whats the best in-style shoes a diabetic should wear

[DiabeticBoy]

I was diagnosed last week with little neuropathy. My podiatrist ask me to wear orthopedics shoes from now-on. I just purchased a pair of ortho-shoes but god they are horrible looking, is there any diabetic out there that can tell me what other options I have, maybe running shoes might work...:(

[foxl]

WHY orthopedic shoes?

[Handybear]

I wear Rockport shoes. Always confortable and stylish.

[networkguy]

I wear Doc Martens.

[jenb]

I wear whatever the heck shoes I like. How will the orthopaedic shoes assist with your neuropathy?

Jen

[Caravaggio]

I wear whatever the heck shoes I like. How will the orthopaedic shoes assist with your neuropathy?

Jen

ditto

:confused:

[Shubert]

Shoes are overrated, go barefoot.

[AngelKitty]

Wear whatever shoes make you happy - as long as your toes are not squashed and they are fitted properly (correct length and width for your foot) then there shouldn't be a problem.
Sketchers have a nice range of trendy footwear for men and women - my podiatrist advised me that this brand was okay to wear as they also have good foot / sole support (I have ankle problems!)
Unless you need to wear orthotics in your shoes, this would be the only reason that you may be restricted with what shoes you can wear (this is usually more of a problem for the girls).
Hope this helps!

[CountYourselfIn]

Shoes are overrated, go barefoot.

Through broken glass.

Err. Why ortho's?

[pdxdennisj]

Many with diabetic related foot issues on this board seem to like NewBalance. I have been wearing Hush Puppies for three years now because they are so comfortable, though I have no feet issues. Consider "Diabetic Inserts" for your shoes - do a web search.

[Cormac_Doyle]

As long as the shoes fit properly (don't pinch/give proper support), you should be able to wear whatever you like.

If you are suffering from neuropathy, you may not be able to tell if the shoes fit properly without due care - but that just means you have to be careful to check they fit properly ... you don't have to only wear things that have been hit repeatedly with the ugly stick.

then again - I only wear things that are comfortable ... I really don't care about "fashionable" ... my (now ex-) wife used to complain bitterly that I used to dress terribly, so counting on me for fashion advise would be a bad idea!

[art]

Give up italian loafers?
Not happening.

Have doctors ever figured out we like to live our lives as fully as possible?

Art

[TNT]

When I'm not wearing my boots, I usually go for my Vibram Five Fingers - all the comfort of going barefoot without the rocks, glass, and discarded ninja shuriken cutting up the soles of your feet.
Also, if you're worried that shoes will cause fitting problems, you can always get a pair of flip flops. Rainbows are particularly comfy and don't chafe.
Oh, and do not get crocs whatever you do...I just can't stand them, never tried on a pair myself, but the shear volume of those things is ridiculous (at least the fad has died down now I think)

[Shubert]

Oh, and do not get crocs whatever you do...I just can't stand them, never tried on a pair myself, but the shear volume of those things is ridiculous (at least the fad has died down now I think)
I totally saw a guy at the restaurant I work at wearing a pair of orange ones. I was like, you serious?

EDIT: I have Reebok shoes, both for normal walking and running/working out.

[foxl]

Okay, not start a harangue over a relatively trivial (except to some peoples' feet) thing, but I LOVE CROCS and always have. They are shaped for the European "ham" foot, which I have. High instep, broad ball, narrow heel. And with the clog style, I never have to worry about fitting that HEEL.

Crocs, BTW makes a few models of work shoes that look quite acceptable and un-croc-like. I have those, too. They also market a model they recommend for diabetics (meaning the ones who have microvascular damage and neuropathy ;-) ).

Before Crocs, I wore Birkenstocks. But original-style crocs are inexpensive, and antibacterial. And they wear like iron. Maybe the fad is over ... but, the shoes wear on. I got a pair 3 years ago that are only now showing real wear. And I am not a shoe princess ... I wore them VERY frequently.

The rest of the time, I wear New Balances.

Do not knock "ugly" shoes ... they do have their merits, personally, and environmentally.

[sugardumplin]

I am FOR crocs. I think they are very comfortable and easy to match to pretty much anything you wear.

a radio host once said, people who wear crocs are just saying "I give up on shoes"

crocs may be the easy way out. But I love mine. I mostly wear them in the winter. I have a black pair and a brown pair. :D

[sarahspins]

Okay, not start a harangue over a relatively trivial (except to some peoples' feet) thing, but I LOVE CROCS and always have. They are shaped for the European "ham" foot, which I have. High instep, broad ball, narrow heel. And with the clog style, I never have to worry about fitting that HEEL.

This is me too.. I have a super hard time finding does that fit me, because not only do I have that difficult foot shape, but I have very short feet too... it's like a double burden. This has been an issue for me since I was 14 - I can't just walk into a "normal" shoe store and find anything that fits. "Wide" shoes are sometimes okay, but they're usually too loose in the heel. I order a lot online - there are several places that offer more european brands, and have free return shipping if you don't like something or it doesn't fit.

That said, I do wear crocs a lot - they're easy to wear, they fit, nothing hurts, but I do agree they are ugly :) They're great when it's muddy though, because you can just hose them off and they can be dried in seconds. I have worn one pair so much I did actually wear them out - the tread was all gone and the shoes were totally smooth on the bottom. I have 2 others I got around the same time that are fine though, so I wonder if that wasn't just a bad batch of materal.

I currently have a pair of Teva sandals that are great (so great, I'm tempted to go buy another pair so I'll have a spare when these wear out), but I had to size up a full size to get enough room through the instep. I tend to wear them with socks though, so any extra room at the toes doesn't really matter.

Which brings up another point.. I think SOCKS matter sooooo much more than the shoes do.. you can have a great pair of shoes and it won't matter if you are wearing bad socks. A good fitting sock that isn't too tight, that has a seamless toe is very important for me :) Usually the more expensive they are, the better (I have a thing for Teko and SmartWool), but I have come across a few exceptions (Target has some nice seamless poly socks which are good for workouts). I prefer a lightweight wool sock to cotton or poly *any* day - they're softer, keep your feet drier, and have natural antibacterial properties :) Plus most good wool socks are just made better.

I'm only 28 and I have no complications, and I'd like to keep it that way - I take very good care of my feet. They're the only ones I have and I'd like to keep them healthy :)

[jenb]

Hi - I just checked in with my hubby about his favorite shoes. (He has arch and pronation problems). He loves Rockports and suggests you try them out. Stylish and comfortable.

Jen

[davef]

I wear ASICS Gel Cardio, supposedly designed with diabetics in mind. I have a pair for over a year now and find them very comfortable and hard wearing.

[bellicosejason]

I've always worn New Balance running shoes. Great arch support and very light weight.

[1st_rate_mate]

According to orthopedic foot specialist of 30 years practice NEW BALANCE is the most anatomically correct.

As we age arches tend to diminish causing pronation to roll inward universally. It is best to have this tendency corrected by a professional technician.

[sridder]

According to the podiatrist I saw last week - it depends on your foot. Based on your bone structure you could need a flexible, neutral or stability shoe - new balance makes all 3 kinds but so do other some brands. I learned a lot at my appointment about proper shoes and how to take good care of my feet.

[misha09]

I agree with the others, how would ortho-shoes help? Just wear good shoes lots of support and comfortable so you don't get blisters!

[gsnider]

Runners put their feet through the worst kinds of punishment. I would suggest taking a look online to find a reputable running store in your city and paying them a visit. A good running shoe salesman will watch you walk or jog and, based on the way you pronate or supenate, suggest multiple pairs of shoes for you to try on. Running shoes are great because they're built to be extremely comfortable, support your foot perfectly and breathe.

[CountYourselfIn]

Also, I don't know if anyone's mentioned this, but know your width. Some people have broad feet, and popular brands don't offer wide shoes.

Nike, for example, are like B or D width (A being paper thin). Normal is probably more like D, and I've seen sizes going up to EEEEEE.

Perfect shoe for me is like 11.5 4E, but I can get away with a pair of size 12-13 Vans or Adidas if I'm willing to break em in (they're snug)

Skate shoes seem to be broader than runners/x-trainers and that kinda ****.

New Balances are very comfy. Not fashionable if you're under 30 (no offense, but it's true ;))

afterthought: Sketchers also offers more size variety, and aren't that bad looking.

[foxl]

Love, love LOVE New Balances. Running shoes are THE best thing orthopedically, even if you do not run or work out, and they surround your foot so you are protected from injuries.