having a problem finding some walking shoes that will work with my fused foot.
currently using some heap North Ridge flux shoes from Go outdoor.
but they are too soft and are a bit too sporty looking if you get what i mean.
i want something in a darker colour, possibly leather or dark nubuck and with the curved sole that seem popular.
they work with my ankle rather thana normal sole which causes huge blisters on my bad foot.
tried Scarpa, Keen, Clarks and Peter Storm. all to no avail.
anyone suffer similar ? or got any ideas.
William Lennon have some proper 'sprung' shaped fell shoes/boots. I'm sure they would make whatever style of there's you like on that last. I favor the work boots myself, (handily a lot cheaper than some of the other options). Drawback is the LOOONG wait time for delivery.
https://williamlennon.co.uk/shop/268-hill-boots/
I had some of the Keen ones that felt good for the time I had them but the uppers gave way within a matter of weeks just normal wear - a common problem I’ve found with Keen footwear.
Hoka would be my first thought. Not sure on the style or model though.
A friend used to swear by the MBT shoes before he had his leg fixed. Not sure if they are still around though.
Something like a Hoka Kaha 3 might work. Available in all-black.
Altberg do boots with a curved sole I think
I think our feet have been designed over millennia q to be pretty much perfect the way they are without layers of squishy foam between them and the ground.
Been using barefoot shoes for for years now and since then I don't have a problem with my knee.
I have the William Lennon 157 hill shoes mentioned above, but I had them made with a slightly lesser curve in the last and thus the soles- I asked for them to use the last from their boots. I can imagine the fully sprung last will be very curved. They are a well made shoe but they are heavy; very, very heavy, if you hit someone with one I reckon you'd kill them! They are very helpful if you contact them.
I also have their tan leather boot, again very well made. I would avoid the leather soles though as they are quite slippy on wet pavement.
You could also get custom made boots. My wife arranged for me to have a pair of shoes made to measure for me for a big birthday and they are lovely but expensive, iirc there was three fittings involved,p; +£1k nearly a decade ago and they arrived the following birthday ( I actually picked them up on my birthday the following year) so far longer than William Lennon!
I have the William Lennon 157 hill shoes, but I had them made with a slightly lesser curve in the last and thus the soles- I asked for them to use the last from their boots.
I think they call that the Army last. Seems quite normal boot shaped to me. (I have a black and brown pair).
Yes, semi sprung / Army in the boots and fully sprung (turned-up toe) last in the hill shoes. I didn't think I'd like the turned up toe for casual shoes so chickened out!
Is a really stiff shank what you're after, ie something that doesn't need/allow any foot bend, and has a bit of rocker to compensate? Some mountaineering boots might be good in that sense?
Blimey nailed boots. I must get some for my next visit to Wasdale Head Inn.
Blimey nailed boots.
Yeah, I'm not even tempted to try them as I know it'd be me repairing the wooden/laminate floors the first time I forgot to take them off before entering the house!
thanks for all the idea's. appreciated.
been to see a foot person this morning.
been told to stay away from any shoe with a heel or raised heel, as this opens the ankle joint, and as mine is fused, it wont and this causes stress at various areas in the foot.
told me to try some zero drop or barefoot shoes as this makes you king of walk on your forefoot which takes stress off the ankle joint.
so i need some zero drop or barefoot shoes with a bit of a cushioned sole. been looking at the vivobarefoot shoes. blimey they are a touch pricey...... ;o(
I tried Vivobarefoot a few years ago and have since moved to almost all my shoes and boots being zero drop / foot shaped. Pointy shoes with heel stack are dead to me now. (Anyone want to buy a lovely set of Loake wide fit size 12??)
As you say, Vivos are pricy. A much cheaper way to try is look for barefoot shoes from Aliexpress or Amazon. I've got a couple of pairs now from Hobibear and they are spot on. Only about £30 or so I think. Possibly better than Vivo, as the sole and insert is a bit thicker.
It took a good long while to get used to walking longer distances in them though, with the lack of padding. Altra trainers are great too, but I don't think they do a leather shoe.
Another option, if you hae boots you otherwise like, is to send them to get teh heel ground off and a new sole put on. I did this, sent them to a cobbler in Kendal. A beloved pair of wide Meindl non goretex boots but the heel felt awful as I wore zero drop more and more. Only cost about £70 including return post, for the stupidly grippy Vibram Peak district.
This is the post on insta that inspired me to send mine in
told me to try some zero drop or barefoot shoes
What size are you? I've got some Hobibear ones like in the picture below in a size EU45 that I can send you. I didn't get on with them so they've barely been worn and are sat in a box of old stuff headed for charity.
What size are you? I've got some Hobibear ones like in the picture below in a size EU45 that I can send you. I didn't get on with them so they've barely been worn and are sat in a box of old stuff headed for charity.
thanks for the offer mate but i am a 47 just ordered a pair to see how i go with em.
MrsIHN uses zero drop trainers and walking boots, for the boots she currently has a pair of Altra ones that she really likes. Inov8 also do them (and I think you get a STW discount for Inov8)