Shoe advice.

[velofish]

Vying for the title of most boring thread ever.
Usually, I'm pretty good at keeping an eye on my shoes and arch supports, but things have been busy lately and I didn't notice my work shoes were worn out until I blew out my bad knee. Again. So. . . time to shop for shoes. I'll be doing this via the innerwebs so I'm seeking advice on fit (true to size?), comfort and durability. And anything else you can think of.

I usually just take out the footbeds and substitute my jerry-rigged arch supports, but if you have arch supports you like, I'd be interested in hearing about that, too.

I've always loved Clarks. The real ones, not the new cheap stuff. These are my favorites:



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I ran across these Birkenstocks and have always liked their arch supports. Anybody use them or other Birk shoes?



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How about these Modestos? Apparently have quite a loyal following.
Edit: Mephistos, not Modestos.



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The Born. Got fantastic reviews on-line.



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Finally, the Dansko. Mixed reviews but mostly very positive. They certainly meet the Ugly requirement.

[Dogscout]

Doc Martins and Super Feet. I have settled on Docs for well built comfortable shoes and especially the Chelsea Boots that I can wear int he office and offer support and protection on the bike commute. Wifey bought me some Super Feet insoles back in August and another pair at Christmas. I like the Green insoles.

[NikonsAndVStroms]

Clarks, and LL Bean for me. The Clarks have survived 3 years of heavy use and are still going strong, I'm on my 3rd pair of LL Bean's in 5 years but they keep replacing them when they wear out

[green hell]

get some good orthotics. the kind where they make little casts of your feet, then form the orthotics from them.

pricey, but they'll transform every pair of shoes you own.

[velofish]

Originally Posted by green hell

get some good orthotics. the kind where they make little casts of your feet, then form the orthotics from them.

pricey, but they'll transform every pair of shoes you own.

Thanks everybody!

I'm an Orthotist and part of my job is making foot orthotics. You ever see somebody with a prosthesis who walks terribly? Probably a Prosthetist. Same deal with Orthotists.

[troidus]

Originally Posted by velofish

Thanks everybody!

I'm an Orthotist and part of my job is making foot orthotics. You ever see somebody with a prosthesis who walks terribly? Probably a Prosthetist. Same deal with Orthotists.

Probably true of many professions. By the time you get off work, the last thing you want to do is the same stuff you just spent all day doing.

[P B G]

Originally Posted by velofish

I'm an Orthotist and part of my job is making foot orthotics. You ever see somebody with a prosthesis who walks terribly? Probably a Prosthetist. Same deal with Orthotists.

Pst. send me some foamart and I'll make em, or do what every Orthotist does, drop your impressions off in the lab with out a work ticket and then pester someone until they get around to making you some inserts.

[P B G]

I prefer allen edmonds.

Just make sure if you are buying online that you can return for size exchange, and has removable footbeds.

[nt650dood]

I also really like Allen Edmonds for dress shoes. I wear orthodic inserts and my feet kill me if I forget them for a day.

[dwayne]

I am in love with Keen shoes currently. Nice cushioning, good arch support, fits wide feet, reasonable cost/built quality.

[acejones]

I have some Born loafer style shoes that are great for walking.

[velofish]

Exactly right.

I ordered the Borns and the Clarks from Zappos. I'm used to the Clarks and the Borns got the best reviews, so I figured I'd try them. Free to and fro shipping so why not?

[P B G]

Velo - with you and sportriders are CO's, anyone else on here?

[velofish]

Originally Posted by P B G

Velo - with you and sportriders are CO's, anyone else on here?

Sorry I missed your first post. Damn right about the work orders, too. Our chief tech is an older woman and she is horribly overworked so I try to always get her a work order and a reasonable deadline. Poor thing put in a couple 12+ hour days last week doing some hospital work for me. I got her some Samuel Smith beer to try and make up for it.

Back to shoes-- anybody ever try Mozo shoes? I just heard about them and they got great reviews on Zappos.

[P B G]

Fine back to shoes.
I'm sure you've found as an Orthotist that size is only one side of the coin, fit is another, so depending on what sorts of lasts fit you well you can go forward. How would you describe your foot in terms of shape, width, instep girth etc?
What about your thoughts on price point?
From the styles you posted, I would at first glance point out Finn Comfort - but they can run higher in cost, but similar aesthetics, and removable foot beds in most of their shoes.

12 hours! Making custom TLSO's in house?