefits include increased feedback from the ground so your foot reacts quicker. This can lead to decreased ankle rolling, improved confidence on uneven surfaces, decreased falls. The landing is softer with barefeet and minimal shoes so you can walk on gravel with barefoot shoes on. See the work of Dan Lieberman, Professor of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University and Irene Davis, PT for more information on barefoot running.
- Do an online search for barefoot shoe or barefoot running information to find many good articles on this relatively new way of thinking for running and walking. Build up wearing time slowly as you will use different muscles moving from a stiff sole shoe to a flexible sole. If you experience calf or foot soreness or fatigue wait a few days and try again more slowly. For example, if you are used to walking for 3 miles start with 1/4 mile or carry your regular shoe with you for the end of your walk.
- For children and adults try Barefoot Shoes (many choices can be found at REI, VivoBarefoot, Vibram FiveFingers, Schuler Shoes, Zappos). Merrill and VIVOBAREFOOT have minimal shoes that do not have separate toes. The toebox looks like a typical shoe but the sole is flexible in all directions. Zappos has free shipping; REI allows returns even if worn outside if the fit is not right. Merrill has a store in the Mall of America with a good selection of adult and children minimal shoes (952-854-5778). They are not made for toddlers yet.
- You are looking for a flexible sole that allows the foot to react to changes in the walking surface (take the shoe and make sure you can twist and bend it in all directions)
- For toddlers: Pediped http://www.pediped.com/ has shoes that are almost like barefoot but they are also slippery; get non-skid grip pads and stick them to the sole of the shoe or moccasin http://www.amazon.com/Non-Slip-Grip-Shoes-Boots-Sandals/dp/B0013QZ2AS (can also be found in most drugstores and shoe stores)
RUNNING SHOES: best for running but better than most shoes in general (see below for walking shoes and for long distance walking…….Run N Fun on Randolph and Victoria in St. Paul has consistently great shoe fitters and they have good shoe inserts if the running shoe’s support is not good enough (call first to see if they have children’s sizes)
WALKING SHOES: (the shoes listed below typically have an arch support and good heel counter. The arches are different from brand to brand so what might be perfect for one foot could be uncomfortable on another.
Keen shoes (children sizes sold at REI and Schuler Shoes) http://www.keenfootwear.com/
Birkenstock ( a great selection at Foot Prints on Grand in St. Paul; call to see if they have children’s sizes. http://www.birkenstockusa.com/kids
Chacos (website does not show children’s shoes but they DO sell them at REI, etc.) http://www.chacousa.com/US/en-US/Home.mvc.aspx
ECCO shoes (I haven’t tried these myself yet)http://www.ecco.com/int/en/collection/kids/index.jsp
Merrill http://www.merrell.com/US/en-US/Home.mvc.aspx
Dansko (you need a very good fit for these to work well; can’t be too long so Nordstrom’s is the only one I know I can trust) http://www.dansko.com/
New Balance try their straight last motion control style (1123) for flat feet http://www.newbalance.com/
(Note: Stride-Rite shoes don’t typically have arch supports in them; if feet aren’t collapsing and you just need a good fit, some stores have good fitters some do not.)
FOOT ORTHOTICS (arch supports): – Custom foot orthotics are expensive and rarely covered by insurance anymore. There are some “off the shelf” orthotics, however, that are affordable.
Superfeet can be found at REI and Run N Fun and Schuler Shoes among other places; make sure the arch fits comfortably before buying. Fit it to your arch, even if you have to buy larger and cut off the toe) – not sure if they have children’s sizing yet http://www.superfeet.com/
Feet Relief (on-line) http://www.feetrelief.com/feetrelief/children_arch_supports_main.htm
Birkenstock insoles or shoe insoles (on-line) http://www.birkenstockusa.com/kids
Custom Orthotics for custom footbeds: NorthStar Podiatric Lab in Hugo, Mn will make these for a more affordable price when insurance is not covering and off the self isn’t fitting http://www.northstarlab.com
Recommended ORTHOTISTS for Custom orthotics and bracing:
Scott Hinshon (Orthotic Care Services) 612-871-1480Bob Jurusik (Winkley Orthotic Lab) http://www.winkley.com/
Kevin Hines (Arise Orthotics and Prosthetics) http://www.arise-op.com/
SHOES TO FIT OVER BRACES: Look for a wide shoe with the lacing/opening down as close to the toe as you can find so it opens up wide. If possible, find a shoe that is the size you need but wider to accommodate the brace; too long and it can cause tripping. The shoe does not need to be expensive or supportive since the brace does that job; it is primarily to prevent the wearer from slipping. I suggest a flat, wide bottom shoe because it will be more stable. New Balance (comes in wide) is often a good choice if Walmart or Target does not have what you need. Target (Dec 2010) has a slipper with a nice flat, non-skid rubber sole – if it stays on it could work well (Skidders Sneaker Sock Shoes). Specially made shoes include KP or Keeping Pace http://www.keepingpace.com/ and Hatchback Footwear (some say they are heavy) http://www.hatchbacksfootwear.com/elites.html. Tsukihoshi shoes come highly recommended http://tsukihoshi.com/ and can be found at Zappos http://www.zappos.com/tsukihoshi-kids Zappos has free shipping so you can order several sizes to try.